Hard Rock Medical stays true to north's social landscapes

If Hard Rock Medical sounds a little familiar, you won't have to look far to find out why.

The TV series currently being filmed in Sudbury is loosely inspired by the Northern Ontario School of Medicine and what happens within the facility.

“Hard Rock Medical will provide a unique and engaging insight into the challenges faced by those requiring, and those delivering, medical services in the Canadian north,” stated a media release from Carte Blanche Films.

“As a character drama, it will also provide a glimpse into the minds and motivations of a new generation of doctors-to-be who are dedicating their lives to improving the quality of health care in rural areas.

“The stories will be shot and set in a variety of Northern Ontario locations and deal with social and medical topics emerging from those communities.”

Hometown actor Stéphane Paquette is the Sudbury lead in the film, performing alongside Patrick McKenna who played Harold Green on the TV series The Red Green Show, Angela Asher and Tamara Duarte.
 

The stories will be shot and set in a variety of Northern Ontario locations and deal with social and medical topics emerging from those communities.

Carte Blanche Films,
filming Hard Rock Medical

Much of the 13-episode series will be filmed in Greater Sudbury. Carte Blanche Films has its own small soundstage within its warehouse, where the anatomy room scenes will be shot. Other locations include Dynamic Earth, Health Sciences North and the Parker House Suites.

The locations aren't the only thing that's local — according to Tracy Legault from Carte Blanche's northern production services, about 90 per cent of the 50-person team calls Sudbury home.

Along with Distinct Features and Title Entertainment, Carte Blanche is continuing to train locals for key roles.

“Assistants in various departments are now taking key crew roles,” she stated. “Last week we provided a three-day bootcamp for Grip and Electrics, with the goal of this entire department being strictly northern talent, and not having to bring crew from Ottawa or Toronto. Our efforts were fruitful. We now have a best boy and key grip trained who are regional and all of our creative departments are now local.”

With such a northern theme, it only makes sense that the half-hour series include northern players in front and behind the cameras.

The series is being produced in association with TVO, APTN, the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation and the Canada Media Fund. For more information, visit www.hardrockmedical.com.