Want Movies Made In P.G.? Roll up Your Sleeves

Tuesday, October 23, 2007 03:50 AM

Prince George and the surrounding region, have a lot of work to do if they want to get movies made in the area.

Sara Shaak , the person who attracted several top movie productions to the region, says it isn’t always about location "If you want to have a movie filmed in the area you are going to need a strong business case to make it happen. "

Speaking from her office, Grapevine Picture Works in Vancouver Shaak says it used to be about location, but now it’s about a good business case.

"Film companies now expect more from your region than they used to. Years ago we used to be the best game in town, now there are many American States that have entered the market as well as other countries, that are prepared to make a better business case than we do."

Shaak says she met up with another old Prince George resident, Nolan Pilak at the Cannes Film Festival. "Nolan was working in LA , and we had attended Lakewood together so we hooked up to form this new company. "

Sara says the company is making gains "We are able to do business because we are working harder to get Canadian productions and they are increasing. We are comfortable with where we are. If you want to make it in the business right now you have to roll up your sleeves and work hard , the days of the easy take are gone you have to be more aggressive".

What about Prince George and region? Shaak says there are challenges and there are benefits "You don’t have film crews living there so you have to have very competitive hotel rates. I do know that lots of people will do things for free and that is a plus in PG, plus it is much easier to get permits there."

Shaak says there is interest in what this area has to offer "I know that a scout was in that area few weeks ago, but in order to get some business it will take some pretty aggressive work."

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Posted on Tuesday, October 23, 2007 03:50 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: owl on October 23 2007 6:20 AM

Tonto???

Posted by: RRrabbitt on October 23 2007 7:40 AM

No...... Lil' Beaver

Posted by: dgdiggler on October 23 2007 9:14 AM

What made Hollywood North appealing to the US film makers was the varying locales for pictures but in reality you can find those locales in the US too. The real attraction were relatively low production costs thanks to the then difference in the US / Canadian dollar. With our dollar being up there on par with the US don't look to see many Hollywood projects coming north...like any business its all about the bottom line.

Posted by: diplomat on October 23 2007 11:31 AM

Too bad that we can't/won't/don't have our own Canadian film making industry!

With some government seed money it would be up and running, I bet.

We do have plenty of Canadian talent, which usually heads for Hollywood.

It shouldn't be very difficult to compete with the utter garbage that is being produced down there.

Posted by: Harbinger on October 23 2007 8:02 PM

What about that movie I wish they would make here? I think it is called "Ninja Nuns of the North". Please someone. Make this movie. The Pope would endorse it. So would Bruce Lee types. Something for every one. A chop sockey movie with forgiving religious overtones. I know. I'm going to my bank tomorrow and make this dream come true.

Posted by: Harbinger on October 23 2007 8:03 PM

Posted by: Harbinger on October 23 2007 8:05 PM

Worth rewpeating , eh? Doh!!!!

Posted by: opinionated on October 23 2007 11:07 PM

Sara Shaak has sure come a long way from her days in PG. She put us on the map for productions.I am sure she won't forget us if anything looks good for PG.

Posted by: northman on October 25 2007 8:21 AM

They are starting to make movies farther up north because the rapid development in the states is decreasing filming locations. They are slowly making their way up north. The movie "Shooter" which came out in the summer was filmed in Savona and Whistler. I think with the runway expansion we might see some higher profile acts come to this area. We already are having some pretty big name bands roll through and i dont see any reason why the film industry wont follow.