FILMING COMING TO CAMPBELL RIVER

August 21 2012

?The Vancouver Island Film Commission (INfilm) has been working with Red Cedar Films, a Vancouver based production company, to bring portions of their Independent Swiss/Canadian Co-Production entitled ?Shana - The Wolf?s Music? to Campbell River? announced Film Commission Joan Miller.

Tanya Price, who oversees Locations & Special Projects for INfilm said ?We were first approached in May to help them out with location suggestions within our region. The Director was searching for an old growth forests with a very specific look. Additionally, the location had to be accessible within minutes of a community that could provide services to the 40 crew members such as accommodation and meals.?

Price added ?It?s a challenge to find old growth locations anywhere outside of the Parks system, so we scouted with them for three days showing them Miracle Beach Park and Elk Falls Park. We have a great working relationship with the regional area BC Parks team and their insight and support is very important in choosing the right location.?

Filming will take place within Elk Falls Park during the week of August 27 to September 1, 2012.

The public are welcome to access the Park but are asked to please adhere to site closures at parking and trail areas. Traffic control will be in place and people are asked to follow directions from film staff to keep noise to a minimum during filming and are reminded to keep dogs on leads at all times.

The story of ?Shana? is a coming of age film of a 13 year old Canadian First Nations girl, who loses her mother and through her relationship with a spirit she-wolf learns to cope with the difficult times. As the film progresses she returns to school and refocuses her musical talents to play the violin and by the end transforms into the strong young woman she was destined to become. The film is based on a Swiss children and youth book by Frederica de Cisco and adapted by the Director Nino Jacusso.

The majority of principle filming has been taking place in the Lower Nicola region around Merrit, BC. Through the cooperation with the Lower Nicola First Nations People, the script was established in their culture, the culture of Nlaka’pamux and reflects the contemporary lifestyle of the tribe. Their participation in the script work itself provides a unique opportunity for First Nations People to become an essential part of the film?s production.

?For once it is not actors who are playing “First Nations”, but genuine First Nations people will stand in front of the camera. They are involved in the project and will be able to bring their living culture into the film? said Jacusso.