Filmmakers will come to the County — if the locations are ready to go.

That was the takeaway from a Film Ready workshop the County held last week, part of a push to attract film production to the region. 

Matthew Ing, a specialist from the Kingston Film and Media Office, and Economic Development Officer Karen Palmer, spelled out ways to get involved in making the County ready to welcome filmmakers.

“Locations in the Bay of Quinte are a bit sparse,” noted Mr. Ing

Sandbanks, Base31, and the Mustang Drive-In are listed in the Kingston Film and Media Office locations database. 

That’s it. 

The Kingston office, which opened in 2018, offers a sizeable database of regional locations. These include backdrops, from Victorian hotels to bus stations to vast swathes of private forest, which evoke a variety of genres, eras, and styles. 

The new Bay of Quinte Film Office has partnered with the Kingston office, and the County is getting ready to contribute many more locations. About 30 interested businesses, including a rep from Base31, attended the workshop. 

County gets Film Ready

The County’s new film policy sets parameters for fees and permits for shoots on municipally owned property. 

Shooting on private property, though, is another story. Film activity at a private residence or business is subject to municipal bylaws, but no permit is required.

Property owners can negotiate their own terms with the production company, including the location fee, which is set according to the production’s budget. 

“If it’s a larger production like Amazon or Netflix, the fact of the matter is those productions have cash,” Mr. Ing advised. 

“If it’s a smaller production, a local, production, maybe it’s someone from the community that’s doing a shoot, maybe it’s a good local story, keep that in mind. You don’t want to charge them what you’re going to charge Amazon.”

Daily fees in the Bay of Quinte range from $200 for low-budget to $1500 a for upper-tier productions. 

“That is a bargain compared to Toronto,” Mr. Ing noted. 

Low location fees could draw production companies, another reason the County is keeping the permit at $100, regardless of budget. 

Another incentive: locations in the filming hotspots of Toronto and Hamilton are looking a little too familiar, said Mr. Ing. 

“Filmmakers want something fresh.” 

For business owners looking to sign up, part of the incentive is the exposure. An iconic movie or TV show can create lasting associations. 

A great film location is not the only way to get involved. Productions need  local caterers to feed the cast and crew. Retailers and thrift stores provide costumes and props. Local tradespeople can construct sets. 

But Ms. Palmer stepped in to temper the expectations of anyone who stood to be swept away by Hollywood’s hopes and dreams. 

“The thing that we lack in this area is incentive. Most jurisdictions that get a lot of filming offer a tax credit or they have a pile of money available.”

Another barrier to attracting high-budget productions with large crews is a lack of large enough hotels.

“They generally want everyone to be in the same quality of hotel,” Ms. Palmer said, adding, “they don’t want to do a milk route,” to collect staff every morning. 

On the other hand, Ms. Palmer noted there is real interest in the locations Prince Edward County has to offer.  

Look for more details on the County’s film policy on the municipal website. It will soon link to the locations database and offer guidance for those interested in listing a property or service.