American actor Josh Duhamel is in Maple Ridge filming a new feature called “Runaway”.
In a recent Instagram post, the star announced to his 2.5 million followers that he was sitting in the middle of a beautiful park, “outside of a town called Maple Ridge near Vancouver.”
“Shooting a movie called ‘Runaway’. It’s so beautiful out here,” he said in the post.
The star, whose breakout role was in the film franchise “Transformers” as Captain William Lenox, has made many television and movie appearances.
According to the website IMDb, Duhamel starred alongside Hillary Swank and Emmy Rossum in the George C. Wolfe directed drama, “You’re Not You”.
He also starred opposite Julianne Hough in Lasse Hallstrom’s “Safe Haven”, a drama based on the best-selling novel by Nicholas Sparks, and in the thriller “Scenic Route,” which tells the story of two friends stranded in the desert.
In addition, Duhamel was seen in the star-studded, ensemble comedy “Movie 43” alongside Emma Stone, Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Kate Winslet, Richard Gere, among many others.
Draeven McGowan, senior advisor for film development for the City of Maple Ridge, confirmed the actor has been in town filming for the “last while”
“Always nice to get a shout out from Josh Duhamel,” he said.
McGowan said there has been a ton of filming in the city this year from television shows to features, movie of the weeks, independent productions and commercials.
As of June 26, the city has had 260 shoot days, he said, compared to only 116 at this same time last year.
There have been 506 film activity day – which includes shoots days, preparation, and wrap days – compared to 188 last year.
The economic impact is huge – $7.62 million, compared to $2.68 million last year.
And, there are another 10-12 shows slated to come to Maple Ridge in July, that are not reflected in these latest statistics.
McGowan explained there are 25 TV production episodic blocks that have come to Maple Ridge this year compared to 7 last year in the same time.
“These productions generally come with larger budgets, more complex requirements, and tighter deadlines, but when they recur in Maple Ridge, they create strong ties with the community and the film office to create strong bonds and a desire to come back,” he noted.
McGowan said the city has an attitude that really supports productions, to make Maple Ridge the destination of choice for film productions.
He specifically mentioned the many independent property owners who agree to the use of their properties in productions.
“These large unique properties are the “pull” factor for productions,” he said. “Should these properties no longer receive filming or want filming, then filming in Maple Ridge would greatly reduce.”
They also create opportunities for other businesses. For example, if there is a production crew at a local property and they need a convenience store as a backdrop, they will look for one in the city, as opposed to near their studio in another community, explained McGowan.
“We don’t have studios; we have a willing film community,” said McGowan.