TORONTO – BUSINESS – Have you ever wondered about why communities like Calgary, Toronto and Vancouver are so determined to bring movie production into their communities? In addition to featuring those cities in the movies where millions of people will see the city, there is the economic benefit that those movies bring to the host communities.
Economic data released today shows the financial impact HBO’s upcoming Fahrenheit 451 had in the province of Ontario. Over the course of filming, the production hired 1,700 Canadian cast, crew, and extras, spending more than $9.6M on local wages.
Starring Michael B. Jordan, Michael Shannon, Sofia Boutella and Toronto’s Lilly Singh, the dystopian sci-fi adaptation was filmed in and around Toronto and Hamilton in 2017. While in Ontario, the production benefitted over 600 local vendors and businesses spending more than:
- $2.9 million on local rentals and set decoration, production and other supplies;
- $435,000 on transportation, including truck and car rentals;
- $405,000 on local catering and craft services;
- $285,000 on hotels; and
- $235,000 on local wardrobe, including dry cleaning.
“Our film, television and digital industry is an important economic driver for us in Toronto and it’s clear when you look at the economic impact of a production like HBO’s film adaptation of Fahrenheit 451,” said Mayor John Tory. “We have tremendous Toronto talent in front of and behind the camera. We will keep working with our industry partners like HBO so they have what they need to create jobs, attract talent and contribute to our economy.”
“On behalf of the filmmakers and HBO, we sincerely appreciate the incredible support from Mayor Tory and everybody in Toronto who helped to make ‘Fahrenheit 451’ a success,” said Jay Roewe, HBO Senior Vice President, Production.
“The figures released today demonstrate how many talented local men and women working in front of and behind the camera, and a variety of local businesses benefit from a single production like HBO’s Fahrenheit 451,” said Wendy Noss, President, Motion Picture Association – Canada. “It is no wonder the vast majority of Ontarians believe that film and television production is a significant and growing part of Ontario’s economy.
Fahrenheit 451 will be released on May 19th.