Video Production Burnaby

Burnaby for Corporate Video: Greater Vancouver's Tech and Production Hub

Burnaby is the third-largest city in British Columbia and a substantial municipality directly east of Vancouver, forming part of the Greater Vancouver metropolitan area. The city holds substantial Canadian tech industry operations (Telus Communications has substantial Burnaby operations, Electronic Arts maintains substantial gaming operations including the EA Burnaby studio which has produced major EA Sports franchises, plus dozens of other tech firms), substantial film and television production (Burnaby is one of Vancouver's substantial film production locations, with the substantial Bridge Studios and Mammoth Studios complex), and the Simon Fraser University with substantial research operations. For corporate productions involving Greater Vancouver tech industry, EA gaming operations, Canadian film production, or distinctive British Columbia content, Burnaby is the natural location. Most major BC corporate production coordinates through Vancouver proper (Burnaby is about 15 to 20 minutes east of central Vancouver via SkyTrain).

Industry Landscape

Tech with Telus Communications, Electronic Arts (the EA Burnaby Studio is one of EA's flagship North American development centers, with substantial EA Sports franchise development including FIFA, NHL, Madden NFL, plus other titles), plus the broader Greater Vancouver tech industry. Film and TV production with substantial Bridge Studios, Mammoth Studios, and the major Greater Vancouver production industry (often called Hollywood North given the substantial volume of US film and TV productions). Education and research with Simon Fraser University. Retail with substantial commercial activity. Some manufacturing.

Where Corporate Shoots Happen

The Brentwood and Metrotown areas hold major commercial activity and modern hospitality. The EA Burnaby campus holds the major gaming operations. The Bridge Studios and Mammoth Studios complex holds the major film production operations. Simon Fraser University on Burnaby Mountain holds substantial academic research activity.

Crew Base

Crew is drawn from the substantial Greater Vancouver production base. Greater Vancouver has one of North America's deepest production crew bases (often ranked third or fourth in volume behind Los Angeles, New York, and sometimes Toronto), built around the substantial Hollywood North film industry.

Climate

Oceanic. Mild summers and cool wet winters. Best outdoor shooting weather June through September.

Production Logistics in Burnaby

Reference for projects in Greater Vancouver.

Time Zone

Pacific Standard Time (PST, UTC-8) winter, Pacific Daylight Time (PDT, UTC-7) summer.

Language

English is the primary language. French is the second official Canadian language. Mandarin, Cantonese, and Punjabi are widely spoken given substantial Asian and South Asian communities in Greater Vancouver.

Currency

Canadian Dollar (CAD).

Electrical Standards, Frame Rate

120V at 60Hz. Type A and B plugs (US/Canadian standard). Default 29.97fps NTSC or 23.976fps for cinematic work.

Airport

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is the gateway, about 30 minutes from Burnaby. YVR handles direct flights to most major North American, Asian, European, and Pacific business cities.

Film Incentive

British Columbia has substantial film incentive programs (Production Services Tax Credit at 28%, plus the federal Canadian Film and Video Production Tax Credit). Greater Vancouver is one of North America's most active production centers.

Permits

Creative BC and Burnaby municipality handle filming permits. Lead times of 2 to 4 weeks are typical for standard corporate work.