Information for Residents & Businesses

Production companies recognize that they are guests in your neighbourhood and typically work directly with residents and business to resolve concerns. Should you have a concern about filming, we encourage you to contact the production’s Location Manager as a first step. 

The Location Manager is the member of the production responsible for managing the site during filming and minimizing impacts to the community. It is important that they are made aware of any issues or concerns so that these can be resolved quickly. Contact details for Location Managers are listed on the filming notification letter, or you can approach a member of the crew and ask them to have the Location Manager contact you directly.

The Economic Development Department can also assist with concerns and questions about productions. If you have any concerns about filming in your neighbourhood, please contact: 705-474-0626 ext. 2318 (Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) or filming@northbay.ca.

If you have been approached by a production or received a scouting letter expressing interest in your property and have concerns, please feel free to call the Economic Development Department to confirm the legitimacy of a production company, the Location Manager and any assistants or scouts. Here is a list of potential questions to ask/ topics to cover when a production company requests to film on your property:

Filming Dates:

• Which dates will the production be filming on your property with all of their cast, crew and equipment?
• Are these any days needed for preparation (set dressing)? If so, how many?
• Once filming has concluded, how much time will be needed to clean up and restore locations to their original state?

Set Dressing:

• What modifications to the site will be required?
• You may wish to consider requesting a damage deposit. This could be provided via certified cheque which is held, uncashed and then returned to the production company once the filming is completed and both parties are satisfied that the site has been returned to its original or agreed upon state.

Personnel:

• How many film production personnel will be involved during filming, preparation and clean up?
• How many and what types of vehicles require parking on your property?

Fees & Insurance:

• Location fees need to be negotiated and once this has been agreed upon, consider asking for payment of the fee in advance. Ask for your property to be named as the additional insured on the production company’s insurance policy. The property owner should request proof of the production company’s general liability insurance.

Staffing Support:

• Best practice is to have one designated site representative identified as the main point of contact for the production company and to be present at all times. This person should be familiar with the property and be able to control alarms, electrical panels, etc. as appropriate. If required, the cost of this person can be part of the negotiated fees with the production company.

Activities Prior to Filming:

• Prior to finally choosing the location, there will be two or three site visits with various personnel. These individuals will take photos and discuss the scenes they will shoot to determine if the site will work for their project. It is during these visits that rules, regulations and limitations for your site need to be outlined and addressed. Once your site is chosen, a technical survey will take place (usually 25 to 50 people in attendance) that will cover all of the details required for the filming days.

• All productions are required to work safely. This includes following the Safety Guidelines for the Film & Television Industry in Ontario, the Ontario Traffic Manual Book 7 and any other relevant legislation.
• In response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Ontario Section 21 Health and Safety Committee COVID -19 Guidance Document has been approved by the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (MLTSD).  These guidelines were developed by the Section 21 Film and Television Health and Safety Advisory Committee, a public and private advisory body to the MLTSD pursuant to Section 21 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.  Additional information about the safe return of the film and television industry in Ontario is available here.
• In order to obtain a film permit in the City of North Bay, productions must confirm that they will work in accordance with all safety guidelines and confirm that they have a health and safety plan in place for each project.

• Should you be interested in listing your property to be used as a filming location, you can follow the steps to add your property to the provincial digital location library administered by Ontario Creates.
• To register your film as a location on our internal City database, please contact 705-474-0626 ext. 2318 (Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) or filming@northbay.ca.