Best city in CANADA to work as a filmmaker

I

imax

Active member
Hallo,
I work in Milan (Italy) for fashion and I do video for luxury brands and sometimes for commercial..
My dream is to try to work in Canada for a period and export my knowledge (as indipendent) ... but which is the best city to work in this area (filmmaker/director/editor) ?
I hope some canadian can help me!
thank you a lot!
ciao :)
 
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Both Toronto and Vancouver are the major filmmaking cities in Canada. Toronto is a bigger city than Vancouver but is more extreme in temperature range. Vancouver doesn't usually get snow in the winter but it is rainy compared to Toronto. It really depends on how you want to live.
 
bitnaut said:
Both Toronto and Vancouver are the major filmmaking cities in Canada. Toronto is a bigger city than Vancouver but is more extreme in temperature range. Vancouver doesn't usually get snow in the winter but it is rainy compared to Toronto. It really depends on how you want to live.
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Hello bitnaut!
So my idea si to go in the Quebec region, probably in Montreal because I can speak french... Italia could be a good idea or this region si not interesting for business in filmmaking ?

For the weather I Know that Canada isn't warm ;) so I preferer a city with good opportunities and possibly in the french area..
Thank you!
 
imax said:
Hello bitnaut!
So my idea si to go in the Quebec region, probably in Montreal because I can speak french... Italia could be a good idea or this region si not interesting for business in filmmaking ?

For the weather I Know that Canada isn't warm ;) so I preferer a city with good opportunities and possibly in the french area..
Thank you!
Click to expand...
If you speak English well, I'd go to Toronto first. More work there. And Montreal isn't too far, a six hour drive or quick plane ride if you land a French speaking job there. I'd review the work laws though before committing. Canada requires employers prove that a job can't be filled by a citizen or permanent resident before offering it to a foreign worker, so you will probably encounter difficulty there. Don't assume you can just fly in and start working.
 
Given that your experience would cross over into ad agency work, I would recommend Toronto. Lots of film industry and TV show work in Vancouver at the moment but my sense is that could change as much of this work originates from the US. Trade renegotiations between Canada and the US will be opening up and that work may be moving to the US but no one knows at that this point.
 
Thanks guys..
Actually I have a little creative agency in Milan.. so my idea is to open a new one in Canada..
It could be possibile, or It's a dream in Canada to do this for a foreign?
tnx
 
The industry is pretty solid in Vancouver now from what I've heard, and the climate is MUCH better than Toronto, both winter and summer.
 
Well as a Canadian, born in Montreal and who has owned businesses in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver here is my advice. Follow the guide to working here and doing it legally. All of our cities offer wonderful opportunities in film and television and new media. Vancouver is gorgeous, and expensive and the smallest of the the three "big cities" our Hollywood North offers more in the area of MOW and Feature work than commerical work and corporate. Toronto, also expensive by Canadian standards is the primary English commercial production city in Canada with a majority of the agency head offices based there as well as all the head offices for English Television Networks both broadcast and cable. It is a very cool city and like Vancouver has an excellent talent pool of working professionals and facilities. Montreal, my hometown and where I live now is a very special city. There is a thriving feature film business here catering to European and American productions as well as many Canadian ones. We in Montreal speak at least two languages and are very culturally diverse. As the home for French language production all of the French language broadcast and cable networks are based here as are the agencies or divisions of Toronto agencies who produce commercials for Québec. Montreal is the least expensive city of the three to live in and has an amazing food and entertainment scene. If you speak French you will love it, if you don't then you are limited. Most Europeans who come here love it. The Italian community is vibrant, proud and deep rooted here so when you need a hit of Italy, it will be easy to find.
Things to keep in mind when coming here (Montreal, Toronto,Vancouer) like any new place is it will take you a while to break into the community and get work. So all the best in making your decision and be sure to post if you decide to come over here.
 
Hi Brian,
thank you for your message. Sorry if I reply so late!
I can feel the love and passion for your country and your open mind to the rest of the world. In my mind I imagined the Canadian people like this...

At this time my family is in Milan... I have a family here and the decision depends from many variables... but thank you for your warming message !

Have a nice day

ciao! :)

BrianMurphy said:
Well as a Canadian, born in Montreal and who has owned businesses in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver here is my advice. Follow the guide to working here and doing it legally. All of our cities offer wonderful opportunities in film and television and new media. Vancouver is gorgeous, and expensive and the smallest of the the three "big cities" our Hollywood North offers more in the area of MOW and Feature work than commerical work and corporate. Toronto, also expensive by Canadian standards is the primary English commercial production city in Canada with a majority of the agency head offices based there as well as all the head offices for English Television Networks both broadcast and cable. It is a very cool city and like Vancouver has an excellent talent pool of working professionals and facilities. Montreal, my hometown and where I live now is a very special city. There is a thriving feature film business here catering to European and American productions as well as many Canadian ones. We in Montreal speak at least two languages and are very culturally diverse. As the home for French language production all of the French language broadcast and cable networks are based here as are the agencies or divisions of Toronto agencies who produce commercials for Québec. Montreal is the least expensive city of the three to live in and has an amazing food and entertainment scene. If you speak French you will love it, if you don't then you are limited. Most Europeans who come here love it. The Italian community is vibrant, proud and deep rooted here so when you need a hit of Italy, it will be easy to find.
Things to keep in mind when coming here (Montreal, Toronto,Vancouer) like any new place is it will take you a while to break into the community and get work. So all the best in making your decision and be sure to post if you decide to come over here.
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