US shows filmed in Vancouver...how does that work for the actors?

[elfkin477]

Haven and Eureka are filmed in Vancouver, Harper's Island was filmed in Vancouver, five seasons of The X-Files were filmed in Vancouver as were the tangentially related series The Lone Gunmen and Millennium, Kingdom Hospital was filmed in Vancouver... And lots more shows (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Television_series_produced_in_Vancouver), especially those set in the US northwest and northeast. (Apparently some shows are now being filmed in Toronto too, though glancing through the list on wiki I mostly recognize Canadian shows set in Canada, with a few exceptions like The Dresden Files and Kevin Hill)

How does this work for the actors, though? Most of them are US citizens. Do they need to get work visas? Where do they live while filming? How long does it take to film 13-24 episodes/year of a TV show, anyway?

[antonio107]

Haven and Eureka are filmed in Vancouver, Harper's Island was filmed in Vancouver, five seasons of The X-Files were filmed in Vancouver as were the tangentially related series The Lone Gunmen and Millennium, Kingdom Hospital was filmed in Vancouver... And lots more shows (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Television_series_produced_in_Vancouver), especially those set in the US northwest and northeast. (Apparently some shows are now being filmed in Toronto too, though glancing through the list on wiki I mostly recognize Canadian shows set in Canada, with a few exceptions like The Dresden Files and Kevin Hill)

How does this work for the actors, though? Most of them are US citizens. Do they need to get work visas? Where do they live while filming? How long does it take to film 13-24 episodes/year of a TV show, anyway?

My guess to the work Visa issues is that it depends on the country of origin of the studio making the picture. I'm assuming this based on years worth of watching hockey. If you're playing 20 road games in the US, but your NHL club is based out of Ottawa or Toronto, you need a Canadian work permit. If you suddenly get traded to an American club, your paycheques are coming from a different country, and your paperwork needs to reflect that.

[RickJay]

You just get a work visa.

Production companies have the acquisition of work visas down to a science. Remember, this is an issue in Hollywood too, which is crawling with Canadian, British, and Australian actors, among others.

[Bijou Drains]

In some cases with NHL trades from a Canadian team to an American team they have to sit out a few games until the paperwork is approved. I think that mostly applies to guys from Europe.

In general it takes a week to film 1 TV episode.

[Cat Whisperer]

My guess is that the production companies or studios or whatever it is that do this all the time have it down to a science - they know all the forms to fill out and all the hoops to jump through and all the departments to contact.

"Supernatural" is also shot in Vancouver, and they make jokes about in in the show sometimes (the one that stands out in my memory is when they were on a backlot that was supposed to be in LA, and the boys comment on how cold it was; "Yeah, it's like Canadian cold out here today." :D ) They have also complained that they shoot in Canada in the summer, and they are always in three layers of cotton and flannel every day and just dying from the heat.

[GreasyJack]

Of course half the reason why they're up there in the first place is that the Canadian government has put a lot of effort into trying to attract movie projects. I'm sure they've made it so the visa process is essentially automatic for the film industry.

[Kyla]

They have also complained that they shoot in Canada in the summer, and they are always in three layers of cotton and flannel every day and just dying from the heat.

Well, that is a tragic wardrobe decision. I have some recommendations on how to correct this problem, if they are interested.

:cool:

The Supernatural cast's solution to the housing issue was apparently to buy a house in Vancouver and live together.

[Attack from the 3rd dimension]

I should also add the Vancouver library stood in for part of Caprica's capital in BSG

[Spoons]

It appears that, for certain categories of foreign workers, a work visa is not required at all. See this page (http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/apply-who-nopermit.asp) from Citizenship and Immigration Canada; and in reference to the OP's question, see especially "Performing Artists" at about the middle of the page.

[Cat Whisperer]

Well, that is a tragic wardrobe decision. I have some recommendations on how to correct this problem, if they are interested.

:cool:
<snip>
I second that heartily! All shirtless, all the time! Well, Bobby can wear a t-shirt.

[antonio107]

In some cases with NHL trades from a Canadian team to an American team they have to sit out a few games until the paperwork is approved. I think that mostly applies to guys from Europe.

In general it takes a week to film 1 TV episode.

Not true. Mike Fisher--sighs--was just traded from Ottawa to Nashville, and since he never played for an American club before, he's just working out visa issues now.

[elfkin477]

It appears that, for certain categories of foreign workers, a work visa is not required at all. See this page (http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/apply-who-nopermit.asp) from Citizenship and Immigration Canada; and in reference to the OP's question, see especially "Performing Artists" at about the middle of the page.The page says that people performing in movies and TV shows don't qualify for this visa exception, which I guess answers my question.

[beartato]

My husband watches Fringe, and from the bits and bobs I've scene of it, the main cast is good but the extras and guest players are usually TERRIBLE. I'm wondering if this is because it's harder to get people to answer casting calls when the show is shot in Vancouver? Either because of travel (not a big deal I'd imagine) or visa purposes for a one-episode gig?

[GythaOgg]

I know in the case of Eureka, they cast as many extras, etc in Vancouver. Out of the main cast, Erika Cerra (Jo) and Neil Grayston (Fargo) both live in Vancouver to start with...I believe Nial Matter (Zane) is also Canadian. Colin Ferguson (Carter) actually has Canadian citizenship, though he's also obtained US citizenship and actually lives in LA. He's stated he keeps an apartment in Vancouver to use during filming. The writers/producers have commented they have to limit their use of US-based guest stars due to transportation and housing costs.

[RikWriter]

I know in the case of Eureka, they cast as many extras, etc in Vancouver. Out of the main cast, Erika Cerra (Jo) and Neil Grayston (Fargo) both live in Vancouver to start with...I believe Nial Matter (Zane) is also Canadian. Colin Ferguson (Carter) actually has Canadian citizenship, though he's also obtained US citizenship and actually lives in LA. He's stated he keeps an apartment in Vancouver to use during filming. The writers/producers have commented they have to limit their use of US-based guest stars due to transportation and housing costs.

Why not film it in Oregon? Just a dumb question I know, but...

[Susanann]

How does this work for the actors, though? Most of them are US citizens. Do they need to get work visas?
It does not sound right for so many actors, and sports players to so easily go to Canada. It does not make sense.

Canada does not allow felons, people convicted of DUI, etc. to enter their country.......... and we all know such illegal background is kinda common among Hollywood or sports types.

[Bridget Burke]

Why not film it in Oregon? Just a dumb question I know, but...

Vancouver has made an effort (http://www.vancouver.com/movies/hollywood_north/vancouver_film_industry_overview/) to become a filmmaking center.
The film industry contributes over $1 billion annually to the economy of BC and employs almost 50,000 people.

Hollywood was first attracted by a favourable exchange rate and lucrative tax incentives offered by local and provincial governments. The diverse geography of the area also allowed BC to double as just about anywhere, from big cities to deserts. Now, productions come to Vancouver to take advantage of first rate crews, equipment, studios and a cooperative local government.

I don't know about their immigration laws, but allowing a few "stars" from Down South still provides many jobs for other actors & the crews.

Some US states have film commissions to lure production companies away from LA (or Vancouver.) The Texas Film Commission did good work for years but has had some recent setbacks (http://www.texasobserver.org/criticsnotebook/revenge-of-the-b-movie).

[kenobi 65]

I know in the case of Eureka, they cast as many extras, etc in Vancouver.

Over the years, my wife has been a fan of a number of shows filmed in Vancouver (The X-Files, The Sentinel, Supernatural, Stargate, BSG, Eureka, etc.). She always seems to spot guest actors / extras who have appeared in other shows she watches ("Hey, that guy was in Stargate!"). It does seem like the same actors keep popping up over and over.

[Bridget Burke]

Another name for Spotting the Canadian Actor: Six Degrees of Callum Keith Rennie.

[Le Ministre de l'au-delà]

This might be a good time to mention 'Made in Canada (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Made_in_Canada)', a TV series that followed the fortunes of Pyramid Productions, a fictional production company in the Canadian film and television industry best known for their hit 'Prom Night at Horny High' and as the series unfolds, producers of the highly successful series 'The Sword of Damacles' (sic) and 'Beaver Creek'. Like 'Slings and Arrows', this is an exquisite inside job, based on all sorts of incidents that are too real to be true...

First episode of the first season can be found here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycGzFlkbOiY)...

[Bridget Burke]

And it's just a coincidence that the logo for Alliance (now Alliance Atlantis) Communications is a pyramid? Ah--from your link:
In 1998, two real-life Canadian film and television studios, Alliance Communications and Atlantis Communications, merged into the modern Alliance Atlantis. This merger was parodied on Made in Canada, when Pyramid merged with a company called Prodigy and became known as Pyramid Prodigy. (Ironically, Alliance Atlantis later purchased Salter Street Films, the producers of Made in Canada.)

Thanks for the Youtube link. I caught a few episodes & like that Canadian humor/humour.

And one of the stars is Leah Pinsent--daughter of Gordon Pinsent who appeared as Sgt Bob Fraser in Due South, which featured Callum Keith Rennie as The Second Detective Veccio....

[kenobi 65]

Another name for Spotting the Canadian Actor: Six Degrees of Callum Keith Rennie.

:snort!: I like it.

[Attack from the 3rd dimension]

And it's just a coincidence that the logo for Alliance (now Alliance Atlantis) Communications is a pyramid? Ah--from your link:


Thanks for the Youtube link. I caught a few episodes & like that Canadian humor/humour.

And one of the stars is Leah Pinsent--daughter of Gordon Pinsent who appeared as Sgt Bob Fraser in Due South, which featured Callum Keith Rennie as The Second Detective Veccio....

I was just going to mention Gordon Pinsent, as one of the usual suspects in films made north of the border.

[Cat Whisperer]

They're not actually allowed to make a Canadian production without Callum Keith Rennie, are they? Isn't it included in the CanCon laws somewhere? :)

[detop]

They're not actually allowed to make a Canadian production without Callum Keith Rennie, are they? Isn't it included in the CanCon laws somewhere? :)
I think they are in the process of amending the law by including Rekha Sharma (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0788907/) in it.

[D18]

They're not actually allowed to make a Canadian production without Callum Keith Rennie, are they? Isn't it included in the CanCon laws somewhere? :)

More or less! There was a great bit on Kids in the Hall on "How to Become a Canadian Actor" and "become friends with Callum Keith Rennie" was high on the list.

My favourite CKR quote? From Last Night (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0156729/) "Would you like a drink? I have . . . drinks." Was his catch phrase throughout the movie and given the storyline, was really, really sad.

[Evil Captor]

The SciFi sereis "Flash Gordon" was filmed in Vancouver, and although the series had many, many problems, I have to say I had major issues with the Planet Mongo looking like the Pacific Northwest.

[Bridget Burke]

When I was a kid, local TV stations re-ran the old Flash Gordon serials (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B707Ava4wrY) constantly.

So I know the scenery is mostly papier mache boulders. That later showed up in "clearings outside of town" on The Lone Ranger; newly spray-painted, they appeared on weird planets where Redshirts meant their doom.

And the buildings are Art Deco. (All in Black & White, of course.)

[sqweels]

What if an actor has a DUI on his record?

[beartato]

What if an actor has a DUI on his record?

From the Government of Canada's website in the section of Foreign Travel and International Affairs (http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/anchorage/offices-bureaux/know-savoir.aspx?lang=eng):

You may not be permitted to enter Canada if you have a criminal conviction, including a conviction for driving while impaired, known in the United States as driving under the influence (DUI). More information about inadmissibility to Canada is listed below in the section “DUI/Admissibility.” For more details on visiting Canada, please refer to Visiting Canada.

The same page states:

DUI/Admissibility

Security and enforcement at the Canada-United States border has heightened in recent years. For this reason, more U.S. citizens with past criminal charges or convictions are refused entry into Canada.

Almost all convictions (including DUI, reckless driving, misdemeanour drug possession, all felonies, shoplifting, etc.) make a person inadmissible to Canada, regardless of how long ago they occurred. For this reason, it is not recommended that persons with past convictions attempt to enter Canada without first obtaining necessary documents. It is always the final decision of officers at ports of entry to decide whether a person is allowed into Canada.

There are several ways individuals can overcome criminal inadmissibility:

Deemed rehabilitation at a Canadian port of entry.
Apply for rehabilitation through a Canadian Consulate in the United States.
Temporary resident permit through a Canadian Consulate in the United States.

Deemed Rehabilitation

Persons are eligible to apply for deemed rehabilitation at a port of entry if the following are true:

There was only one conviction in total or one criminal act.
At least ten years have elapsed since all of the sentences for the conviction were completed.
The conviction would not be considered serious criminality in Canada (most felony convictions in the United States are considered serious criminality in Canada).
The conviction did not involve any serious property damage, physical harm to any person, or any type of weapon.

A person who wishes to be considered for deemed rehabilitation may bring the following documents to a port of entry during regular business hours (Monday - Friday between 8 am and 5 pm):

A completed application form - available online at Rehabilitation for persons who are inadmissible to Canada because of past criminal activity.
U.S. passport or birth certificate plus photo identification.
A copy of court documents for each conviction, and proof that all sentences were completed.
A recent FBI criminal record check.
Recent police certificates from the state where the conviction(s) occurred and from any state where a person has lived for six months or longer in the last ten years.

Application for Rehabilitation

You may apply for rehabilitation if at least five years have passed since the completion of the sentence imposed for your crime. You may send an application for rehabilitation with all the required accompanying documents to the Immigration section of the Canadian Consulate General in Seattle. Applications can be found at "Are you inadmissible to Canada?".

Please note there is no guarantee that rehabilitation will be granted; the decision to approve or refuse rehabilitation is made after consideration of all the factors in the case.



Anecdotally, it seems to sometimes be an issue that will have you turned back at the border, sometimes not an issue, even when it comes to convictions that are 30-plus years old. I seem to remember people commenting on it when George W Bush was president and came to Canada a few times, as he was arrested for DUI in the 70s. But it's not like it full on stops you from entering the country - I think Hollywood agents and handlers would, in general, be pretty well versed in going through the steps mentioned above to overcome inadmissibility for their clients.

[elfkin477]

The SciFi sereis "Flash Gordon" was filmed in Vancouver, and although the series had many, many problems, I have to say I had major issues with the Planet Mongo looking like the Pacific Northwest.That's sort of what got me thinking about the topic: someone posted a Stargate photo captured "Did you ever notice how many alien planets look like Vancouver?" :D

[medstar]

Well, that is a tragic wardrobe decision. I have some recommendations on how to correct this problem, if they are interested.

:cool:

The Supernatural cast's solution to the housing issue was apparently to buy a house in Vancouver and live together.

Would that just include "Sam" and "Dean" or other Americans in the cast?


Do they need a housekeeper?:D

[tingbudong]

I've always felt that Vancouver was always an odd choice as a major filming center. It has a very, very unique landscape and weather pattern.

It obviously works well for work set in temperate coastal environments and for pieces requiring spooky settings (ala X-Files). But at times it is asked to act as a stand-in for an 'any-city' or even more specific locations that have little in common with Vancouver. Romeo Must Die (apparently set in Oakland, filmed in Van) is the most blatant head scratcher that comes immediately to mind with numerous scenes showing the snow-capped peaks in the background. Could be crappy editing, but it can be tough to pass Vancouver off as a substitute for other cities, relative to say, Toronto (Toronto does have it's own large filming industry).

[Kyla]

Would that just include "Sam" and "Dean" or other Americans in the cast?

No, it was just the two of them. They lived together for a few years, but apparently sold the house over the summer, and now live separately, much to the misery of conspiracy theorists in the fandom.

[medstar]

No, it was just the two of them. They lived together for a few years, but apparently sold the house over the summer, and now live separately, much to the misery of conspiracy theorists in the fandom.

Probably when Jared got married, right?

[Kyla]

Probably when Jared got married, right?

They both got married, within a couple months of each other. Of course I have no particular insight, but it's easy to assume that that's why they moved apart. IMHO, it is actually kind of weird to live with your buddy in a bachelor pad when you're married, even if your wife isn't around all the time.