Introduction
There are so many advantages to filming in Canada.
Savings
The favourable exchange rate and lower labour costs make filming 30% less expensive than the United States and 40% less than Europe and the United Kingdom.
Regions
Canada can roughly be divided up into six regions: The West Coast (British Columbia), The North (Yukon, Northwest Territories & Nunavut), The Rockies (BC and Alberta), The Prairies (Alberta, Saskatchewen, and Manitoba), Central Canada (Ontario and Québec), and the Maritimes (Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island). See our map page for a little orientation.
Vancouver is the third largest production centre in North America (after LA and NY) followed by Toronto. There is also a strong support base in Montréal, Québec, Calgary, Alberta and smaller bases in Yellowknife, Winnipeg, St. John's, and Halifax.
Locations
Canada has a huge variety of locations. From West Coast to East Coast, the US border to the Arctic, from Spring to Winter you can find almost any location imaginable (OK, we don't have any tropical jungles). Have a look at our location page and see for yourself or give us a call and we'll be happy to put together a location brief for you.
Talent
Producers have a choice of filming with union or non-union talent. For most uses the costs are surprisingly inexpensive. For example, an 18 month buyout (including session fees) for television in Europe (excluding the UK) is about CDN $2,000. Because of the huge amount of work in Vancouver and Toronto both cities have a very large talent pool.
Studios
Both Vancouver and Toronto have dozens of purpose built sound stages. Huge US features (X-Men, I, Robot, Fantastic 4, Elektra, Cinderella Man, and Chicago to name a few) are shot on these stages every year.
Post
Vancouver, Toronto, and Montréal are post production centres of world class stature. Please see the Post page for a list of companies that we recommend.
Crew
Because of the large amount of US and international work Canadian crews are extremely experienced. Our crews have a reputation for being fast, easy going, and keen. Commercial crews are non-union. Please see the Savings page for examples of rates.
Equipment
You can get almost any equipment imaginable in Vancouver, Toronto, and Montréal. For camera Panavision has fully stocked shops in Vancouver, Toronto, and Montréal, Halfiax and Calgary. Clairmont (Arri) is in Vancouver and Toronto. W.F. Whites and PS/Production Services carry all the lighting equipment you'll need.
Weather
Vancouver is the warmest production city in Canada with Spring starting in April and good weather through to October. Toronto and Montréal have slightly shorter summers. Snow begins falling in the Rockies and the North in September and can last until well into March or even April. The best time to find snow in Canada is between early November and late February. But check with us first. Typical summer temperatures in the big cities reach the high twenties (Celsius)/high eighties (farenheit).
Animals
Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, and Montréal have a great selection of grizzly, Kodiak, polar, and, black bears, tigers, lions, racoons, otters, jaguars, cougers, aligators, etc.
Immigration
Means of Production will handle all foreign crew work permits. The process usually takes a few days and permits for most citizens can be picked up at the airport or border crossing in Canada. Producers, agencies, and clients do not require work permits.
