Filming policy review aims to protect communities while attracting production companies and economic benefits

Paris was transformed into fictional Ironwood, Pennsylvania while cast and crew from the Amazon TV show, Motorheads, filmed its first scenes downtown, at the Paris Dam and Bean Park in April 2024. The former Paris Home Hardware building, now the Losani office, was transformed into a diner and hardware store for the series. 

Casandra Turnbull

Managing Editor

Residents and business owners across the County of Brant are being invited to weigh in on a municipal filming policy developed in the wake of a large-scale television production that brought both economic opportunity and disruption to downtown Paris.

The County’s Film Policy was adopted in September 2024 following the filming of Motorheads, an Amazon Prime television series that shot extensively in Paris. While the production generated international exposure and economic activity, it also sparked concerns locally about noise, parking, road closures and communication. These are the issues the County now wants public feedback on as it reviews the policy one year later 

Zach Gable, the County’s director of economic development and tourism, said the policy has given staff clear tools to manage filming requests while ensuring expectations are communicated to production companies.

“The policy has been effective in giving staff a tool to provide clear expectations to production companies,” Gable said, noting that several productions have taken place across the county since its adoption 

According to Gable, Motorheads marked the largest and most frequent filming activity the County had experienced, particularly in Paris, and highlighted the need for formal guidelines. The Amazon Prime series focused most of its filming at Penman’s Dam Park, Bean Park and Grand River Street North over the course of 21 days. It brought in an estimated $750,000, according to the county’s 2024 year end economic development and tourism report.

“Prior to Motorheads there was no policy,” he said. “This was the largest frequency and largest scale production to take place in the community, which led to the creation of the initial policy” 

The Film Policy recognizes the film and television sector as an emerging economic driver and encourages productions to use local accommodations, caterers, suppliers and labour, while also promoting Brant County as a filming-friendly destination 

Provincially, Ontario’s screen-based industries generate billions of dollars annually in direct and indirect economic activity, with rural and small-town locations increasingly sought after for their historic streetscapes and natural settings.

At the same time, the policy places specific limits on filming in downtown Paris, including seasonal restrictions, time-of-day limits and discouraging repeated or prolonged productions in the core. Exterior filming in downtown Paris is prohibited during peak summer months and the holiday season, and productions are required to notify affected businesses and consult with business associations in advance. 

Gable said balancing those competing interests, economic development and community impact, is central to the review.

“During the Motorheads production, concerns were raised about the impact filming had on downtown Paris, despite the economic contribution made by the production company,” he said. “The County is committed to balancing the positive economic benefits of filming with the logistical challenges and temporary disruptions it can create for the community” 

Communication has been a recurring theme in public feedback, particularly in smaller communities like Paris, where even short-term filming can have outsized effects. The policy requires advance notification to residents and businesses, but the County is seeking input on whether those measures are sufficient.

“The nature of the film industry is quite challenging at times,” Gable said, citing weather and changing schedules. “Communication with the public is very important and staff will review feedback from the community on desired notification.” 

Ultimately, Gable said success would mean finding the right scale of filming that aligns with Brant County’s character while ensuring residents and businesses feel heard.

“The policy is intended to ‘right size’ filming in the community,” he said. “Appropriate-scale activity that utilizes the County’s natural and built heritage can still create economic opportunities and be a source of community pride” Public feedback will be used to inform any potential amendments to the Film Policy as the County continues positioning itself as both film-friendly and community-focused. The full policy, along with a survey is posted on EngageBrant website until January 30.