On March 9 2007, municipal film coordinators, location managers and industry stakeholders met to discuss the key findings and recommendations of BC Film Commission's draft report on Film Permitting in GVRD municipalities. The purpose of the study was to develop a profile of municipal film permitting practices across all 21 GVRD municipalities and identify best practices to encourage a more positive and sustainable business climate for production in the Lower Mainland.
The session, facilitated by Gordon Hardwick, Manager of Community Affairs at the BC Film Commission, provided an overview of the survey findings and outlined the study's key recommendations to improve municipal film permitting. Those recommendations included:
1. Encouraging municipalities to adopt a "start from yes" mentality and a more proactive approach to film permitting.
2. Ensuring that all municipal film guidelines, forms, fee schedules and city maps are available online.
3. Increasing professional development opportunities for both Location Managers and Municipal Film Coordinators.
4. Encouraging municipalities to consult with industry and other stakeholders when updating filming guidelines.
5. Encouraging all municipalities to collect consistent data on film production activity, including number of shoot days and type of production.
6. Establishing a more standardized approach to film permitting across all 21 GVRD municipalities.
7. Working jointly to develop new public relations strategies that highlight the benefits of film production in BC communities.
As a next step in the review process, the BC Film Commission is forming a Film Location Resource Advisory Committee to jointly address location issues and implement many of the initiatives and recommendations identified in the report. To download a copy of the report, click here.
