Local movie-making less costly thanks to partnership

Film productions hoping to shoot in Sudbury got a bit of good news this week. William F. White International, which rents lighting and grip gear, celebrated the grand opening of its Sudbury location Sept. 17.

The six-decade-old company — which has locations across the country — spent about $100,000 to renovate 4,000 square feet within the Northern Ontario Film Studios as an equipment warehouse.

That still leaves 16,000 square feet at Northern Ontario Film Studios for movie-makers looking to construct sets inside the former arena.

“My customers who work in Toronto were asking that we set up here in the north, because they were coming up here to shoot as well,” said the company's vice-president of commercial production services, Dan St. Amour.

“That's why we've opened up here. As part of an expanding market, Sudbury's a good place for us to be.”

To start, William F. White is hiring two or three technicians to work in the warehouse, he said.

“We're just very happy to be here,” St. Amour said. “It's exciting for me.”

Having this equipment for rent in Sudbury is good news for those looking to shoot in the city, said David Anselmo, Northern Ontario Film Studios president of production and a filmmaker himself.

“It's always costly to make a movie in regions outside of the hubs like Toronto,” he said.

“Having more equipment and infrastructure on site really helps alleviate some of the extra costs of coming up here to make the movie. Ideally, our goal is to really turn Sudbury and Northern Ontario into a cost-effective region to make production.”

Northern Ontario Film Studios always rented out some film equipment.

But William F. White, which has “a reputation in Canada of being the best in the business,” gives filmmakers access to so much more, he said.

Mayor Marianne Matichuk was on hand for William F. White's grand opening. She said she's been amazed how Northern Ontario Film Studios has grown over the years and created jobs in the city.

“Now, with your partnership (with William F. White) today, this is going to be even better than it has been before,” she said.

“I see it growing more and more. Now people will have a place to come, and they'll have the equipment to do what they need to do make our city a great place to live, work and play.”