Over the past few years, the Municipality of Mississippi Mills has been used as the location for numerous film productions. Production requests are increasing in regularity. While there may be an appeal and potential economic benefit, some residents and businesses may be negatively affected by these productions.
To protect the interests and mitigate the negative impact on its residents, property owners and business owners, the Mississippi Mills Municipal Council has tasked the Community & Economic Development(C&EDC) Advisory Committee with the
development of a Filming Policy, which will include an application, operational guidelines and a permit process.
The C&EDC Committee believes the core purpose of this essential Filming Policy is: To ensure there is a fair, safe, respectful, and mutually beneficial relationship
between all parties, if allowed to continue filming in Mississippi Mills.
In order to create this policy the first step will be to conduct a public survey.
Movies shot in Mississippi Mills
The House Sitter 2007
Clara’s Deadly Secret 2013
A Rooftop Christmas 2015
Two Countries 2015
Awakening the Zodiac 2016
Love on a Limb 2016
Christmas Festival of Ice 2017
The No Escape Room Spring 2018
Mommy’s Little Princess July 2018
Christmas Around the Corner September 2018
Christmas Coach February 2019
Christmas Scavenger Hunt March 2019
The Exchange April 2019
Why Almonte (Mississippi Mills)
Pretty Heritage Downtown (resembles New Hampshire town) Our proximity to Ottawa. Most films that have shot films here have done some of the shots in Ottawa as well. They rent warehouses for scenes that require a set. Most staff and crew that work with the Movie teams are from Ottawa and area. They commute to work each day. Typically only the Director, Executive Producer and main cast usually come from away.
Being a small town we "all know each other and we know our assets location manager will call looking for …big country house that's Christmassy or
Haunted looking etc.
Wood sided larger homes that are set back off the street and have a room between them but not acres apart. They have used Elgin St. often. It’s a older residential area and the houses look like small town USA. Most residents on this street are friendly and like the attention.
How we help
First call is typically a Location Scout or Manager, they come back with Director and team once location is confirmed
Currently we don’t require filming permits etc. and we don’t charge.
Right now the only thing we need to go to Council for is full road closures. If they do require a road closure I get the information and do a staff report. Council has been supportive as long as they feel the community has been property notified. (This may change)
We help make connections to home owners, service groups, businesses, accommodations
We make suggestions of where they can park their trailers, tech trucks etc.
We help solve problems
I share info with business community, staff, council etc.
Help promote calls for extras, opportunities for employment etc.
Constantly tell people how great this is for our town.
3 weeks lead time,
3 weeks filming, 2 day clean-up
Movie productions have provided us with rough estimates from $40,000 to 130,000 spent in town over 2-3 weeks.
- paying for locations, homes, businesses, condos, AOTH
- renting accommodations (director, lead actors)
- renting space to build sets
- renting items for the set: furniture, artwork, props
- Building supplies - hardware store
- Paying businesses to close,
- Paying businesses for disruptions ($?)
- hiring local extras and security
- Food – catering?
Other benefits
Alternate revenue for facilities & businesses (dead
time)
Reputation of pretty town – “Hallmark town”
Additional tourism (during and after)
Putting us on the Map
Local pride (Facebook posts)
Helpful information to have ready
Asset inventory
Information for unique, or beautiful, or classic heritage homes, Churches,
Pretty downtown streets etc. A wood workshop, a Christmas Tree Farm, a
skating rink, a “New York styled loft” They like wood houses, larger homes with yards. Sometimes they will say we need a 50’s neighbourhood, or a modern area…. it’s good to know your buildings and have photos to send when asked.
Large empty buildings they can rent to build sets or interior shoot scenes.
Contacts, dimensions for these places, ceiling height, how big are the entrance doors? Can they drive into the building? How many parking spaces are available there (indoor heated parking for camera trucks, Cold storage for ice…)
Caterers, Halls and spaces they can rent to feed the crew and staff – different
locations close to where they would be shooting
Accommodations, (with rough costs) hotels, B&Bs, longer term furnished
What is their process
Do they need to get a permit? What does it cost?
Who do they talk to about flying a US Flag
Can they rent on street parking – can they park on the street? Where can they
park (all seasons)
Can they close the road? How?
Who do they call for paid off duty police
Do they require a traffic plan – who can they hire to do this?
Issues
Dealing with people who don’t know the area – miscommunication, delays
Short notice requests
Last minute changes
Staff time - unscheduled
Underestimation timeline etc/ managing issues
Mess – extended period of time (fake snow) drain on business
Communication (ongoing manpower)
Impact on businesses (all businesses)
Neighbour disputes (noise, diesel)
Parking issues (drain on parking)
US flag
Outside Catering (perception)
Dead plants
Disruption to residents daily activities (post office, bank, lawyer)
Private property
Rude staff/ miscommunication
Clean-up, damage repair – timeline (painting)
Garbage – quantity
Smoking (management)
Difference of opinions (infighting)
