A strong year of filming is anticipated for both the City of Maple Ridge and the City of Pitt Meadows, in part due to an increase in provincial government tax incentives announced in December.
The production services tax credit, (PSTC), which provides tax incentive for international projects made in the province, increased from 28 per cent to 36 per cent, for productions with principal photography that started at the beginning of the year.
A majority of all projects filmed in Maple Ridge are from the United States which makes this tax credit increase especially important for the city, noted Draeven McGowan, film coordinator and economic development for the City of Maple Ridge.
Since an additional six percent tax credit is given for filming in an area outside the Vancouver Zone or what is called the Studio Zone, he explained.
Maple Ridge falls into the Nearby Regional Location Zone which includes locations in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley.
"Therefore, productions filming in Maple Ridge will receive a 42 per cent tax credit as of this year, rather than the previous 34 per cent," he said.
Provincial Tax Credits are designed to incentivize and increase productivity in the region, explained McGowan.
Last year the filming industry brought in more than $600,000 in direct revenue to the City of Maple Ridge.
A 43 per cent increase in production expenditure compared to 2022, said McGowan, noting the comparison with 2022 numbers is due to industry strikes in the United States in 2023.
That year the Writers Guild of America strike lasted 148 days and the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists strike lasted 118 days, interrupting the industry on both sides of the border.
"Which would cause the comparable numbers to be less accurate," said McGowan.
In addition, there was an estimated $8.54 million in economic impact to the community as well – on top of wages paid to workers for their labour.
A conservative estimate, noted McGowan, as it does not account for the prep and wrap days, which also has a large economic impact.
McGowan explained that economic impact is based upon the private buyouts and rentals that production companies enter into with Maple Ridge residents and businesses when filming in the city through both direct and indirect means.
Last year 100 productions filmed in Maple Ridge, down nine from 2022. However, there were 82 more shoot days, 24 per cent more than in 2022, and 17 more permits.
"This means that the productions are filming longer at each location, thus staying in Maple Ridge longer increasing expenditure and building stronger community relations," explained McGowan.
There were also 383 prep and wrap days, this is when smaller crews prepare a set before filming begins, or dismantle a set after filming ends.
Tracking this information is important, noted McGowan, because prep and wrap days are when film productions work in the community – film industry labourers earn wages, filming sites at businesses and residents garner location fees, and there is minimal disruption to the community.
Total shoot days in Maple Ridge in 2024 was 427 – 24 per cent more than in 2022 – with 810 days of filming activity.
The increase is largely due to an increase in the complexity of productions, which are staying in Maple Ridge longer.
"On average productions are staying in Maple Ridge 4.3 Shoot Days, rather than 3.2 in 2022. This has many spin off impacts, of increased economic impact, but also better community engagement and relations," said McGowan.
"Productions are utilizing more Maple Ridge assets, like parks, facilities, and parking lots which are driving up increased revenues, therefore the increases and bulk of revenue can be attributed to the utilization of city assets," which, he said, reduces the tax burden for residents as a revenue generator for the city that is generated from industry.
City of Pitt Meadows is expecting it to be busy in 2025 as well.
"The film industry usually picks up by end of January, " explained Tia O'Grady, a spokesperson for the City of Pitt Meadows.
"We anticipate 2025 will see between 60-80 permits again, which is busy for Pitt Meadows," she noted.
So far this year, the city has had many inquiries, but has not received any film permit applications.
Last year seven different television series, 17 movies, and 11 commercials filmed in the city.
The combined the productions brought in about $45,000 in revenue to city's coffers.
Along Rannie Road and Swaneset Golf and Country Club were the most popular locations to film last year.
However, productions were filmed at various locations across the community including: Pitt Meadows Regional Airport, Swaneset Golf and Country Club, Golden Eagle Golf Club, Meadow Gardens Golf Club, along Rannie Road, and at various private residences.
In fact, the star of a movie filmed at a studio by Pitt Meadows Regional Airport received a nomination at the recent Golden Globe Awards.
Star actor Hugh Grant was nominated for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, for his performance in the movie 'Heretic'.
The movie about an eccentric man, played by Grant, who invites two Mormon missionaries into his house after setting a trap for them, was filmed mainly on sound stages at a studio close to the airport between Oct. 3, 2023 and Nov. 16, 2023. It also stars Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East.
In Maple Ridge McGowan is anticipating there to be some "large scale" shows film in in the city.
Currently, the television series 'Tracker' is filming in the city, a show that often films in Maple Ridge.
The city has a list that showcases the productions that were filmed in the city in 2023 and 2024, including a year end film report, which can be viewed at: https://www.mapleridge.ca/node/4286.