Vancouver: An alien force has infiltrated the collective mind and body of Vancouverites and made them crazy. It’s The X-Files – a show that began as a kind of whim for the fledgling Fox network and became a cultural icon of the late ’90s – that has somehow turned Vancouver’s laissez-faire attitude toward the bustling service film industry into something personal.
Over the past five years, Vancouverites have developed an unnaturally heightened sense of ownership of the series. They revere creator Chris Carter for his unflinching loyalty to the city and its crews, they believe Vancouver’s gloominess has contributed significantly to the success of the show, and scoff at David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson for wanting to go home and away from the rain.
So when, as expected, The X-Files goes the way of MacGyver, Sliders or other Vancouver productions that relocated, Vancouverites will feel an unprecedented level of betrayal. That’s an irrational and unwarranted response when – aside from exaggerated, inventive jokes about Vancouver’s rain – nothing about The X-Files’ move reflects badly on the local film community or the city.
Exactly what will be the impact on Vancouver when The X-Files producers at 20th Century Fox finally make public sometime in February the decision to fly south to Los Angles? Despite the hoopla, not a heck of a lot good or bad.
There are about 300 technical jobs on The X-Files. These are people with enviable resumes who will probably get work quickly on new productions because of their experience with the most famous show to ever come from our rain forest. Crew members have been philosophical about the probable loss of the show and know that they are going to find new work. That’s part of their business.
Then there is the potential loss of profile for the city. Janna Ross, a spokesperson for Tourism Vancouver, says: ‘Any kind of event that gives us international coverage is beneficial [to tourism]. But we can’t qualify positive or negative impact. We do have a reputation of being Hollywood North, but I’m not sure people know which specific shows are shot here.’
On the positive side, Vancouver will have more room for new features, series and mows. Lions Gate Studios (formerly North Shore Studios) had been booked by The X-Files as the home base for the series. As a result of increased stage space, Vancouver won’t have to worry as much about turning work away.
‘Obviously, we’d like [The X-Files] to stay,’ says Mark DesRochers of the B.C. Film Commission. ‘But there is future and potential business [to fill the void].’
Also, there is no reason to believe Vancouver’s other high-profile Chris Carter series, Millennium, won’t stay put in Vancouver.
X-Files spokesman Steven Melnick in l.a. says Millennium is not tied to any decision about The X-Files.
Carter, himself, has not decided whether he will continue with The X-Files once his original five-year contract expires this spring, adds Melnick. (Carter’s Vancouver coproducer Bob Goodwin has already confirmed he will not return to The X-Files after this season is complete.)
Given Carter’s affinity for Vancouver and the promise of new tax credits as incentives to foreign producers, any new potential shows he puts together theoretically stand a good chance of winding up here.
And Vancouverites commiserating about comments by Duchovny and Anderson pressuring producers to move the show should always remember the old MacGyver case study. A rebellious Richard Dean Anderson, another star unhappy about working in Vancouver, was reportedly key to getting the show moved.
Five years later, where is he? Anderson is starring in an extended run of Stargate, which is shot at The Bridge Studios in Burnaby.