Supplementary Information - Vancouver Island South Film and Media Commission

ORGANIZATION HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION

The Vancouver Island South Film & Media Commission (VISFMC) was established by Brian Small CEO of The Victoria Chamber of Commerce, following the filming of “Five Easy Pieces” in 1971. It was the first Film Commission in British Columbia and remains the longest running Film Commission in the Province. Originally called The Victoria and Vancouver Island Film Commission, we represented the entire island. In 1996, we registered as a not for profit society and hired our first full-time Film Commissioner.

The CRD has experienced gradual but continued growth in the industry until the introduction of the Distant Tax Credit (DTC) and the CRD’s exclusion from it in 2008. The unintended consequence of this exclusion led to a dramatic decrease in production. With no work, crews started to migrate to other regions or return to work in other sectors adding to the demise of the local industry. Extensive work by our current Film Commissioner and community stakeholders resulted in the government changing the boundaries of the DTC to include the CRD in 2014 which resulted in an extraordinary increase in film production. In 2015, we had a record breaking $18 Million in direct spend from over 20 productions. That year the VISFMC was directly responsible for filling 32,500 nights in local hotels and vacation rental properties. In 2020, local spending has increased to a new record $50 Million.

ECONOMIC BENEFITS

Film dollars support a wide range of services on Southern Vancouver Island and the CRD, helping to foster a vibrant local economy. The film industry not only provides jobs for our local crew and income for their families, but offers training and future opportunities for young people to work on Vancouver Island. Over the last decade the Film Commission has contributed in excess of $200 million film dollars in direct spending to the local economy. This represents an average of $20 million per year in spending on a wide range of services. Growing fast despite Covid-19, the film industry spent $70 Million here in the region in the last two years alone!

SERVICES PROVIDED

PRODUCTION SERVICES

Production/Location Services is the function of the Film Commission most familiar to film companies and producers. Commission staff and contractors provide timely assistance with the following:

Script Breakdown

Using our online locations software as a starting point, we provide complete script breakdown services for features, MOWs, series, pilots and commercials. Photo file packages are prepared using Reel Scout ™ and sent to producers and location managers to show them exactly where their projects can be realized in View Royal, Greater Victoria and Southern Vancouver Island.

Scouting and Surveys

Based on production and script requirements, we scout and photograph specific locations in your municipality that may not be on file in the digital library. The Commission may provide location scouts to accompany producers and directors around Greater Victoria and Southern Vancouver Island to find suitable locations.

Ongoing Support

Producers and Location Managers use the Production Services Department for research, location expertise, and assistance with other logistics and planning. Staff assists by contacting appropriate agencies regarding immigration/work permits, municipal and regional filming permits, trade union, guild and labour information, studio facilities, post-production facilities, hotels, and suppliers.

Photo Library

The library is continually updated and expanded with key images from across Greater Victoria and Southern Vancouver Island to be used in script breakdowns, location requests and ongoing production support. It is used internally by Commission staff and contractors, and externally by producers, location managers and other industry personnel. With online access, it is viewable by industry personnel across the province and anywhere on the web.

Online Crew Database

In 2020, we expanded our online crew database to provide easy access to trained industry professionals for prospective productions. The database includes detailed crew profiles, organized by department and searchable through our website www.filmvictoria.com/crew. Producers and crew members can log into the system to view and edit profiles. This recruitment tool is critical to incoming productions whose tax credits depend on hiring local crew. It has also dramatically increased our membership numbers by allowing experienced local personnel to market their skills through the commission. Developed with assistance from CreativeBC and ReelScout, the new database functions in tandem with our online locations gallery, making searches a seamless experience for producers.

EDUCATION & OUTREACH

Our programs also include training for local crew and information seminars for local businesses or those seeking employment in the film industry. We host networking events for local film industry professionals and independent producers. As part of our outreach program we held the following events in the last year:

• Reel Jobs in Film, Industry Career Fair (Online due to Covid, 400+ registered)
• Local Producers Roundtable Discussion
• Film Industry Networking Mixer for Commission members (Online due to Covid – Members’ holiday mixer with script pitching contest)
• Motion Picture Industry Orientation Course (Online with Royal Roads University) (3 sessions)
• ActSafe Motion Picture Safety Awareness Course (Online)
• Location Scout Training
• Student Networking and Interview Practice – Camosun College Co-op Program
• IMDEES Program Host – volunteer work experience placement for Indigenous youth

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS & SPONSORSHIP

In 2020, we continued to promote our unique community awareness campaign entitled “We Love Film Too”, featuring film friendly businesses and organisations that support the industry in our region. The campaign has become part of all our communication on social media and for online events. It continues to reach industry and government audiences in Vancouver to showcase our region as a film friendly community.

Along with this exciting campaign, we promoted our sponsorship program benefits to develop local business partnerships and expand our collective offering to the industry. The program entitled “Lights, Camera, Revenue,” engages the business community with the intention of increasing our private sponsor funding.

Our office space at 514 Government Street has attracted other film related tenants including 291 Film Company, Made You Look Media and two independent producers. The shared space creates opportunities for networking and referrals, a film and media industry hub comprised of complimentary services.

Our ongoing Volunteer Program provides us with a range of additional support from administration and special events to tech support. We benefit greatly from the extra help, and in return our volunteers receive complimentary commission memberships and the opportunity to learn new skills related to film production and economic development.

These are just some examples of our community partnership strategy to reduce our overall costs. The Film Commission will continue to develop community networks and promote a vibrant film industry on Southern Vancouver Island.

FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY

In order for the Film Commission to continue providing free services to attract film productions to the region, and foster economic development, we require full support from the municipalities of the Capital Region that we serve. Without the financial assistance this grant provides, the Film Commission would have to significantly reduce its hours and services, translating into fewer film productions in the CRD, less direct spending and fewer jobs for local crew. It would also severely limit our region’s potential as a production centre as we become less responsive to industry demand.

Over the years, the budget for the Film Commission has fluctuated from a high of $372,197 in 2002 to a low of $154,689 in 2009. Our budget for 2020 was $255,000. Funding cuts have forced this modest budget into a $53,000 deficit. In order for the Film Commission to continue growing the film industry to its potential, we must aim for a greater degree of financial stability to avoid further deficit. The following changes have been identified to put the organization in a stronger position moving forward.

Increased Short and Long-Term Funding

A minimum budget of $300,000 is needed to maintain the growth that we have created in the local industry, with a goal to expand further towards market potential.

Maintain and Increase Staff

We require sufficient funding to create salaried positions with competitive pay, benefits and vacation to reduce staff turnover and maintain quality service. Three full time staff positions are ideal to meet the current demand for our service, and further staff expansion would allow us to achieve our full potential. Under the current deficit, fewer staff would see Commission activities dramatically reduced.

Fundraising

Due to Covid, we were unable to hold our annual auction fundraiser this year which typically brings in $10,000 of additional funding. The Film Commission often takes creative measures and partners with members of the community to further reduce operating costs. For example, the Thrifty’s Smile Card Fundraising Program allows us to update computer and office equipment to stay current with industry service expectations. We frequently use Tech Soup Canada which provides discounted software products to non-profits through affiliated donor agencies.

Membership Fees

The Film Commission membership fee remains affordable at $30 per year (per voting member) and this covers our costs for managing and processing memberships as well as some business networking events. With more than 270 active members we continue to grow by promoting the practice of working together to build the industry.

Student Grants

We apply annually to Canada Summer Jobs and Get Youth Working in order to create a training position for area students. We have hosted co-op students and graduates from University of Victoria, Camosun College and Royal Roads University.

SUMMARY

Victoria’s locations, skilled crew, talent, business services and mild climate, make it an ideal centre for film and television production. This potential, realised with support from municipalities in the region, provides sustainable economic and cultural growth. We are grateful for the support of View Royal and all the CRD Municipalities who share this goal.