# US shows filmed in Vancouver...how does that work for the actors? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 12, 2011, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-shows-filmed-in-vancouver-how-does-that-work-for-the-actors/571137 "2011-02-12T16:35:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2011, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-shows-filmed-in-vancouver-how-does-that-work-for-the-actors/571137/21 "2011-02-14T19:19:34Z")
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… ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2011, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-shows-filmed-in-vancouver-how-does-that-work-for-the-actors/571137/22 "2011-02-14T19:58:58Z")
> [@Bridget\_Burke](#): > > Another name for Spotting the Canadian Actor: Six Degrees of Callum Keith Rennie. :snort!: I like it. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2011, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-shows-filmed-in-vancouver-how-does-that-work-for-the-actors/571137/23 "2011-02-15T01:16:38Z")
> [@Bridget\_Burke](#): > > 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. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2011, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-shows-filmed-in-vancouver-how-does-that-work-for-the-actors/571137/24 "2011-02-15T03:58:16Z")
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? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![detop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@detop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/detop)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2011, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-shows-filmed-in-vancouver-how-does-that-work-for-the-actors/571137/25 "2011-02-15T12:59:29Z")
> [@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? 🙂 I think they are in the process of amending the law by including [Rekha Sharma](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0788907/) in it. ---
**Author:** ![D18](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@D18](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D18)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2011, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-shows-filmed-in-vancouver-how-does-that-work-for-the-actors/571137/26 "2011-02-15T16:47:54Z")
> [@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? 🙂 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. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2011, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-shows-filmed-in-vancouver-how-does-that-work-for-the-actors/571137/27 "2011-02-15T17:54:58Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2011, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-shows-filmed-in-vancouver-how-does-that-work-for-the-actors/571137/28 "2011-02-15T18:30:28Z")
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.) ---
**Author:** ![sqweels](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f19dbf/32.png) [@sqweels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sqweels)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2011, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-shows-filmed-in-vancouver-how-does-that-work-for-the-actors/571137/29 "2011-02-15T20:59:40Z")
What if an actor has a DUI on his record? ---
**Author:** ![beartato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9d8465/32.png) [@beartato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beartato)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2011, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-shows-filmed-in-vancouver-how-does-that-work-for-the-actors/571137/30 "2011-02-15T21:20:13Z")
> [@sqweels](#): > > 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. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2011, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-shows-filmed-in-vancouver-how-does-that-work-for-the-actors/571137/31 "2011-02-15T22:34:29Z")
> [@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. 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?” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![medstar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f07891/32.png) [@medstar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/medstar)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-shows-filmed-in-vancouver-how-does-that-work-for-the-actors/571137/32 "2011-02-16T02:03:28Z")
> [@Kyla](#): > > Well, that is a tragic wardrobe decision. I have some recommendations on how to correct this problem, if they are interested. > > 🆒 > > 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?😃 ---
**Author:** ![tingbudong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tingbudong/32/520_2.png) [@tingbudong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tingbudong)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-shows-filmed-in-vancouver-how-does-that-work-for-the-actors/571137/33 "2011-02-16T03:15:30Z")
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). ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-shows-filmed-in-vancouver-how-does-that-work-for-the-actors/571137/34 "2011-02-16T03:31:18Z")
> [@medstar](#): > > 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. ---
**Author:** ![medstar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f07891/32.png) [@medstar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/medstar)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2011, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-shows-filmed-in-vancouver-how-does-that-work-for-the-actors/571137/35 "2011-02-17T02:44:19Z")
> [@Kyla](#): > > 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? ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2011, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-shows-filmed-in-vancouver-how-does-that-work-for-the-actors/571137/36 "2011-02-17T03:50:09Z")
> [@medstar](#): > > 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. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-shows-filmed-in-vancouver-how-does-that-work-for-the-actors/571137.md?page=1)