By Cam Fortems
Kamloops This Week
While B.C. is experiencing record-breaking film and television production, the Thompson region is seeing a steady year highlighted by two productions.
Spending in the region is up sharply from last year and above average historically, said Vicci Weller, commissioner for the Thompson-Nicola Regional Film Commission.
“I don’t know we’ll see that here,” Weller said of record production on the Coast driven by Amazon and Netflix, as well as feature films. Much of that work would also be studio based, she added.
“TV is B.C.’s strength,” Weller said.
“Our strength for the TNRD is major film.”
Driving much of the work this year were feature films Power Rangers, which used downtown Kamloops locations, and Maze Runner: The Death Cure. The latter film was cut short by several days when actor Dylan O’Brien was injured while shooting near Cache Creek.
The region has seen a number of automobile manufacturers active this year. A Canadian feature film, Juggernaut, is planned, as is another Canadian project, Indian Horse, based on writing of local author Richard Wagamese.
Weller said in some cases a high volume of productions on the Coast can hamper prospects in the Kamloops region.
A film shoot planned last year was cancelled when it couldn’t find crew, in this case what Weller said was “higher level” positions requiring expertise.