For decades, Victoria’s roads have set the stage for car chases and beaches have transformed into crime scenes. But now, B.C.’s capital city is ready for its own close-up.
The Vancouver Island South Film and Media Commission has launched its ‘Sizzle Reel’, a two-minute video highlighting the locations, crew and tax benefits that have always been a big draw for film producers.
“Anyone who works in the film industry that has a particular skill or a trade is familiar with the concept of a reel,” said the Commission’s Location Coordinator, Brian Globus.
“So, we thought this is our highlight reel to show what this region is capable of.”
2015 was Victoria’s best year on record with two dozen projects in production, bringing in roughly $18 million in direct spending.
By showcasing some big productions and even bigger names, the region is hoping to build on that success.
“It has been generally upward, and that’s what’s we’re aiming for is to continue that trend, because it’s such a good fit as an industry for Victoria,” said Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce CEO Catherin Holt.
Victoria’s film industry is inextricably linked to Vancouver’s: when crews are tied up with the higher-budget productions, smaller projects are forced to look elsewhere.
The workforce in Victoria can support up to three films at a time, and with the rollout of the reel, they’re hoping it grows.
“It’s definitely about accommodating big productions and making productions smooth. I think that’s really important and I think that we showed that in the video clip,” said Darin Steinkey with Aldridge Print and Media, who produced the video.
The footage doesn’t lie, as producers can now see for themselves what the area has to offer – or they can take it from their colleagues who’ve already given it a try.
“It’s like finding a corner of the world that no one else has been to before,” says Rino Pace, who was location manager on X-Men 2 and Godzilla.
If all goes as planned, that won’t be the case for much longer.
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