When the British Columbia Film Commission first set up shop in 1978, the West Coast was emerging as a new frontier for the film, TV and commercial production industry.

‘I think there were only 30 film commissions around the world at the time,’ recalls Dianne Neufeld, who was hired in 1980 as a location scout for the commission to work alongside BCFC’s first commissioner, Justis Greene, and sell ‘beautiful B.C.’ to filmmakers.

By the time Neufeld took over the helm in 1983, she says the number of film commissions vying to attract business to their turf had surged to more than 300 around the world.

‘It was an exciting, wild time,’ says Neufeld of her 12-year tenure. ‘The business of competing to sell locations for film shoots was just opening up, and it was around the time that, for the first time, TV was starting to see the viability of going on the road.’

Neufeld takes a moment to summarize the ripple effect of foreign shoots in the province and how the B.C. industry evolved quickly, keeping pace with increased volume over three decades.

‘We were a small community, mostly a service, location-based one,’ Neufeld explains, ‘but our vision was to become a viable, sustainable production center. To do that, we had to build an infrastructure, create a relationship and structure for working with unions. And with each new film or TV series that came to town, the local industry grew – it was a huge training ground for locals. As we crawled up the credit list, we went from 40 percent local hires to 90 percent local hires.

‘The spin-offs kept growing. Instead of going outside for equipment and supplies, local supply companies were set up – it was a ripple effect. We started organizing and promoting high-tech capabilities, post-production expertise, and animation.

‘Producers and filmmakers who had shot here were selling us around the world, by word of mouth, saying ‘You should go to B.C.’ I guess it was the beginning of viral marketing,’ recalls Neufeld.

Fast-forward to 2008. Today, B.C. is the third-largest production center in North America (after Hollywood and Toronto). In 2007, the industry contributed $943 million to the provincial economy and employed approximately 20,000 people directly, and another 10,000 indirectly.

Current B.C. film commissioner Susan Croome credits the growth of the industry to ‘support from the government, like the tax credits, and the united collaboration of those who work in the industry to come together and make sure B.C. stays competitive and front of mind for producers.’

However, Croome notes that one can’t predict the future.

‘While television work has historically been the backbone of the industry in British Columbia, the production landscape in B.C. has fluctuated. Some years, B.C. is busy with big-budget feature films, and other years, television series work is more predominant. The next year, it may be the reverse. Currently there is a good mix of both feature and TV series work, in addition to a healthy dose of documentary, animation and commercial production. And the domestic side is thriving.’

And while they’ve come a long way in 30 years, some of the challenges remain the same today as three decades ago.

‘It’s a competitive business. People have realized what a great business this is, and we’re competing against more and more jurisdictions around the world than ever before,’ says Croome. ‘But the mandate today essentially remains the same as it was in 1978 – to promote and market B.C. to the world as a film, television and commercial location.’

The difference today, notes Croome, ‘is in addition to the business growing in size, it has grown in depth, complexity and sophistication. We now have a much more diverse offering of goods, services and infrastructure to offer in the global marketplace. Digital technology has also changed the face of production in B.C.’

B.C. Film Commissioners

Justis Greene July 1978-1983

Dianne Neufeld 1983-1995

Pete Mitchell 1995-1999

Mark DesRochers 1999-2001

Lindsay Allen (acting) 2001-2002

Susan Croome 2003-present

Select Film and TV Shoots

Following is a select list of film and TV projects that have shot in B.C. since the B.C. Film Commission was established in 1978:

1972-90 The Beachcombers

1978 The Prophecy

1979 The Changeling

1980 The Grey Fox

1980 First Blood

1986 Roxanne

1987 Stakeout

1987 The Accused

1988 Cousins

1993-98 The X-Files

1994 Jumanji

1994 Little Women

1998 Snow Falling on Cedars

1998-05 DaVinci’s Inquest

1998-06 Stargate SG-1

2001-present Smallville

2002 X-Men 2

2003 Supernatural

2003 I, Robot

2004 Fantastic Four

2006 Night at the Museum

2007 Juno

2008 The Day the Earth Stood Still