Trinity Bay film shoot will bring economic benefits to province

The filming of the TV mini-series Random Passage in Trinity Bay this summer may have a greater economic impact than many people realize, said Beaton Tulk, Minister of Development and Rural Renewal.

Mr. Tulk said that 90 per cent of the shooting of the $15.5 million production will take place in Newfoundland, creating direct and indirect jobs as well as other economic spinoffs for the local economy such as in the accommodations sector and other service industries.

It is the biggest production of its kind in the history of Canadian television.

"Fifteen local men and six women are currently employed in building the film set for Random Passage at White Point near New Bonaventure," said Minister Tulk. They will be constructing 10 buildings and a 60-ft. wharf.

"Once shooting begins on May 23, a further 15 to 25 people could be employed in production, security and communications work until September," he said.

The TV mini-series is based on Newfoundland writer Bernice Morgan�s book Random Passage with screen play by Newfoundlander Des Walsh. Shooting is a joint production of Passage Films of St. John�s and Cit� Amerique of Montreal with Newfoundland producers Barbara Doran and Jennice Ripley. Filming will take place in and around the set of a replica fishing outport dating from 1815, the only one of its type in Newfoundland.

White Point, the location for the filming, is about 15 kilometres from Trinity. It was chosen not only for its scenic grandeur, but because of its lack of visible modern structures such as power lines, repeater towers and satellite dishes -- things that were still waiting to be invented in 1815.

In addition to providing direct local employment, the filming is providing other economic benefits. Mr. Tulk said that the film producers will also rent 50 to 60 local homes to house crew members over the summer. As well, local hotels and guest houses will benefit from increased occupancy.

Mr. Tulk said that the production also has the potential to generate long-term economic benefits, particularly in tourism.

"This mini-series has the potential to be seen by more than 100 million people in the coming years, and focus world attention on Newfoundland and Labrador in a way that has never been seen before," he said. "The set location itself has the potential to attract tourists long after the filming is over."

The eight-part series of one-hour shows will be aired by CBC across Canada in the fall of 2001 and has been pre-sold to RTE, the radio and television network in Ireland, and may be picked up by German television. Beyond that is the American market and the Japanese market.

The shooting of the Random Passage for TV is a prime example of how film production provides both direct and indirect economic benefits.

"Film development is happening throughout the province. It is not an industry based just in St. John�s," Mr. Tulk said, noting that other productions have been filmed in locations on the southern Avalon Peninsula, central Newfoundland, the northeast coast and Labrador, in addition to the St. John�s area.

"The film industry is knowledge-based, labour-intensive, environmentally friendly and export based � all ingredients and characteristics that make it a good fit for our economy," said Mr. Tulk.

The Department of Development and Rural Renewal has led a number of strategic initiatives to stimulate economic growth, including growth of the film industry. Through the Newfoundland and Labrador Film Development Corporation, the department provides incentives to further develop the film and video industry. Newfoundland and Labrador has the most aggressive Telefilm Tax Credit program in the country, as well as a Telefilm Equity Fund that was increased last year to $1 million annually.

Media contact: Josephine Cheeseman, Communications, (709) 729-4570 or 687-3353.

2000 04 17                                                         2:00 p.m.