Thanks to the ingenuity of the Island North Film Commission, Vancouver Island is attracting TV and film productions for long-term projects.
After INFilm showed them the historic McLean Mill in Port Alberni, the producers and director of “One Mile” decided to film most of the movie on location, along with its sequel.
“The reason we came to the island was the McLean Mill,” said Chris Rudolph, Line Producer for One Mile. “It was identified by the director and became a very big decision for the producer group.”
They had originally been considering it for just one scene, but loved it so much they stayed all summer. While on the Island, they spent $3 million in the Parksville-Alberni region over three months, wrapping up in October.
INFilm has a team of location scouts who keep a database of thousands of locations updated, to match what filmmakers are looking for. They cover from Ladysmith to Cape Scott.
Joan Miller, Executive Director for INFilm, said it’s critical to stay competitive.
“All of our services sell the destination,” said Miller. “We reduce costs, simplify the permit process, and offer industry-standard production support.”
She said Vancouver Island has advantages over the Mainland, including lower location fees and easier permitting.
Brandon Lepine, Regional Production Service Manager for INFilm, said Vancouver Island’s growing list of film appearances is boosting local tourism.
“Just days after Island of the Sea Wolves premiered on Netflix, a family showed up in a minivan in Tahsis, all the way from Kentucky, looking for wolves,” he said. “There is a direct link from film to tourism. In my mind, that is the power of film.”
The Island has also hosted shoots for blockbusters including Man of Steel and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.
INFilm is working with the Island Coastal Economic Trust to boost film productions on the Island, investing $30,000 last year towards the film scouting initiative which will continually update the database of potential filming locations.
One Mile stars former teen heartthrob Ryan Phillippe (Cruel Intentions, Gosford Park) as a father recently released from prison, who tries to reconnect with his daughter. However, they soon find themselves fighting for more than their lost relationship when a murderous cult pursues them (IMDB summary).
