The Vancouver film industry started out back in the sixties.
While cost was a consideration then, it was more driven by
taxes...
Lord Folkstone, later the Earl of Raglan I think, had a tax
problem. So he built Panorama Studios in West Vancouver in
the 60sand shortly after we had "Cold Day in the Park". The
tax problem solved, the studio was dormant and empty until
the 70s when "Bob & Carol, Ted & Alice" came along.
"McCabe and Mrs. Miller" opened the door a bit further.
Still, most of that following years revolved around tax
gimmicks. It was not until the 80s that the advantages of the
lower Canadian dollar lured film companies north and what
follows is now history.
Lower production costs - certainly. But also locations, new
and unused, with well trained crews. Within a few hours of
Vancouver you have just about every type of scenery you can
imagine. It is only recently that people started charging big
bucks to use a house, for example. Before that, it was simply
the joy of seeing your home on the screen. Vancouver doubles
on screen for just about anywhere, including at least once
for NYC. A few exteriors in the real place and the rest is
done in Vancouver.
Now, to the next matter...
I have to admit that the location of a novel does indeed make
a difference to me. "Why" is a difficult question.
Having lived in Bangkok, I try out any mystery writer who
uses it as a location. In fact, still up on the shelf is a
small collection of novels first written in Thai and
translated into English. Not many, as the first Thai novel
did not emerge until the 1920s ("Jan Darma"). Bombay is
another location I favour. My senses dull with Hong Kong or
Singapore. I have yet to try one set in Japan.
When browsing amongst the latest mysteries, I tend to pass
over those from California, look closer at those from Oregon
or Washington state, and my ears perk up when the blurbs
mention Maine, Vermont, or Boston. I don't have any real
reason for this. It simply is what happens. Southern states
are a more selective process, the Southwest tends to loose my
interest, and I have yet to find any heartland state save
Minnesota that catches my fancy. A small exception might be
Salt Lake City, where I also lived for a few years.
In my own case, I think that location is one factor in
picking the book up from the shelf from a group of unknowns.
There is a visceral reaction to the location, followed by a
sample read of a few chapters. Why would I relish a book
sited in Saint John's and react poorly to one set in Three
Pines, Quebec? No idea, but I know it to be true. I had to
almost force myself to start Penny's first book, but jumped
right in to Inspector Slade in Newfoundland.
Does Connelly sell better in CA than in NYC. My own thought
is "probably".
Willow
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