TJ O'Pootertoot
Senior Member
The Point: There was some discussion on Rob going to L.A. to talk up 'Hollywood North. Johnny Au is probably pointing out a reason why production might choose Toronto as a location. He used that lowest level of Bay Station as an example.
Having used it for production myself, I will attest to its utility in that regard. It's an otherwise unused asset that the TTC in fact can use as a distinct profit engine.
Plus, why be such a dick?
It's funny how every 20 pages things go off on some weird tangent; remember when people were talking about God and religion?!
Seriously, this whole thing is silly. Since Pinewood Studios opened, Toronto has become a huge production centre. Vancouver no doubt still has some big productions (e.g. Man of Steel) but overall I think it's fair to see more "Hollywood" money is spent here these days. (A lot of people here also read Torontoist so the column there about movies shot here comes to mind too). Hollywood North has been applied to both cities and a pissing contest about it is really pointless.
To sum up, I think it's pretty obvious the mayor is not on some economic development mission while strolling Sunset boulevard handing out business cards. he made it up, the same way he makes everything else up. There are people in the TO Film Office and the OMDC who do this sort of work for real and dignifying his ramblings with a pointless discussion is just nutty.