Trump's film tariff threats put local industry in wait-and-see mode
London's industry representatives say no matter what happens, it's a challenge they can meet
Those working in the local film industry reacted with a mix of concern and disbelief at news President Donald Trump is planning new tariffs on movies made outside the United States.
Trump announced the plan in a social media post on Sunday, saying he has authorized the Department of Commerce and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to apply a 100 per cent tariff "on any and all Movies coming into our Country that are produced in Foreign Lands."
That drew a strong response from Canada's film industry, with one actors' union calling Trump's pronouncement "very troubling."
About half of all Canadian film and television production involves projects from companies based outside of Canada. It's something London has seen the benefits of. Last spring, Blackfriars Bridge was used for an Amazon Prime television series called Motorheads.
Also last year, Labatt Memorial Park was used in the shooting of You Gotta Believe, a baseball film staring Luke Wilson and Greg Kinnear. Some local youth baseball players even earned roles as extras in that film
So how could Trump's tariffs affect films shot in Canada?
Dorothy Downs, executive director and founder of the Forest City Film Festival, said Trump's comments suggest he's out of his depth when it comes to understanding a complex, integrated industry.
She pointed out that unlike a car part or a plank of lumber, a film isn't quite the same as other products than can be subject to trade tariffs when they cross the border.
"He has no idea how the film industry works, " said Downs. "I don't know how you put a tariff on intellectual property, so there's a lot of question marks. True to form, he talks before he even consults or thinks."
Andrew Dodd manages Film London, which works to support all film production in London, both foreign or domestic.
Dodd said foreign productions do play a role in supporting grown-in-Canada productions.
"Part of supporting local industry is attracting foreign productions," said Dodd..
Dodd said if U.S. producers have a good experience working here, and locations such as the Blackfriars Bridge look good on film, it can have a positive trickle-down effect, even in an era of tariffs.
"It helps with word of mouth," said Dodd. "[Foreign producers] they go back to where they're from and say 'We had a great time or these sites look great.' Other industry people will see the film and say 'Where is that from?'"
Like Downs, Dodd isn't sure how a tariff on a film would work. It's difficult to image a scenario where a movie goer in Seattle, for example, would be charged more for a film because it was shot in London or any other Canadian city.
Dodd said the best thing the industry can do is focus on its strengths and support a friendly environment for all film productions.
"We have the talent here, great locations and crew supports," he said.
Christopher Evans is a London-based producer, director and owner of Sevens Studio, a company that focuses mainly on music videos and commercial work.
He sees the Trump threat as an indicator Canada needs to strengthen its domestic film industry, rather that worry about wooing the latest Hollywood film or TV production to London. He recently returned to London from working in the United States. He said having film, TV and video shoots happen outside of the U.S. is part of the new reality in the industry.
"The world is shifting in a direction that is making some people uneasy, but at the same time it hopefully doesn't change the producers and directors that are just wanting to make good art," he said.
"It's forcing us to look within," he said of the Trump threats. "We have the potential to be our own ecosystem and tell our own stories."
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