Filming outside the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is more affordable, but there are limits on crew and infrastructure, according to a report from the the South Georgian Bay Media Association (SGBMA).

The report, titled Filmmaking Outside the Box: Disconnection and Disruption in Rural Ontario, was co-authored by SGBMA lead strategist Tom Strnad and Tracey Strnad, head of production and research. It combines population analysis, census information and industry data with survey responses from 35 producers, executives and creatives to identify trends and models for production outside the GTA. Follow-up interviews were also conducted with five of the responding production companies.

According to the report, 86% of respondents say film permits and location costs are less expensive outside the GTA. Slightly less than half agreed that filming outside the GTA does not increase production costs. However, only 39% agreed that sustainability initiatives are available in the regions outside Toronto.

In general, survey participants agreed that funding, infrastructure and crew are more accessible in Northern Ontario than in Southern Ontario. Only 24% strongly agreed that local crew is available in Southern Ontario while 50% strongly agreed with the same prompt for Northern Ontario.

Close to 90% of participants agreed that there is greater creative freedom outside the GTA with 83% saying there are greater storytelling opportunities. Almost all respondents agreed that local communities are welcoming and understanding of film production with 86% saying cast and crew enjoy working outside the GTA.

Prodcos based or working primarily outside the GTA tend to have key creatives as the owner or operators, have people occupy multiple roles, utilize in-house post-production, use local creatives and crew and work with existing events and festivals as background for scenes, read the report. An example of a prodco utilizing existing infrastructure is Toronto-based Riverbank Pictures’ Trading Skills (pictured) for TVOKids, which used Meaford High School as a studio for the series.

Studio infrastructure is not as present in Southern Ontario as it is in Toronto or even Northern Ontario, according to the report. A potential solution it highlights is the repurposing of buildings into studios. An example of this is Centennial Pool, a decommissioned pool in Oakville, repurposed as a water tank for aquatic scenes.

According to the majority of respondents, production issues in rural areas included high costs for office rentals due to tourism-based economies and a lack of high-speed internet, limiting file sharing and post-production services.

Producers’ solutions for these problems include limiting overhead costs by using shared workspaces and accessing internet at libraries.

Areas outside Toronto saw significant population growth during and following the COVID-19 pandemic with Ontario towns and municipalities such as East Gwillimbury, Blue Mountains, New Tecumseth and Thorold among the top 10 in population growth as a percentage from 2016 to 2021, according to Statistics Canada. Since 2022, SGBMA has seen an increase in requests for information on filming, professional development and industry development opportunities as more than 20 creatives, producers and directors have recently relocated or begun working in the South Georgian Bay area.

“The swelling of creatives and knowledge-sharing brought from Toronto and the GTA to areas within Ontario is important for ongoing educational and professional development since Canada suffers from the exodus of young adults from rural and less populated areas,” said the report.

Due to the finite talent pool in the region, trainee positions and internships are used to attract talent from schools and related industries, as well as re-training semi-retired crew members.

According to the report, the limitations imposed by budgets, equipment and/or crew can lead to the discovery of new production models or crew formations, pointing to examples such as filming without permits and using handheld cameras.

Of the survey’s respondents, 20 work exclusively outside the GTA, nine work throughout Ontario and six only work in the GTA. The report’s partners are Ontario Creates and Nottawasaga Futures Film Liaison Office.

Image courtesy of SGBMA/Tom Strnad