A local producer says recent steps taken to bolster the film industry will help the province stand up on the global stage.

Yesterday, the College of the North Atlantic announced a new Film and Media Production Centre in St. John’s, that will provide the industry with a local workforce in all aspects of production.

Producer John Vatcher of Take the Shot Productions says the development of a labour feeder system is something the industry has been working on for over a decade.

He says to have it in the province where students can learn from professionals and then transition immediately into the industry is invaluable. He says at one point, there were five productions shooting at the same time, and the province needs more trained crew.

Vatcher says there are countless shows that have been turned away due to a lack of labour, and now, that can be ratified.

He says you can have a great location, a great story, and lots of money, but if you don’t have the labour, productions won’t come. He says the new school opens those doors.