11. FINDING THE X FILES FILMING IN VANCOUVER 2015
This year did not begin well, as I sadly lost my mother in January, only days before I turned 50 years of age. We used to visit Vancouver in Canada, and while she was ill she told me she’d never get back to the city. However, my husband suggested I scatter her ashes there. So, I got in touch with the Canadian consulate via Twitter, and arranged to do just that, only on top of Grouse Mountain (the perfect little paradise!)
So, late June I flew back to Vancouver, where I met an online Phile friend Emily from Phoenix, Arizona and we spent several days in and around the city. We knew The X Files were around filming season 10 at the time, but had no idea where they would be while we were there. However, days after we arrived, we discovered through the Internet they were near Gastown, One evening we went down to the street they were on, to discover it was set up for homeless people sleeping and taking refuge alongside a building. We discovered the filming was postponed that evening, but got talking to one of the crew, a lovely guy called Steve. I had brought along a data disc with all my fics & some transcripts of the chats I’d had with David Duchovny and folk in the past online. I gave it to the guy, who said he’d try and pass it to him.
The very next day Emily and I went up Grouse Mountain, and the staff had been informed that I was bringing my mother’s ashes. They even let us up the mountain for half-price because it was such a sad affair, which was very kind of them. It was indeed very difficult for me, as my husband couldn’t be with me (only I did speak to him on the phone afterwards.) Once I had found a beautiful spot to scatter her ashes, which was also a humming bird sanctuary, we went into the chalet for something to eat. It was there I actually bumped into Steve again, who told me he delivered the disc!
The very next day Emily and I went up Grouse Mountain, and the staff had been informed that I was bringing my mother’s ashes. They even let us up the mountain for half-price because it was such a sad affair, which was very kind of them. It was indeed very difficult for me, as my husband couldn’t be with me (only I did speak to him on the phone afterwards.) Once I had found a beautiful spot to scatter her ashes, which was also a humming bird sanctuary, we went into the chalet for something to eat. It was there I actually bumped into Steve again, who told me he delivered the disc!
It was the day after that we also discovered David Duchovny was filming near an alleyway just off Cambie St at Victory Park, again thanks to an Internet site. I was amazed to discover it was Glen Morgan’s episode, as he is my favourite writer. I actually ended up tweeting to him after his ‘Intruders’ series had aired on BBC 2. He was not too thrilled they never gave him a second season. :( He revealed to me that his favourite place to dine in Vancouver was The Old Spaghetti Factory in Gastown, which also happened to be mine as well. I didn’t see him in there this time, but he was at the location of his episode ‘Home Again’. Here he is arriving with David.
When I returned home I told him I’d been watching them film, and he replied that I could have come over! I never tried to do this as I could see they were busy, and unfortunately got his reply on my computer too late (I don’t have a mobile phone!) I did try and get a message to David about the disc, but the female staff member I spoke to didn’t feel comfortable passing it on. I could have done with Steve being there! LOL!
The first thing we noticed on arrival was a group of tents set up along the pavement, and in the park. Then later a group of extras arrived to play these homeless people.
The first thing we noticed on arrival was a group of tents set up along the pavement, and in the park. Then later a group of extras arrived to play these homeless people.
It was a while before David was due to arrive, so in that time I got chatting to a lovely up-and-coming actor who lives in Vancouver, and other fans from all over the World. We were across the road outside the park, and luckily I found a large stone plinth to sit on. When he did eventually arrive he was across the road from us, and clearly in the zone as Fox Mulder, once filming began. Occasionally he glanced over at the crowd that had gathered, but chose to remain where he was. So, I didn’t get to actually meet him this time, but it was interesting watching him in action. In between takes he took off his FBI jacket, and leaned against the wall with a bottle of water, as it was boiling hot that day. Yet, when you watch the episode you would never think that the sun had been beating down on us all!
Emily & I were there for a good 5 hours watching them film, so I could practically block David’s scenes after that! LOL! It turned out it was the opening of Act 2 in the episode, where Mulder exited the H.U.D Field Office, and noticed the graffiti design of the Trash Man on the side of a building, Then proceeded to have a conversation with Daryl Landry and Nancy Huff down an alleyway around the corner. I have no idea when they wrapped the scene, as it was getting late and neither or us had eaten, so we left the area, and went looking for a nearby cafe.
When the episode aired at the start of the following year in the UK, I also discovered something quite freaky, that I had to share with Glen. Unfortunately he had left Twitter by then, so I shared it with his wife Kristen Morgan. This is the tweet I sent her, and she liked it. So, hopefully she passed it on to him?
When the episode aired at the start of the following year in the UK, I also discovered something quite freaky, that I had to share with Glen. Unfortunately he had left Twitter by then, so I shared it with his wife Kristen Morgan. This is the tweet I sent her, and she liked it. So, hopefully she passed it on to him?
Later I found out Glen & Darrin’s mother passed away after having a heart attack, and the episode was a tribute to her memory. I found that even more moving.
During our time in Vancouver that summer we also visited some locations I had never been to including a few places they were using for season 10, and also old haunts, I had visited in the past.
When the DVD was released in the UK, my friend Carl surprised me by revealing I was on a clip in the ‘behind the scenes’ extra footage! Even though I wasn’t overly impressed with Season 10, I ended up buying it! LOL!