About Vancouver
Vancouver is a beautiful seaside city on the Pacific Coast of British Columbia. In a prime location that rests only a short distance from the United States border, it is a significant city for trade and commerce and is only 143 miles from Seattle.
Considered a metropolitan center that offers an excellent standard of living, Vancouver has topped the list of the best North American cities in which to live. The city is extremely picturesque, bordered by the crisp blue waves of the ocean on one side and the North Shore mountains on the other.
Vancouver has many beautiful beaches to enjoy in summer, hiking trails in spring and fall, and skiing and snowmobiling when the snow starts to fall in winter. A city that takes great pride in its pristine, untouched beauty, it is a haven for lovers of the great outdoors.
Vancouver fits the bill if you are looking for a picturesque filming location. Often called the “Hollywood North,” it is where big-budget productions and TV series have come to life. The 2013 action thriller The Last Stand, the DC Comics superhero series Green Arrow, starring Barry Allen, and the 2004 Guy Pearce movie, Two Brothers, all filmed segments in this Canadian locale. Not to forget that Fox Mulder and Dana Scully from the X-Files frequently traveled north!
The city offers diverse filming locations, whether the project requires a seaside locale, a scenic garden, or a busy city street.
Filming Location Options in Vancouver
Vancouver is such a beautiful city you’re sure to have lots of fun exploring this urban center on the hunt for the perfect destination to scout for filming locations. Once you’ve found the ideal Vancouver filming location, hire local professionals to help get it ready for your use.
- Audio-Visual Equipment Rentals
Local audio-visual equipment rental companies can assist if you need a new camera, some lenses, a microphone, a monitor, or a soundboard. Stocking a large inventory of top-tier equipment and offering installation services and technical support, the right audio-visual equipment rental business will deliver everything you need right to the door of your Vancouver filming location.
- Coffee Service
Since the climate can turn chilly quickly, it's refreshing to enjoy some hot joe to stave off the brisk winter winds. You can find ideal companies to keep your filming locations in Vancouver well-stocked with hot java, tea, snacks, and anything else your cast and crew may need.
- Hair and Makeup
On-site hair and makeup services can help streamline getting your cast camera ready. Vancouver is home to many of the country’s top beauty professionals, giving you a wide selection of premier hairstylists and makeup artists from which to choose for your production.
Filming Location Companies in Vancouver
Once you have a list of shoot locations, it’s time to put all the pieces in place for a productive filming schedule. But there is no need to feel overwhelmed by all that needs to be done. Local vendors can help you organize everything needed at your filming locations.
- Bora Bak Makeup
Master makeup artist Rebekah Bak founded this Vancouver-based beauty business. With more than ten years of industry experience in makeup artistry for films, TV series, commercials, and print mediums, Rebekah has the expertise to ensure your cast looks their best on camera.
- Espresso Vancouver
This beverage business can deliver, whether you are interested in disposable coffee carafes, professional-grade drip coffee machines, or a full-service espresso bar for your production. Specializing in events and corporate activities of any size, they take great pride in their tasty coffee and excellent customer service.
- Home Ingredients
This business offers modern and stylish options at affordable prices, whether you are looking to rent, lease, or rent to own some new furniture pieces or items of décor. Home Ingredients also offers staging and design services, allowing you to leave your set design in the hands of professionals.
Pros and Cons of Filming Locations in Vancouver
The Canadian city offers plenty to producers looking for the perfect film shoot locations. Vancouver, BC, has diverse filming locations and is no stranger to hosting Hollywood productions, and its lists of attractions have had their fair share of screen debuts. Still, there are advantages and disadvantages to choosing this popular filming location as your production setting.
Advantages
- Moderate year-round climate
The city enjoys the most pleasant and consistent temperatures of any Canadian city. Experiencing a minimum of snow and rain each year and sunny skies make it an ideal setting for outdoor productions in scenic areas around Downtown Vancouver.
- Skytrain
Traveling via Skytrain is invigorating. The elevated travel route provides a rare opportunity to film a bird’s eye view of British Columbia attractions like the Hatley Castle, Marine Building, and the War Memorial Gym while traveling to your next destination.
- Lots of beautiful parks and green spaces
The Canadian locale is a great outdoors paradise, and these settings, from the beautiful parks and sandy beaches to its gardens and hiking trails, double as scenic filming locations.
Disadvantages
- High cost of living
Sadly, the city is one of the most expensive cities in Canada. There are still plenty of filming locations in the Vancouver area that accommodate production crews in mutually beneficial arrangements.
- Moderate crime rate
Though the city is mostly safe, always adopt a defensive strategy and avoid dangerous areas after dark.
- A little dull
Some might find Vancouver a little on the boring side, even while filming movies and TV shows.
Tips for Organizing Film Productions in Vancouver
Filmmakers consider this Canadian metropolis a production haven, thanks to its vast landscapes that add cinematic value. The Templeton Secondary School suits education-based projects while The Chan Centre is an ideal setting for a music video, TV series, or film production. Use these tips to organize a successful production in Vancouver.
- Book popular attractions: Establishing shots set the scene, whether for a documentary, TV series, or film, and reveal the production's setting. A city's landmarks and popular attractions best highlight a city's panoramic views. Filmmakers can capture the best opening scenes or transition shots from the vantage provided by The Marine Building, Hatley Castle, and other downtown monuments in Vancouver.
- Collaborate with Locals: Scout for talent locally, if you need actors, and hire crew members from the area. Working with professionals from the community supports the regional economy and benefits your project. You'll access local insights about the industry and leads about the best settings for movies and TV series productions.
- Get University Interns: The film set ecosystem includes talent (actors) and crew members. Include service providers like costume suppliers, equipment rental companies, and caterers, it takes a community effort to get big-screen productions on our screens. The skyrocketing production costs can stall filming, but working with interns reduces the overall budget and keeps the engine running. Film school students benefit from the hands-on industry experience and networking opportunities.
Famous Locations in Vancouver
- Stanley Park
Incredibly beautiful Stanley Park offers you the chance to reconnect with nature while remaining near the heart of the downtown Vancouver core. The natural space has a paved path following the perimeter, which allows you to take in the surrounding beauty by bike or on foot.
- Granville Island
Call it a sandpit but Granville Island is a favorite Vancouver retreat. It's come a long way from its roots in the 1900s as a sawmill and factory site to host a flurry of fun activities. A significant cultural district, it's where you'll find craft studios, artisan workshops, and theatres around the area. The Public Market has rows of stalls selling baked goods and gourmet foods, and outdoor lovers can enjoy a paddleboarding tour or kayaking.
- Kitsilano Beach
Kitsilano Beach will satisfy your craving for sun, sand, and surf. The fun starts with enjoying classic vacation-approved activities; sunbathe to your heart's content or take a refreshing dip in the waters.