Filming In Brantford: 2020 Recap

Filming In Brantford: 2020 Recap

The Economic Development & Tourism department welcomed ten productions to the City of Brantford in 2020—a new record for the city, despite a three-month provincial shut down of the filming industry from mid-March to mid-June. The Tourism Centre phone lines were hot with requests early in the year, prior to COVID-19’s arrival in Canada, with TV Series Blood and Water and Phoenix both shooting here in March.

Once the Brant County Health Unit was permitted to enter Stage 2 on June 12, the phone lines got even hotter. Since August, the City of Brantford has welcomed eight more productions, which includes two commercial shoots and six television productions. With many movie theatres closed throughout the world, the filming industry is seeing a big shift towards TV production right now to meet increased audience demand for more content that can be consumed at home.

City staff meets regularly with the Ontario Film Commission (Ontario Creates) to ensure that productions are adhering to safety regulations to keep workers and our community safe and healthy during COVID-19. These protocols were developed in cooperation with the relevant unions, guilds and various levels of government, and have been endorsed by the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development. The full document can be viewed on the filmsafety.ca website. The pandemic changes on day-to-day basis, and with the province’s new coloured-coded tiered framework, filming is permissible in all 5 stages, including lockdown. In the event of a lockdown, filming will adhere to the public health measures listed in the ‘red’ zone.

Here’s a sneak peek the Brantford productions you can expect to see on the small screen in 2021: 

Television

Blood and Water

A Canadian TV series that revolves around a young female police detective who is fighting cancer and trying to solve the murder of a Vancouver billionaire's drug-addicted son. The series breaks down barriers by integrating Mandarin, Cantonese and English languages onscreen. It is broadcast on OMNI Television.

Location: Elements Casino Brantford

Phoenix (x2)

An American dystopian drama television series following a second American civil war wherein a totalitarian society subjects fertile women into child-bearing slavery.

March Location: 1 Market Street, Brant’s Crossing

November Location: Queen St. (between Dalhousie & Colborne St.) Colborne St.

Murdoch Mysteries

Set in 1908 Ontario, Murdoch Mysteries explores the intriguing world of William Murdoch, who pioneers advanced forensic techniques to solve the most challenging crimes. Season fourteen of the Murdoch Mysteries will air on CBC.

Location: Glenhyrst Art Gallery of Brant

Departure

A Canadian conspiracy web television series based on a mysterious train crash, with a race to pinpoint possible suspects and motives. Season 1 followed the mystery of Flight 716 – a passenger plane that vanishes over the Atlantic Ocean.

Location: Birkett Lane & Dike Trail

Frankie Drake

A Canadian drama consisting of Frankie Drake and her partner Trudy who run an all-female private detective service in Toronto set in the 1920s. The fourth season is scheduled to air in early 2021 on CBC. 

Location: George St. (out front of Carnegie Building)

Mayday

A Canadian documentary television program examining air crashes, near-crashes, hijackings, bombings, and other disasters. Using reenactments and computer-generated imagery, Mayday reconstructs the sequence of events leading up to each disaster. Survivors, pilots, aviation experts, and crash investigators all help to explain the incidents, their subsequent investigations and how they can be prevented

Location: Brantford Municipal Airport

All-Round Champion

A Canadian reality TV series that features ten elite athletes from North America as they compete in the ultimate sports competition. The unique twist is that they don’t compete in their own sports – they will compete in each other’s. The athlete who earns the most points is crowned All-Round Champion.

Location: Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts

Commercial

(Photoshoots + Short Video)

Elle Canada – Brantford Municipal Airport

Kid Food Nation – Various streets, downtown Brantford

Upcoming Film Notices can be viewed on the City of Brantford website to inform the public of any road closures or disruptions for specific filming projects. For more information about filming in Brantford, please visit advantagebrantford.ca or contact a City of Brantford staff film liaison by phone at 519-751-9900 or e-mail at film@brantford.ca.