TV work in British Columbia has bounced back – after taking a heavy hit in 2004 – according to recent stats from the Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts and the B.C. Film Commission.

A total of 23 series and MOWs are now shooting in the province, about double the count this time last year.

Insiders credit the turnaround to improved tax credits put in place by the province in early 2005, which earlier this year were extended to 2008. B.C. offers an 18% tax break on labor to foreign shoots, and a 30% cut for domestic productions.

‘Economics in Vancouver are still very attractive, especially with the tax credit component,’ says Jon Kroll, executive producer of Spike TV’s new action series Blade. ‘The government and industry have done some aggressive things and kept an economic edge, being responsive instead of waiting for production to drop off. But, I can’t emphasize enough the superlative crews.’

Representatives from B.C. Film would not comment on the recent numbers, though, in a statement, the ministry also nodded to the province’s crews and locations.

Crawford Hawkins, managing director of the Directors Guild of Canada, BC District Council, also credits the stable labor environment, citing the newly signed three-year agreement between local unions – except for the Union of B.C. Performers – and the U.S.-based Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.

‘But money comes where the talent is,’ he says. ‘TV utilizes 95% of local talent, in front of and behind the camera. Louisiana and Texas don’t have the infrastructure. Toronto is in a different time zone and can’t offer the diversity of locations we can.’

Noreen Halpern, president of Toronto-based Blueprint Entertainment, just wrapped shooting season one of drama series Whistler for CTV and the second season of Noah’s Arc for Logo in the U.S., after moving the gay-aimed series up from L.A.

‘Logo… came to us and asked if we could shoot in Canada,’ she says. ‘With Canadian content, licence fee, et cetera, we made it attractive for them to come here.’

The acting pool was also a factor, she adds. ‘For many years the strong actors were in Toronto, but now they’re in Vancouver, especially for actors under 35.’

And actors who come north to work are positive about the experience.

‘I love working in Canada, especially Vancouver,’ said Beau Bridges, who stars in Stargate SG-1, at a celebration for the series’ 200th episode earlier this year at The Bridge Studios in Burnaby. ‘You’ve got world-class skiing an hour away, and you’ve got some of the best restaurants in the world. [It’s] so cosmopolitan. I’m like on vacation here.’

The CTV series Alice, I Think and Robson Arms also shoot in B.C.

Leading the pack amid eight TV movies shooting mid-summer is Vancouver’s Insight Film Studios, with five MOWs on the go.

‘For a time, the popularity of reality television had tightened the market for dramatic programming,’ says Insight president and CEO Kirk Shaw. ‘In late 2004 or early 2005, the popularity of reality TV started to wane, and networks slowly began seeking out more dramatic content to balance their programming. I believe the recent boost in production is the result of networks and distributors trying to satisfy the natural market share for dramatic content.’

He adds that the success of shows such as 24 has expanded the possibilities of the format and stimulated viewer interest.

‘Dramatic television can be more provocative now,’ he says. ‘The medium of television is more respected, and audiences are increasingly looking to TV for quality and innovation.’