A small rant about City of Vancouver and the film industry

[Jodie]

I live downtown, and for the past few weeks, there has been an awful lot of movie-making action going on. I know this is a good thing for the city, as it brings us revenue, but here's the thing: all of this filming is becoming massively annoying and inconvenient to my daily life. Considering it is my neighbourhood in my city where I pay my property taxes and fulfill my "citizenly" obligations, why do I not get a say in whether or not my neighbourhood amenities are used for profit, which amenities are used, and how this impacts me?

It is one thing to bitch about events that already existed before moving into a neighbourhood (for example, if you live in English Bay, you deal with fireworks every year, no surprises there), but in this case, we get very little (if any) advance notice of street closures, property usage restrictions, etc., and absolutely no say whatsoever in the matter.

Parts of my street have been closed on several days over the past few weeks, creating traffic havoc and forcing me to find alternate routes to and from my home, and now there will be more closures this weekend. I can't park my car in the only free (non-metered) area around my apartment. Is the city going to hand over some of that film revenue to me to cover the cost of parking elsewhere? Or perhaps let me park at one of their nearby revenue-generating meters for free?

Does anybody else think this is ridiculous? Personally, I think the people who reside in the immediate vicinity of filming should be entitled to some monetary compensation for the noise, inconvenience and loss of use of amenities that they pay for via tax dollars.

 

[Evolve]

How much trouble do you want to go to?
I suppose you could try organizing all your neighbors and be a big pain in the neck to local city officials until you change something. Maybe they would move on to a different neighborhood.
Or you could just go up to the roof and throw water balloons at their expensive equipment.

There's probably a middle ground in there somewhere.

 

[uncleg]

You might want to contact the production company involved and point out how they are affecting you, financial and otherwise. I found that they generally try to avoid being to offensive, because they do need public goodwill, so they may well offer to compensate you in some way.

 

[Jodie]

You might want to contact the production company involved and point out how they are affecting you, financial and otherwise. I found that they generally try to avoid being to offensive, because they do need public goodwill, so they may well offer to compensate you in some way.

That's an interesting idea, thanks

I think my frustration is more directed towards the City, though, since they are the ones that approve all of the various closures, bylaw variances and general inconveniences without public consultation.

I get the fact that the city is not a "for profit" entity, so any money they make in these ventures theoretically goes back to benefit residents, but they should first and foremost be using the surplus funds to mitigate the inconvenience to local residents.

 

[bcneil]

I was heading into work on a Saturday morning one time.
I had a bunch of really important things I had to have done.

As I walk up to my office building, a policeman is near the entrance to my building.
He waves me down, asks me where I am headed. I tell him to work and to what building. He then tells me "I am sorry sir, there has been a shooting, this whole area is closed off, and to leave the area."

So I head back home to make some calls to my boss and whatnot.
Only later did I find out, I was prevented from going to work, because they were "shooting" a commercial outside where I work. Apparently this cop told the same thing to abunch of people because the office I work at, generally has 20-30 people in on Saturday mornings, and they were all turned away.

When I arrived it was pretty early, and they didn't even have their trucks and stuff there yet.

 

[Lesbian Hunter]

Jodie, I think you're over reacting a little. By your own admission it's an annoying inconvenience. In other words, it disrupts your normal routine. I would hardly describe that as something to get worked up about.

Take a trip to a third-world country and ask someone there who's living in a cardboard box and doesn't know where their next meal is coming from, if they'd like to trade places with you. But warn them that the movie industry on the streets will be an annoying inconvenience to them and see what they say.

 

[Ironhead]

To Jodie..

Maybe if you flash that nice butt they will give you a part.
Where I live, I get it all the time. I kind of enjoy it. Keeps all the gangs away.
As long as they clean up when they are done, no problem.
There are a lot of people who work that industry here, they spend that money here.
They are never around for very long, maybe an evening or one day.

Come to think about it, that industry is kind of like being an escort.
Think about it.

Deal with it.

 

[trackstar]

Quit being a drama bitch Jodie.
everyone can't be a non tax paying HO !!!
that industry that you are ranting about brings in a billion dollars a year to our economy. give your stupid ho head a shake!!!!!
those people pay big taxes unlike you and that cleans the streets that your so inconvienced to use for 5 minutes while they shoot a scene , plus many of the techies may be pooners paying you. unless they hear or read this bullshit.
YOur a parisite of the system not them!!!!

Jodie , have you heard there is a recession going on?
and the film industry does not cut down trees , mine the earth , fish the fish....it is a green industry.
get a life!!!!

Wow, why so harsh? She's talking about something that irks her, why is that such a big deal all of a sudden? From the justifications I have seen here, nobody should have the right to bitch about anything, yet there you are, bitching about her post

 

[Jodie]

Quit being a drama bitch Jodie.
everyone can't be a non tax paying HO !!!
that industry that you are ranting about brings in a billion dollars a year to our economy. give your stupid ho head a shake!!!!!
those people pay big taxes unlike you and that cleans the streets that your so inconvienced to use for 5 minutes while they shoot a scene , plus many of the techies may be pooners paying you. unless they hear or read this bullshit.
YOur a parisite of the system not them!!!!

Jodie , have you heard there is a recession going on?
and the film industry does not cut down trees , mine the earth , fish the fish....it is a green industry.
get a life!!!!

1. I do pay my taxes, thank you very much. Property taxes, sales taxes, CPP, EI, and yes, even income taxes.

2. For what it's worth, my "stupid ho head" is apparently much more capable than some of producing and articulating a well though out argument without resorting to such juvenille tactics as name calling and baseless insults.

3. How dare you call me a parasite of the system? What do you know about me? I have been employed full-time ever since graduating from university, which I put myself through by working long hours at multiple part-time jobs (not escorting, BTW).

4. I am quite aware of the state of our economy, thank you. I read the news daily.

 

[Jodie]

Jodie, I think you're over reacting a little. By your own admission it's an annoying inconvenience. In other words, it disrupts your normal routine. I would hardly describe that as something to get worked up about.

Take a trip to a third-world country and ask someone there who's living in a cardboard box and doesn't know where their next meal is coming from, if they'd like to trade places with you. But warn them that the movie industry on the streets will be an annoying inconvenience to them and see what they say.

You know, you're right: in the grand scheme of things going on in the world, it's not such a big deal; however, I do think I have a right to be upset that the city effectively "pimps out" my neighbourhood with no prior public consultation and little or no notice, and then doesn't compensate the residents for the inconvenience and loss of services.

BTW, I have nothing against anybody working in the industry, or against the industry itself. My gripe is with the way the City handles it, or rather, doesn't handle it.

 

[trackstar]

You know, you're right: in the grand scheme of things going on in the world, it's not such a big deal; however, I do think I have a right to be upset that the city effectively "pimps out" my neighbourhood with no prior public consultation and little or no notice, and then doesn't compensate the residents for the inconvenience and loss of services.

I would have to agree. having your neighborhood blocked off for a week, taking up all of the parking, making excessive noise for action scenes, not being able to walk down the sidewalk during filming, seeing our police being used for traffic diversion instead of what they should be doing, they are a bit of a pain in the ass. And I do feel okay saying this regardless of the man that lives in a cardboard box and the people starving in Africa

 

[Harmony-bc]

Quit being a drama bitch Jodie.
everyone can't be a non tax paying HO !!!
that industry that you are ranting about brings in a billion dollars a year to our economy. give your stupid ho head a shake!!!!!
those people pay big taxes unlike you and that cleans the streets that your so inconvienced to use for 5 minutes while they shoot a scene , plus many of the techies may be pooners paying you. unless they hear or read this bullshit.
YOur a parisite of the system not them!!!!

Jodie , have you heard there is a recession going on?
and the film industry does not cut down trees , mine the earth , fish the fish....it is a green industry.
get a life!!!!

Do you feel bigger, smarter, superior, now?

 

[Yman]

To those who aren't aware:

On every set there is usually one person who has a wallet that is a little heavy. That person with extra dough is responsible for making sure the production runs smoothly. He/she is the person who will approach the landscapers to convince them that leaf blowers should be used the next day or following week. If you refuse, the wallet comes out to convince you otherwise.

Jodie, do you have a leaf blower or chain saw ?

 

[Pantherdash]

Well I kind of agree with Jodie on this. I live in the West End and there's lots of filming going on with minor inconveniences. I just don't like the way they approve it without first consulting the residents as if they don't care what we think. For the record, most production companies send out memos to the affected buildings telling them of the upcoming projects that are then posted in the lobby. But maybe it should be the city sending out these notices with a time and place to dispute the proposed project.

To me, it just confirms how weakened our democratic system has become. Governments at every level do whatever they want without taking into consideration strong public opposition to it. They always side with big business so they can line their pockets and the hell with the people. Even when they do consult the public, they end up doing up whatever they feel like. The Woodward's building is a perfect example of this. I know it's the new world order in the Neoliberal agenda but we were never consulted about this either. Democracy has gone to shit and really this is what Jodie and many of us are ranting about.

Panther

 

[Arrrg]

kinda surprised because from previous talks with a friend in the film staging part of the business (setting up the place) I thought they go out of their way to make sure people are happy and undisturbed as much as possible. I've even been told they've put up families into hotels for a few days if there are going to be bright lights or something nearby disrupting things.

There should be someone around to compensate people for inconveniences but notices should be sent out beforehand. Sometimes I see the notices as signs on the lamp posts or parking meters.

Yes we need the film industry but that doesn't mean they can disregard our daily needs. Some sort of compromise or compensation is in order!

 

[Harmony-bc]

I had a girlfriend that lived in Kitsilano. The movie guys paid everyone on her street a $1000. Her house was in the movie during a car Chase, seconds that's it. 1 whole day (where she was inconvenienced for an hr or 2) and she made a $1000, but downtown, (I guess) is different than a residential street with nothing but houses on it.

 

[HeMadeMeDoIt]

Do you feel bigger, smarter, superior, now?

Do you?

Do you have any idea how trickle down economics work and what they contribute to your business/industry?

I'm not even going to glorify the other princess that complains about a little road closure with an answer. Last I checked you were both in the entertainment biz unless i mis-read that for the fleece locals biz! wake up and smell the $$$!

 

[Thatotherguy]

I love the way you handled that, Jodie. I wonder how anyone can be in this hobby with an attitude like that... Can you imagine what it feels like to pay to have a sexual experience with someone who you believe is a parasite? The sex must really suck big time.

Bottom line: there are ignorant assholes in every hobby. Planetman just happens to be one of them.

 

[Thatotherguy]

my local Hells Angels and dope dealer also pays some taxes!!

Hmm, you made an assumption that displays your ignorance, bias and contempt for SPs, and when that assumption turned out to be wrong, instead of manning up and admitting that you were wrong and jumped to conclusions, you take the cowards way out and use this to try to minimize it.

 

[bcneil]

Take a trip to a third-world country and ask someone there who's living in a cardboard box and doesn't know where their next meal is coming from, if they'd like to trade places with you.

I guess the above "logic" works with almost everything.

Renter upset about a rat infestation.....see above.
Customer unhappy with purchase......see above.
Lady beated by her husband.........see above.

Can't wait to try that line out, next time one of my renters complains about anything