They come, they shoot, they spend their money? Men in Trees, an ABC television series scheduled to air this fall, has announced they will be shooting one day per episode in Squamish from now until December and local businesses are hoping to benefit from their presence. Aspiring actors will also benefit as the production company is seeking local extras.
From the head writer of Sex and the City and the director of the Academy Award winning Walk the Line, Men in Trees stars Anne Heche as Marin Frist, a relationship coach finding love. Squamish plays the role of Alaska and many local businesses are bearing signs to give them an even smaller-town feel. Roots actor John Amos also stars
However, the first day of shooting on July 14 left some shop owners asking for more funds than they were originally offered for the use of storefronts.
"I had staff members unable to come into work for five minutes and they ended up being late" said the Hot Spot youth and projects coordinator Dana-Marie Battaglia. "But I am not upset about it because we have requested more money and we expect to get it."
Battaglia said she was concerned some businesses would try and take advantage of the situation.
"I hope businesses don't ask for more than what they really need to be compensated for to have movies and TVs shoot here," she said. "They are good for Squamish's economy and for putting us on the map. We don't want to drive them away."
Mayor Ian Sutherland would also like to see the town embrace the filming taking place locally.
"Any kind of filming industry is good for Squamish. It brings money into town and is a big economic generator for the community." he said. "Squamish has the reputation for being a great place to film with great people to work with. If we get away from that, then people won't want to film here. There are other places just like Squamish that would love to have filming there. Businesses are being more than compensated for any loss of revenue. What could be more fair than that?"
Men In Trees Location Manager Dennis Swartman said his crew loved filming in Squamish and admitted things were a little disorganized last Friday.
"It was the first time the crew had worked together and it turned out to be a real learning experience for everybody," he said. "We want to make sure we have a positive relationship in Squamish."
Swartman said his crew was spending money on fuel, food and lodging when they are town, which is approximately once per episode (filmed on eight-day cycles) until December.
"We are fueling up, gassing up, and getting supplies," he said. "If we have shoots that carry over we will put the cast up in hotels."
Swartman said local extras would be great for the scenes shot in Squamish.
"You have to have winter clothes and you have to be willing to wear winter clothes in the summer," he said.
Extra hopefuls can contact casting director Annette McCaffrey by emailing a photo to amcasting@shaw.ca or by mailing a resume and photo to
Men In Trees Inc
10/210 555 Brooksbank Avenue
North Vancouver B.C. V7J 3S5
Attention: Annette McCaffrey.
The series premiere takes place
on Friday, September 22 at 9 p.m. on ABC.
