Entertainment
British Columbia is abuzz with film production year round. Here are some highlights of films currently being shot in British Columbia, upcoming productions, and other industry news:
The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud, and The A-Team
The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud (2010), starring Zac Efron is currently filming in the charming village of Deep Cove on Vancouver’s
North Shore. Let’s hope the cast and crew can take advantage of Deep Cove’s easy access to some excellent hiking along the 42km/25mi
Baden-Powell Trail, which leads to the top of Black Mountain in
Cypress Provincial Park.
The A-Team (2010), starring Bradley Cooper and Liam Neeson, is in pre-production right now getting set to film in
Vancouver. No doubt the stars will hit up
Yaletown’s posh nosh
dining scene. The Yaletown district is a real stomping ground for most on location cast and crews.
Twilight Saga: Eclipse
With
New Moon (2009) in post-production,
Eclipse (2010), the third film in the
Twilight Saga is now filming in and around Vancouver and the
Vancouver Island region. While stars Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart were often spotted in the restaurants and
shops of hip
Yaletown during the filming of New Moon, this time around it’s all about
Gastown. The cobblestone streets of Gastown, Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhood, are lined with galleries, designer boutiques, antique stores, and some of the very best restaurants in the city.
Spot an Eclipse Set
Filming locations for
Twilight Saga: Eclipse are, of course, top secret. But while they're filming, look out for sets while strolling amongst the towering cedars of Vancouver’s
Stanley Park, checking out the lush farms and ranches of
Pitt Meadows, or surfing the coastal waters of beautiful
Tofino. Skip along from Tofino to nearby
Ucluelet, one of Vancouver Island's secret gems with absolutely incredible
hiking,
fishing,
surfing, and
ocean kayaking.
Not Just Vancouver: Hope
In 1981, the early days of British Columbia’s film boom, Slyvester Stallone and the cast and crew of
Rambo: First Blood (1982) descended upon the town of
Hope, stunningly located between the Cascade and Coast Mountain Ranges, at the confluence of the Fraser and Coquihalla Rivers. While the film took full advantage of Hope’s many visual offerings, perhaps the most famous scene to make final cut was shot at the Othello Quinette Tunnels in
Coquihalla Provincial Park: At the Othello Quinette Tunnels John Rambo (Slyvester Stallone) precariously hangs above the Coquihalla River, “Chapman Gorge” in the movie.
Today in Hope, or “Rambo Town,” visitors still flock to their favourite
Rambo: First Blood memories. The Othello Quinette Tunnels, initially blasted for the Kettle Valley Railway, are accessible via a 3.5km/2.3mi easy roundtrip hike, which connects to the historic Hope-Nicola Cattle Trail. As well, throughout town sets used for filming are still intact, and the
Hope Visitor Centre and Museum showcases various memorabilia.
Vancouver International Film Festival
The 28th annual Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) kicks off on October 1, 2009. With 377 feature, documentary, and short films showing at various locations throughout the city, there is plenty of opportunity catch a flick and do some exploring. Every theatre on the VIFF's roster, most of which are in the heart of downtown, are surrounded by incredible
restaurants and
shopping.
Have you spotted a film set or a star while visiting BC? Share your stories and photos with other travellers on the Hellobc.com blogs, (select "Theatre & Performing Arts when you file it) and your photos and blogs might be used on upcoming film pages!