The departure of Louise McMurray has left a hole to fill at Economic Development Cowichan and Laura Jennifer Leppard is the one to fill it.
The new Film Coordinator, Leppard will be working part time as a liaison with visiting production companies, local businesses and municipalities in an attempt to bring new film activity to the Cowichan Valley.
Leppard is no stranger to the region, living in the Cowichan Valley and spending time as a realtor here.
“I’m very excited to have the opportunity to advance the local film industry and build relationships with the local stakeholders who support visiting productions,” said Leppard, who began her part-time role on April 3.
A press release issued by the CVRD notes Leppard has worked extensively in Victoria and the Cowichan region as a film location scout. That’ll come in handy as she adds new Cowichan film locations to the Creative BC website to bolster the area’s profile.
Leppard also has a background in events management after having run Vancouver’s Stanley Park Pavilion, a popular location for film activity.
Roads were closed, detours posted and a buzz created in March when Academy Award winner Casey Affleck and his crews arrived in town to shoot Light of My Life in Maple Bay.
Economic Development Cowichan Manager Amy Melmock said the production contributed more than $200,000 to the regional economy during its month long tenure at Elkington House.
The production company behind Light of My Life also invested in remediating Elkington House and helped to rekindle local interest in restoring and revitalizing the iconic heritage building, she said.
She hopes more big stars will see the Valley’s worth and hopes Leppard will help them keep Cowichan on the map.
“With the increased interest we’re seeing in filming in the Cowichan it’s essential to have a knowledgeable resource person to assist the sector,” Melmock said. “With the tax incentives the province is providing, the unique locations our region has to offer and the skilled film crews that are emerging on Vancouver Island, a growing number of film producers will continue to be attracted here.”
Between 2005 and 2015, film production contributed an estimated $24 million to the regional economy and generated $62 million in regional spin-offs.
