Cameras are rolling for a made-for-TV movie being shot in downtown Chilliwack this week at the St. Thomas Anglican church.
Bumpy Road Productions is filming Match Made in Heaven for the U.S. based Up Network at locations in downtown Chilliwack.
"We're quite excited about it," said Rev. John Sovereign of St. Thomas Anglican.
The film production crew was specifically looking for a church with a bell tower.
"We're happy to hosting this filming," the reverend said, adding that the film script had to be cleared and approved by the Anglican Diocese of New Westminster. "It will give us some extra visibility."
A local casting session was held last week at Coast Chilliwack for a number of background actors and extras.
"It will put Chilliwack back on the map for movies," said Rev. Sovereign. "As long as we keep getting the odd movie shot here, it's good thing for Chilliwack and the economy."
The last shoot was the TV show Eureka, where Wellington Avenue was transformed into a typical Small Town in the U.S.
"After bringing the director through Chilliwack last week, he was surprised and happy with the look of the town," said location manager Michael Farias from Bumpy Road Productions.
They liked what Chilliwack had to offer in terms of visuals and locales, and will be shooting at some historic locations such as the St. Thomas Anglican, Royal Hotel, Chilibowl and more.
"That was the beauty of it, there wasn't a need to change much," said Farias.
Film shoots and production dollars are always good for the local economy, especially when crews opt for local accommodations and frequent local businesses.
"This one is the first film shoot in Chilliwack this year," said Netty Tam, film commission liaison with Chilliwack Economic Partners Corporation.
There's been lots of interest expressed in shooting locally, "so hopefully 2014 will be a good year," she added.
The sci-fi show Eureka had a big impact when it made downtown Chilliwack the central shooting location for the show, and returned for several seasons.
"That was very positive for Chilliwack and it's good to see the trend continuing," said Tam.
jfeinberg@theprogress.com
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