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Originally Posted by ozonemania
Well, I certainly hope so. From what I've been hearing, while BCs competitive edge in the film industry is quite good, when it comes down to the bottom line dollars, BC is quite weak, especially with so many emerging film-production centres. Ontario and many other jurisdictions have much juicier tax credits. I can understand why BC does not want to play this game, but it is a tough pill to swallow when other markets are undercutting us on cost yet promising equally good product/services.
So when a production can choose between two different locations, all else being equal, they will pick the one that is lower cost.
That combined with a strong Canadian dollar, and Hollywood's persistent efforts to repatriate their productioin to California, means that our share of that market is more at risk than it has ever been.
I think Vancouver has done a reasonably good job of diversifying and bringing depth to industry services in areas such as pre- and post-production, digital effects, cgi and animation, gaming, new media, commercials/ads, independent film and documentaries, etc., but is it enough? I can't help but worry. Direct filming and production of American TV and movies are our bread-and-butter.
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There are other factors at work that draw productions to BC.
2 major factors I have gathered is the fact that BC is in the same time zone as Hollywood (a major bonus) and is a relatively short flight from Hollywood compared to Toronto and other locations. Time is money, and both of these factors make BC a more economic choice.
Not to mention the vast range in geographical features (man made and natural) in southern BC (within short distances of one and other) that allow filmmakers to easily manipulate our locations into cities and landscapes from around the world.
It would be nice though to generate a homegrown film industry instead of always relying on American Productions, but that is another topic...