A film-friendly community, that's what the City of North Bay is describing itself to production companies around the world.
After a hectic and busy year in 2009 and 2010, North Bay is continuing to get more and more inquiries on a consistent basis from film companies looking to either shoot a scene, or an entire movie.
The last couple years have seen large productions from the Kids in the Hall mini-series, to Oliver Sherman, a psychological thriller, set-up shop and shoot in the city.
Most recently, a major motion picture from New Reel Films entitled, “I'm Yours,” used the city for a project location.
“We decided to create something after we had a busy season in film and television,” said Chelsa Mayhew, community development officer for the City of North Bay. “We had some fairly significant projects take place in the area, so we wanted to create a supportive tool to help.”
On Jan.19, the City of North Bay officially launched its film portal to serve as a unique tool to source locations, talent and services throughout the region.
“It actually lists people who are actors, who are carpenters, or service providers who can offer catering and crafts,” said Mayhew. “This tool is a good thing in a way that people who aren't exactly sure how to get involved, so if a film project does come into the city, they can list themselves on the portal.
“So this is a supportive tool to help answer inquiries and to have people get an easier look into North Bay.”
The site already has a good list of accommodations and continues to encourage business owners to list their properties.
The web portal is separate from Sudbury-based company Music and Film in Motion, but Mayhew said that they are great allies, and continue to work together on several different things.
“This tool is created to be complementary to the services they offer as well,” said Mayhew. “It's a lot more drilled down in what our community can offer in terms of talent and services.”
North Bay has also partnered with the municipalities of West Nipissing, Callander, Temagami and Powassan to assist producers and directors when they consider project locations.
“You can go from a moderate city feel to rural areas in a very short period of time,” she said. “You're not stuck in a gridlock like you are in Toronto, getting from point A to point B.”
Mayhew said they currently have a few irons in the fire this year, in terms of companies interested in shooting is North Bay, but is hard to say whether or not something will come until it's actually here.
“It's a quick moving industry, they're usually in and out, ” she said, “so we're hoping a few do materialize, and we get to see a few more projects here.”
But in regards to the website, she said it's already a pretty big incentive to get films to shoot in Northern Ontario, so long as there is a support system that is welcoming and that shows that the city is serious about the industry.
“We're trying to set ourselves up in the best possible way to receive projects and we're just hoping that it continues to progress.”
www.film.northbay.ca
