About Ottawa
Situated on the juncture of three rivers, Ottawa is the capital city of Canada and a truly breathtaking location to explore. This bustling city combines modern feats in construction with the stillness of nature for a unique experience for those lucky enough to visit. With impressive architecture, gorgeous parks and trails, grand monuments, and other cultural attractions, Ottawa is more than just your average big city. In addition, Ottawa has become quite the hub for content creation; vibrant shoots are commonplace here due to its diverse landscape embodying every season imaginable—all within a few hour's drive from one another. Furthermore, it's home to many notable film or television productions like The Handmaid's Tale and 22 Minutes.
On top of all this excitement, what makes Ottawa special might be its local trivia: Did you know that the Rideau Canal crosses the entire city? No matter the reason for visiting Ottawa, there’s something memorable to see everywhere you look. If you're looking for a unique and interesting city to film your next project, you'll want to check out Ottawa. This Canadian capital city is home to several production studios and content creators, making it a great place to get your project off the ground. Shooting in Ottawa has plenty of benefits, including access to top-notch production facilities and a wide range of locations.
You will also find some fantastic museums and galleries, such as the Ottawa Art Gallery, the Canadian War Museum, and the Canadian Museum of Nature. Be sure to visit some parks and entertainment options like the Calypso Theme Waterpark, the Prince of Wales Falls, Jacques-Cartier Park, and Dow’s Lake. The city is incredibly picturesque, so you'll get some great shots. And if you're looking for an interesting fact about Ottawa, did you know it's the coldest capital city in the world? So, if you're looking for a perfect stop for a video shoot, this is the place for you.
Video Shoot Options in Ottawa
- Event Planner
A professional event planner will help you coordinate your video shoot, ensuring everything goes smoothly on the shoot day. They can also advise what type of video would suit your needs.
- Videography
Hiring a professional videographer will ensure that your video is high quality and captures all the important moments from your shoot. They will also have the right equipment to create a great finished product.
- Equipment Rental
If you have the equipment necessary to shoot a video, you can save money by renting it instead of purchasing it outright. This option can be less expensive than hiring a professional videographer but requires some extra work.
Video Shoot Vendors in Ottawa
- Cloud in the Sky Studios
Cloud in the Sky Studios is a video production firm founded in Ottawa, Canada, in 2010. They collaborate with businesses to deliver genuine, engaging brand experiences through experiential storytelling. They've produced, directed, written, and shot videos for marketing campaigns, commercials, human interest pieces, music videos, fashion editorials, and short films. The Cloud in the Sky Studios family comprises artists, designers, writers, directors, cinematographers, photographers, and editors. They encourage creatives to collaborate and come from a place of unity through stories and creative work.
- Ottawa Special Events
Create an unforgettable experience for your video shoot with the help of Ottawa Special Events. They are a multi-award-winning event production and audio-visual company that offers many services, like speakers, lighting, mobile stages, LED video walls, trade show booths, and more. Additionally, they provide stage design concert planning, event management, 3D visualization services, and video projection mapping.
- Professional Sound and Lighting
Professional Sound and Lighting is a Canadian company dedicated to improving the level of equipment and service accessible to both new and existing clients across Canada. PSL's qualified and knowledgeable personnel are there to help with the technical requirements of video shoots and provide solutions that work show after show, year after year. Since opening its doors in 1978, PSL has grown considerably due to its loyal clients' continued support. More than three decades later, their constantly expanding high-quality inventory allows customers access to top-of-the-line gear that would otherwise be found only in bigger centers.
Pros and Cons of Video Shoots in Ottawa
The beautiful buildings and landscapes in Ottawa make it a great place to shoot videos. However, there are also some drawbacks you should consider before shooting a video in Ottawa.
Advantages
- The city is filled with beautiful architecture and natural scenery that can be captured on film.
- The cost of living and doing business in Ottawa is relatively low, which can save on production costs.
- Ottawa is centrally located within Canada, making it easy for cast and crew from all parts of the country.
Disadvantages
- The weather can be unpredictable, with harsh winters and hot summers.
- Ottawa is a smaller city, which may not have the same resources as larger metropolitan areas.
- Some red tape can be involved in getting permits to film in certain locations.
Tips on How to Organize Video Shoots in Ottawa
When shooting a video in Ottawa, it's important to take the time to prepare the location so that the video shoot can go smoothly. Here are some tips on how to do that:
- Check local regulations and permits: It is essential to check with local authorities and obtain any necessary permits before beginning a video shoot. Consult with city officials, law enforcement, and neighbors if required before starting a shoot.
- Scout out potential locations ahead of time: If possible, visit potential locations beforehand to ensure they meet the script's demands and have the right look for your project. If possible, bring along creative team members so they can have input on which location works best.
- Ensure sufficient power supply for equipment needs: Make sure there’s enough power available for all electronic equipment used on set, including lights and cameras, and any special effects that may require extra voltage or wattage (e.g., smoke machines).
- Familiarize yourself with local laws concerning filming crews and equipment in public spaces: Some areas may have specific laws concerning filming crews and their equipment in public spaces, such as how close they can be to people or what kind of materials can be used for blocking off an area for filming purposes (e.g., barricades).
- Establish a clear line of communication: Make sure personnel on-site and off-site communicate when planning multiple locations on one day of shooting. Ensure everyone involved with the production – on-site personnel and those who aren't present – is informed about where each crew member is located throughout the day. Hence, they know who's responsible for what tasks at each location when needed (or if something goes wrong). This helps ensure smooth transitions between each location without any confusion over who should take charge of each one.
- Have a Plan B: Prepare multiple backup plans if something goes wrong or doesn't work out during pre-production or shooting at a given location. Have alternate plans ready in case something unexpected happens during pre-production (for example, requiring a last-minute change in location due to unforeseen circumstances) or shoot at a given site (such as quickly finding another spot because there's too much foot traffic).
Famous Locations in Ottawa
- The Royal Canadian Mint and Currency Museum
The world-renowned Royal Canadian Mint and Currency Museum, which produces coins and medals and is recognized for its architecture, is located in a historic building in downtown Ottawa. The mint has produced coins for Canada and those of other countries, as well as collector coins, medals, and numismatic items since 1908. The Currency Museum is immediately accessible from the main entrance and contains changing exhibits on Canada's rich monetary history. Even if you don't have a strong passion for ancient currency or banknotes, the museum has entertaining trips led by enthusiastic and informed guides.
- Byward Market
The Byward Market is a vibrant, outdoor market open year-round that locals and visitors love. The Ottawa farmer's market was established in 1826 by John By and other local vendors as a central location to sell their goods. Now, over 200 businesses call the market home, including farmers selling fresh produce, artisans with handcrafted goods, restaurants serving delicious food, and more. The public square hosts events throughout the year - making it the perfect place to experience all the city offers.
- Westboro Village
Westboro, more commonly called Westboro Village, has been going through an urban revival since the 1990s. This once-quaint neighborhood is home to many independent businesses, such as cafes, restaurants, galleries, studios, and boutiques. The area has also become known for its vibrant art scene. Westboro also includes a river shoreline with walking paths and bicycle routes and beautiful views of the Gatineau Hills. Westboro allows tourists to experience a more genuine, less touristy aspect of Ottawa and discover the restaurants and businesses frequented by locals.