Thompson-Nicola Regional District Film Commission Minutes Regular Meeting - Wednesday, March 4, 2015

THOMPSON-NICOLA REGIONAL DISTRICT

Film Commission – WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2015

A G E N D A

Time: 4:30 p.m. Place: Board Room 4th Floor 465 Victoria Street Kamloops, BC

Page Item

1. CALL TO ORDER

2. CHAIR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS

3. ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA

4. MINUTES

3 - 6 (a) Minutes of the Thompson-Nicola Film Commission Meeting dated March 04, 2015

Minutes of the Thompson-Nicola Film Commission Meeting dated March 04, 2015, attached.

5. PRESENTATIONS

(a) Short Film Documentary: Little Moccasins (2014)

Director and Writer: Ken Matheson

6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

7. CORRESPONDENCE

7 (a) Letter from Creative BC dated October 31, 2014

Re: Regional Film Funding 2014/15

8 - 9 (b) Letter from Kamloops Film Festival dated March 25, 2015

Re: End of Series Summary

10 - 11 (c) Letters from Gold Country

Re: Thank you letter and Image Library Notification

Page 1 of 40 Film Commission Meeting Agenda Page 2 of 2 Wednesday, May 6, 2015

8. NEW BUSINESS

9. REPORTS

12 - 15 (a) REEL CANADA Annual “National Canadian Film Day” April 29 & Sponsorship

Report by the Film Commissioner dated April 27, 2015, attached.

Recommendation:

Recommend that the Board of Directors approve, starting in 2016, the contribution up to $3,000 annually in support of REEL CANADA’S National Canadian Film Day and it’s Our Films in Our Schools program provided that the program is hosted by a TNRD-based school, and that funds are utilized to cover the costs of REEL CANADA staff and/or Canadian filmmaker(s) to visit and work with the students.

16 - 17 (b) BC Living Arts - THRIVE Film Night Festival

Report by the Film Commissioner dated April 27, 2015, attached.

Recommendation:

Recommend that the Board of Directors approve sustaining the sponsorship contribution level of $1,000 for the revised 2015 First THRIVE Festival - Film Series, to be held in Kamloops Riverside Park July 10 & 11.

18 - 40 (c) Celebrating the Success of the Media Sector in British Columbia

Report from the Film Commissioner dated April 27, 2015, attached.

Recommendation:

That the report from the Film Commissioner dated April 27, 2015 regarding Celebrating the Success of the Media Sector in British Columbia be received for information.

10. ADJOURNMENT

Page 2 of 40

THOMPSON - NICOLA REGIONAL DISTRICT

Film Commission

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

MINUTES of a Meeting of the THOMPSON-NICOLA FILM COMMISSION held in the Boardroom on Wednesday, March 4, 2015 commencing at 4:30 PM.

PRESENT: Director T. Lange (Chair) City of Kamloops Director R. Smith (Vice Chair) District of Logan Lake Director S. Rice Electoral Area "I" (Blue Sky Country) Mr. R. Chatelin Mr. J. Ekering Ms. T. Hadwin Mr. K. Matheson Ms. D. Recchi Ms. M. Varcoe-Ryan Mr. K. Wells Ms. J. Wray

ABSENT: Mr. M. Dalsin Mr. S. Dunn Ms. D. Dunn-Morris Ms. C. Falk

STAFF: Ms. V. Weller, Film Commissioner Ms. S. Lapointe, Film Assistant Ms. A. Leite, Recording Secretary

OTHERS: None.

1. CALL TO ORDER

(a) Chair Lange called the March 4, 2015 Thompson-Nicola Film Commission Meeting to order at 4:37pm.

2. CHAIR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS

None.

3. ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA

None.

Minutes of the Thompson-Nicola Film Commission Meeting dated... Page 3 of 40 Thompson-Nicola Regional District Film Commission Minutes Regular Meeting - Wednesday, March 4, 2015

4. MINUTES

(a) Minutes of the Thompson-Nicola Film Commission Meeting dated November 3, 2014

Moved by Director Rice Seconded by Mr. Wells

That the Minutes of the Thompson-Nicola Film Commission meeting dated November 3, 2014 be adopted.

CARRIED Unanimously

5. DELEGATIONS

(a) Krishna Lakkineni, CEO ROI Media Works Re: Website Search Engine Visibility

Mr. Lakkineni, Owner and CEO of ROI Media Works provided a presentation regarding Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and improving Thompson-Nicola Film Commissions website. Mr. Lakkineni reviewed current changes in technology, target audience research on Search Engines, detailed techniques to increase marketability and capitalize on social media capabilities. Mr. Lakkineni provided budgeting options for the committee member’s consideration and responded to questions.

Moved by Director Rice Seconded by Director R. Smith

That TNFC Film Commissioner meet with ROI Media to determine needs of the TNFC, review options for website improvements and future budget considerations and report back to the Committee at a future meeting.

CARRIED Unanimously

6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

7. CORRESPONDENCE

None.

Minutes of the Thompson-Nicola Film Commission Meeting dated... Page 4 of 40 Thompson-Nicola Regional District Film Commission Minutes Regular Meeting - Wednesday, March 4, 2015

8. NEW BUSINESS

None.

9. REPORTS

(a) Review of 2016 – 2018 TNFC Strategic Plan - Draft 1

2016 – 2018 TNFC Strategic Plan March 3 2015 Draft from the Film Commissioner to be handed out at the meeting.

Thompson-Nicola Film Commissioner, Ms. Weller, provided an overview of the outcomes of the strategic planning session held February 21, 2015 which were reflected in the Thompson-Nicola Film Commission (TNFC) 2016-2017 (2018) Strategic Plan and TNFC 2015-2017 (2018) Budget. Ms. Weller responded to questions from the committee.

Moved by Ms. Varcoe-Ryan Seconded by Ms. Hadwin

That the publication of TNFC brochures be reduced from 500 copies to 200- 250.

CARRIED Unanimously

Moved by Director R. Smith Seconded by Mr. Wells

That TNFC Staff cease advertising in the Producers Guild of America publication in 2016 and subsequent years, depending on the budget.

CARRIED

Opposed: Mr. Chatelin Ms. Recchi

Moved by Ms. Varcoe-Ryan Seconded by Ms. Wray

Recommend that the revised Thompson-Nicola Film Commission 2015-2017 (2018) budget be adopted as amended.

AND that the Thompson-Nicola Film Commission 2016-2017 (2018) Strategic Plan be adopted as amended.

CARRIED Unanimously

Minutes of the Thompson-Nicola Film Commission Meeting dated... Page 5 of 40 Thompson-Nicola Regional District Film Commission Minutes Regular Meeting - Wednesday, March 4, 2015

10. ADJOURNMENT

Moved by Ms. Varcoe-Ryan Seconded by Ms. Wray

That the Thompson-Nicola Film Commission meeting be adjourned.

CARRIED Unanimously

The meeting was adjourned at 6:35pm.

Certified Correct:

Chair Corporate Officer

Minutes of the Thompson-Nicola Film Commission Meeting dated... Page 6 of 40 Letter from Creative BC dated October 31, 2014 Re: Regional ... Page 7 of 40 Kamloops Film Festival – March 5 to 14, 2015 ______

For Immediate Distribution March 25, 2015

THE END

The 19th Annual Kamloops Film Festival (KFF) was an astounding success. With 15 films over 10 days at the Paramount theatre, and 10 events at various venues downtown, KFF 2015 saw record setting numbers on many levels. The 19 person KFF Committee hosted more than 15 special guests and brought in peak attendance at over 4,200 (Over 20% increase from last year). There is no doubt that Kamloops audiences want to see excellent independent films from Canada and beyond, and we are thrilled to make it happen. The KFF Committee is extremely proud of this year’s festival; highlights include the very successful return of DarkFest with What We Do in the Shadows (see below for more information), a well received absorption of the Kamloops Independent Short Short (KISS) Film Competition, and an increased number of engagement events. Plus, this year saw the establishment of online ticket sales and Full Festival Passes, which were both demanded by our patrons.

As we look toward our 20th anniversary festival in 2016, we are encouraged to make the KFF bigger, better, and more fun. We will continue to respond to the needs and wants of our core demographic as we entice new viewers to our Festival from Kamloops and beyond. We have a lot of exciting ideas and plans brewing; so don’t miss out in 2016!

In closing, we would like to thank all of the volunteers, sponsors, supporters, partners, and especially attendees who made 2015 the best KFF yet! We hope to see you all next year!

Kamloops Film Festival March 5 to 14, 2015 at The Paramount Theatre, 503 Victoria Street Letter from Kamloops Film Festival dated March 25, 2015 Re: ... Page 8 of 40 CAUSE

Each year, we pick a film and donate the proceeds to a local charity organization based on connections to the subject matter. The 2015 Film for a Cause was the beautiful and moving Turkish film Winter Sleep on Saturday, March 14 at 3pm. The film revolves around Aydin, a former theatre actor, who runs a small hotel and is looking to write a book on Turkish theatre. The proceeds from this film were donated to Western Canada Theatre as they move into their 40th Season. To the right, Dušan Magdolen, KFF Chair, presents a cheque for $400 to Lori Marchand, General Manager, of Western Canada Theatre.

WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER

At every screening during the 19th annual Kamloops Film Festival, patrons were encouraged to vote on how they felt about the film they just watched through small ratings cards handed out by volunteers. The votes were then collected and averaged to establish a score out of 10 for each film. The film with the highest score wins the the KFF Audience Favourite Award, and this year that honour goes to What We Do in the Shadows with a score of 9.22. The battle was close with ten films averaging over 8 points and five films scoring over 9, including Shana: The Wolf’s Music which came in second by only .03 of a point. See below for more details.

As well, we would like to announce the KFF Most Popular Film Award winner, which is the film with the most attendance, and this year was undisputedly Still Alice, which soldout over a week before the screening.

1 What We Do in the Shadows 9.22 2 Shana: The Wolf's Music 9.19 3 Still Alice 9.18

4 9.12 The Backward Class 5 Citizenfour 9.07 6 Mountain Men 8.83 7 When the Ocean Met the Sky 8.57

8 8.56 Rosewater 9 Mommy 8.18 10 Leviathan 8.15 11 Big News from Grand Rock 7.65

12 7.57 Two Days, One Night 13 Winter Sleep 7.54 Gett: The Trial of Viviane 14 7.22 Amsalem 15 Maps to the Stars 5.95

Questions/concerns can be directed to Dušan Magdolen at [email protected] or 250-320-4628. - 30 -

Kamloops Film Festival March 5 to 14, 2015 at The Paramount Theatre, 503 Victoria Street Letter from Kamloops Film Festival dated March 25, 2015 Re: ... Page 9 of 40 Letters from Gold Country Re: Thank you letter and Image Lib... Page 10 of 40 Letters from Gold Country Re: Thank you letter and Image Lib... Page 11 of 40 THOMPSON-NICOLA FILM COMMISSION COMMITTEE REPORT

TO: Chair and Board of Directors DATE: April 27, 2015

FROM: Film Commission

SUBJECT: REEL CANADA Annual “National Canadian Film Day” April 29 & Sponsorship

RECOMMENDATION(S):

That the Thompson-Nicola Film Commission recommends that the Board of Directors approve, starting in 2016, the contribution up to $3,000 annually in support of REEL CANADA’S National Canadian Film Day and its Our Films in Our Schools program provided that the program is hosted by a TNRD-based school, and that funds are utilized to cover the costs of REEL CANADA staff and/or Canadian filmmaker(s) to visit and work with the students.

VICTORIA WELLER Approved for Film Commissioner Board Consideration CAO

SUMMARY:

National Canadian Film Day (NCFD) is annually celebrated on April 29. It is presented by REEL CANADA (RC) and supported by Scotiabank, Cineplex, CBC, Canadian Media Production Association and a host of film festivals, movie clubs, schools, broadcasters and industry organizations. Sponsors also include Creative BC, Northwest Territories, Yukon Economic Development Film & Sound Commission, Film & Creative Industries Nova Scotia and Ontario Media Corporation. For more information, go to: www.canadianfilmday.ca

REEL CANADA also established Our Films in Our Schools program www.reelcanada.ca/our- films-in-our-schools. In partnership with REEL CANADA, on May 14, Kamloops’ Valleyview

REEL CANADA Annual “National Canadian Film Day” April 29 & S... Page 12 of 40 April 27, 2015 Page 2 of 4 Subject: Annual National Canadian Film Day April 29 & Sponsorship

Secondary School (VSS) is holding the Valleyview Film Festival. With the VFF in mind, RC contacted the TNFC with the following request:

For this year, we would like to request $3,000 in support of our Valleyview event. This amount would cover the cost of transportation and per diem for staff and a guest as well as incidentals, equipment rental and tech needs. That would be our budget for a standard event for another presentation in or around Kamloops in future.

BACKGROUND: Last year, REEL CANADA reached out to the TNFC and in response, the TNFC helped advertise the 1st Annual National Canadian Film Day, and provided information to regional schools and stakeholders. Also, REEL CANADA, through the Our Films in Our Schools program, collaborated with Kumsheen Secondary School in Lytton. Per REEL CANADA:

On January 16th – a school in Lytton called Kumsheen had what we call a DIY [Do It Yourself] event and screened THE WHALE in the morning and MIDNIGHT’S CHILDREN in the afternoon…. Outside of Ontario, B.C. is the province where we hold the greatest number of events. In addition to Lytton and Kamloops, by the end of the season, we will have visited Vancouver and Abbotsford (twice each), Port Moody and Burnaby. In February, we organized a three-province tour of the documentary MIGHTY JEROME to commemorate Black History Month and brought director Charles Officer to five B.C. schools.

For 2015, RC contacted the TNFC and the Kamloops Film Society (KFS) to support NCFD this April 29. Unfortunately, the KFS’ Spring Series dates did not coincide with the April 29 date. Nonetheless, this year CAST NO SHADOW will screen at the Paramount Theatre at 7:15 and is sponsored by Landmark Cinemas, Canadian Indie Film Series and Creative BC. As well, I participated in an information and celebration event in Victoria on April 28 and 29.

Also this year, REEL CANADA is also working with the Valleyview Film Festival stakeholders, and the students are voting of which 3 films from 7 films will be shown on May 7.  For grades 8-12: Fido (2006), The Rocket: The Legend of Rocket Richard (2005), The Grand Seduction (2013), Our Man in Tehran (2013)  For grades 10-12: Mambo Italiano (2003), One Week (2008)

REEL CANADA Annual “National Canadian Film Day” April 29 & S... Page 13 of 40 April 27, 2015 Page 3 of 4 Subject: Annual National Canadian Film Day April 29 & Sponsorship

 For grades 11-12: The F-Word (2013 - aka What If)

Per Valleyview Media Teacher: All 900 students will be choosing the film they want to see from the online ticketing system that REEL CANADA has set up. Films run for the first two blocks of the day on May 14 and our Life Skills class will be selling popcorn. My Cinema Literature class is organizing and running the festival as a part of their class project. They volunteered in March with the Kamloops Film Festival and loved the experience. Now they get to put it to use.

DISCUSSION:

In the future, KFS has offered to collaborate with the TNFC in hosting a NCFD event next April 29 provided the Canadian film is not screened in the Kamloops Film Festival, and it is agreeable with Landmark Cinemas (Paramount Theatre in Kamloops).

From a financial perspective, the TNFC supports a number of film exhibition initiatives. The following is the 2015 Local Awareness Budget of which $9,348 is spent or committed. This year, extraordinary expenses included a dinner reception in celebration of the showing of SHANA: THE WOLF’S MUSIC and paying for transportation of the Producer and cast. Unfortunately, these costs make paying for RC designated filmmakers to visit VSS cost-prohibitive.

2015 LOCAL AWARENESS (Total surplus carried over from 2015 was $23,000) Kamloops Film Festival $3,500 Gold Sponsor KFF Guests & Special Events $3,350 e.g. Extra guests or “Shana” reception TNFC & other tickets $ 700 Kamloops Short Shorts $ 650 $500 Winners; $150 Lottery TNFC Short Film Development $ 300 Up to $500 if 2 are outstanding applications new Kamloops THRIVE Film Night $1,000 Outdoor films in Riverside Park Misc. talks, mileage, etc 300 Rough Total $9,600 - $9,800

REEL CANADA Annual “National Canadian Film Day” April 29 & S... Page 14 of 40 April 27, 2015 Page 4 of 4 Subject: Annual National Canadian Film Day April 29 & Sponsorship

2016 – 2018 LOCAL AWARENESS TOTALS (Budgeted with surplus carried over from previous years at $7,000 but typically is more) 2016 $9,050 2017 $8,950 2018 $8,250

The 4th Goal of the TNFC is: Provide TNRD communities and residents with motion picture and digital media production knowledge. The TNFC has a long history of successfully accomplishing Goal 4. To continue, because RC’s initiatives benefits youth from education and filmmaking perspectives, and benefits the entire region, supporting RC’s endeavours with $3,000 annually is desirable starting in 2016 provided: 1) a TNRD-based school is participating in the Our Films in Our Schools program, 2) funding is spent on costs associated with REEL CANADA staff and filmmakers visiting the schools, and 3) whenever possible and if appropriate, RC includes Canadian films that were filmed in the TNRD as options for viewing.

REEL CANADA Annual “National Canadian Film Day” April 29 & S... Page 15 of 40 THOMPSON-NICOLA FILM COMMISSION COMMITTEE REPORT

TO: Chair and Board of Directors DATE: April 27, 2015

FROM: Film Commission

SUBJECT: BC Living Arts - THRIVE Film Night Festival

RECOMMENDATION(S):

That the Thompson-Nicola Film Commission recommends the Board of Directors approve sustaining the sponsorship contribution level of $1,000 for the revised 2015 First THRiVE Festival - Film Series, to be held in Kamloops Riverside Park July 10 & 11.

VICTORIA WELLER Approved for Film Commissioner Board Consideration CAO

SUMMARY:

During the TNFC Strategic Planning Session held February 17, 2015, the film commission considered BC Living Art’s request for $3,000 to sponsor the first annual THRIVE Festival – Film Series to be held July 10-12, 2015 in Riverside Park from 6 pm – 11 pm. The TNFC approved the contribution of $1,000 for 2015, and that it would consider the festival’s success when determining funding levels in the future. Although there are changes in dates and times, fundamentally, it event is the same and $1,000 is determined to be adequate funding to provide the necessary tools to exhibit films.

BACKGROUND:

BC Living Arts, after careful consideration and budgeting, determined that the festival will run July 10 & 11 instead of July 10-12 and that it would operate 6 pm – 9 pm instead of 6 pm – 11 pm. Consequently, it would not be dark enough to show movies on a full screen. Alternatively,

BC Living Arts - THRIVE Film Night Festival Report by the Fi... Page 16 of 40 April 27, 2015 Page 2 of 2 Subject: BC Living Arts - THRIVE Film Night Festival

the organizers are planning to have empty train cars with digital screens with movies showing inside. The cars will make the screen dark enough to be seen and therefore, films would be available for viewing all evening. The public will be able to wander in, sit down and watch a film or short. It is envisioned that there may be more than one train car with screens and that they would show locally produced short films and other films that they feel will entertain the public.

DISCUSSION:

Creating a new event is an evolving process. Although the THRiVE Festival has changed in some ways, it is fundamentally the same in that there is a film screening component. BC Living Arts is confident that $1,000 will help make the film series successful. Therefore, funding level should stay the same and be reviewed after the event to inform future consideration.

BC Living Arts - THRIVE Film Night Festival Report by the Fi... Page 17 of 40 THOMPSON-NICOLA FILM COMMISSION COMMITTEE REPORT

TO: Chair and Board of Directors DATE: April 27, 2015

FROM: Film Commission

SUBJECT: Celebrating the Success of the Media Sector in British Columbia

RECOMMENDATION(S):

That the report from the Film Commissioner dated April 27, 2015 regarding Celebrating the Success of the Media Sector in British Columbia be received for information.

VICTORIA WELLER Approved for Film Commissioner Board Consideration CAO

SUMMARY:

Attached is the N014 Legislative Session Third Session, 40th Parliament HANSARD Minutes wherein MOTION 8 SUCCESS OF MEDIA SECTOR “Be it resolved that this House celebrate the success of the film, audio visual and digital media sector in British Columbia” is passed. I was invited and attended a function in Victoria celebrating the success of the Creative Industries (Film & TV, Digital Media, Music, Book and Magazine Publishing). A verbal report will also be given at the TNFC meeting Map 6.

BACKGROUND:

Due to BC’s ability to educate locally, and entice motion picture and digital media production companies worldwide to BC, we are the 4th largest film centre in the world, and the largest digital media centre in the world “the motion picture industry spends approximately $1.16 billion per year on production activity in British Columbia. It generates an estimated 25,000 direct and indirect jobs” (p. 2). Partial credit is given to investment in education and infrastructure. Also:

Celebrating the Success of the Media Sector in British Colum... Page 18 of 40 April 27, 2015 Page 2 of 2 Subject: Celebrating the Success of the Media Sector in British Columbia

Digital Media British Columbia is gaining recognition globally for its digital media sector, hosting innovative wireless and mobile products. Video gaming, animation, visual effects, web and social media — British Columbia’s 900 digital media companies employ approximately 14,000 people and generate $1.2 billion in sales. p.3

The Creative Industries are described as equal in importance as LNG (Liquid Natural Gas) to BC’s economy and deserves on-going support. The Motion Picture Industry Association of BC, the Canadian Media Production Association [BC Branch] and industry unions are credited with helping to sustain the industry, and in particular, BC filmmakers.

DISCUSSION:

The TNFC is not mentioned in the report directly. However, examples of successes from the Okanagan, Shuswap and Vancouver Island regions are mentioned by representatives in the legislature, and they argue well that the regions are a vital part of BC’s success.

Attachment(s)

 N014 Legislative Session Third Session, 40th Parliament HANSARD

Celebrating the Success of the Media Sector in British Colum... Page 19 of 40

http://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard/40th3rd/20141103am-Hansard-v17n1.htm#5114

014 Legislative Session: Third Session, 40th Parliament HANSARD

The following electronic version is for informational purposes only.

The printed version remains the official version.

Official report of

Debates of the Legislative Assembly

(hansard)

Monday, November 3, 2014

Morning Sitting

Volume 17, Number 1

ISSN 0709-1281 (Print) ISSN 1499-2175 (Online)

CONTENTS Page Orders of the Day Private Members’ Statements 5105 Respecting the taxpayer J. Thornthwaite S. Simpson Access to justice D. Eby

1 Celebrating the Success of the Media Sector in British Colum... Page 20 of 40

D. Plecas Lest we forget G. Hogg M. Karagianis Local agriculture L. Popham L. Throness Private Members’ Motions 5114 Motion 8 — Success of media sector S. Sullivan G. Heyman J. Thornthwaite K. Corrigan M. Dalton S. Chandra Herbert J. Yap S. Robinson G. Kyllo N. Simons Michelle Stilwell M. Elmore

The House met at 10:02 a.m. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2014

rivate Members’ Motions

MOTION 8 — SUCCESS OF MEDIA SECTOR

S. Sullivan: I’m pleased to be here to speak to the motion that is standing in my name. It is as follows.

[Be it resolved that this House celebrate the success of the film, audio visual and digital media sector in British Columbia.]

Our government celebrates the benefits of having a vibrant film industry in B.C. British Columbia is a key location for film and television production in North America and a leading hub for digital animation and visual effects. That is why we established Creative B.C., an independent society working with creative industries in B.C. to develop and implement a broad strategy capitalizing on the sector’s strengths and identifying future opportunities.

2 Celebrating the Success of the Media Sector in British Colum... Page 21 of 40

[1100]

The motion picture industry spends approximately $1.16 billion per year on production activity in British Columbia. It generates an estimated 25,000 direct and indirect jobs.

B.C. saw $1.45 billion in production spending by film and television productions. This was in fiscal 2013 and 2014. This represents the shooting or completion of 129 foreign productions, largely from the U.S., and 119 domestic productions in B.C. In fiscal 2012 and 2013 B.C. saw $1.48 billion in spending by film and television producers. This represents the shooting or completion of 139 foreign productions and 127 domestic productions.

Now, one of the most important reasons for the success of our industry is the creative, educated and hard-working people in the industry, and our government is making investments to support this — for example, Emily Carr, $4.4 million for renovations to create the interdisciplinary digital studio of art, media and design under the British Columbia knowledge development fund. This includes $1.4 million from the Ministry of Advanced Education and the $3 million from the federal government and other sources.

We are investing up to $113 million in a new Emily Carr University of Art and Design facility at the Great Northern Way Campus. The total capital cost for the project is budgeted for $134 million.

Capilano University — $38. 5 million is allocated for the construction of a new digital media and film centre. This includes almost $19 million from the Ministry of Advanced Education and $14 million from the federal government’s knowledge infrastructure program.

I’d also like to mention the important Vancouver Film School. In 1987 in my riding of Vancouver–False Creek it started with six students. It has now blossomed and mushroomed all over the neighbourhood. We’ve got six buildings now that host the Vancouver Film School, and it turns out some of the leaders internationally in the film and creative industries.

For audiovisual we have visual effects companies that continue to set up shop in B.C. thanks to a highly experienced, capable and committed workforce with the reputation for consistently delivering high-quality product on time and on budget. There are now close to 50 digital effects and animation studios in Vancouver.

Over the past five years B.C. has experienced significant growth in visual effects and digital animation production. Many international companies like Sony Imageworks, MPC and Industrial Light and Magic have moved head offices or established Vancouver studios.

3 Celebrating the Success of the Media Sector in British Colum... Page 22 of 40

Additionally, a number of domestic companies have grown significantly over this period. Nerd Corps, Atomic Cartoons and Image Engine are just some of them.

[R. Chouhan in the chair.]

Sony Pictures Imageworks, which first opened a Vancouver production office in 2010, expects to move next April into a 6,800-square-metre state-of-the-art production facility at Pacific Centre that can accommodate up to 700 employees.

G. Heyman: It gives me great pleasure to join with the member for Vancouver–False Creek to celebrate the contributions of film and television and digital media to the provincial economy. In fact, I’d like to go a step further and celebrate the fact that it appears the people on the government side of the House are finally talking about some industry other than LNG and listening to some stories from an already successful industry that has great capacity for further growth.

[1105]

As Paul Klassen of IATSE and the Motion Picture Production Industry Association has pointed out in a submission to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services, film and TV “is the cornerstone of B.C.’s creative economy, which is worth a com- [ Page 5115 ] bined $4 billion in GDP and represents 85,000 jobs across the province.” Film is $1.1 billion and over 25,000 jobs, plus spinoffs like tourism suppliers. “The creative economy is internationally recognized as an important sector, and it is growing at a faster rate than the economy as a whole.”

This is good news, and there can be further good news because we know that industries can be cyclical. We know, for instance, that in 2012-13, there were some problems in the industry. They were under capacity.

We have better news now. There are more people working. There are more productions, particularly in television, than there were in 2012-13, and a significant part of that is due to the dropping in value of the Canadian dollar, which makes it more profitable for producers from the United States, in particular, to come here to work. But there is a caution, and it’s a caution raised by people in the industry, that there are some areas in the Lower Mainland with more unused film studio capacity than they’re comfortable with.

Let me talk a little bit about post-production. Suzanne Thompson of MPPIA pointed out again to the Finance Committee: “The future of post-production is a key ingredient to the digital future of our province.” Peter Leitch of MPPIA said: “The visual effects community is one of fastest- growing communities in the industry right now. We’ve got a strong post-production community that we’re looking to build upon.”

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They pointed out in the submission and they’ve pointed out in many conversations that encouraging post-production here is important because when foreign producers see that they can do a production from start to finish, they’re encouraged to come here and stay here.

That is why it is so important that the Minister of Finance in the upcoming budget keeps the promise that was made in the last election that the digital animation or visual effects tax credit will be extended to post-production, because that will boost this very important part of the film and digital media industry.

The member from False Creek mentioned Atomic Cartoons as an example of a company that was doing well and growing. I’ve visited Atomic. It’s a great company, and they’re doing well. But it’s also important to note that they will point out, as others will, that they can hire almost eight times as many people as are graduated from the animation schools because there simply isn’t enough capacity in the animation schools. Because they perhaps don’t have the staff necessary to take on as many contracts as they could, they have turned away some contracts or subcontracted others out.

This is an opportunity for B.C. to do better by lifting our game in support for post-secondary education and the turning out of trained workers in successful industries that have a great capacity for growth.

Let me close by talking about Creative B.C., which is doing great work but could do more. Peter Leitch talked about an expanded role for Creative B.C. to the Finance Committee. If we compare the $2.2 million budget of Creative to other provinces like Saskatchewan, they have a budget of $7.4 million. Ontario is between $30 million and $40 million. Nova Scotia is $5.3 million.

For a very small amount of additional funds, we could support Creative B.C. in doing market development research in helping to market products and in providing funds to leverage local production to build our own intellectual capacity and our intellectual property copyrights.

I celebrate this industry, and I look forward to all of us doing more to help it grow even faster.

J. Thornthwaite: Thank you to the member for Vancouver-Fairview for his continued support for the film industry in British Columbia. We certainly recognize the benefits of having a vibrant film industry in B.C., and we all recognize that we are a key location for film and TV production in North America.

[1110]

I was just told that Daniel Radcliffe’s — i.e., Harry Potter — new movie Horns, which just opened in the theatres in the last week, was shot in Mission, Squamish and Vancouver. So the film industry is booming.

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We saw $1.45 billion in production spending by film and television producers in the fiscal 2013- 2014 year. As the member from False Creek reminded us, this represents the shooting of and completion of 129 foreign productions and 119 domestic productions in B.C.

As was also recognized, Budget 2014 did extend the distant-location tax credit to the capital regional district, and the capital regional district here in Victoria is doing well because of that.

I, too, support the post-production sector in the film industry. It’s a significant portion of the local film industry. Encore handles a large part of post duties for locally shot projects for both film and television. They do dailies; editing tape and transfer and logging; colour-timing. Their in-house effects house, Method television studios, handles digital effects work. So I support the work of Suzanne Thompson and Peter Leitch in their advocacy for post-production.

The film industry is critical to the B.C. economy. There are more than 25,000 British Columbians that work either directly or indirectly in this industry, and we want to do everything we can to protect their jobs and grow the sector. Despite a challenging fiscal climate, our government maintains strong support for the film and TV industry and is delivering on our commitments to industry.

Our talented workforce, world-class infrastructure, access to eight major studios and diverse filming locations make B.C. a key location for film and TV production in North America. Not only is B.C. a key location for film and TV; it is a growing hub for digital animation and visual effects. [ Page 5116 ]

Production activity in British Columbia communities continues to play an important role in every municipality in British Columbia, creating opportunities throughout the province. I’ve mentioned before that in North Vancouver from September to now the district has had 13 productions. Of those, five were commercials and the rest TV and movie. Some notable examples include Arrow, Once Upon a Time, Falling Skies and five student films.

The city, over the past four weeks, has had six productions, and North Shore Studios currently has seven productions ongoing.

I also know the film industry’s benefit to the city and the district of North Vancouver as well as to the school district. I was fortunate to attend a filming of Bates Motel at Seycove Secondary in my riding. Both the school district and the school received thousands of dollars from this production and utilized the money for continuing education for their teachers.

I know that my community has the third-largest number of constituents employed by the film industry in the province.

North Vancouver is also home to the Nat and Flora Bosa Centre for Film and Animation at Capilano University. This is a cutting-edge facility. It gives our future film-makers access to the latest technology; 3-D capabilities; a 200-seat, high-definition theatre; sound-mixing and recording studios; an 8,000-square-foot sound stage; picture- and sound-editing labs; as well as

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visual effects, animation and costuming studios — virtually everything you need to make a feature film.

In summary, I’d just like to reiterate my support for the film industry, not just in my riding but also province wide, and to rejoice in how they contribute to our economy.

K. Corrigan: I am very pleased to speak on this motion to celebrate the success of the film, audiovisual and digital media sector in British Columbia, because frankly, it recognizes that there are important businesses in British Columbia other than LNG, which seems to have been an incessant obsession for the Liberal government. While LNG may be part of a balanced and integrated plan for the development of this province, the vast majority of the businesses, the jobs and the growth of this province have nothing to do with LNG.

[1115]

In fact, perhaps this motion is intended to counter recent criticism that I’ve heard from businesses, including the film, television and digital media business sector — the concern that if you are not in an LNG-related business, you can’t get any attention from this government.

I’m glad to see that we’re talking about it today. We should be paying attention, because jobs in the film and digital media sector are green jobs, and they’re high-paying jobs. The film industry adds particular cachet with the glamour and the appeal of a region that has film, television and digital media. Films and particular television shows have even spawned tourism.

These are not aspirational and uncertain jobs. They are jobs in an industry that is already mature and in an industry that I think we owe some loyalty to for the commitment investments of millions of private sector dollars. These are jobs that can draw on and require a highly skilled and well-educated workforce.

While the government has made social engineering commitments to LNG-related advanced education, it has coupled this with an overall decrease in funding for our universities, colleges and technical institutes and committed to shifting funds from other programs to LNG and other related areas.

Yet I would suggest that investment in the film and digital media sector is exactly the kind of targeted investment we should be making, particularly given that industry spokespeople tell us that with regard to a skilled workforce — for instance, in the areas of animation, visual effects and post-production — there needs to be more training. This is an industry where we can’t entirely control our own destiny, but we can provide educational and other supports that will help grow the industry.

In fact, I would point out, it was because of investments in the 1990s that the formative years of the B.C. film industry occurred, and partially because of the support provided by the then government. The digital media area — gaming, animation, social media — all employs thousands of people and, according to their industry association, generates $2.3 billion in annual sales.

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I’m particularly pleased that companies like Electronic Arts make their home in my community of Burnaby and that the film industry provides over 25,000 well-paying knowledge-based jobs. My community of Burnaby has long since recognized how positive the film and television industry is and has helped support it, with great success.

According to a city of Burnaby report, the television and film industry in 2012 provided $408 million of direct and spinoff activity in Burnaby, and 62 percent of purpose-built studio space in the Lower Mainland is in Burnaby. That includes places like Canadian Motion Picture Park, Bridge Studios, Mammoth and others.

There are animation businesses, unions, design, construction, a prop and supply business, equipment businesses like William F. White, post-production businesses. These are good jobs now — for now, not the future — for my community and communities across the Lower Mainland and, increasingly, across the province.

In a recent speech to the Vancouver Board of Trade, the Premier said that LNG and other resource industries are critical to places like Burnaby — she pointed out Burnaby — and that people should vote in the coming elections accordingly. Yet Burnaby, thank you very much, is booming and keeping taxes down with construction and new businesses — businesses very much like the [ Page 5117 ] film and television industry and the supporting industries there. The biggest problem, I would say, with taxes is constant downloading from the provincial government.

In summary, I’m very pleased to have had the opportunity to speak about the importance of the film and digital media industries to this province and particularly to my community and the Speaker’s community of Burnaby. We have been very well aware of that importance for some time.

M. Dalton: On behalf of my constituents in Maple Ridge–Mission, I’m pleased to respond to the following motion: “Be it resolved that this House celebrate the success of the film, audio visual and digital media sector in British Columbia.”

I’ve lived in the Lower Mainland for some three decades and have seen, like everyone else here, tremendous growth in the industry. I remember that in the late ’70s and early ’80s B.C.’s claim to fame in the movie industry seemed to be The Beachcombers. I’m not knocking the production, but a lot has happened since that time.

[1120]

I was in the Teamsters union in the mid-’80s, and a number of Teamsters started getting hired in the industry as drivers and in other sectors. There was discussion among ourselves whether it was just a blip or if it was here to stay. I’m here to say that the film industry is here to stay.

It’s a mature industry, a $1.5 billion industry generating about 25,000 jobs, both directly and indirectly, throughout the province, including Maple Ridge and Mission. There are, as has been

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mentioned, hundreds of productions — approximately 250 productions last year, both domestic and foreign — and the Vancouver area has often been referred to as Hollywood North.

What attracts productions here? Well, for one, we have established studios. Last year I had a tour with a number of other MLAs to visit studios in North Vancouver, Vancouver and Burnaby and was very impressed — the investments that have been put into these studios. It’s not just in these regions, in these communities, but also in Maple Ridge and in Mission.

In Maple Ridge we have a couple of studios. One of them is Bordertown, which is a fully functional Old West town. It has a jail, saloon, hotel, general store and barn buildings for a complete Old West experience for any film or television project. It’s brought in about $300 million, just that one studio alone, in revenue into the Fraser Valley in the past number of years. In Mission we have the Virtue Studio Ranch. Danny Virtue is a namesake, and has had many productions here. We’ve seen not only hundreds of millions of dollars invested through these studios but also across the province, probably in the billions.

Another attraction is our skilled production crews and also our educational institutions. A couple of years ago we announced $113 million being invested into the new Emily Carr University of Art and Design for 1,800 students.

Another attraction is the same time zones as L.A. We also have a very competitive tax regime. Canada and, specifically, British Columbia have one of the best tax regimes in the world. With regards to film tax credits, the B.C. Liberal government has ratcheted it up a number of times over the past number of years to, I believe, about 31 percent or more. Then if you are outside of, say, 206th Street, there’s the distance location tax credit, which has been a real benefit for Maple Ridge and for Mission.

In the months leading to the last election, there was a lot of concern in the industry about losing out to Louisiana and other states and also to Ontario. The government has made big investments, big commitments, to seeing the industry established, but we felt that we did need to hold the line. We made some commitments, but we felt that the line needed to be held because we didn’t want to get into a war with Ontario, for example, who said to us that whatever we did, they were going to go lower.

We felt that our province has a lot to offer, and it looks like our approach has proved right. We’ve seen a real significant increase in production in even this past year. We have a lot of different drawing cards.

As was mentioned, the industry is a bit cyclical, and some of that has to do with the Canadian dollar. Right now we’re in a good position with where the dollar is at, about 90 cents or 88 cents.

In British Columbia we have a strong foundation in all the creative industries, including film, television, digital media, book and magazine publishing and music. There are a lot of spinoff effects in the industry, including hotels, food suppliers, accounting services, vehicle rentals, tradespeople, building sets.

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In Maple Ridge and Mission there have been over 55 productions to date, including full-length motion pictures, TV series, made-for-television movies, commercials and documentaries. Recent examples include Horns, the motion picture, and TV series, Wayward Pines.

S. Chandra Herbert: It gives me great pleasure to speak in support of our film, television, digital entertainment creative cluster that has developed in British Columbia, a sector which has grown to such an extent in a relatively short period of time but is one that is supported so widely by British Columbians. It’s supported for a couple of reasons. I should draw on my experience, having worked in the industry prior to becoming a member of this Legislature.

[1125]

Members might be interested to know that I appeared opposite Brad Pitt. He was in front of me, and I was a little further behind. Yes, I guess they would call me a background performer — or an extra, as they used to refer to them. That was just one of the jobs that I took in the creative sectors to pay my way through university. [ Page 5118 ]

Indeed, I did that when I was in elementary school, so I was already working in the industry. I know the government supports child labour. I guess I was working hard at a young age. Anyway, in my experience of the industry, I also had the pleasure of being the advocate for the industry on the opposition side, the New Democrat side, for the last four years.

I had the invitation from the industry to travel down to meet with a number of the big production companies in Hollywood, to learn from them what they wanted to see here, see what we could do better in B.C. to invite them to invest in our province, and why they loved coming here, to begin with.

One of the top things that I heard about why they loved coming to British Columbia was because of the partnership, the cooperation, they found between the private sector — the film studios, the film companies, the post-production companies, all gamut of companies that work in the film industry — and the labour unions that work with them as well. Of course, we have the Council of Film Unions, IATSE, Teamsters, Directors Guild, ACTRA and other unions which work all together with the large studios to come to a deal that can better working conditions and can make more efficient conditions for filming in British Columbia.

I want to thank the Motion Picture Production Industry Association, the Canadian Media Production Association chapter of B.C., and of course all the unions that I just mentioned. They have come together in a way to provide stability, to provide a sound home for investors, internationally, in the film industry. They do it so well.

Again, what I heard right from the beginning was, “You’ve got great crews. You’ve got great studios” — Vancouver Film Studios, Mammoth and others. They invest in their studios to have the top end of equipment, to be ready should they have a big blockbuster or to be ready to serve a small production.

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Then, of course, we also need to recognize Vancouver and British Columbia as being a great home for the film industry because of our domestic film producers, the B.C.-based producers. I can name a few companies. Whether it’s Brightlight; Omni; Nerd Corps, which works more in the video game but also crosses over into TV…. They provide work, both for those that work in the foreign-service industry, the Hollywood big productions, but also the domestic work.

They work together to ensure that we can have Canadian culture supported — something that I think we need to do more of and better. It’s why I advocated for the creation of Creative B.C. That’s why the New Democrats called for the creation of Creative B.C.

Thankfully, shortly before the last election it was created so we could have an industry advocate that brought together all sizes, sorts and fields — whether it’s the post-production alliance, DigiBC and others — so that they could speak in one voice and get that content, the stories that we generate out of our incredible province, and get that seen by the world, with the royalties flowing in, turned into a video game or app or whatever you’re able to do with the technology of today or down into the future — and succeed.

Good jobs for British Columbians, creative jobs make you dream bigger, reach a little higher and bring great dollars and cents and pride in our incredible province.

Whether it’s the tourism spinoffs that you see in many communities of this province…. Hope’s still going strong with Rambo, having shot that there back in the early ’80s. They have pride. People go back there for generations now to see the set of Rambo.

Of course, you could do that in my own community — walk down the street and point out any number of films and television shows that have shot in the West End. Most any community in B.C. now can find some way to link to the film, television and creative industry of our great province.

There’s a lot more we can do, but the industry is creative and will support us. We will support them back.

J. Yap: I’m honoured and privileged to take my place in the debate on this motion. I’m grateful to the member for Vancouver–False Creek for bringing this motion forward in support of the vibrant, dynamic film and digital creative industry here in British Columbia.

[1130]

I’m very fascinated to hear the past experience of the member for Vancouver–West End and delighted that in his pre–elected official life he was one of tens of thousands of British Columbians who benefited and continue to benefit from this wonderful sector.

He also mentioned tourism spinoffs, which is so true. British Columbia has become, it has been said, Hollywood North. And yes, there is in our society an element of interest in celebrity and connection to our cultural icons. British Columbia is becoming very much a destination for film tourism. I’ll be speaking more about that in my remarks.

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As we’ve heard from colleagues on both sides of the House talking about this wonderful industry, it’s worth reminding ourselves what we are talking about here: 25,000 British Columbians are directly or indirectly employed by this sector. This is not counting those that benefit from the spinoff benefits of this sector. That’s almost $1½ billion in spending by this sector.

It’s important to communities all around the province of British Columbia, whether it’s in rural British Columbia, in the Lower Mainland or in urban British Columbia. It’s certainly centred in urban British Columbia, but the film and creative industry is so important to our economy, to continue to diversify British Columbia’s great economy.

I’ll just spend a few moments talking about some of the highlights, as I see them, of this important sector. There [ Page 5119 ] have been many important public investments that have been made by the province, led by our government, as have been mentioned.

The important investments in training are for the current and next generations of those that will participate in the film, digital and creative industries — whether it’s Emily Carr, which is going to be an iconic institution for digital and creative learning here in British Columbia, or the wonderful school of film at Capilano University, which is turning out the next generation of Steven Spielbergs and David Cronenbergs — and who will continue to represent the great opportunity that British Columbia is for this sector.

We’ve heard about the great investments by the private sector in film studios and infrastructure — in the Lower Mainland in places like Burnaby and North Vancouver. Of course, when all is said and done, we are interested in the jobs, with the investment, that are created.

In my community, in Richmond, we have seen tremendous benefit, a tremendous increase in activity in film production, whether it’s in TV, commercial or movie production. And one that I’ve spoken about in the past, I really want to highlight because it happened right in the heart of my community, in Steveston, also known as Storybrooke, which is the fictional location of a wonderful television series — a major network series called Once Upon a Time. Those of you who are on Twitter, it’s #ouat.

An ABC fantasy TV show, Once Upon a Time has been renewed, I believe for its fifth season. Any time that the film crews come to the village of Steveston, it’s estimated that about 350 people come into the village. Mr. Speaker, as you may know, having visited Steveston, when you have 350 people converge on the streets of Steveston for production, that is a lot of spinoff activity that happens.

The people of Steveston, the people of my community, have really taken to heart and really enjoyed the fact that we have this great asset — the production of this TV show in our community, in Steveston.

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There are others that I’d like to quickly mention. In the last year filming in Richmond has included such movies as 50 Shades of Grey, Godzilla — that was a big production — Grace, A Fairly Odd Summer, If I Stay, Pale Green, Parked, Robocop, The Interview.

TV series that have been filmed in Richmond include Almost Human, Amazing Grace, Arrow, Bates Motel, Bizarre Foods and last but not least, Once Upon a Time. It’s an important sector — one that all of us in this House support.

[1135]

S. Robinson: I am pleased to take my place in this debate on the motion put forward by the member for Vancouver–False Creek that this House celebrate the success of the film, audiovisual and digital media sector in British Columbia. I’m always one to relish in the idea of celebrating success.

I think that as a province we should celebrate the things that we’re good at. As a family therapist, my philosophy of the work that I would do with clients — and it’s the work that I’ve taken with me as I work in the area of policy now — is that we ought to identify our strengths and successes in any area that we are striving to support and expand. The philosophy really says that success breeds success and identified strengths provide the groundwork for moving forward and achieving new goals.

When I decided to speak to this motion, I thought: “Well, let’s take a look at the film, audiovisual and digital media sector in British Columbia. Let’s take a little bit of a look at the history of the success of this sector in the province.” I thought I would focus a little bit on the film industry, given that it has been so successful here in British Columbia. I think our history often helps to inform our future.

The film industry technically began in British Columbia in 1913. It had its first big burst on the scene in 1930. That’s when we started to see, here in British Columbia, some of the Hollywood celebrities like Bob Hope and Ginger Rogers strolling down Vancouver streets.

But it really was television that brought more filming activity to our province. I don’t know if any members of the House know this, but The Littlest Hobo was the first television series shot in British Columbia. That was from 1963 to 1965. It was subsequently syndicated around the world. And the industry has been growing ever since.

In 1978 the B.C. film and television industry spent over $12 million here in our province. Twenty years later that grew to $807 million. By 1999 the B.C. film and television industry spent over $1 billion in British Columbia. In 2000, 192 film and television productions were shot in B.C. — 56 feature films; 48 movies of the week, pilot or miniseries; 36 television series; ten animation products; and 42 documentaries or broadcast singles. So we’d certainly developed a burgeoning industry through the 1990s.

By 2001 foreign production reached a record high of $856.8 million. This industry, through the ’90s, grew at an annual rate of 21 percent. This growth wasn’t just in the Lower Mainland. Since

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1990 full production in the Okanagan has grown through the roof, generating multi-millions of dollars of economic impact. We also know that since 1996, Vancouver Island has benefited with more than $250 million in direct spending.

According to a document put out by the B.C. Film Commission in 2000 — I was just doing some digging as I prepared over the weekend — there were about 35,000 people in B.C. employed by this sector, 10,000 more then than there are today, and 97 percent of the production crews were made up of local people.

To fully appreciate the success of this industry, I think it’s critical that we review the history and that we understand the historical decisions and focus that have played [ Page 5120 ] a huge part in developing this industry that had an economic impact, back in 2000, of $3.3 billion.

Where do we stand today with our creative sector? B.C. is one of the leading film and television production centres in North America. Because we have invested in this industry historically and we have invested in our people and our facilities, we have maintained a competitive position in the film, television and digital media sector.

Despite these strengths, there are certainly some challenges ahead of us. The lingering effect of global financial problems that has resulted in an impact on industry revenue and access to capital. The implementation across North America and internationally of tax incentives that meet or exceed those in B.C. The expectation that content be developed for a variety of distribution platforms, despite the absence of a viable revenue model to justify production costs. The centralization of Canadian broadcast in music and publishing industries and decision-making in Ontario. Limited ownership of intellectual property by domestic producers and a reliance on business from U.S. studios.

Finally, the piece over which we have very little control is a fluctuating Canadian dollar. This, too, creates some real challenges for our creative sector here in British Columbia.

It’s for these reasons that we ought not to rest on our laurels. It’s worthwhile for us to pay close attention and to support this industry and to adapt to a changing economic landscape to ensure that British Columbians can continue to benefit from this highly successful, green economic sector that had its big growth through the ’90s, continues to grow today and continues to contribute to the overall economy of British Columbia.

[1140]

I’m very proud to continue to support that.

G. Kyllo: It is my pleasure to support the motion brought forward by the hon. member for Vancouver–False Creek. B.C. is a choice destination for film and television producers from around the world, and it shouldn’t be any surprise. We are surrounded by natural beauty, untouched wilderness and large metropolitan cities — diverse locations for any type of film.

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However, film producers do not choose B.C. just for the location. Our province is known around the world as having the infrastructure, talent and experience to make any film project a great success. The motion picture industry spends, on average, $1.2 billion per year on production activity in British Columbia, generating an estimated 25,000 direct and indirect jobs.

In fiscal 2013-2014 B.C. saw $1.45 billion in production spending by film and television producers. This represents the shooting or completion of 129 foreign productions, largely from the U.S., and 119 domestic productions in B.C. They are not restricted just to the Lower Mainland. As of early October there were currently 17 TV series being filmed across British Columbia. Right in my own backyard there are many film and TV productions taking place right now.

According to the statistics from the Okanagan Film Commission, our region recently enjoyed its best year ever, with entertainment companies spending an estimated $14½ million in the Okanagan and Shuswap in 2013 — productions such as Go with Me being filmed in Vernon, in the Okanagan, and the city of Enderby, in my riding of Shuswap. We will play proud host to Oscar-winning actor Sir Anthony Hopkins as he films this thriller starting this Thursday, through December. The movie is based on a best-selling book that, in print, is set in a Vermont logging town.

Rick Dugdale — who hales from the great community of Enderby and is president of his own Hollywood production company, Enderby Entertainment — was given an adapted script which set the movie originally in Oregon. In reading the script, Dugdale realized immediately he could shoot the movie in his hometown of Enderby and surrounding regions. Jon Summerland, of the Okanagan Film Commission, enthusiastically agreed.

Swedish film-maker and director Daniel Alfredson is signed on for the project. The production is expected to have a healthy budget and will be employing hundreds during the production, with more than 50 percent of the crew right from within the Shuswap and the North Okanagan regions.

Spinoff benefits will also be realized, with production crews staying in hotels, visiting restaurants and shopping at local businesses in the communities where filming will take place.

And just one more plug: extras are needed for the production. A casting call is being held this Tuesday in Enderby. So if you have the acting bug or want to share your talents, be sure to get in touch with Enderby Entertainment for an audition.

Another box-office hit, Tomorrowland, was filmed in the Shuswap communities of Enderby, Grindrod and Armstrong, with more than $3.3 million spent by Disney movies on a production last year. The film, due out in 2015, stars George Clooney and Hugh Laurie, who were supported by a 300-member crew that was in the Enderby area for the better part of a month. Local talent was once again used, as a priority, in the production.

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However, the Okanagan is known for more than just live-action films. Animation projects generated an estimated $3.7 million in spending on animation projects in studios in Kelowna. Besides animated movies, the work is featured in special effects for live-action films and video games in this rapidly growing segment of the entertainment business.

Club Penguin, a phenomenally popular children’s interactive computer game and website created in Kelowna, was bought by Disney in 2007 for $350 million. Since opening with just three employees, the Club [ Page 5121 ] Penguin founders are still associated with the business and have watched it become an international sensation with children around the world, in what company officials call a global playground.

The film industry is critical to B.C.’s economy. With more than 25,000 British Columbians that work either directly or indirectly in the industry, we want to do everything we can to protect their jobs and to grow this sector. Our government recognizes the benefits of having a vibrant film industry in B.C., and we are committed to see the numbers grow in the long term.

I am extremely proud of the great work of the Okanagan Film Commission and our hometown hero, Rick Dugdale, for his efforts to bring Hollywood to the Shuswap.

N. Simons: It’s my pleasure to stand and speak, obviously in favour, on the motion put forward by the member for Vancouver–False Creek: “Be it resolved that this House celebrate the success of the film, audio visual and digital media sector in British Columbia.”

[1145]

I don’t consider talking about it in this House, necessarily, as celebration. I would think we need a cake. I think we need a bunch of other things that will just…. I think the members on the other side agree. It’s kind of interesting. If we said, “Let’s hereby celebrate the importance of hockey,” we would all come up with reasons that hockey is important to our communities. It gets kids out skating and everything. We know that industry like the film and television industry in this province is important.

In fact, to one-up my friend from the West End, I was actually in a movie, one of the worst movies ever made, called Intersection. In fact, I played a cello in a scene that was Richard Gere’s dream. So if anyone else in this House can say that they were in Richard Gere’s dream, I challenge them. [Applause.]

Thank you very much. He wouldn’t remember me now, of course, because that was a long time ago.

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Anyway, the industry, obviously, in British Columbia is extremely important. I’ve got relatives working in the visual industry and working in animation and in the sector that we celebrate here today.

I think it’s important, though, as politicians, as people who are supposed to cast an eye on things in a more critical way than, perhaps, if we were simply cheerleaders cheering for one team, that we need to recognize that in every industry there are ways that things could be improved.

I think that in the industry of visual special effects, we have to recognize that we are really thanking the artists who work extremely long hours in order to meet deadlines, in order to meet changing deadlines and meet the needs of their studios in order to accomplish what they’re accomplishing.

We’re talking about, often, young people who are being paid for eight hours a day and who work long hours beyond that and don’t get the overtime because of the circumstances that they face in the industry.

I think it’s important as legislators to go beyond the cheerleading and actually say: “Are there ways that we can ensure that this is an industry that is not just good right now but is sustainable for the long-term future of its presence in British Columbia?” What we need to do is ensure that people working in the industry have the ability, have the task, have the tools at their disposal to ensure that they’re working in conditions that are good for them, good for their family and good for their community.

I think that when you consider some of the work that’s done in this industry…. A lot of it is very solitary. A lot of it is extremely long hours with high stress and pressure on meeting deadlines. A lot of it is an industry where there are a lot of workers being graduated from some of our best post-secondary institutions in British Columbia — private and public. I think we need to recognize that those young people coming into a sector should not first be exploited in their work.

Let’s make sure that those working in the sector have access to employment standards and the right to negotiate their contracts to ensure that they get the benefits that they need. It’s very difficult for young people in this industry to start a family, just because of the number of hours that people put in. There’s a lack of human interaction, and there’s also the physical strain involved with the work.

So my particular cheer today is for those who do the grunt work behind the scenes, who are the drawers, the animators, the people doing the long hours in fairly unrecognized roles in this industry. For them we have an industry that is world-class, and to them we can offer our thanks as legislators in this province. To ensure that their work standards are appropriate, that their rights are protected — that’s our job, to ensure that those things are in place.

Michelle Stilwell: Thank you, hon. Member, for giving me the chance to participate in this motion that was brought forward by my colleague from Vancouver–False Creek.

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As we’ve heard from many members, the film production and digital media industry is a force across B.C., employing thousands of people and pumping millions into local economies. Vancouver Island is playing a starring role in this.

First, let’s take a look at the film sector. Here on the Island we’re ably served by the Vancouver Island North Film Commission, located in Campbell River, and Vancouver Island South Film and Media Commission, based here in Victoria. Both of these non-profit organizations provide location scouting and liaison services to the film, television, commercial and new media companies interested in filming here on the Island. They do [ Page 5122 ] wonderful work and are the forefront of recruitment efforts for the Island.

[1150]

Earlier this year after listening to these two organizations, it was announced that the capital regional district would include the distant location tax credit. The results of this decision were immediate. The Times Colonist reported that Kathleen Gilbert, the Victoria film commissioner, was flooded with calls by the announcement, from production companies thinking about shooting movies and TV shows in the region.

The Victoria Chamber of Commerce thought that the distant-location tax credit would have an instant economic impact, and it certainly has. Last week it was reported that filming in Victoria for the first half of the year exceeded $8 million in revenues, putting 2014 on track for Victoria’s best year since 2007.

One of these productions was a television miniseries, Gracepoint, starring David Tennant. It was shot on location in Oak Bay, Victoria, Brentwood Bay and Sidney. The capital regional district became the fictional California town. So instead of filming in California, Hollywood came here to Victoria. The impact of production resulted in hundreds of residents being hired and millions spent locally by the cast, the crew and the production team.

If you had spent any time here in the Legislature this summer while we were on recess, you may have seen the Disney Channel using this Legislature and other Victoria locations to film a TV movie called Descendants, which tells the story of the children of classic Disney characters, including the son of Belle and the beast.

Basked in beautiful sunshine, our Legislature was transformed into a castle for what appears to be a wedding scene. When it’s released next year, I hope that people will watch this family- friendly film and count the scenes where you recognize the locations from around Victoria.

Up in Campbell River, scenes for a Canadian-produced film called Into the Forest were shot in Elk Falls Provincial Park, in addition to other locations in British Columbia.

[Madame Speaker in the chair.]

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It’s not just Hollywood and domestic film-makers that are being attracted to Vancouver Island. Bollywood and other India film production centres are too. Last week there was a front page story in the Times Colonist about a feature Bollywood romantic comedy called Sardaar Ji being shot right here in Victoria. A photo of star Mandy Takhar clinging dramatically from the outside of Craigdarroch Castle graced the cover of the paper.

It’s reported that this international Punjabi-language market film is the third Bollywood film shot here in the past two years. Last year the Indian film and television industries contributed 50 billion rupees or over $9 billion Canadian to the country’s economy. This is why B.C. needs to reach out to Bollywood.

Last month, during the Premier’s trade mission, the province appointed Arjun Sablok as its special envoy for film to India to promote further production of Indian projects in British Columbia. On top of that, North Shore Studios and Vancouver Film Studios signed MOUs with India-based film and entertainment giant Ramoji Film City to support shooting and production here and in India.

In addition to the film industry, Vancouver Island is producing a growing digital media sector. I know that earlier this year I spoke in the House before of the Qualicum Beach Digital Arts Studio that opened its doors.

This dynamic co-working studio is located in the town’s old train station. It has 16 available drop-in spaces, a meeting room and two private offices. The purpose of the digital arts studio is to provide a space where individuals or groups of professionals can network and work together to start up digital media or gaming projects, help grow and promote them and even develop business plans.

Similarly, in Nanaimo, SquareOne recently was launched. SquareOne develops itself as a tech entrepreneur.

M. Elmore: I’m very pleased to rise and speak on the motion: “Be it resolved that this House celebrate the success of the film, audio visual and digital media sector in B.C.” I’m certainly in favour of that, and it’s a relief to be speaking and recognizing role of this sector and recognizing the diversity of B.C.’s economy and kind of moving off the singular focus on liquefied natural gas.

Certainly, the creative industries are an economic and creative potential. They contribute to our current and future prosperity of the province. The creative sector is one of the most rapidly growing sectors, not only in B.C. but in the world economy, and a significant contributor to income generation — high incomes — job creation and also exports for B.C.

[1155]

In terms of our creative sector, we are very familiar with our TV and film production with any number of big productions being shot here — Hollywood films, popular series. As well, we have our publishing sector, music sound recording, interactive media films, as well as animation. A

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significant component of the success and the growing strength of this sector is that we have expertise from end to end in terms of shooting, providing cast, the expertise, our locations and also into post-production. That expertise makes British Columbia one of the leading sectors, also characterized as Hollywood North.

Our creative industries in particular contribute billions of dollars to our economy and employ tens of thousands of British Columbians. Our competitive advantages range from our location, being on the west [ Page 5123 ] coast; our scenery, the beauty and in terms of having different locations to shoot; as well as our expertise and our trained personnel. These are all advantages for this sector and certainly for British Columbia.

One area that is going to be a growth sector, which we’ve seen in terms of interactive gaming, is on the post-production side. We’ve had the promise to extend the digital animation and visual effects — DAVE — tax credit. This is one promise and commitment that I think can go toward supporting the sector and the continued competitive advantage for British Columbia.

I had the opportunity, as well, to sit in on a studio audience for Some Assembly Required, which is a multicam show that is shot in Burnaby. It’s one of the few in British Columbia, one of the few in Canada, where you have the studio experience. It’s a four-camera shoot. Many local actors and, of course, local personnel…. It is really picking up in terms of popularity. In fact, it’s the highest-rated show on YTV. Really a hands-on experience, a top production — world-class, really. I also recommend folks, if they have a chance, to go down and experience that. It’s quite something to see that on the ground here in British Columbia.

When we talk about the role and importance of these creative sectors, certainly the advantages in terms of the jobs that are created, the spinoff economic impacts — not only directly, in terms of shooting, but indirectly, through the sourcing of catering or provision of other services, also the indirect and the cross-sectoral spinoffs to our economy — it really generates and has that multiplier effect and impact benefiting our economy.

I’m very pleased to be speaking in favour of the motion recognizing the value, the role and the importance of our creative sectors in British Columbia and also looking forward to more success for our sector here in British Columbia.

M. Elmore moved adjournment of debate.

Motion approved.

Hon. M. Polak moved adjournment of the House.

Motion approved.

Madame Speaker: This House, at its rising, stands adjourned until 1:30 this afternoon.

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The House adjourned at 11:59 a.m.

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