2020 has been a wild year with lots of upheaval and uncertainty. However, as this unpredictable year draws to a close, one thing we feel certain about is that production in Ontario made a remarkable recovery thanks in large part to our Membership’s commitment to safety and adherence to COVID 19 protocols. With the GTA reaching max capacity by late summer, many productions began to truly embrace the range of beautiful regions in our province.
Did you know some of your favourite TV shows and films use cities all across the province as their backdrop?
Ottawa is now a go to for Christmas films. The Christmas Setup, Candy Cane Christmas, Christmas Unwrapped, Christmas on Wheels, Christmas Carousel and many more have all used Ottawa to create Christmas magic.
A recent New York Times article highlighted Almonte, Ontario just outside Ottawa:
“It’s the quintessential American town. It’s got the main street, the beautiful stone buildings and shops, the water — all the elements that one imagines when they think of that warm and fuzzy small town that somebody left to go to the big city and comes back and reconnects with their roots. If Norman Rockwell were to production design a small town for a film, that’s what he would draw.” – DGC Ontario Locations Manager Ainsle
Ottawa Film Office Film Commissioner Bruce Harvey told CTV News Ottawa ten Christmas movies were filmed in Ottawa this year. Harvey says the snow is an attractive pitch to lure productions to Ottawa.
The Ottawa Film Office says “countless locals” work year-round on bringing these movies to life, which contributes millions to Ottawa’s economy and showcases the region’s picturesque locations.
“If you talk to either the talent agents or the casting directors here in town, they’ll tell you that the number of roles that have been provided for Ottawa area actors has really increased over the last couple of the years and there’s a bigger draw on local casts. There’s hundreds of people that rely on these movies for their livelihoods. It’s a big support, its millions of dollars spent in Ottawa every year.”
Check out a break down of Ottawa filming locations from Ottawa Tourism.
Christmas On Wheels
Christmas On Wheels utilized John Street business The Vintage Crate, along with other local shops including Urban Farm Girls Bakery and Cafe.
Christmas Unwrapped
Directed by DGC Ontario’s Bosede Williams and Executive Produced by Tiffany Haddish, Christmas Unwrapped filmed in Patterson’s Creek Park, Strathcona Park, Mayfair Theatre, Howard Fine Jewellers on Sparks Street, Bramasole Diner on Bank Street and Infinity Convention Centre.
The Christmas Setup
Directed by DGC Ontario’s Pat Mills, The Christmas Setup uses Almonte, The Glebe and exterior shots in Arnprior. Read a more in-depth interview with Pat Mills about The Christmas Setup.
Visit Ottawa Film Offices’s in-depth film tour page and see all that Ottawa has to offer!
