Filmport

Filmport is a major film studio project in Toronto, Canada. When completed it will be the largest film studio in the city, and the first in Toronto capable of accommodating large blockbuster movies that previously could not film in Toronto.cite web|url=http://www.filmport.ca/ |title=Official site: FILMPORT|accessdate=2008-02-04] The studio is designed to accommodate the production of five simultaneous mid sized feature films, or two massive projects. The largest soundstage will be 4,000 square metres. When completed, it will be the largest soundstage in the world.cite web|url=http://torontoist.com/2007/07/filmport.php |title=Torontoist: "Curtain Rising On New Film Megastudio."|accessdate=2008-02-04] There will also be six smaller soundstages. The studio will also house an array of office space and ancillary services. The most notable planned structure for the site is the office and event space designed by British architect Will Alsop, best known in Toronto for the unique design of OCAD's expansion.cite web|url=http://dcnonl.com/article/id23992 |title=Daily Commercial News & Construction Record: "Filmport unveils Toronto Port Lands’ crown jewel."|accessdate=2008-02-04]

The project will cover 20 hectares of land in the Port Lands area of Toronto, a former industrial region, that is already home to a number of smaller studios. The Port Lands site was originally a deeply polluted area owned by Imperial Oil, and required considerable cleanup prior to reuse. The city, and the Toronto Economic Development Corporation, which leased the land to Filmport,cite web|url=http://www.toronto.ca/tobusiness/2007-august.htm#story6 |title= Toronto Economic Development Corporation: "FILMPORT to include largest sound-stage in North America."|accessdate=2008-02-04] hope that the studio will become the centre of a revitalized neighbourhood that will also be home to hotels, restaurants and shops.cite web|url=http://www.rosecorp.com/pdfs/filmport_brochure.pdf |title= (www.rosecorp.com) "FILMPORT: The Beginning."|accessdate=2008-02-04]

Initial work on the complex began in August 2006cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodnorthreport.com/article.php?Article=5146 |title= (www.hollywoodnorthreport.com) "Ontario Liberals Boosting Film/ TV Tax Credits."|accessdate=2008-02-04] and the first phase opened on August 20, 2008. [cite web| title = Burgers, optimism at Filmport opening| author = Rob Roberts| url = http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/toronto/archive/2008/08/19/filmport-arrives-with-a-flourish-but-without-work.aspx| work = National Post| date = 2008-08-20| accessdate = 2008-08-25 ] The second phase of the project is slatted for completion is 2010.cite web|url=http://www.e-architect.co.uk/toronto/filmport_toronto.htm |title= e-architect: "Toronto Architecture - Key Buildings in North America."|accessdate=2008-02-04] It is being developed by the Rose Film Studioscite web|url=http://www.rosecorp.com/film_studios.html |title= Official site: The Rose Corporation |accessdate=2008-02-04] and the Toronto Film Studios company,cite web|url=http://www.torontofilmstudios.com/ |title= Official site: Toronto Film Studios |accessdate=2008-02-04] which owns a larger 27,000 square metre facility nearby that is closing at the end of 2008. [cite web
title = Filmport arrives with a flourish, but without work
author = Rob Roberts
url = http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/toronto/archive/2008/08/19/filmport-arrives-with-a-flourish-but-without-work.aspx
work = National Post
date = 2008-08-19
accessdate = 2008-08-25 ] TFS won a bidding war with Pinewood Studios for the site. Pinewood is currently planning to build a facility in the city's west end. It is also being funded by Paul Bronfman's Comweb which owns interests in a number of film studios. The entire Filmport project will cost some $700 million.cite web|url=http://www.thestar.com/Business/article/203065 |title= Toronto Star: "Blockbuster directors to build T.O. studio."|accessdate=2008-02-04] cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/arts/film/story/2007/04/14/pinewood-toronto.html?ref=rss |title= CBC.ca: "Massive new studio expected to open in Toronto: report"|accessdate=2008-02-04]

References

*"Coming attraction. Godzilla of film studios to rise on Toronto waterfront" Toronto Star. Toronto, Ont.: Sep 16, 2005. pg. B.01
*"Film centre plans buoy hopes for Port Lands; Alsop-Designed Building." Kelly Patrick. National Post. Don Mills, Ont.: Aug 9, 2007. pg. A.11
*"Bronfman joins Filmport mega-studio partners." Geoff Nixon. The Globe and Mail. Toronto, Ont.: Jul 5, 2007. pg. A.11
*"$100M movie complex finally breaks ground." Natalie Alcoba. National Post. Don Mills, Ont.: Sep 7, 2006. pg. A.12

External links

* [http://www.filmport.ca/ Filmport.ca] - Official site of Filmport
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbdjJkKC5No Filmport video] from Youtube