> 46 — Sunday, November 24, 1996 — North Shore News * North Shore HOW many times have you passed the large arch of North Shore Studios on your way to get groceries or to sce a movie and wondered what goes on and what it’s like inside? Being an aspiring Glm- maker, I was quite interested, so [ contacted studio general manager Peter Leitch, who maintains and markets the facility. As IT walked under the large arch and through the gate towards Leitch’s office I was thoroughly entranced. It was like a whole new town inside, with filming facades that included a courthouse, a residential area and a main street. I knew then and there that I want to be in this busi- ness. While I waited in Leitch’s office, I checked out the posters on the walls that were of movies filmed at North Shore Studios. {-was unaware that Little Women with Susan Sarandon and Wynona Rider, and This Bay’s Life with Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio, were filmed here. There is so much filming that the public doesn’t know about, even though you can’t go a week without stumbling across a film crew on location. The Studios opened in Seprember of 1989. Steve Cannell, a writer and produc: er Whe has made many tele Man series ta EA. came te Vancouver, and fiked it here somuch he decided to ser uy: Jimore permanent establish ment. Asa dream he built the Stadios. Bur why here?” “in terms of access to the downtown core, aceess to the forest and the mountains and ail the scenery, North Van became kinda an ideal loca tion,” says Leitch. ST think we feel that we're ia pretty sate and secure area here also, which is important to us, and in terms of zoning it accom: modated what we wanted to do.” Twas quite surprised that the management office only employs about eight full-time people, but was glad to hear that the actual productions can hire up to 200 people. More good news is that 95% of the people who are employed in the Canadian film industry are in fact Canadians. In fact, the film industry employs 6,000 in British Columbia and is still growing. For a young person, it is a great opportunity to work at the Studios, since having mainly American productions is a great training ground. It does not limit the number of Canadian productions, but it allows the crews to be trained and have more experience on the big American shows. “We generally cater to the higher budget American pro- ductions, so we are a produc- tion service entity, Leitch explains, “We attract the American productions because they have the type of budget that can afford the facility that we have con- structed.” Leitch adds that 75 to 80% KitchenAid For:the way. it’s made. « Mitch emAie appliances excel in every category * We believe they represent the best quality & value available on ~ today's market. * We will be proud to show you our wide selection of models and explain all the exciting new features and benefits * As always, you'll find our prices are entirely competitive. « Come and see us today. Tracy Cochrane photo THE North Shore Studios’ arch is familiar to most North Shore residents, but few get an opportunity to view it as above — from inside the studio jot. of the business in British Columbia is generated from American productions, There are more than just sound stages at the North Shore Studios, They also provide office space for ten- ants who provide services to the film industry, including William F, White, the largest grip and electrical company in Canada; Clairemont Camera, the second largest supplier of camera equipment in the world, Sim Video, which sup- ply all sorts of video services; and Pinewood Sound, which has a great editing facility. T asked Leitch what was currently going on at the Studios, and he told me that Chris Carter's X-Files and Millennium (Fox) ace being tilmed as are Sentinel (Paramount) and a new show, Viper. Free Willy 3 has just wrapped up. Also, there is SPECTACULAR REBATES Purchase ONE major appliance and receive a Manufacturer's Rebute Purchase any TWO major appliances (including laundry pair) and receive a KitchenAid Food Processor Purchase all FIVE major appliances and receive a Fuod Processer, Stand Mixer and $100 Manufacturer's Rebate Purchase any THREE major appliances and . receive a Stand Mixer Purch: any FOUR ia, appliances and receive a. Food Processor and a Stand Milxer = Rebates on featured stoves, fridges, dishwashers, washers & dryers. Ask us for details. sonic editing to be done with a show called Warriors of Virrue. With successfitl shows like X-Files and Millennium, there is no shortage of tenants at North Shore Studios. “This is a very portable industry and we need al! the support from the public and government,” Leitch says. “We don’t want to drive them out of Vancouver.” 1] was given a tour of the Studios and when I asked Leitch why there are-no tours available to the general pub- lic, he said that they are an operating facility, and the production companies need Deluxe’ their privacy. They couldn't have the public walking through the sound stages while they are filmiag. Also, most stages are off limits to the public anyway. During my cour, we were prohibited from the X-Files set, but managed to get into the Afillennium sound stage. Unforrunately TE was nor allowed to take pictures, It’s too bad because the set was incredible, Everything looked so real. Dasked Leitch how the industry has changed since North Shore Studios opened and what his predictions are tar the future. “i's probably uipled irs size since the Studio has been here. ts coatly wrown dra- maneah, Last year, they spent around haifa billion dollars in B.C it has grown rapidly over the last five vears espe- cially, We're here to stay, With the amount of trained crews and thy success we're having, Fcan only see better things on the horizon.” So now that you know thar they don’t give tours to the public, | hope that I have told you enough about North Shore Studios to give you an insight as to what they do. And just so you know, they have some weird stuff going on, like a live elephant loung- ing in a sound stage, a sub- marine emerging from an ice cap that they made them-: selves, things blowing, up, and of course you never know what you could find in the - sound stages of the X-Files! Tracy Cochrane isa Grade . 12 Sutherland student enrolled in Video Production 12 at Leo Marshall Curriculum Centre. B.C. Schizophrenia Society North Shore Branch - Mental Health Services: _ Acute Episode Care |... November 27 - 7:30pm Lion’s Gate Hospital Auditorium ENQUIRIES 926-0856. vo for only $ lease for $481/me eh Ask about additional gifts with Scratch ‘N' Win Cards COLONY HOME FURNISHINGS 1075 Roosevelt Crescent, North Vancouver (Two blocks behind Avaton Hotel) Open Daily Fri. 9-9, Sun. 12-4 Price does not include PDI, treight, documentation or taxes. Lease based on 48m . of $2,500 required, total paid 1. $10,992 2. $23,088 3. $25,948, plus taxes, option to purchase at end of lease,