As film industry booms, Sudbury hires film officer
Sudbury has become a hub of film production in northern Ontario.
To grow the industry, Greater Sudbury created a new position of film officer last year. The role is to help film crews navigate obtaining permits, promote locations and market the city for future productions.
Clayton Drake is the city’s first film officer. He worked in the film industry for five years in various roles before taking the job.
"I describe (my role) to people as being threefold. Relationship building within the community, relationship building within the film industry and Tom Davies Square," said Drake.
The city said film and television productions have resulted in $220 million in local spending since 2012.
City officials call Drake's position a key role in the economic development department.
"A key part of his role is working to network at different events conferences to establish relationships and foster those relationships over the coming years to attract productions into our community," said Lara Fielding, manager of tourism and culture.
Drake said financial benefits like access to northern Ontario specific funding have helped grow the industry over the past decade in Sudbury.
"The biggest attraction is the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund and we are very grateful to have that fund,” he said.
“It's been the main driver for economic impact of the film industry in the North across the region not just in Sudbury," said Drake.
In another effort to promote the film industry, the city has partnered Cultural Industries Ontario North to host free regular socials. The goal is to strengthen connections within the film community.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
A couple lost their wedding rings during the ceremony. Two strangers found a fitting solution
Every good wedding has to have one teensy, tiny crisis.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
Jury selection could be nearing a close in Donald Trump's hush money trial in New York
Lawyers worked Friday to round out the panel of 12 jurors and six alternates who will hear Donald Trump's hush money trial, as the former president railed against a gag order that has prosecutors seeking to hold him in contempt of court.