New Film Policy in the works to lessen the impacts to businesses and residents

Downtown Paris, Ontario or Ironwood, PA? Recent concerns stemming from the major production shoot of an Amazon TV series is accelerating the need for a strong Film Policy that sets a standard for expectations, notifications, use of County property, a code of conduct, as well as a framework for filming in downtown Burford, Paris and St. George in an effort to lessen the impacts to businesses and residents.

By Casandra Turnbull

Filming in the County of Brant, and how it impacts businesses and residents, is under review

Zach Gable, Director of Economic Development and Tourism was before the Administration & Operations Committee this week to present the draft of a new Film Policy that will guide filming and digital media strategies for the next 3-5 years. Among the top concerns is how filming impacts local businesses and residents The goal is to improve current filming processes and establish a film policy and permit system that ensures positive economic results while upholding the rights, safety and privacy of residents and preservation of public property

As it stands now, there is no overarching policy or framework for film activities in the County. To bring the new policy into effect, several existing county by-laws that govern different aspects of filming would need to be updated, including park use, road, noise, fireworks, business licensing and animal control

Recent concerns arising from the major production shoot of Amazon TV series Motorheads is accelerating the need for a strong Film Policy that would set a new standard for expectations, notifications, use of County property, a code of conduct, as well as a framework for filming in downtown Burford, Paris and St. George to lessen the impacts to businesses and residents.

That would mean tighter restrictions on how production companies “dress” sets, close roads, affect businesses, provide notification for interruptions, film in restricted (environmentally, or culturally sensitive) areas, how they provide compensation, and what specific film details they should provide in advance, among a long list of other guidelines outlined in the 19-page draft report.

Gable identified that the need for this policy has been known for quite some time but recognized that the recent filming of Motorheads has brought the issue to the forefront and flagged the importance of developing and securing a policy.

“The film policy will minimize disruption to businesses and residents and empowers staff to review and process applications,” said Gable While county staff are doing their best to manage concerns and requests that have risen from Motorheads filming, he noted that in order to move forward as a film destination, Brant requires a strong policy to guide what’s acceptable and what is not.

The county will take the draft policy to members of the business community, including the Downtown Paris BIA and other local business associations and film industry stakeholders for feedback. Gable said it would be reasonable to have the revised policy before council this fall to present for approval.

Consultation with the Paris Downtown Business Improvement Association is a great first step Many local businesses have expressed outright frustration with how Motorheads has disrupted businesses over numerous days during their four block visits to town sinceApril.

Matt Cummings, Chair of the Paris BIA was also in attendance for the Tuesday meeting, where he spoke as a delegate on behalf of many of those businesses.