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Sound stage would draw in more film activity

Just the logistics of not having to deal with a large population center, is an overwhelming benefit.

It bemuses me that none of the incredibly intelligent people of Agassiz, British Columbia have come up with a constructive use of the proceeds from the Wayward Pines TV series.

It's become obvious that the people of Agassiz fell in love with their made in my town TV show.

As a one time forty year resident of Agassiz, and a thirty year member of the Motion Picture Technicians Union(IATSE Local 891), I would highly recommend that the proceeds be used as a down payment to build a Sound Stage for future Productions.

Agassiz, being in a unique position as a small town within one and a half hours from the third largest TV Production center in North America, could have many Productions year round with such a facility.

This facility would not have to be elaborate by any sense of the imagination.  Though the larger the better, the finer parts of the infrastructure could be quite basic, as different production companies have a tendency to install their own lighting grids, backdrops, and scenery requirements.

The primary facility could be just a large, approximately, 4 story box, that was insulated for sound, with basic plumbing and electrical services, with an elevated cat walk for hanging lighting grids. Each and every subsequent production would add their own requirements, depending on the type of Production. The stage would then have the option to either retain or remove these infrastructures at the financial obligation of the Producers, at the end of every show.

The real benefit of such a facility, is that when Producers opt for your town, they now have a Stage to shoot interiors, and not have to commute their Productions back and forth to Vancouver.

Just the logistics of not having to deal with a large population center, is an overwhelming benefit.

With such a facility, and the shortage of stages in the Lower Mainland, plus the small town appearance of Agassiz, the Town would probably receive at least one or two Productions a year, possibly more and some simultaneously.

The rental fees on Stages are quite lucrative, and the facility would probably pay for itself within a couple of years of steady principle photography.  When not being used as a Film Studio it would also provide as a community meeting facility and concert venue, etc. Even as a part time production facility, it would prove to be a cash cow against a mortgage.  If the stage was located in the same location as the Wayward Pines set, the outside of the building could be easily facaded to resemble any town, anywhere.  This would also provide for a tourist enhancement, and could be done so, as to provide an embellishment for the existing street.

The success of such a project is only going to lead to supporting services and businesses in and around the existing community, creating jobs, and servicing the tax base.  Not to mention, this a purely green industry.

Art Green

Hope