New Amazon Prime TV series - Motorheads – to film in downtown Paris on several occasions this spring

By Casandra Turnbull

A new Amazon TV series is bringing its production to Paris this spring. Representatives from MHTV Canada Inc were before council on Tuesday to present their plan to film in downtown Paris one five separate occasions between April to June. Location managers have scouted the town for potential film sites over the last few weeks, with a special focus on the downtown core, and they like what they see.

“I was born and raised in Brantford. I spent countless summer days working a camp counsellor at the Syl Apps arena, attending the Paris Fair and swimming in the Paris pool,” said Production Manager Ashley Shields-Muir. “The idea of this community representing our story’s home location makes me very proud,” she told Councillors

The show, called Motorheads, follows the life of New Yorkers Zac and Caitlyn as they move to smalltown Ironwood, Pennsylvania where their mother grew up and father made a name for himself as the racing legend turned fugitive The two teens are faced with the challenges of navigating a high school social life and the unfavourable reputation their father left behind. Muscle cars are the currency in this town and the backdrop to the journey Zac and Caitlyn are on to refine their family name and discover who they are, Sheilds-Muir explained

The series will feature some starstudded names – Ryan Phillippe as Logan, a former NASCAR mechanic who now owns a shop in his hometown of Ironwood. Nathalie Kelley is cast as Samantha, an ER nurse who’s left her job in New York to move back with her kids to Ironwood. Michael Cimino and Melissa Collazo will star as Zac and Caitlyn. Motorheads is written and executive produced by John A. Norris.

During their presentation to council on Tuesday, Toronto-based MHTV execs revealed that Paris contained all the qualities they were looking for to represent the stories they will tell in fictional Ironwood, PA. They’ve spent some time downtown Paris introducing themselves to local business owners and scouting neighbourhoods of potential interest. They also revealed that when they film on location, they offer three different types of compensation packages. A filming location fee to pay for access to properties and businesses; an access fee, generally used to access a property for convenience purposes but that they won’t use as a film location; and an inconvenience fee that acknowledges that their presence might be challenging at times and could result in a loss of revenue for businesses

These fees will be negotiated on a site-by-site evaluation Crews are also investigating ways to pump money back into the local economy during their visits, noting that Paris’ core boasts some unique eateries, some of which they’ve already enjoyed.

“I can assure you our team is working tirelessly to ensure that this experience is less destructive and most collaborative as possible,” said Shields-Muir. “I want to personally assure you that we will work in your community with respect and professionalism ”

Councillor Steve Howes said he appreciated the presentation which informs the public of the film production plans as opposed to having closed door meetings strictly with the County’s film production department Howes wanted to know if there were any plans to close Grand River Street North, citing obvious traffic concerns. MHTV representatives assured they are working with the roads and film department to create a closure schedule that will lead to the least amount of disruption as possible, but that schedule will vary depending on each of the five planned visits and what material they are shooting

Stay tuned for more film details as they become available.