Policy & Positions Manual
Provincial Issues - Jobs, Tourism And Innnovation
Enhancing British Columbia’s Film Industry (2009)
BC has become well-established and internationally renowned over the last forty years as a viable, competitive and cost effective production centre. The film industry in BC has grown to become the third largest centre for film production in North America. It is an industry whose full-time workers number in the tens of thousands. According to the British Columbia Film Commission’s most recent information, the film industry in BC in 2008 is estimated to have generated over $1.2 billion in production spending through filming over 260 motion pictures in the province.
In support of this work, the BC film industry is estimated to have employed more than 20,000 people directly, and another 15,000 - 20,000 indirectly.
Industry Profile
BC continues to lead nationally in total foreign (mainly U.S.) production but economic factors, such as the fluctuating value of the Canadian dollar, can have a significant impact on demand as it impacts the amount of US-based production coming to BC. Past experience has demonstrated this vulnerability. Financial market volatility underscores the need to create a broad-based sustainable domestic film industry. However, locally owned BC based production decreased in 2008. This reliance on foreign production underscores the need to train new entrepreneurial film makers in support of the domestic film industry.
In order to at least maintain, and even increase, BC’s third-place status in domestic production, additional, talented and well-trained new film makers are required. This conclusion was arrived at by the 2004 Motion Picture Production Industry Association (MPPIA), sponsored, industry-wide forums on the state of the industry. First-rate education and training facilities focusing on production values and commercial viability are an essential part of maintaining BC’s film industry and achieving a solid foundation in domestic film production.
Adding to this need is an aging work force. Individuals who entered the film industry in BC as it began to emerge in the early 1970’s are now starting to retire at an increasing rate. New and properly-trained workers will therefore be required to maintain the industry’s vitality in a rapidly changing industry. “The film and television industry is changing at a phenomenal pace,” said David Paperny, president of Vancouver-based Paperny Films. “The ability of BC companies to respond quickly and adapt to both economic and technological change are the defining characteristics of our industry and they will drive the industry's success over the long term.”
Knowledge Infrastructure Program
The ‘Federal Knowledge Infrastructure Program’ is a two year, $2 billion economic stimulus program to support infrastructure enhancement at post-secondary institutions across Canada. In BC the first of these projects have been announced and the film industry has seen no direct benefit.
THE CHAMBER RECOMMENDS
That the Provincial Government work with the Federal Government to enhance the existing capacity for film industry education and training with the goals of maintaining and enhancing the skilled BC workforce, and that encouraging and increasing domestic film production be made a priority for current and future knowledge infrastructure projects.
