As filming for television and film in Ontario continues rising, we welcome production companies and filmmakers to set their scenes in our neighbourhoods, historic buildings, versatile community, and among the natural features of our surrounding region. Located near Lake Erie's North Shore, we are 200km (124 miles) south of Downtown Toronto with easy access to talent and amenities required for a successful filming experience.
We see filming as a cooperative effort between the City and the Production. City staff is ready to safely support productions and expedite approvals as much as possible. Our aim is to make the process a positive one for film crews and residents alike.
To maintain positive community engagement and a safe environment for work:
We see filming as a cooperative effort between the City and the Production. City staff is ready to safely support productions and expedite approvals as much as possible. Our aim is to make the process a positive one for film crews and residents alike.
To maintain positive community engagement and a safe environment for work:
- Industry protocols and Provincial and local health standards must be followed.
- We ask productions to support our local businesses as much as possible while in our community.
- Some people may still be apprehensive about gatherings of people. The safety of and consistent communication with residents, businesses, and bystanders is critical. This may include procedural changes in obtaining consent.
- More time for proper planning and more space for proper safety protocols may be needed.
- Locations and/or facilities may require different or additional steps around prepping and cleaning.
- Changes in local or provincial health protocol orders could impact filming activities in St. Thomas.
Ontario Creates
The City of St. Thomas is registered with Ontario Creates, an agency of the Province of Ontario, which offers promotional resources and other services designed to assist the Film and TV sector with questions related to location selection. If you don't find what you're looking for in their digital library, please connect with our office to discuss your needs.
Filming and COVID-19
While filming is permitted to occur in Ontario in all stages of the Province’s colour-tiered framework, including stay-at-home orders, there are stringent protocols in place that have been developed by public health officials for production crews and actors to be allowed to film safely. Learn about some of the protocols in place to keep visiting productions and our community safe.
The City of St. Thomas is registered with Ontario Creates, an agency of the Province of Ontario, which offers promotional resources and other services designed to assist the Film and TV sector with questions related to location selection. If you don't find what you're looking for in their digital library, please connect with our office to discuss your needs.
Filming and COVID-19
While filming is permitted to occur in Ontario in all stages of the Province’s colour-tiered framework, including stay-at-home orders, there are stringent protocols in place that have been developed by public health officials for production crews and actors to be allowed to film safely. Learn about some of the protocols in place to keep visiting productions and our community safe.
Film industry safety protocols
The Ontario film industry has implemented very strict COVID-19 health and safety protocols. The guidelines have been incredibly effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19 among film production cast and crew.
Film and TV productions also operate as workplaces. The capacity limits specified in the regulations for organized public events and social gatherings under Ontario’s COVID-19 Response Framework do not apply to filming. Commercial film and television production is permitted, including all supporting activities such as hair, makeup and wardrobe within specified restrictions.
Productions are taking extraordinary steps to secure the safety of their cast and crew. Every member of a commercial production undergoes daily screenings before entering the worksite as well as private-lab COVID-19 testing at least once per week, with some tested 3-5 times per week. Medical professionals and special coordinators are on-site to enforce health and safety protocols, coordinate testing, perform sanitizing and cleaning, and conduct contact tracing when needed. Cast and crew are restricted to “zones” or “pods” to ensure proper distancing and to limit contact to the same group of people.
Film and TV productions also operate as workplaces. The capacity limits specified in the regulations for organized public events and social gatherings under Ontario’s COVID-19 Response Framework do not apply to filming. Commercial film and television production is permitted, including all supporting activities such as hair, makeup and wardrobe within specified restrictions.
Productions are taking extraordinary steps to secure the safety of their cast and crew. Every member of a commercial production undergoes daily screenings before entering the worksite as well as private-lab COVID-19 testing at least once per week, with some tested 3-5 times per week. Medical professionals and special coordinators are on-site to enforce health and safety protocols, coordinate testing, perform sanitizing and cleaning, and conduct contact tracing when needed. Cast and crew are restricted to “zones” or “pods” to ensure proper distancing and to limit contact to the same group of people.
Provincial information
- COVID-19: enhanced public health and workplace safety measures
- Ontario Creates: Ready To Roll
- Section 21 Filming Guidelines (in conjunction with The Ministry of Labour, Training, and Skills Development)
Meeting your needs
We are ready to call ACTION on your production; to work with you to find the right locations, connect with the right people, and get things right the first time. We know our community and know how to help you get the most out of it. Our community embraces the film industry and is excited to support small projects and major productions.
Tap into our hospitality, talent, and treasures that make St. Thomas an ideal setting for your production. Email or call our team today.
We are developing a list of film-friendly locations around the City. Contact us to help find the right locations for your production.
We are ready to call ACTION on your production; to work with you to find the right locations, connect with the right people, and get things right the first time. We know our community and know how to help you get the most out of it. Our community embraces the film industry and is excited to support small projects and major productions.
Tap into our hospitality, talent, and treasures that make St. Thomas an ideal setting for your production. Email or call our team today.
We are developing a list of film-friendly locations around the City. Contact us to help find the right locations for your production.