Filmport

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Filmport's Mega Sound-stage under construction

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.^[1] 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.^[2] 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.^[3]

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,^[4] hope that the studio will become the centre of a revitalized neighbourhood that will also be home to hotels, restaurants and shops.^[5]

Initial work on the complex began in August 2006 and the first phase will open in March 2008.^[6] The second phase of the project is slatted for completion is 2010.^[7] It is being developed by the Rose Film Studios^[8] and the Toronto Film Studios company,^[9] which owns a smaller facility nearby. 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 wons interests in a number of film studios. The entire project will cost some $700 million.^[10]^[11]

[edit] References

^ Official site: FILMPORT. Retrieved on 2008-02-04.
^ Torontoist: "Curtain Rising On New Film Megastudio.". Retrieved on 2008-02-04.
^ Daily Commercial News & Construction Record: "Filmport unveils Toronto Port Lands’ crown jewel.". Retrieved on 2008-02-04.
^ Toronto Economic Development Corporation: "FILMPORT to include largest sound-stage in North America.". Retrieved on 2008-02-04.
^ (www.rosecorp.com) "FILMPORT: The Beginning.". Retrieved on 2008-02-04.
^ (www.hollywoodnorthreport.com) "Ontario Liberals Boosting Film/ TV Tax Credits.". Retrieved on 2008-02-04.
^ e-architect: "Toronto Architecture - Key Buildings in North America.". Retrieved on 2008-02-04.
^ Official site: The Rose Corporation. Retrieved on 2008-02-04.
^ Official site: Toronto Film Studios. Retrieved on 2008-02-04.
^ Toronto Star: "Blockbuster directors to build T.O. studio.". Retrieved on 2008-02-04.
^ CBC.ca: "Massive new studio expected to open in Toronto: report". Retrieved on 2008-02-04.

"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