Taking action for the lights and cameras By Oona Woods Anyone who has an interest in the film and television industry is invited to attend a community film forum being held by the Sea to Sky Film Commission at the conference centre on Saturday, May 30. The forum is seeking to compile data on willing participants and film-friendly locations in the valley, as well as setting up a contact list of people with film talents and skills. The Sea to Sky Film Committee's goal is to act as an interpreter, buffer and facilitator between the local community and film developers and crews. "The Sea to Sky corridor is considered one of the top film and television shooting locations in B.C.," says the committee's release. It would like to invite people who want to learn more about the film and television industry to take part in the free film forum. Among the speakers will be Peter Mitchell, the director of the B.C. Film Commission, as well as plenty of personnel and locations managers and Sea to Sky residents who work in the TV and Film industry. Proposed topics include looking at your home or business as a location, education and employment opportunities in the industry, the economic impact of filming in the corridor and how to make the corridor a film friendly location, as well as explaining the role of the committee. Statistics released last month by the Ministry of Small Business, Tourism and Culture say that the $630-million film and television industry has grown by more than 300 per cent in the last 10 years. Another report released at the same time suggests that this may more than double in the next 10 years. This would provide direct employment for 25,000 people and would indirectly employ over 45,000 people. Report author Neal Clarance said B.C. has quickly established itself as one of the leading film production locations in the world. "While increasing production demands will result in a strain on existing crews and facilities, employment opportunities for young British Colombians are great." If you would like more information on the forum, which will also be held in Squamish on Sunday, May 31, call (604) 938-2775 and leave a message.
