North Bay has been growing over the years as a real hub for the film and television industry, but today marked a big step into the future of North Bay’s role as a hub for filming in the North.
Producer Roma Roth was on the set of “Deadly Secrets by the Lake” to announce another six films would be shot in North Bay as a continuation of the mystery series they had planned—a commitment that would see $14 million in direct economic investment into the North and North Bay while also creating hundreds of jobs in the local entertainment industry.
“We’ve experienced significant economic impact from film and television choosing our region as a film destination for the past few years and we’re very proud of that,” Mayor Al McDonald said on set this afternoon. “Films here in our city have been embraced by our citizens, they employ hundreds of individuals and they also bring a vibrancy to our city as well as showcase it.”
When it came to choosing where to shoot, Roth said North Bay had the right look for what they needed.
“We were looking for a certain look: a lot of lakes, beautiful surroundings, and I wanted to establish a setting that we would be returning too,” she said, noting how she loved the atmosphere of the city.
Roth also announced they were looking at more than just a filming commitment, but to make North Bay an integral part of the production process on a more permanent basis.
“We would like North Bay to be more of a permanent home,” she said. “We’re looking for studio space.”
Roth explained a lot of the challenges productions face could be remedied by a local space, which would for example, allow them to store wardrobe instead of having to sell them after each shoot and repurchase at the start of a new one; as well as film all year round.
On the set of “Deadly Secrets by the Lake,” Roth said they employed northerners for 80 per cent of their crew. McDonald said these kinds of opportunities were important for the growth of the city and would continue to be as more productions come to North Bay.
“The film industry is critically important for Northern Ontario, because not only are you starting to see local people being hired, but we’re actually bringing people from Southern Ontario up to our communities,” he said. “I think it’s a collaboration of everybody making it successful and the credit really goes to the community, because they want to be a part of it.”
“Deadly Secrets by the Lake” stars Stefanie Von Pfetten (Cracked), Steven Byers (Slasher) and Tahmoh Penikett (Battlestar Galactica). The movie, currently shooting in North Bay, is being produced as part of a slate of original scripted shows, with A+E Networks, Harlequin Books and Corus Entertainment and will air across A+E Network’s channels and content partners globally.
Roth’s banner, Reel World Management, recently inked a multi-picture deal with A+E Networks that will bring over $14-million dollars in direct economic investment into the north and North Bay and will create hundreds of jobs for the local entertainment industry.
“Deadly Secrets by the Lake” is currently employing 58 northern hires which is an astounding 80 percent northern crew. Roth is proud to be working with the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) and Cultural Industries Ontario North (CION) to help build the northern film industry. This is Roth’s third film shot in Northern Ontario with the direct support of the NOHFC.
