VANCOUVER: Production volumes in Victoria are on a record-setting pace after the first six months of the year, says the Greater Victoria Film Commission.

According to the commission, direct spending by eight film and television productions was $10.1 million in the first six months of 2003, compared to $15 million in spending for all of 2002.

The surge in business has been driven largely by the increased 6% regional tax credit offered by the B.C. government, an incentive meant to encourage production outside of the main Vancouver production zone.

‘The combination of unique locations and the added tax credit has made Victoria the strongest secondary film market in the province,’ says Starr McMichael, the commission’s board president. ‘The Greater Victoria area has accounted for virtually all film production on [Vancouver] Island this year, which also says a great deal about our easy access from Vancouver and growing local crew base.’

Projections for the second half of 2003 are also strong, with five feature films and 11 more episodes of the CHUM Television series Alienated confirmed for late summer and early fall. Overall, there were eight productions shot in Greater Vancouver in the first six months of 2003.

-www.filmvictoria.com