Almost every time I'm out driving, I see evidence of a film being shot somewhere. The clues are these little white rectangular signs with a directional arrow bearing initials. Most of them I can't decipher but I do know that "O.L" means Outer Limits and "X.F" meant X-Files when it used to be shot in B.C. If I happen to get beyond the directional signs, there are numerous trailers and transport trucks. Sometimes I have to detour on to another street if there is filming in progress. In the evening, there are very bright lights illuminating the sky like a night game at a stadium. No, I don't go out of my way looking for film locations; it's just that I can't avoid them.
According to a press release earlier this year by the BC Film Commission: Film Industry has second-best year ever March 01, 2002
VICTORIA - Film and television production in British Columbia reached $1.1 billion in 2001 - the second-highest total recorded in the province, Rick Thorpe, minister of competition, science and enterprise, said today.
Foreign production reached a record high of $856.8 million - a 12.5 per cent increase from the previous year - despite the uncertainty caused by the threat of strike by the U.S. screen actors and writers' guilds, the September 11 terrorist strikes and a softening North American economy.
"With recent changes to taxation, a renewed business climate and overall economic recovery, British Columbia's film industry is well positioned for growth," said Thorpe. "When you factor in the economic downturn and the anticipated labour disruption in the United States, I'm very encouraged we reached our second-highest total ever. It demonstrates the strength of the industry here in British Columbia and the viability of expanding production further."
In the same press release, these facts were stated:
Why has British Columbia become "Hollywood of the North"? For US filmmakers, the dollar stretches further in Canada thus reducing lower production costs. The provincial government fully supports the film industry in BC and has created incentive programs to develop facilities for films. In addition, the revenue from the film production has enabled the building of several large studios such as Lions Gate and Bridge. In fact, Bridge Studios has one of the largest special effects stages in North America. British Columbia is a 2-hour plane ride from Hollywood, therefore its close proximity is an advantage for transporting actors and directors. The winters are mild so filmmaking can take place all year round. The diversity of scenery can suit the needs of many films.
- British Columbia is the third-largest production centre in North America after New York and Los Angeles.
- Numbers compiled by the British Columbia Film Commission show 197 productions were shot in the province in 2001. Of that number, 113 were Canadian productions, worth $251.6 million; and 84 were foreign productions, worth $856.8 million.
Why has British Columbia become "Hollywood of the North"? For US filmmakers, the dollar stretches further in Canada thus reducing lower production costs. The provincial government fully supports the film industry in BC and has created incentive programs to develop facilities for films. In addition, the revenue from the film production has enabled the building of several large studios such as Lions Gate and Bridge. In fact, Bridge Studios has one of the largest special effects stages in North America. British Columbia is a 2-hour plane ride from Hollywood, therefore its close proximity is an advantage for transporting actors and directors. The winters are mild so filmmaking can take place all year round. The diversity of scenery can suit the needs of many films.
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