Trillium Pictures is looking to build a film studio in Callander.
Film veterans and partners Frank Caruso, who’s also a long-time former area resident, and Warren Wayne presented their plans to municipal council this week.
The group is planning to build the facility on Terrace Road with construction hoped to begin this fall and take place over the winter so the first show can start filming by mid-summer next year.
Wayne says there have been 40 productions filmed in the area in the past year or so without a facility or stage.
“We saw this as a really big opportunity to bring professional studios to the area to service the projects that are already going through there,” Wayne says. “But also, to provide an opportunity for other projects that may be larger than the ones you’re usually getting to run through and have a place to be able to work on.”
The 16-acre building site will include two 20,000 square-foot sound stages along with one 30,000 square-foot stage.
There are also production offices, screening and viewing rooms, solar panel-covered parking, and more.
“The jobs there will be significant,” says Wayne. “Not just the construction jobs. There’s management, there’s security, there’s other businesses that are supporting the industry. You’ll have rentals, there will be a little coffee bar there.”
Trillium Picture’s presentation says film productions typically employ 75 film workers, meaning well over 225 film technicians could be on-site at any one time.
“The economic benefits to the municipality will be major, with both full-time employees and film workers spending money on hotels, hardware stores, restaurants, cafes, and other retail services,” states the council presentation.
Wayne says they also plan on training post-secondary students.
The next steps include completing the necessary studies for Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment applications.
Officials are hopeful there will be a public meeting in early fall.
