When Deadpool’s producers considered shooting a critical scene in Vancouver that entailed closing the high-profile Georgia Viaduct, the Vancouver Economic Commission (VEC), with the Vancouver Film Office, worked with municipal policymakers and regulators to look at the request for what it was: an enormous opportunity to benefit the local economy and demonstrate the City’s openness towards the DE&I industry.
New data released by the Motion Pictures Association of Canada on the economic impact of Deadpool shows the importance of such industry support. The Deadpool production spent more than 40 million dollars in under two months of filming, and hired over 2,000 local cast, crew and extras who earned more than 19 million dollars in wages. In addition, almost 3.5 million dollars flowed to local businesses for location costs and such services as hotels, restaurants, construction and transportation.
The support for Deadpool was the latest in our years-long advocacy for the use of City assets in Film and TV production. Responding to industry concerns about working in Vancouver, the VEC led a council motion in 2013 to reduce barriers to production permitting and policing, and encourage more promotion. Our success in getting that approved, and the industry boom that shortly followed, led to Vancouver being designated as the third largest production centre in North America in 2014.
Perhaps the biggest value from the approval of Deadpool was the signal it gave to the industry – that Vancouver is now “open for business” and welcomes Film and TV production companies that support our local economy. We are encouraged by companies like 21st Century Fox, which has been filming Planet of the Apes in Vancouver in recent months, that have already responded to this signal. Please join us in welcoming them and others to our City in the years to come.
Learn more about how Film and TV Production and the other Digital Entertainment and Interactive subsectors are helping our economy.
