Film Crew's Guide to Working in the North

1. Crew Database
   CION’s Crew Database is a one-stop resource for hiring crew in Northern Ontario. Create a crew profile and showcase your skills and experience to producers who are looking to crew up their next project. 
   Check out the Crew Database
2. The Hotlist
   CION’s Hotlist tracks film and television productions that are occurring or upcoming across Northern Ontario. Oftentimes, productions will list the specific crew needs they are looking to fill before the cameras roll.
   What's Shooting in the North?

In partnership with municipal, provincial, and national partners, CION facilitates free training opportunities for residents of Northern Ontario who want to start a career in the film and television production industry.

1. Locations Scout Training Program 
   This annual program teaches participants to break down scripts, research leads, photograph locations, and put together location packages for production companies who are looking for specific sights before they commit to filming in Northern Ontario. 

2. Northern Ontario Film Crew Training Sessions 
   In 2023, CION facilitated a 3-week training program administered by film and television union representatives who shared their expertise with over 100 residents from across the North. Selected training sessions covered a wide range of behind-the-scenes roles from office production assistance to SPFX. 

3. Screenwriter Development Program 
   This program is designed to help Northern Ontario’s emerging and mid-level screenwriters sharpen their professional skills as well as encourage the development and production of projects that are originally conceived in Northern Ontario. 

Want to make sure you don’t miss CION’s next film and television production training initiative? Sign up for our newsletter and stay in the loop! 

If you want to know more about the various roles and responsibilities of film crew members in Canada, check out "Reel Opportunities" and the accompanying YouTube Playlist!

Becoming a member of a union not only increases your wage rates and provides employment stability but protects your wellbeing and professional development through health care coverage, pension plans, benefits, training opportunities, and networking events.  

CION encourages all emerging and established film crew members to connect with local film and television production union representatives to begin a membership application. 

ACTRA Toronto

With the largest membership of the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists, ACTRA Toronto represents performers in Ontario’s film, radio, television, and new media industries. 

Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA)

The Canadian Media Producers Association is Canada’s trade association for independent producers, and represent hundreds of companies engaged in the development, production, and distribution of English-language content for TV, feature film and digital media channels. 

Directors Guild of Canada – Ontario

The Directors Guild of Canada in Ontario is a provincial labour organization representing key creative and operational specialists in the following categories: Directors, Assistant Directors, Production Managers, Location Managers, Production Designers & Art Directors, Accountants, Picture & Sound Editors, Post Production Supervisors, and their respective departmental assistants. 

IATSE 634

IATSE Local 634 represents artists, technicians, and craftspeople who work primarily in film, television, and stage production in Northern Ontario, and have an ongoing training program with a strong emphasis on safety and promoting the North. 

IATSE 667

IATSE Local 667 represents camera professionals and unit publicists who work in all phases of Motion Picture productions filmed or electronically recorded. The IATSE Local 667 membership is comprised of unit publicists and a variety of professional camera people working in different positions based on their experience, skills, and the nature of the recorded media. 

IATSE 411

Representing Production Coordinators, Craftservice Providers, and Honeywagon Operators working in the motion picture and television industry, IATSE Local 411 works in tandem with all the other Unions, Guilds and Associations in the Toronto area and has jurisdiction for its members across the province of Ontario. 

NABET 700-M UNIFOR

NABET 700-M UNIFOR currently has over 3,000 qualified technicians in fifteen departments of the film and television industry: Continuity (Script Supervisor), Construction, Costume, Grip, Hair, Labour, Lighting, Make-up, Paint, Props, Set Decoration, Sound, Special Effects, Videotape and Transportation. 

Writers Guild of Canada

The Writers Guild of Canada (WGC) is a professional association of more than 2,500 English-language screenwriters. WGC members are the creative force behind Canada’s successful TV shows, movies, and webseries, and their work brings the diversity of Canadian life and culture to the world’s screens.