Tax credit cull
A low Canadian dollar helped make the B.C. film industry a little too successful. In February the province put tax credits under review after costs reached $500 million in the 2015-16 fiscal year. In May, the government announced tax credits for new productions would drop from 33% to 28% beginning in October.
Rainmaker rebuilds
Rainmaker Entertainment’s unusual step of both producing and financing the feature animated film Ratchet & Clank flopped for the Vancouver animation studio. After the disappointing spring box office results, the animation studio acquired New York-based Frederator Networks for $17 million and rebranded itself as WOW! Unlimited Media Inc. in October.
First film commissioner
The City of Vancouver named David Shepheard its first-ever film commissioner in October. While the local industry is bursting at its seams, Shepheard has been given the task of drawing more productions to the city.
Deadpool dominates
The violent and raunchy comic book film Deadpool smashed box office records the same way the titular character smashed villains on the Georgia and Dunsmuir viaducts. While Deadpool was budgeted at US$58 million (a paltry sum compared with other superhero movies), the Vancouver-shot flick raked in US$135 million over the Valentine’s Day weekend. The Motion Picture Association – Canada estimates the production spent $40 million of its budget in B.C. alone. Deadpool 2 has been given the green light but no word yet on whether star and favourite son Ryan Reynolds will be returning to his hometown for the sequel.
Nitrogen runs out of gas
Everything was looking pretty for Nitrogen Studios, the Vancouver animation house behind Seth Rogen’s Sausage Party, after the R-rated comedy brought in solid earnings over the summer. But a Hollywood Reporter report revealed widespread complaints over animators being forced to work unpaid overtime, resulting in an ongoing Employment Standards Branch investigation.
Crew crunch
While Vancouver drew Hollywood blockbusters to film in the city, smaller productions faced crew shortages. Entertainment lawyer Lori Massini said this led to a “bizarre exodus” of local producers leaving the Lower Mainland. But Victoria and the Okanagan saw increased activity as productions with modest budgets sought resources outside Metro Vancouver.
Film studios expand
With studio space booked solid across Metro Vancouver, Hollywood productions could be found holed up in warehouses to shoot their movies and TV shows. Ironwood Studios and Okanagan Film Studios opened their doors to productions eager for more space, while animation house DHX Media began building a new studio in Vancouver to keep up with demand.
Music industry revival
In a bid to stem the tide of musicians and engineers flowing to Toronto from Vancouver, the province announced in February it was launching a $15 million music fund to compete with Ontario’s incentives.
