Is a work permit or license required to film in Canada (for US resident)?

T

Tom Films

Active member
I'm wondering if I need some sort of work permit or license to travel into Canada and film? Either a 'film' specific permit or general work permit. The reason I ask, last year I was talking with a Canadian resident who mentioned another film company was slapped with a huge fine for filming in Canada without a permit. And last time I traveled up there, I was questioned about my camera equipment.

By filming in Canada, I don't mean huge operations, shutting down streets, big crews, etc. It's basically buddys going out on public lands, filming other buddies. One camera, handful of guys (think small snowboard film).

I would prefer to go legit, get the proper permit and be above board. Anyone have any ideas what the legalities are? What paperwork is required and the associated costs?

I'm a USA resident BTW. Travel into Canada all the time, so I know the requirements to get into Canada, just not the requirements to legally point a camera at someone up there.

Thanks
 
If you're coming to Canada to make a film the idea of size of project is irrelevant. You're either making a film or you're not. All your locations must be secured and there are local film commissioners all over the place. There are both provincial and federal regulations. Provincial and National Parks also have their own regulations. You going to need clearances for wherever you shoot ie. Private ski resorts. Its going to be the same as if I came south to make film about heliskiing around Aspen. Nafta means you can spend at least six months in the country on business for your company. Check with your local Canadian Consulate for details and information about regional film commissioner contacts.
 
Beat Takeshi asked sort of a similar question about going to UK...so I'll tell you what I told him.

A cousin of ours is a professional photo journalist with credentials and all that stuff...he even has photos on internet of another cousin of ours who is top 40 ranked men's tennis player...his equipment is very expensive, and always draws questions at customs when he comes over from Europe.

He just tells them that he is shooting wedding pics as favour to a family member (which is actually the truth), and he gets in no problem. I don't think he mentions he is pro photographer unless they ask, but he has never had trouble....even though he could be suspected of being here to work since his gear is high end and he probably would show up on a google search as a working photographer.

So if you want to come up with a few friends and shoot some stuff on your prosumer camera, you probably will not have any trouble. You are a tourist, and tourists like to take pics and video footage of trips.

If you have lights, stands, gels, etc....then you're going to have a hard time convincing anyone you are just shooting vacation footage. If you have a canon HV20 or even a dvx, you could probably get away with it no problem.

As long as you guys don't interfere with your surroundings or fellow enthusiasts, who could really complain about some guys filming the stuff they do on vacation?

Once you get the footage, you can always ask permission to use it in a film from the owner of the ski hill or whatever if some sort of identifiable signs or landmarks are visible. It's easier to say sorry once you do it than asking permission beforehand....and it is free publicity for the place. Or you could just blur it out.

If you do it on a regular hillside somewhere, you should make sure it isn't private property and that you aren't trespassing.

There is a lot of guerrilla footage of skaters, boarders, dirt bikers, etc out there on the net and on special DVDs. I doubt much of it was done with permits and licenses...especially since I have seen kids shoot skater stuff at a downtown bank plaza myself, only to get chased off, return 30 mins later and get chased off again, all on a regular midweek evening in a busy downtown area.
 
Here are some quotes from the BC Film Commission website...

All non-Canadian cast and crew, other than producers, must attain a work permit before entering Canada to work on a project. In most cases, employers hiring foreign workers must get a Labour Market Opinion (LMO) from Service Canada in advance of applying for a work permit.
Click to expand...

From the Service Canada website...

Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), there are specific cases where employers in the film and entertainment industries do not need an HRSDC job offer confirmation, or the foreign workers do not need a Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) work permit.
Positions Exempt from Work Permits and HRSDC Labour Market Opinion

Foreign Workers who do not need a CIC work permit or an HRSDC labour market opinion include:
  • Producers of film, television, video and documentary projects funded entirely from outside of Canada;
Click to expand...
Correct me if I am wrong but as producer, not hiring ANY employees and being entirely funded with USA money, aren't I exempt from needing a work or film permit?
 
Tom Films said:
Here are some quotes from the BC Film Commission website...



From the Service Canada website...
[/list]Correct me if I am wrong but as producer, not hiring ANY employees and being entirely funded with USA money, aren't I exempt from needing a work or film permit?
Click to expand...

As I mentioned and those regulations further support the fact you don't need work permit.

However, no where do any of those regulations mention no film permits are required in anyway shape or form. The big issue isn't going to likely come at the time of filming. I'm sure if you're project goes nowhere you might easily get away with lying and cheating your way around all regulations. What will you do though if your project commands the interest of a distributor and you can't produce any clearances?

You'd be surprised at how helpful people can become if your just straight up front with them. Allow folks the ability to be gracious and you'd be surprised at how far they can go. Once they know your not hollywood but a struggling filmmaker and from south of the border you might just see quite a bit of hospitality.

Despite what politicians say most Canadians really have a genuine affinity for our good neighbors to the south.
 
reem12 said:
does anyone know were you could work on a movie without needing any clearances
Click to expand...

Anywhere you can do it and get away with it.

Why do you think so many people in NYC film out of the back of a van? If anyone shows up and starts hassling the shoot, the actors just walk away and the van drives off. Different locations require different permits and extra people (medical, cops, etc.) Why do you think production offices for big films employ dozens of people, some just to deal with that sort of stuff? It can be a real chore.

A prof I had used to shoot at his own home someimes in Beverly Hills way back when, and told us how much of a hassle it was getting permits, paying for mandatory on set medics and cops, and going through all the 'proper' channels...just to film in his own home!

The OP will never get his film footage (from the sounds of it) if he tries to do it all 'by the book.' It will cost him alot of time, money, and headaches just to get some pretty simple footage that any fool tourist could shoot on a hi-8 handycam.
 
It's almost bizarre to think of the restrictions put on filmmakers in regards to shooting permits. In a public setting makes sense, but on private property it should be a free for all.
 
So who do I need to talk to about film permits? The BC Film Commission? Again, this isn't a hollywood type movie. Think backcountry snowboard film. I would venture to guarantee no ski film company employs onsite medics, etc. Group of buddies, few cameras and they're set.
 
so im planning on moving there in a year i need to become a citizen duh. but inorder to shoot after i become a citizen or while try to obtain one, is get a licence to shoot?
 
i went to canada one time to film a BMX roadtrip, had no problems at all. use the Tourist line and i would assume you will be fine.

as for where can you film without permits, philadelphia (my home town) is awesome. You do not need a permit to set up a tripod, lights, etc on a street corner. If you wanna shut down a street, you do, and just to be on the safe side its good to contact the film office a head of time for a permit (which if you do not need any city services, like shutting down a street) it is free. I love shooting here. Has a similiar look as NYC or Chicago, but cheap as hell. its awesome.
 
Tom Films said:
I'm wondering if I need some sort of work permit or license to travel into Canada and film? Either a 'film' specific permit or general work permit. The reason I ask, last year I was talking with a Canadian resident who mentioned another film company was slapped with a huge fine for filming in Canada without a permit. And last time I traveled up there, I was questioned about my camera equipment.

By filming in Canada, I don't mean huge operations, shutting down streets, big crews, etc. It's basically buddys going out on public lands, filming other buddies. One camera, handful of guys (think small snowboard film).

I would prefer to go legit, get the proper permit and be above board. Anyone have any ideas what the legalities are? What paperwork is required and the associated costs?

I'm a USA resident BTW. Travel into Canada all the time, so I know the requirements to get into Canada, just not the requirements to legally point a camera at someone up there.

Thanks
Click to expand...
AS far as filming in Canada with a skeleton crew- no problems, at least in the West. I reside in the US (next to the border), and I filmed in National Parks in Alberta and B.C. I think as rules and regulations go just don't say anything at the border and you should be fine. It's funny how much more normal people are in Canada- while filming in Banff NP a warder offered me assistance without asking for any permits. Quite the opposite experience compared to Denali, Yosemite or Rainier NP, where dealing with rangers is a real nightmare.
 
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