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Reel West: An Inside Look

Plugged in. One can imagine how difficult it might be to stay plugged in to all the developments in the BC film industry. By the very nature of the business, with companies starting or wrapping up on a daily basis, it becomes almost impossible to keep up to date on the latest developments. The ability to rise above this challenge may be behind the success of Reel West.

By its own account, Reel West Productions has been involved in promoting, profiling and publishing Western Canada’s film, video and multimedia firms for close to 20 years. Reel West Digest, an annual publication, is one of the motion picture industry’s most complete directories. Since 1981, Reel West Digest has contained a solid (and arguably expensive) list of those individuals and firms servicing the film industry. That directory now contains the names, numbers and addresses of associations, unions, design and construction companies, government offices, performers, stunt workers, post production facilities, equipment suppliers and publication firms. It’s also one of the best sources for those who want a quick, inside look at the operation and scope of the film industry.

Reel West Magazine comes out bimonthly and provides a glimpse of some of the latest film, video and television news in Western Canada. Feature articles often profile the power brokers behind many of the productions being made.

ReelWest.Com

But technology is important. With its foundation firmly entrenched in film, video and multimedia, many of Reel West’s resources are now available at ReelWest.com. The web site is a tad self-promoting (Reel West is a business of course) but manages to cover a wide base of topics that appeal to both those working in the industry and those with only a passing interest in entertainment.

One of the greatest parts of this site is the so-called Reel West Wire. With a simple click, visitors are able to access the same media releases that are sent to the magazine and many BC journalists. The value is twofold. Visitors are able to keep up to date on the announcements from many of Canada’s top film and television companies. They are also able to see what “spin doctors” say about their own companies before those releases are processed and filtered by the media at large.

The site also has a small classified section for products, services and even job opportunities. However, entries under these categories are few and far between.

And as is the case with any good site, ReelWest.com contains a links to many of its clients. The links include a post-production house, technicians union, film school and hotel catering to those in the industry.