101 facts about Canada you didn't know

Mile Bozicevic

Mile Bozicevic

Well-known member
Got my flight booked. Countdown started. I'm literally shaken from excitement and fear of the unknown.

Maybe it's not a big deal for someone... but for me, starting new life on the other side of the planet, or building career, or starting all over from scratch, or just get some experience, whatever is the deal I get... THAT is really exciting for me. I left a few good jobs/projects here where I built my name already etc., thus making 'the fear' even greater.

Well, to get somewhat prepared, since this will be at least small cultural shock to me, I've been reading a lot about Canada, customs, etc. But I guess nothing can prepare me for what I'll get there.

So, can you point some facts or 'facts' that are less known? It's desirable if they're connected with film/TV/video, but hey, anything goes. Until 14.02., which will probably be my longest Valentine's day, I decided to learn every day something new about Canada or Toronto. It's strange. If you've ever done something similar, then you know how fear of the unknown goes. It's makes you feel strong and weak at the same time. :)

/

#1 - Canada is 'promised land' in the eyes of Croatians. Here, everyone (and I literally mean it) have some kind of relative or friend in Canada. It used to be New Zealand/Australia, but for the last couple of years, Canada is no1, followed by Scandinavian countries and then Australia/NZ.
 
Hey Mile!

OK so number one thing to know about moving to Toronto is: everyone will ask you where you are from. This will get annoying after awhile. They don't mean anything more than just curiosity. I am from the capital city, Ottawa, and I still get that. Fact is most people who live in Toronto are not from Toronto. Then after that they will want to talk about the weather.

Make sure to bring lots of material, reels, references, testimonials etc, even if they're translated.

Keep your eye on www.workinculture.ca for contracts.

I don't know how authentic you might consider this bar, but I've had really good food and beers here: http://www.hrvatibar.com

The local unions are IATSE mostly (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees), and NABET (National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians):

Production Managers
http://www.iatse411.ca

Electricians, grips, construction, sound etc
http://www.iatse411.ca/

Camera dept.
http://www.iatse667.com

Broadcast stuff
http://www.nabet700.com/

This is the site of a non-profit group that holds workshops and rents out decent cine gear for reasonable prices:
http://lift.ca/

Good luck and check in when you've landed, eh?

Cheers,
Craig
 
Do you have a place to stay when you get here? With friends maybe?
There are some programs to help get you set up. Help with locating housing and a little monthly cash to help out until you get on your feet.
 
@ Picthorne

Hey man, great advice and all the info, it's very helpful! Will definitely check in here when, and if, all goes well. Thanks a lot, you get a beer if we ever meet! :)


@ Gord.T

We got couple of friends there who went by the same program, and a place to stay with one of them for a few weeks. The plan is to be there about week or two at max... and solve most of 'stuff' in that period (find our own apartment, bureaucracy stuff, send CV's and hopefully get some interviews done etc.)

I heard for some of those programs but didn't really checked them thoroughly. Friends I've got there all managed by themselves by same pattern (get there at friend's place, find your own place to live, get a job and voila). Situation IS somewhat different because unlike all of them, I would like to work in film/video/TV, not just anything that comes first.

Hope my savings will last that enough, but if it comes down to it, I can really work anything (as long as it doesn't involve getting naked in public... I heard it's very cold out there)
 
What's your area/s of experience?

Good luck, sounds like you're starting a great adventure... just don't tell anybody that you know Gord and you'll be fine! :thumbsup:
 
~ 6 years in TV, mostly as video editor and creative producer. Did a lot of different stuff, from journalism, DVD/Blu Ray authoring, directing, operating on Mosart (newscast automation) etc. Was writing last year for TV series here (storyliner).

It's a colorful CV, but I got more than those famous 10 000 working hours only as video editor. And really, whenever I do something, I feel most confident in editing process. The thing with 10 000 hours - maybe it's just placebo, but I would really love to have same confidence while shooting and directing actors.


Gord who...? :-Love(DBG):
 
Hmm, facts about Canada. I've travelled the whole country, and my dad lives on vancouver island, while I live in Montreal.

The one thing I noticed really is because it's so large it's very diverse. I mean Canada is about the same size as Europe. So we have differences from province to province. We also speak very different from city to city. Have yet to meet someone that says 'aboot'. Also you'll have trouble understanding someone with a strong newfie accent. ;)

Some places, like Montreal, are very multi-cultural. Not sure how diverse Toronto is, but I feel like here in Montreal you wouldn't get the 'where are you from' question so much. But hey Montreal and Toronto are two different cities. Not sure if in Toronto they jest about a rivalry with Montreal, but Montreal loves to make fun of Toronto. To quote a comedian, "Imagine two brothers, one an alcoholic womanizer, and the other an accountant." ;) Or we like to make fun of how a bit of snow in Toronto means everything gets shut down and the Army is called in to shovel the side walks. ;)

We also often use the metric system, but American influence sometimes trickles over (or it's just that some old ways haven't left). I only know my height in feet and inches, and my weight in pounds... Also sometimes construction uses imperial, measuring things in inches and feet. Not sure about other industries. It may be different from person to person and city to city (my experience is montreal). For the most part, however, everything is in metric.

We often get a lot of American influence in many respects. That's why they call us America junior. The majority of the entertainment comes from them. This is why there's Canadian content laws, stating a certain percentage of works broadcasted needs to be Canadian. Though most people prefer american content. ;)

The netflix here is awful. Maybe has something to do with my last fact?

Montreal is like a mini europe, and no one ever sleeps. This is why we have lots of 24/7 restaurants, including an amazing poutine place in the plateau on Rachel street "La Banquise". There's always a line up, even at 2am in the morning on the cold nights. If you ever visit montreal, get a poutine from this place. Don't worry, if you're english Montreal is a safe place. We're the anglophones of Quebec (we're the non-seperatists ;) ). We also have other amazing restaurants, as many Montrealers are at least partly foodies.

When I stayed a few nights in ottawa we were all was surprised how early everything closes... if you like the nightlife, ottawa isn't the place for it.

British-Colombia has a beautiful landscape. So beautiful that I miss it sometimes. However, now this may be because I live in Montreal, but I didn't find Vancouver city itself to be anything special. Felt like Toronto, or the American cities I've visited (aside from New York of course). The cities on Vancouver island are interesting because of their coastal influences and their 'small town' feel.

Edmonton Mall is I think the largest in the world? It has it's own hotel room, an amusement park (with one roller coaster), a lake, a golf course, it's kind of crazy.

Nanaimo (where my dad lives) has a weird event called the bathtub race. They also invented the Nanaimo bar, because they wanted to create something that would last long trips across the ocean.

Health care is free, but you'll complain about it. Here in Quebec we have a major shortage of doctors. I think I heard it's because they go to the US to practice as they can get lots of money, but not sure how true this is. Waiting times are huge, and you'll only get a specialist with a minimum of 2-3 months waiting time. However when you look at the alternative, having to pay thousands of dollars like in the US, it's the only thing that keeps your from pulling out your hair. 1st world complaints I guess... It's pretty awesome when you really think about the alternatives.

Hardly go to Toronto. Been only a handful of times and hated the traffic. They even have trolley cars that will occasionally get stuck in the middle of the intersection. Eaton center is cool, but didn't see anything new aside form the typical chain clothing stores. The traffic reminds me a bit of Montreal though. Like they say, Montreal has only two seasons, winter and construction season.

Can't think of much more atm.
 
Glad things are getting sorted. Looks like you have everything under control.

On a light note, be carefull if or when you get on one of these things. It's a moving sidewalk.
It looks like an escaltor except it's flat.
Just don't run along on one, as tempting as it is, and you will, because when you get to the end of it and hit the regular (non moving) floor, you'll go flying through the air and crash into the ground.(Most of us know from previous experience.)



subway-5106-10.jpg



btw:// when in Toronto I always get asked where I am from too. Sometimes I think they mean from what part of T.O I'm from since there are many sections of it.
 
And you must at least once take the elevator to the top of the CN Tower. I think once will be enough. Bring your camera. Leave your lunch.


This is the observation deck when you get to the top. I dare you to jump and climb up the screen. None of "us" did. :)




And if you have no fear at all, you can even try this when your up there...(I have no desire to try that one personally.)



And then they do it again but facing the other way. I'm not kidding.


Now days the angle of lean over is more like around 35 to 40 degrees quickly guessing.
edit:// I didn't pull out my compass but this looks like around 12 degrees? (I'll let some nerd figure it out.)
edit:// I worked it out. Close to 15 degrees.
edit:// I need a dog or a girlfiend or something.
 
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:)

Like I say that was around 15-16 degrees angle and now it's more like 35-40 deg angle. That's optional though. But after that, wouldn't you feel like you could take on the whole world? Even for just a little while?

It would at least be inspirational to me personally, to some degree, above normal, as I like to put it.

Wish I was going to be there with you. Been awhile myself. -Cheers.
 
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Sorry for necroing this a bit...

Pickthorne said:
Hey Mile!
Good luck and check in when you've landed, eh?

Cheers,
Craig
Click to expand...

Landed safely a week ago! Just solved basic stuff, now the job hunt is on. Offer is huge, but probably is a number of candidates also.

I've got a bunch of impressions about Toronto so far, but I guess most of you are familiar with its diversity, people being friendly etc. To cut it short; I feel like I'm in some sort of future. Really. It may has to do with where I came from but I did have a cultural shock - positive one, but still shock. You just ain't used to... bunch of stuff here.

So, a couple of questions (will have them more lately) :

Can you recommend some web-portal/something for basic news/happenings etc? I love to stay in touch with everything, and I figured out that I actually don't know what is happening here. Last week was messy and I'm really short for information in general (even tho most of them these days in headlines are useless... but I guess we are addicted to information flow)

What's with floor number 13 in buildings, or lack of it? Superstition?

How does Canadians react here to immigrants from Europe, considering TV/film? I heard everyone seeks Canadian work experience, which, surprisingly, I don't have atm. Is it a plus or minus when I send resumes via mail? Is it better to come in-person? I've sent couple of resumes but now that I look back... I don't know lol.
Even for some positions that I am obviously overqualified, it seems, at least to me, I'm near bottom choice... maybe just the feeling because of the unknown territory etc.
I feel awkward because it's hard to explain (and I don't get the chance for it) that, even though I have 6 + years of experience in TV/video, I'm wiling to start from scratch here, just to get things going. Well, it's been lees than a week so I'm just thinking aloud, not crying.

Oh yes. Workshops. Bunch of them. It's great to have so much opportunities, I can't describe to you how happy it makes me.

Big thanks to all dvxusers so far, all info was more than helpful. :beer:(except Gord's link to CN Tower edge walk, because I promised myself I'm gonna do it when I land first gig/job here. Smart, huh?)
 
Hey Mile. Glad you made it safely.

I'm trying to track down some dvxusers from Toronto that might be able to answer some of your questions.
Some of them may not have seen this thread also.

If anyone else knows dvxusers working in T.O maybe they couldd mention this thread to them as well.


There was a Toronto Dvxuser group several years ago. Not sure what's going on now.
You could try sending a PM to some of the people in the following link and see if anyone is still active in the area.

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?22491-Toronto-User-Group-a-success

I know there's a few more Torontonians around the boards here.

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/member.php?25585-Robbie-Comeau is another one with a few contacts in Toronto if he's still there.


---------

And yes there are no 13 floors in building because some people are superstitious.

See how the replies go for a few days or say. You have to start a new thread titled more specifically to being new in Toronto or something.

Keep us posted regulary. Like every few days at least.

-Gord.
 
Hey Mile, welcome to hogtown.

Mile Bozicevic said:
Sorry for necroing this a bit...
Can you recommend some web-portal/something for basic news/happenings etc? I love to stay in touch with everything, and I figured out that I actually don't know what is happening here. Last week was messy and I'm really short for information in general (even tho most of them these days in headlines are useless... but I guess we are addicted to information flow)
Click to expand...

For event and music listings and hardcore left-wing news look for this weekly magazine:
www.nowtoronto.com

And for a hardcore right-wing viewpoint
http://www.torontosun.com/
Because hey...even a broken clock is right twice a day!

This show airs every weeknight on a public broadcaster, and they are the last news magazine show to spend an entire episode on a single a topic.
http://theagenda.tvo.org/
The host is one of Canada's most respected TV personalities, he is also the default moderator for federal political debates.

Listen to CBC Radio One for reasonably decent news shows about here and the world.
http://www.cbc.ca/radio/

A online Toronto news site:
http://torontoist.ca/

A blog by a hyper-active city advocate
http://meslin.wordpress.com/

Cheers,
Craig
 
tnx Picthorne. It's funny to replace your usual web-combo with completely new one. :)

@ Gord

One thing bothers me. I've been on this forum for some years now on daily basis, but I rarely posted. It's a great read and info site since most of community is nice and argumentative (yes, even in those 'camera wars'... I find every info useful). I learned a lot, if not the most, from here.

Hence, I feel kinda hmmm. Don't know the word, but you know.
''Oh, you've just been mostly lurking here and NOW you need help. Right. Go poo-poo yourself.''
Well, not that anyone would actually say it but you get the point. I feel awkward.
Maybe a good lesson for the future, but then again, if you're a bit introvert type (even online), it's hard to go vs yourself.

tnx for info! Will keep updates. :beer:
 
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