Local film, TV industry feeling the pinch amid US actors’ strike

It’s been less than 24 hours and the local film industry in Hamilton is already feeling the pinch of the American actors’ strike.

Hundreds of TV shows and movies are filmed in our area and businesses in Hamilton say the bookings actually stopped happening months ago, which means they’re seeing a big slowdown during what is normally their busiest time of year.

Zach Zohr is one of the partners at Hamilton Film Studios and he says the American actors’ strike will definitely be felt north of the border.

“The US is the driving force behind most film, so we will feel it. There won’t be any big American productions rolling in and a lot of the bigger shows, American shows with the American actors, will not be shooting,” Zohr said.

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Theatrics Costumes has locations in both Toronto and Hamilton and they say they’ve had to pivot.

“This is our busy season for film and TV and it has slowed down, so we have had to compensate by taking on other projects,” the company said.

According to the City of Hamilton, 67 productions have already been filmed here so far this year.

Last year 177 productions took place. Most are American with American actors, but some Canadian actors with the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists can still squeeze in work.

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Sarah Jewell just graduated from the TV and film program at Sheridan College and said a strike is not a good first impression for new grads looking to break into the industry.

“We all just can’t really believe it, it’s already surreal , it’s a crazy time to be graduating, entering the industry, as this is all going on, so it’s very much a shock but it’s also been brewing for a while,” Jewell said.