Keeping the movie production money flowing

Greater Sudbury is working on a bylaw that will formalize the rules for film companies when they come to town to shoot a movie.

Meredith Armstrong, the city's manager of tourism and culture, told city council that the original film bylaw was passed in 2005 and needs to be update.

“The volume of film production has increased substantially since then,” Armstrong said. “We've come to the point where we need a bit more guidance.”

Being responsive to their needs is key to keep filmmakers from coming back, she said. In particular, having a way to streamline approval for filming on city property is key. Some approvals can take up to 30 days, far too long for movie studios.

“It's the permitting structure within the city that can present a challenge to moving quicker,” she said. “Streamlining the approach, whatever we do, will help us make better use of staff resources.”

Film production has surged in Northern Ontario in recent years, thanks largely to funding from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corp., which makes it far more attractive to shoot a movie here.

In Sudbury in recent years, stars such as Ryan Reynolds, Ethan Hawke and Billy Baldwin have shot films in Sudbury. This spring Natasha Lyonne was in town shooting the film Antibirth.

Thorneloe University even offers a bachelor of fine arts degree in motion picture arts.

And just last week, local film production company Hideaway Pictures issued a casting call for actors for an upcoming film, Group Home.

Ward 3 Coun. Gerry Montpellier, who said he has worked in the industry, supplying vehicles and scouting sites in the film industry, said being able to react quickly to the industry's needs was important to ensuring the people in the movie industry keep coming back.

He suggested naming one person who would act as a liaison between the city and the filmmakers.

“It's just so much quicker,” Montpellier said.

Councillors agreed to direct staff to come up with a bylaw to streamline the process when filmmakers come to town and to come back to council for approval.