Written by Shona Smith on Sep 9, 2019. Posted in General Interest

Planned development by Martini Film Studios could increase Greater Vancouver's film capacity by up to 15%

Vancouver, one of North America’s busiest filming destinations, currently has two million square feet of film-ready studio space. The planned expansion by Martini Film Studios will raise the sound stage capacity of the region by fifteen percent, providing much needed state-of-the art production infrastructure to the busy region.

Since opening two years ago, Martini Film Studios has provided a 250,000 square feet of studio space. Currently undergoing design and planning stage, the expansion will more than triple Martini Studios’ current capacity, becoming the largest provider of film studio facilities in the Lower Mainland.

Gemma Martini, Founder and CEO of Martini Film Studios explains that over the last two years “we have been in a constant search for the right property, the right fit and something that would be great for the industry in terms of location…we have been in the hunt for the last couple of years. Now we have found the right property and are really excited about this expansion”.

The new 600,000 square feet campus will feature at least 300,000 square feet of purpose-built sound stages, with additional offices and production support buildings spread across a 25 acres site in Langley, forty minutes from downtown Vancouver. Currently still undergoing design and planning based on industry and client consultation, Martini hopes to have a better idea of the end date "come spring of this year".

The new development will be similar to the existing studio, but the campus layout is “much more flexible” according to Martini. The campus layout will “be more of a traditional studio campus layout instead of having one building having everything in one building. It will be more segmented, like a traditional stage allowing for more modular fit for shows… It’s much more flexible”.

Martini Film Studios has enjoyed a close partnership with Netflix and MBS Equipment Company since opening in 2017. Two Netflix original productions; Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, and Another Life are being hosted at the studios. Martini elaborates “they have a long-term agreement with our studios, as well as studios in Toronto. They are really putting a strong footprint into Canada which is fantastic for us, and also great for them”.

An expansion to state-of-the-art production space will permit more productions to film in Vancouver region. Justis Greene, Producer on Another Life comments “the Martini investment into stage expansion comes at a critical time -- the Vancouver industry has never felt busier, or more crowded. Although producers are practiced at stowing productions in unusual crannies, and at converting underused space, feature projects and series are known to make decisions hinging on whether there are suitable sound stages available to facilitate their show. If you don’t have the factory, you won’t get the product”.

British Colombia provide a 28% refundable tax credit on eligible labour costs, and a 16% tax credit is available on qualifying labour costs for digital animation of visual effects work.

Image Credits: Martini Film Studios