As the novel coronavirus continues its rampage across the United States, its neighbor to the north is benefiting from some of the tumultuousness. For the entertainment industry in particular, getting back to work has been difficult in America. After all, many films and television shows require large crews and big groups of background performers. With the case rate for COVID-19 still high in areas such as Southern California and Georgia, producers and studio executives have had to look outside the United States to ensure that their projects are helmed in a timely manner.
Because Canada offers timely testing and much faster results, shooting in cities such as Toronto and Vancouver has become a popular option. Although many producers have also considered helming their projects in countries such as Australia and the United Kingdom, Canada’s proximity makes it an attractive option for talent and below-the-line workers who want to stay relatively close to the areas in which they are based. Commuting from Vancouver to Los Angeles, for example, is much more convenient than taking a transatlantic trip.
Even movie stars like Ben Affleck have been affected by the logistical impact of the worldwide pandemic. Although the actor was slated to begin production on a film in Los Angeles this spring, the American lockdown prevented this from happening. Vancouver, however, is happy to play host for the production company starting in October. Depending upon whether or not the United States curbs infection rates and improves testing, it is possible that more films will follow suit and shoot in Vancouver as well.
Even in Canada, however, the cost of shooting a film with COVID safeguards in place is still not cheap. American production companies estimate that their costs will rise approximately 20% for each project as a result of the compliance measures. After arriving in Canada, American casts and crews will be required to quarantine for two full weeks. But for many producers, the hassle is worth it. While the United States has been recording upwards of 45,000 new COVID cases per day, Canada’s infection rates are often in the hundreds. For studios, these low rates of coronavirus offer peace of mind. Not having to worry about the costs incurred by a positive test can free producers and executives up to focus on other aspects of the project. Studios that produce mid-range films hovering around $50 million have found the idea of shooting in Canada especially enticing. What remains to be seen is if — after setting up shop in Canada and developing connections — some productions may choose to shoot there after the coronavirus has settled down in the U.S.
