Canada: Hollywood’s Paradise

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My Visit to District Hope; British Columbia

Just back from Canada; I had wonderful time attending ‘FIRST BLOOD’ 30th anniversary held at, spectacularly, unforgettable city of Hope, British Columbia; Western Canada, between 5^th to 8^th October, and also had fun to film new stuff there with my Hot Toys Rambo. It was probably the only Rambo doll in the world that has been to the locations for all who loved FIRST BLOOD since their child age and youth.

It’s been 30 years since First Blood movie was shot in Hope BC, however the local residents and Rambo fans don’t feel that a quarter of a century has passed by. Back in 1981, when film shootings were decided in Hope; British Columbia then newly established BC film industry began to transform the location into the exact First Blood location and the birthplace of John Rambo. Sheriff’s office, Gas Station, and Gun Shop were built.

Like me there were thousands of other FIRST BLOOD. Actor Stephen Chang was the only celebrity who attended the celebration. In Rambo, he played as Vietnam army officer who gave famous scars to Rambo.

During my stay in Hope, British Columbia; Canada, I left almost no single location unearthed. This was east on Loughheed Hwy (Hwy 7) west of Hope where Rambo ran his motorcycle chased by Will Teasle; the hill top where Rambo jumped off, and the forest where he did the guerrilla war against Sheriff’s small army.

Almost four days, First Blood fans kept gathering at various locations in Hope to tribute the [Cinemaconics] of the greatest movie of our time. District Hope; BC, Canada is a breathtaking beautiful city where natural preserves still wished and loved by residents though consistent making changes under urban developments since 30 years. It felt good to observe that people though impressed by the movie, seems tended to moderation and non-violent approaches. Life at Hope, today, is still peaceful but has become sensational for the public because it offers a wide range of points of interests not for just tourists from around the world but for its locality as well. By the BC mayor address in a public meeting, I discovered to all my astonishments that Hollywood’s 90% movie production is done across Canada and some cities like Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville, Milton, Burlington, Brampton, and British Columbia are top on the list.

British Columbia has been serving as a Hollywood production house for its different and diversified locations from ranches and deserts to skyscrapers towns. There are other notable cities where Hollywood post production work is done.

MONTREAL

It is the major location that helps Canada to earn $800 million per annum. Mostly French-language film and TV projects are set here. This city has seventh largest post-production hub that offers 40 visual effects companies. It also offers pure northern American homes and sets that appear in Europe and America.

TORONTO

Is the largest center of film production that attracts L.A. producers with its studio facilities, and a vast technical and creative talent supplies. Often downtown Toronto Street is converted into Tokyo city for any film shootings. It offers wide range of wonderful architectures that are easily converted into any scene of New York, Los Angeles, Washington cities.

MISSISSAUGA

Mississauga is the emerging spot for Hollywood as this city brings so much high living style buildings that are helpful for the science fiction and fiction movies. Skyscrapers resemble to the New York and Chicago cities.

OAKVILLE

Oakville is the favorite city for Hollywood film producers, actors, and writers for its overall locations, environment that are enough for horror film shootings. Groves and wooden houses old and traditional double stories bungalows with grassy surrounds are the best appealing film directors for creating an appalling effect to the movie.

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