Luke Azevedo, commissioner of Television and Creative Industries with Calgary Economic Development, said RVC houses versatile backdrops and accessible settings that are second to none.
“Things are shot in the Rocky View area, and people are not sure that it is actually real because it is so amazing and so beautiful,” said Azevedo. “From our perspective, that kind of draw is really something that we need to continue to build on and create partnerships that are necessary to ensure that we can continue to bring productions into that zone.”
Azevedo said as more blockbusters like Ghostbusters: Afterlife, The Revenant and Jumanji The Next Level choose Alberta as a place to bring their production and business, the more it can open up job and revenue opportunities for local companies.
Among the provinces and territories, Alberta ranks fourth in Canada for money made through the film and television industry, according to a 2019 study done by the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA).
The findings indicated Alberta generated $256 million from film and television production in 2018-19, accounting for three per cent of the national total revenue.
British Columbia is the national leader, having grossed $3.4 billion in 2018-19, while Ontario and Quebec followed in second and third.
The study also said the industry has produced over 180,000 jobs in Canada, and brought a Gross Domestic Product of $12.8 billion.
Azevedo said this year is particularly important to promote the economic benefits that embracing the film industry can have for a region, adding studios will make decisions going forward on the safety of the area in relation to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the quality and depth of the crews in the area, and infrastructure.
“There is an opportunity for us to have an impact on the economy, not just in urban settings, but also in rural areas,” he said.
“We have some of the best folks in the world, no question. The quality of the work done in Alberta is worldclass.”
According to a presentation put on by Azevedo at RVC council’s regular meeting July 14, film and TV productions in Alberta have contributed millions of dollars to the economy, and the industry is just hitting a stride here.
While Ghostbusters was being filmed, Azuvedo said, the production spent over $4 million just on accommodations over the 4.5-month span. Additionally, the production spent over $438,000 at restaurants.
Azevedo said part of what makes Alberta a hot spot for film production is the lack of a provincial sales tax, low overall production costs in comparison to other markets, and strong supporting infrastructure.
“We are a revenue generator for this province,” Azevedo said. “We have the potential to grow from the half a billion mark, to touching a billion [in revenue] over the next 10 years.”
Jordan Stricker, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @Jay_Strickz
