Toronto is usually called "Hollywood North" because of its significant role in the entertainment industry. The Ontario metropolis has offered backdrops to many TV shows and films because the city fills in for many world settings and life situations. The 2008 action/sci-fi movie "The Incredible Hulk" was shot in several Hamilton and Toronto locations, including Morningside Park, a suburb near the Scarborough Bluffs, and Yonge Street.
The striking Toronto City Hall building was one of the backdrops for the 2004 horror/action movie "Resident Evil: Apocalypse," a perfect fit for the futuristic setting. Port Hope, a one-hour drive from Toronto, appeared in the 2017 screen adaptation of Stephen King's 1986 novel "It."
The list of movies shot in Toronto and the greater Canada region is endless, including "Star Trek," "American Psycho," and the "Resident Evil" franchise. If you are working on your next big blockbuster, documentary, or commercial, explore Giggster's 1286 filming locations in Toronto.
Why Choose Giggster for Your Film Shoot in Toronto
The Yonge Dundas Square appeared in "Suicide Squad:" you might have seen the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, near the Union Station and CN Tower, in the 2012 movie "Total Recall." Also, Cherry Street Bridge was the backdrop for Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) and Betty Ross' (Liv Tyler) reunion in "The Incredible Hulk." It's only possible to list some city locations featured in films and other screen productions. Giggster can connect you with LOCATIONS_COUNT}} filming locations for your project.
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In the 2000 movie "X-Men," the scene where Ian McKellen leaves the US Senate debate was filmed at the Roy Thomson Hall. The Toronto City Hall building appeared in "Resident Evil: Apocalypse" and many others, which should give you ideas of how to use a community hall or other similar site to shape your story.
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The old Hearn Generating Station, one of the city's former power stations, was a backdrop for scenes in "Pacific Rim." At the same time, the Lower Bay Station featured as a location in "Suicide Squad" and "The Taking of Pelham 123." It shows how crucial abandoned/derelict buildings, streets, and stations can be on the screen.
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"X-Men" used Casa Loma, a famous 1900s Gothic Revival-style home, for the Xavier's school establishing shots. You'll find everything from Midcentury and vintage homes to minimalistic and contemporary residences for your production.
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The Lakeview Restaurant left a lasting impression as one of the settings seen in "The Shape of Water" and "Hairspray." Rent a '60s-style Mexican Cantina, pizza lounge, or Latin-style eatery to recreate a similar setting for your production.
Transform Your Film Shoot in Toronto Starting at Just $20 CAD/hour
Exceptional Variety & Quality: From buildings that mirror the Toronto City Hall and the Roy Thomson Hall to historic homes that match Casa Loma, Giggster can help you find a production location starting at $20 CAD/hour.
Hassle-Free Booking: Our website has a friendly interface that will get you from searching for a production location to filming in record time.
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: We know that plans sometimes get interrupted. We offer flexibility with a 24-hour cancellation policy so you can rebook when it works for you. Reserve a location knowing that you won't get charged for bookings canceled within 24 hours of confirmation, provided the booking is made at least 48 hours before the event.
Platform Protections: Rent a production setting like Prime downtown 1800 sqft + cyclorama wall, backed by optional liability insurance against damages or injuries.
Things to Consider for a Film Shoot in Toronto
Most movies shot in Canada use its cities as stand-ins for other world locations. The country's scenic backdrops attracted British director Edgar Wright, who filmed "Scott Pilgrim" across several city locations. The Roy Thomson Hall, Yonge Dundas Square, Metro Hall, and hundreds of Giggster's production locations can breathe life into a screen production, but it helps to weigh the pros and cons of producing your project in Toronto.
Advantages
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The city has a sound education system; York University has a top law school, while the University of Toronto has the best literature, medical, and science programs. Many of these campuses and many listings on Giggster provide ideal production settings.
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There's much to do around town, from attending the seasonal Warner Bros World Toronto theme park to retreating to the Scarborough Bluffs or Toronto Islands. All these activities can create B-roll footage to supplement your project.
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The subway, buses, and streetcars connect to the Greater Toronto Area. The Go Train links Toronto to outlying cities. It gives you plenty of transportation options when moving between towns and neighborhoods.
Disadvantages
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Everyone gets caught up in the traffic snarl-ups now and then, and the traffic affects commute times. The best way around it is to book an easy-to-reach production location or studio.
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Besides the road congestion, the downtown area is very crowded. And, of course, the best way around it is to avoid downtown Toronto production settings or to schedule your shoot when it's less busy.
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The construction activities around downtown make it a super noisy area. It's not the best production setting unless you book a soundproofed recording studio.
The Best Filming Locations in Toronto
It's easy to see why producers constantly pick filming locations around Toronto. With the Lakeview Restaurant, Casa Loma, York University, and Giggster's 1286 listings, the city has everything it takes to produce all movies, documentaries, commercials, and TV shows. Production success hinges on picking suitable filming backdrops; these actual production locations can inspire your choices:
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Hotels – Movie Shoots. The Fairmont Royal York Hotel stood for the Fairmont Chicago in "RED," while the Thomspon Hotel was the backdrop for the Calrlsborough Hotel in the "Orphan Black" series. These are the best examples of transforming a hotel building, its lobby, pool area, and guest rooms into filming sets.
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Office Buildings – TV Show Shoots. Metro Hall, a 27-story office tower in downtown Toronto, was a filming location for an episode of the Canadian fantasy series "Bitten." Office buildings have elevators, cubicles, and a reception area that can provide different backdrops when filming similar TV shows.
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Film Studios – Interiors. Toronto's Cinespace Film Studios was the backdrop of several scenes in "The Handmaid's Tale," "The Murdoch Mysteries," and "Resident Evil: The Final Chapter." A video recording studio is a versatile filming location, and it usually has pre-built sets that are perfect backdrops for recording house interiors.
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Universities – School Scenes. Knox College was a backdrop for "The Incredible Hulk" and "Degrassi: The Next Generation" recorded scenes at York University. Naturally, a university campus for filming movies, commercials, or documentaries centered on school life.
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Malls – Teen Hangout Scenes. "Mean Girls" set up shop in Toronto's Sherway Gardens Mall for a scene where Cady (Lindsay Lohan) and The Plastics stop after shopping. Shopping complexes present endless opportunities as production locations, with the stores, bathrooms, and parking lots all serving as different sets.
How to Plan Your Film Shoot in Toronto
Whether you are an entry-level producer working on an indie project or a seasoned director looking for a production setting, Toronto lives up to the expectations. Hollywood North has a backdrop for your street chase scene or an empty lot where you can build a fictional city. Once you've chosen a production setting, use these tips to stay on schedule and record all the necessary shots.
Apply for Permits – You'll need a production permit to record videos in Toronto, particularly in public spaces. The city's film office handles applications; in most cases, you'll need different authorizations to record videos in parks, park production vehicles, and use drones.
Go on a Recce – A recce describes pre-production site visits to determine the property's suitability for your project. Lighting, sound, and camera professionals should attend to check if the venue meets all technical requirements.
Work with the Local Community – The community's support goes a long way when producing content around the city. Consult businesses and residents to create rapport and work with local vendors.
Handle Set Management – Besides having a base of operations, it's essential to handle set management. The location assistant should get to each set to prep it for the next scene, helping to avoid time wastage.
Saving Money on Film Shoots in Toronto
Toronto is expensive, like other Canadian metropolises; you can reduce production costs and produce a creative and compelling video.
Search beyond downtown Toronto.
Most of the best productions are partially filmed in studio settings, and it's tempting to pick a centrally located downtown venue. The rental rates are higher around downtown but you can still find quality and affordable studios in the outlying regions.
Record interiors in a studio.
Many top movies also record interiors in studios because they are controlled settings. Studios have soundproofed walls; you can modify them easily for different sequences or setups.
Rent equipment.
Cameras are high-cost items on a production set; some cost over $10K, and that's the body alone, without including lenses and other accessories. Renting production gear can save you a ton of money and allow you to use the best equipment for your project.
Toronto Film Shoots with Giggster
Toronto has some of the best filming locations in Canada, and Giggster can help you find an ideal production backdrop. From malls to gardens, this city has locations to inspire.
