EDITOR,
B.C.'s billion-dollar film industry deserves a closer look at the business of the industry.
Expenditures by filmmakers/television producers in B.C. in 2012 were $1.216 billion dollars.
B.C. film/television production supports 25,000 direct and indirect jobs.
BC digital media companies employ 16,000 people.
B.C. held the record for three decades of being the third largest production centre in North America. Ontario has taken that position away from B.C.
The results of a poll commissioned by the Motion Picture Production Industry Association demonstrated that British Columbians are aware of the billion-dollar industry. A total of 83 per cent support provision of government incentives in order to keep and encourage film production in B.C., and help it be competitive with Ontario and Quebec. Only 11 per cent were opposed.
In January 2013, the B.C. government amalgamated two previous film offices into B.C. Creative Futures, calling it a strategy to help B.C.'s creative industries continue to grow. The government supported Creative B.C. with $3.2 million to be used over a year, a measly 26 per cent of the $12 million the government granted (read: subsidized) to the Times of India Film Awards in April 2013, a three-day event in Vancouver to celebrate films made in India.
Tax credits (read: incentives) are determined after monies have been spent by productions filmed in B.C. They are not subsidies granted before production. As the direct result of an estimated $1 billion in expenditures throughout the province for 2012-'13, the government estimates production will generate $330 million in tax credits for film, television and digital interactive media. That leaves $670 million new money in the accounts of employees and businesses in B.C. Taxes paid by these employees and businesses more than covers the incentives offered by the government.
Production companies also provide many gifts in kind and charitable donations to the communities they work in. The value of these gratuities has never been determined or recorded, but are undeniably substantial.
Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister said: "I am happy that the industry performed well in 2012, coming in a very close second to Ontario. Job growth and business success depend on vibrant film and TV production, so the positive numbers for 2012 are welcome news. However, I also note that the last quarter of 2012 saw a dramatic decline in production, and therefore, government will need to actively monitor the industry as we proceed through 2013." It has not been noted how many skilled workers from B.C. have moved to Ontario and Quebec.
B.C. film unions, guilds and associations are supporting the NDP platform to grow the industry and keep it competitive with Ontario and Quebec.
The Liberals' approach is to hope they can convince the other provinces to not compete with each other, which sounds a lot like attempting to convince Alberta to hand over a bigger share of that province's oil and gas royalties.
And the vote goes to ???
Glenne Campbell
Brackendale
