Republic of Doyle Production Setting Records

The highly anticipated Republic of Doyle, a new CBC television series being filmed in Newfoundland and Labrador, will reach peak production today with 300 people on the set � 120 actors and crew members, and 180 extras. It is the greatest number of people working on the production in any given day since filming began in July. The series, with more than $11 million in projected economic spin-off activity, has generated tremendous excitement and anticipation in the province�s film industry, and amongst the general population as well.

�I had the opportunity to visit the Republic of Doyle set this week and I was so incredibly impressed by the professionalism, the energy and the enthusiasm of everyone involved,� said the Honourable Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador. �You can see that this production is a first-class operation. Indeed many of the actors, technicians and executives from outside of our province commented on the exceptionally high calibre of talent and skill this province has to offer. And of course, our own local cast and crew have proven once again that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are as competent, skilled and creative as anyone in the world. This series will showcase our unique and wonderful province to an international audience, and I wish the entire group of individuals who are bringing their talents to this effort the very best of luck and long-lived success. I, for one, will be watching the premiere episode on January 6 with great anticipation.�

Filming of the series� first season is scheduled to wrap by mid-December, with the debut episode set to air on CBC television on January 6, 2010.

�For the past several months, people have been talking about the filming of Republic of Doyle, particularly in and around St. John�s, where most of the filming has taken place,� said the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. �As the largest television production ever undertaken in Newfoundland and Labrador, this series is providing valuable experience and employment opportunities within the arts sector, both in front of the camera and behind it.�

Budget 2009: Building on Our Strong Foundation committed $1.5 million in film equity funding to Republic of Doyle. The size of this production will also enable producers to avail of up to $3 million through the Newfoundland and Labrador Film and Video Tax Credit.

In support of the province�s film industry, Budget 2009 also saw over $2.5 million in operational and equity funding provided to the Newfoundland and Labrador Film Development Corporation (NLFDC), and $195,000 in operational and program support to film sector organizations, as well as various film festivals and activities, through the Cultural Economic Development Program (CEDP).

In the past six years, from 2004 to 2009, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has committed over $24 million in film production activity, which in turn has enabled approximately $67 million to be leveraged from other public and private sources. It is estimated there will be a total of approximately $90 million in projected production activity to the end of 2009-10.

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2009 11 26                                                  12:05 p.m.