The city of Ottawa would like to breathe new life into plans for TV and film soundstage
Ottawa Film Commissioner Advocates for Specially Built Sound Stage Complex
Ottawa film commissioner Sandrine Pechels de Saint Sardos was born and raised in Paris, but has a career of three decades in the production sector of North America.
Dave Chan/The Globe and Mail
The national capital of Canada offers film and television producers a mix of city and national locations, a skilled workforce, and a film office to assist with planning. However, Ottawa’s film commissioner is pushing for a crucial addition to the city’s infrastructure: a specially built sound stage complex.
Sandrine Pechels de Saint Sardos, who has a rich background in the production industry across North America, highlights the absence of a dedicated sound stage complex in Ottawa as a significant challenge in attracting large-scale projects.
With over three decades of experience in sales, co-production, and distribution, Mrs. Pechels de Saint Sardos believes that Ottawa has untapped potential in the film industry. However, the lack of a purpose-built sound stage hinders the city’s ability to compete with other major Canadian production hubs.
The existing film and TV production landscape in Ottawa comprises a variety of projects, including films, series, and animation work. While the city offers picturesque outdoor locations, the absence of a large sound stage facility limits the scope of productions that can be accommodated.
Mrs. Pechels de Saint Sardos estimates that 400 to 600 inhabitants of Ottawa can be available on a certain day to work in production teams.
Dave Chan/The Globe and Mail
Efforts to establish a sound stage complex in Ottawa have faced challenges, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on planned developments. Despite setbacks, stakeholders see the potential for such a facility to enhance the city’s production capabilities.
Mayor Mark Sutcliffe emphasizes the importance of strengthening Ottawa’s position in the film and TV production industry to drive economic growth. Discussions are ongoing with potential investors and industry players to explore the feasibility of a modest-sized sound stage complex in the city.
Educational institutions like Algonquin College and Carleton University also see the value of a dedicated studio space for training and hands-on experience for students pursuing careers in film and media production.
While some local producers advocate for repurposing existing warehouse spaces, others like Shane Boucher recognize the benefits of a purpose-built sound stage with advanced technical capabilities for future productions in Ottawa.
As Ottawa aims to expand its presence in the film industry, the establishment of a state-of-the-art sound stage complex could elevate the city’s appeal to filmmakers and position it as a competitive destination for diverse productions.
