British Columbia’s star power as a film-friendly production centre has received a boost from $275,000 in provincial government funding to help regional organizations attract and provide services to film and video producers from around the world.
The Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development distributed the funding to regional film commissions, as well as specific tourism associations and municipalities that work closely with the BC Film Commission to showcase and promote their regions to filmmakers and liaise with film production companies.
Every year, British Columbia’s regions provide locations for various film projects, including movies, television series, documentaries and commercials. Motion picture and television producers spent more than $1 billion in British Columbia during 2010. About 90 per cent of productions use the services of the BC Film Commission, including regional film commissions and offices.
Services provided in support of regional film include:
· Surveying and scouting film locations.
· Providing logistical support while filming is underway on location.
· Supplying information for producers matching scripts with possible locations.
· Offering production research, location expertise and technical support.
· Assisting with film permits, labour regulations and immigrant/work permits.
Quotes:
Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Ida Chong –
“Film in British Columbia represents a significant economic enterprise supporting good jobs and bringing substantial revenue to communities across the province. A visually dramatic landscape, a skilled film industry labour pool and a favourable tax regime established by the Province help attract film and video production, including projects in British Columbia’s regions.”
BC Film Commissioner Susan Croome –
“Since 1978, the BC Film Commission has successfully showcased the province as a motion picture production centre and filming destination. Regional commissions and organizations are instrumental in building and promoting B.C.’s inventory of locations. They provide local production services and support required by visiting film crews and ensuring film-friendly procedures are in place through local regulatory authorities.”
Quick Facts:
· British Columbia is the third-largest production centre in North America after Los Angeles and New York.
* B.C.’s film production industry directly and indirectly employs more than 25,000 people.
· British Columbians working in the motion picture industry earned wages of about $450 million in 2010.
· The B.C. government provides between $130 million and $200 million in annual refundable tax credits for the film and television industry, depending on the level of production activity.
· The HST ensures a competitive film industry in British Columbia. Under the HST, the seven per cent PST portion of the tax is now recoverable and provides significant savings on the purchases of goods and services such as catering and equipment.
· Since 1996, the Greater Victoria Film Commission (GVFC) has been the go-to agency for film productions doing business on southern Vancouver Island. Over the last decade, GVFC has supported the regional economy by helping to generate more than $165 million in direct spending in the Capital Regional District.
· Since 1995, the Vancouver Island North Film Commission has serviced film productions generating more than $80 million in economic impact for rural communities on Vancouver Island.
· Since 1999, the Northern British Columbia Film region has played host to several Hollywood feature films including: Double Jeopardy, Reindeer Games, Insomnia, Dreamcatcher, Eight Below and most recently The Grey, filmed in Smithers for six weeks this past winter.
· In the last 10 years, the Thompson-Nicola Film Commission has worked with film projects resulting in $22 million in direct spending in the region, with a total estimated economic impact of more than $77 million in Kamloops and surrounding communities.
· Since 1990, film productions supported by the Okanagan Film Commission (OFC) have generated a multi-million dollar economic impact on the region. OFC has worked with international animation studios set to open offices in the region, including Bardel Entertainment / Nickelodeon, Lizard Brain and Disney. These new studios will employ young professional people at above-average salaries.
· In the fall of 2010, Nelson, Salmo and Ymir in the West Kootenays hosted filming of The Tall Man. The 42-day production generated $11 million in economic activity. More than 1,200 local people responded to an extras casting call.
Learn More:
· For a closer look at how the B.C. government helps film production in the province, visit the BC Film Commission at: http://www.bcfilmcommission.com/
· Check out the provincial government’s role in supporting artists, arts and cultural organizations through the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development at: http://www.gov.bc.ca/cscd
Local Film Funding Award:
Cariboo-Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association - $15,000 for 2011/12 Fiscal Year
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