Hollywood North: Film and Television Careers in Vancouver

Vancouver has been feautured in film and television for 100 years. In fact, the city is the third-largest film production center in North America, after Los Angeles and New York City, hence its nickname as "Hollywood North". And it's second only to Los Angeles in television production

Movies made in Vancouver include Catwoman, Blade III, Elektra, Fantastic Four, the Scary Movie franchise, The NeverEnding Story, and many, many more. TV shows produced in Vancouver include Andromeda, Highlander, The X-Files, and Stargate Atlantis, among many others.

Foreign-film production is especially strong in the city, and Vancouver is also host to the Vancouver International Film Festival and the Vancouver Film and Television Forum.

Jobs

Filmmakers used to come to Vancouver for cheaper rates, relative proximity to L.A., and diverse scenery. Now they also come for the city's pool of knowledgable, skilled crew members.

Many film studios, such as Lions Gate Studios, Bridge Studios, Mammoth Studios (which has the largest film stages in the world!), and Vancouver Film Studios (which boasts the largest production facility outside L.A.) are based in or near Vancouver and attract a variety of skilled film and television professionals.

Directors and producers, although very coveted positions, often work under stress. Their jobs demand that they aim to meet schedules, stay within budget, and are able to resolve personnel and production problems. Editors, writers, and technicians usually work in offices on studio lots or in other types of production facilities. The stage and sound crews follow the film wherever it's being shot (whether it be a soundstage or on location), and can be physically and mentally demanding as well. .

Part-time and variable schedules are more the norm in film and video than in other industries.