Ottawa film industry could see boom thanks to slipping loonie

Ottawa is becominga growing destination for filmmakers asU.S. producers look north where their dollars go further to make movies on the cheap.

It's not uncommon to see increased production in Canada when the looniedrops, but a unique set of circumstances could draw more crews to the capital, saidOttawa film commissionerBruce Harvey.

"The activities in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal the prime centres in Canada were already really high before the looniestarted dropping to the level it's at now. So what that means is that there's more interest in coming to secondary markets, like Ottawa, to shoot films," Harveytold Alan Neal on CBC Radio's All In A Day.

"For us, it's been really good. Ironically, we were already expecting to have a very good year here, and this just means it's going to be really going full out for a lot of the companies in town."

Listen to the full interview below.

All in a Day9:20Low loonie a possible boon to filmmaking in Ottawa

One of the upsides of the current low loonie is a possible upswing in movies being filmed in Ottawa. Ottawa's film commissioner joined All in a Day with a film industry outlook.

It's tough to pinpoint exactly how many productions are coming to town because some keep a low profile by shooting in private buildings where permits are not required, Harvey said.

But on average, he said, there are at least three crews shooting in Ottawa a day.

"The number of major projects coming is increasing," Harveysaid.

Thelooniefellbelow the 70-cent US level for the first time since 2003 this week.

While good for some, the current exchange rate is less desirableforCanadian filmmakers looking to bring in talent, props or construction materials from the U.S.,Harvey said.