Vancouver

From TeeVeePedia, the Internet TV Encyclopedia.

Vancouver is the world's largest backlot and is jointly operated by Warner Bros, Universal, MGM, Paramount, and 20th Century Fox.

Early History

Vancouver was first built in 1934 by RKO Pictures in a section of North Hollywood known as British Columbia. RKO continued to operate the back-lot until the company ceased operations in 1957. By that time, the backlot had already swelled to over 70 square miles. The major studies then in operation recognized that the Vancouver backlot was a tremendous resource, but one which no individual studio could realistically operate.

Joint Operation

Warner Bros, Universal, MGM, and Fox started a collective venture called the North Pacific Royal Film Company, Inc. The firm was dedicated the operation and expansion of the Vancouver backlot. It quickly proved a shrewd enterprise allowing all studios significant savings on their production budgets. In 1968, Paramount joined the joint operation, giving us the ownership group that continues to this day. Today, Vancouver is the setting for all television programming by the major 5 networks that is not produced by Dick Wolf.

Current Status

As of 2006, the Vancouver backlot has grown to over 1500 square miles and is now home 2 million resident extras and craft service workers. The sprawling backlot most frequently portrays New York City, but sections have also been adapted to serve as San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston, Miami, Portland, Kansas, Victorian England, and as-yet-undiscovered alien planets among countless others. A priority is placed on keep the backlot as non-descript as possible to maximize flexibility for productions using the backlot. Often, the same block will appear as 3 different locales in any given week.