Ottawa native reflects on journey that led to directing Marvel TV series
Posted Mar 19, 2021 04:00:00 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
One of the most hyped television series of the year, Marvel Studios “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier”, is directed by Ottawa native Kari Skogland, and it's ready for its debut.
The series, available on Disney Plus as of Friday, stars Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson, a.k.a. The Falcon, and Sebastian Stan as commando Bucky Barnes, a.k.a. The Winter Soldier.
Skogland, who grew up in “a residential area, not too far from the air force base,” has numerous directing credits to her name, from “The Walking Dead” to “Vikings” and “The Handmaid's Tale”, for which she was nominated for an Emmy.
She was approached by Marvel Studios in 2019 with the possibility of directing a six-episode limited series, and she says the studio enjoyed her pitch, which boiled down to “what it truly means to be a hero.”
The Marvel series is simply the next step in what has been a long journey for her.
“I started working in the film industry at a young age,” Skogland says. She started her own post-production company at the age of 25.
The Ottawa native then worked her way up the industry ladder, directing music videos, commercials and PSA's.
“The last time I shot [in Ottawa] was actually a PSA commercial against smoking and I remember, while we were there I was sort of scouting around going oh my gosh this is a spectacular place to shoot,” says Skogland. “It's sitting in the location files in my brain.”
Skogland says she'd love to film on location in the capital sometime in the future.
“Besides being absolutely beautiful, the people are fantastic and it would be a joy.”
However, she doesn't get the chance to visit as much as she would like.
“I've been several times skating on the Rideau Canal, obviously not this year, and skiing nearby, so I've been through there a few times but [I have] no more family there at this point.”
Skogland says she will be celebrating the Marvel series' release with some friends, virtually.
“It's been a lovely time, it's almost two years since we started so it's very satisfying.”
