Barbara Roden
The Journal
Dozens of movies and TV shows featuring many famous actors have been filmed in the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD). Now, however, the TNRD has taken a starring role itself, in a promotional video called “The Region of B.C.’s Best”.
The TNRD asked the Thompson-Nicola Film Commission (TNFC) to produce the video, meant to showcase the best and most significant attributes of the TNRD. “The TNRD’s Economic Development, Tourism, and Regional Parks committee first discussed making the video, and then the TNRD Board approved it,” says TNFC Commissioner Victoria Weller, noting that they wanted to create a distinct identity for the Thompson-Nicola region.
“We’re part of the Thompson-Okanagan Tourism Association, the Thompson-Okanagan Porsche Club. When you watch the weather on TV we’re under Thompson-Okanagan. We wanted to show what makes the Thompson-Nicola area special, different, and remarkable.”
Weller adds that other regions of the province—such as the Okanagan, Cariboo, and Kootenay areas—have their own distinct identities. The video is an attempt to put something out there to build awareness of the Thompson-Nicola area.
The TNFC was able to obtain some existing video footage from other groups, businesses, and organizations in the region, but had to do much of the filming themselves. Then came the process of editing all the footage together, which took almost five months.
Approving the final version also took some time. “The video was vetted several times: by senior staff, the committee, and the TNRD Board,” says Weller. “We went through several starts, and had to ask questions such as ‘Do we need narration?’”
The vastness of the region meant that not every iconic attraction made it into the six-minute video. “For example, we couldn’t show all the guest ranches in the TNRD, but we showed a few different styles,” says Weller.
The video was produced by Kamloops-based Joy Factory Films, and showcases the TNRD’s attributes, such as culture, tourism, technology, natural resources, and agriculture, throughout its 11 municipalities and 10 electoral areas. TNRD residents can have fun spotting what was filmed in their area, and see all that the region has to offer.
Weller says that the video can be used at trade shows and conventions, on websites and social media, by anyone who wants to, free of charge. “Economic development agencies, tourism agencies, local governments, businesses—we encourage anyone who wants to share the video.”
“The Region of B.C.’s Best” can be found on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4j4qFi8lSbo, or by searching “Thompson-Nicola Regional District”.