Sylvie Paillard
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A new Squamish industry may be in the works. Locals are already feeling the benefits of a potential locally based TV series with the initial pilot episode currently in production. If Men in Trees hits the right notes with television executives, it could mean a boon to the town's economy.
"We actually have quite a few people that we already have hired locally to help us out. Lots of people around the Squamish Yacht Club have been hired out, a lot of the boats," said locations manager Steve Sach. "If the show goes to series we'll be up and down here quite a bit."
Men in Trees evolved from eight years of planning, and was recently given the green light by ABC Television Studio Network to do a one-hour TV special.
From the creator of Sex in the City and the director of Walk the Line, Men in Trees stars Anne Heche as Marin, a novelist, who arrives in 'Elmo, Alaska' for a book-signing and "discovers a whole new world of beauty and charm," according to a production news release. "She immediately falls in love with the mountains and the men and decides to stay. Eventually her agent and her girlfriend show up to see what all the fuss is about and realize the same beauty, charm and, of course, the mountains and the men."
Heche -is most famously known as Ellen DeGeneres's former partner. She starred opposite Harrison Ford in Six Days Seven Nights, and was named one of People Magazine's 50 most beautiful people in 1998. The male lead will be played by Derek Richardson, who played Harry in Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry met Lloyd.
The pilot episode has a 13-day shooting schedule, six days of which will be in the area, first in downtown Squamish March 13 to 17, then in Brackendale on March 20 and finally at the Tantalus Range and yacht club on March 21.
Off-duty RCMP officers will be directing traffic, but are not responsible for security, according to Cpl. Dave Ritchie. "We will make every effort to keep the road access open as much as possible in all areas we are working, however, there may be slight delays for up to five minutes at a time," wrote Sach in a letter to affected neighbours. "It's open for business as usual, as we would like to have all stores and businesses continue their daily activities while we move around the area."
Residents wanting further information can contact Steve Sach at the Burnaby production office at (604) 420-5223 or Trudy Coates at the District of Squamish at 604-892-4222.
