Hollywood heads north
Photo: Kate Bouey
At least two movies will be shot in the North Okanagan this year, including one from a major film studio, according to Okanagan Film Commissioner Jon Summerland.
While snow fell Wednesday afternoon Summerland painted a rosy picture of the local film industry during a presentation to the North Okanagan Regional District board of directors.
“Mind’s Eye [Entertainment] is looking to shoot here next month,” Summerland said.
The Saskatchewan-based company shot “Recall,” starring Wesley Snipes, at the Okanagan Film Studio in Vernon last year.
Summerland pointed to L.A.-based producer Rick Dugdale who has already been scouting the region for a Second World War epic called “Peace.”
He also indicated a “big company” was planning to shoot in the North Okanagan this year.
“I can’t get into it but it will be here,” Summerland said.
The film commissioner has asked the board for a $6,000 increase in funding from NORD, which currently supplies $29,000 of his annual $229,000 budget.
He said a big chunk of the money is being spent on scouting ($55,000) and more needed to be spent on travel to Los Angeles to woo producers to the region.
“With two studios it’s good to go to L.A. to let them know we can do a kids’ show and (to get them) to bring it to the Okanagan,” Summerland said, referring not only to the Vernon studio but also to the plans to build a studio in the Kelowna area.
He said Vernon should not be worried by plans to build a Kelowna studio.
“If anything, it’s going to make (the Vernon studio) more valuable. Kelowna’s is coming with clients. It will mean more trucks, more crews, more people, more everything.”
With Kelowna’s growing strength in animation, more companies are looking to move in.
“These are big companies. One said they want to bring 60 people here, to the Okanagan, and one has won an Academy Award.”
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