Despite a slight decline in the number of productions filming on the West Shore compared to previous years, the local film commission says thereB次元官网网址檚 still lots of interest.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been a bit slow. Last year was definitely a great year for the West Shore,B次元官网网址� said Kathleen Gilbert, film commissioner of the Vancouver Island South Film and Media Commission. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檒l see what happens in the fall. We donB次元官网网址檛 have anything to announce yet, but we have a lot of people looking.B次元官网网址�
In 2017, a number of productions brought some high profile celebrities to the western communities. Last summer, Vancouver-born actor Ryan Reynolds was spotted filming Deadpool 2 at Hatley Castle at Royal Roads University in Colwood, and in August Johnny Depp was spotted filming scenes for his movie Richards Says Goodbye at the Italian Gardens also at the university.
While there havenB次元官网网址檛 been any major celebrity sightings yet this year, there are productions in the works.
RELATED: Hallmark movie Once Upon A Prince filming in Metchosin
In February, Taylor Road in Metchosin was one of many sites transformed into scenes for the Hallmark movie, Once Upon A Prince starring Megan Park and Jonathan Keltz.
Hatley Castle continues to be a popular spot for productions as well. Gilbert said a movie called The Big Sleep was filmed there, as well as the kick off of the Amazing Race CanadaB次元官网网址檚 Heroes Edition.
Most recently, cast and crew were at the lighthouse at Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site in June filming scenes for the Netflix show Van Helsing, starring Kelly Overton and Jonathan Scrafe, in which a woman wakes up after three years in a coma to a world ravaged by vampires.
Areas close to the West Shore are gaining traction for movie productions as well. Gilbert says there has been a lot of interest in the East Sooke and Beecher Bay area for productions shooting next year with a B次元官网网址減ost-apocalypticB次元官网网址� feeling.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e had a lot of people that are looking for wilderness, post-apocalyptic types of shows and it seems to be a trend right now,B次元官网网址� Gilbert said. B次元官网网址淭wice now weB次元官网网址檝e shown the old Hydro building in Jordan River because theyB次元官网网址檙e looking for areas that donB次元官网网址檛 show a lot of population or signs of life. That coast is just beautiful in terms of looking so remote.B次元官网网址�
Having a strong film industry bodes well for the economy, said Gilbert, noting there were roughly 952 residents of the Capital Regional District that made $20 million working in the film industry last year.
B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 $20 million that people are bringing home and spending in our community. ThatB次元官网网址檚 a huge benefit,B次元官网网址� she said, noting that doesnB次元官网网址檛 necessarily mean all those productions were filmed on Vancouver Island as crews often go to Vancouver to work as well.
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