From a Subaru car commercial to the feature film Woody Woodpecker to the TV series Supernatural, productions continued to flock to Squamish in 2016.
Approximately 150 people in Squamish work in the film industry, earning $2.5 million in wages in 2015, according to stats from Creative BC, the provincial agency that advocates for the industry.
“The industry contributes to the economy in a diverse way with regards to creative industries directly, bringing in foreign investment, encouraging tourism and contributing to the technology sector,” said Seán Cummings, locations consultant with Creative BC who presented with District staff to the corporate services, recreation and culture committee meeting last week.
Crews from 61 productions spent 221 days in Squamish in 2016, up from the 219 days of production in 2015, according to Devon Guest, film and event manager for the District who also presented to the committee.
By comparison, West Vancouver hosted film productions 100 days of 2016, while Abbotsford saw 115 days of filming in 2016.
The productions spent a total of almost $1.4 million while in Squamish.
Commercials were the most common type of production to hit Squamish streets, making up 35 per cent of 2016’s overall production.
Movies of the week accounted for 26 per cent of productions.
Features took 13 per cent of the production pie and T.V. series took 16 per cent.
Of North America’s major production companies, Warner Brothers and The Walt Disney Company are the most common production companies to set up for shoots in Squamish, Guest said.
Cleveland Avenue and other areas of downtown Squamish are the top locations for film productions shot in 2016. Paradise Valley, the Cheakamus Centre and North Brackendale shared second spot as a destination for productions.
One year ago the District formalized its film policy and fees.
In terms of licence fees and filming fees, the District collected a total of almost $38,600 in 2016.
Revenue spinoff includes 3,959 nights in local hotels equaling about $360,000.
Guest encourages Squamish homeowners who would like to have their homes used in productions to go to the Creative BC website to register their homes. (Go to www.creativebc.com/community/register-your-property.)
Local costume designer Glenne Campbell spearheads the Squamish Film Collective, which catalogues the Sea to Sky residents currently working in the motion picture industry.
Campbell said anyone involved in the industry can contact the collective to get on the list.
The collective is also planning a workshop for businesses to learn about opportunities in the industry, she said.
To contact the collective email [email protected]. For more on Squamish filming go to, squamish.ca/business-and-development/filming-in-squamish.
