The City of Duncan collected more than $22,000 from various fees while the new Hallmark Christmas series, called Holidazed, was filming scenes in the downtown core over several days in November.
A staff report indicated that the filming of Holidazed also brought revenue to downtown businesses.
The city adopted a new film policy in 2018 that laid out what charges and fees film companies are expected to pay.
“The city has had a number of productions filmed in (Duncan) over the past couple of years, and the policy has been well received,” the report said.
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Coun. Tom Duncan asked staff at the council meeting on Feb. 6 if there were any complaints from downtown merchants regarding a loss of business related to the production.
“Did everything work out well for them?” he asked.
“I know the report said business was brought into town, but I want to make sure they were adequately compensated.”
Paige MacWilliam, Duncan’s director of corporate services, said there were some anecdotal reports of businesses being impacted by the production, particularly on the day when there was a significant amount of parking being taken up by the film crews.
She said the film crews did their best to resolve any issues that came up by handing out Downtown Duncan Dollars (gift certificates from the Downtown Duncan BIA that can be used at most shops in the area) and by quickly moving along whenever filming was wrapped up in order to free up parking spaces.
“We have heard a little bit of feedback and if filming comes forward again, we will certainly work closely with the DDBIA to try to make sure that the schedules don’t impact businesses to the same extent.”
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Russ Hamilton, the location manager for Holidazed Productions Inc. that was making the production for Hallmark, said during filming in November that the businesses in the area were actively involved in the production.
“It’s very inclusive and we’re pleased to make as many local people and businesses part of the production as possible,” he said at the time.
“We’re also handing out Downtown Duncan Dollars that can be used at most shops in the area to anyone that the production has disrupted to bring then back to downtown to shop.”
Holidazed is expected to be available for viewing in time for Christmas this year on streaming services.
robert.barron@cowichanvalleycitizen.com
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