Vancouver-shot television series, Lucifer and Legion are relocating their filming to the Hollywood hills.
Business representative for Local 891 of IATSE, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Phil Klapwyk, told Global News in an emailed statement the relocation of two Vancouver-filmed series is not indicative of the health of the local film industry, and it is “business as usual” for them.
“The crew members who have contacted me are deeply disappointed to hear of the productions leaving, simply because they loved working on quality productions and were excited to see their work on the screen every week,” said Klapwyk.
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He says the relocations could, in one sense, mean more work for their members, as new productions need to set up new stages, build new sets and sew new costumes.
“I’m confident that new productions will snap up both the crews and the studios that these shows are leaving behind,” said Klapwyk.
READ MORE: BC’s film industry makes a big comeback
According to a news release from California’s Film Commission, the expanded California tax-credit program is in its second year and is proving to be a win for the city as a total of 11 television series have been sought out to relocate to Los Angeles.
Vancouver’s Film Commissioner David Shepheard says although he is disappointed to lose the two shows, he is confident in the competitiveness of the B.C. tax credit incentive for the film industry.
“The LA tax credits are capped at $330 million annually and require an application. The tax credits here in B.C. are not capped, and are automatically applied to productions who seek it,” said Shepheard. “We don’t see this as a red flag at all.”
Shepheard says there are larger productions gearing up to come to Vancouver, including seven new U.S. series visiting to shoot their pilots in the near future.
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