After a big gala at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery last year to celebrate their 100th episode, the crew of Once Upon a Time is expected to distance itself from Steveston Village, as the popular TV show’s story arc veers away from Storybrooke.
YVRShoots.com reports that Storybrooke, Maine, is no longer the main real world locale for season seven of the fairy tale series.
“This likely means Once Upon a Time will be filming more in downtown Vancouver as Seattle and much less in the village of Steveston as Storybrooke,” noted the popular film blog.
Last year, the City of Richmond booked filing days for 18 out of 22 episodes for season six, according to spokesperson Ted Townsend. Season seven bookings are not yet complete, however, considering the shift to a more urban setting, Townsend said expectations may also shift.
Regardless, the series has left a lasting legacy on the village and the city as a film-friendly place, he added.
The show is said to be a major tourist attraction for Steveston as many retail shop fronts transform under the Storybrooke banner.
Tourism Richmond estimated 64 per cent of visits to the village’s Visitor’s Centre in 2016 were related to Once Upon a Time.
In all, eight feature films, 12 TV series and six commercials were shot on location in Richmond in 2016, generating about $500,000 in service and location charges for the city — a new record amount.
