Northeastern Ontario could be home to three film studios serving thriving industry
News this week about a $35 million film studio proposed for Greater Sudbury is just the latest of a flurry of recent announcements in the northeast.
Representatives from Freshwater Production Studios made their pitch to city council this week, outlining plans for a new, 116,000-square-foot facility on The Kingsway that would feature three sound stages, in addition to office and workshop areas.
If everything goes according to plan, construction will begin in 2023, eventually creating 1,385 jobs and bringing in $60 million in revenue.
The goal would be to attract higher-value productions to the north and take advantage of the billions that streaming networks are spending on new productions.
Freshwater spokesperson Tammy Frick said that the new studio will help spawn other facilities in the north.
"I think in 10 years, FPS will be the studio that started (other) studios in northern Ontario," Frick said, in promotional video shown to council.
"I can see, definitely, a sound stage in North Bay, I think Sault Ste. Marie isn't far behind. So I really do believe that this is just the beginning."
Speaking to councillors Tuesday, Frick said the video was shot two months ago and her prediction has already come true.
Earlier this week, a Toronto area developer and film producer announced plans to turn a historic building in downtown Sault Ste. Marie into a film studio, with productions to begin shooting there next year.
And in North Bay, North Star Studios, a new film and TV production company, is buying the vacant Epiroc office building on Ferris Drive to transform it into a $26 million film studio capable of creating large-scale productions.
"That's how quickly news goes," she said. "This industry is growing rapidly in northern Ontario."
What makes Freshwater unique, she said, is that is a purpose-built studio capable of handling higher-end productions and post-production work from other projects.
Consultant Edith Myers told councillors that the studio would join Pinewood in Toronto as the only other purpose-built studio in Canada.
It has since become home to high-end movie shoots and series such as Star Trek Discovery, which films over many seasons, extending the economic benefits.
Myers said streaming services are in need of space for productions, and that Ontario has had to turn away work since 2016.
"Every nook and cranny has been converted into quasi studio space," she said.
"Sudbury has a unique opportunity to build the first purpose-built studio. And having a purpose-built studio is going to be a pull."
Myers said the studio will be able to handle three productions at the same time, with room to expand at its Kingsway location.
"It's a fantastic opportunity," she said. "There's going to be so much business for all of northern Ontario."
See the full presentation here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
BREAKING Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are moving on to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.