Wednesday, November 03, 2010

Filming Port Credit Commercial Activity Saddington Park

Fishing from a boat on a pond and cheddar cheese: Cracker Barrel Commercial

A gorgeous fall day, a quiet reflecting pond, a boy and his grandfather fishing from a small boat: Cracker Barrel Cheddar Cheese commercial coming to a television near you soon.

And when you see it, know that you are seeing this lovely spot in Port Credit Ontario, just steps from the Credit River and Lake Ontario. A few more steps and you'd see the CN Tower on the Toronto skyline rising across the water.

Port Credit is a popular filming location for movies and TV series (That Russell Girl, Covert Affairs, Lost Girl, Restaurant Makeover, et al) and for commercials. Often we don't even bother to check commercial shoots, but the one that is being filmed as I type is fairly high profile. Since the film company -- Spy Films Inc. -- took the time to explain the activity, I thought I'd take a closer look at the setting. Click on picture to enlarge, then click Back button to return to this post.

Traffic Cones Front Street South Telltale Sign of Filming

Yesterday afternoon, the telltale small red cones were placed along Front Street South, south of the landmark lighthouse in Port Credit, holding the space for the film trucks crew that arrived just before 6 a.m. today for set up in the frosty air.

Film Crew, Cast, on East Pond Saddington Park Port Credit

By mid-morning, the sunshine worked its magic, and the commercial shoot was well under way. What a gorgeous spot to spend a late Fall day, and get paid to do so! Film companies tend to be very strict with safety issues, as you can see here. The boy and his 'grandfather' in the boat (canoe)  have their own lifeguard, even though the water he is standing in is only knee deep.

Canada Geese Saddington Park  Pond

This little pond at Saddington Park is a great favourite with the local Canada Goose community, and they're used to having it all to themselves. Today, though, as they came in for a landing, they were surprised with this film crew and boats.

Reflecting Pond, Canada Geese

With much loud goose grumbling, the geese made a fast change to their flight path and splashed to a landing in the far corner of the pond.

Trees Reflection at Noon: Autumn in Port Credit

With no wind and a clear blue sky, the trees around the pond were mirrored in the water.

Wooden Footbridge Saddington Park

The film company's small zodiak with motor was anchored just at the top of the small dam / waterfall that parallels the foot bridge. The entire company had to be pleased with the location manager's choice for this shoot!

Film Crew Trucks, Trailers Front Street South Port Credit

Just before noon, the catering company set up a dozen or more tables, nicely laid with white cloths, along the sidewalk at the edge of Saddington Park, near a large buffet table. For a moment, I was tempted to just walk up, fill a plate and take a seat, saying I left my ID elsewhere.

The film company has the location until 10 p.m. tonight, according to the notice we got, but I imagine they'll be all done but the packing by then. Just after two, high clouds started rolling in, and once the sun is blocked even a little, you really feel the actual temperature of about 9 C: it's chilly!

Condos Hurontario and Lakeshore Road East Port Credit / Mississauga

I'd walked through Saddington Park to have a look at the filming on the pond, but I also got a fresh look at the condominium building (blue-gray color) nearing completion at Hurontario and Lakeshore Road East, across from TEN Restaurant and Wine Bar.

I usually see this building from street level, not from a distance. I think it makes a great addition to our little skyline in Port Credit.

And by the way, I watched the young fellow fishing from the boat: He has a pretty good casting arm for a little guy! Memo to self: Keep an eye out for a Cracker Barrel ad to see how this shoot makes it through edit.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

If Im not mistaken, you've done a few blogs about filming in Port Credit.

Theres been lots of activity the past few months. Being Erica, the TV series, filmed in Mineola West. Just before that, a few Canadian Tire commercials were filmed in Mineola East.

If you are familiar with the old Sheridan Ford dealership at Lakeshore/Dixie, you'll have probably noticed its been converted into a film set for something called The Belleville Project, I believe.

I haven't been able to find out anything about it though, maybe you could?? Great blog by the way.

Zack

Karen said...

Hi Zack

I had seen the red cones near Dixie and Lakeshore, and the cards saying Belleville Project, but I had forgotten about it until you wrote.


Here's what I found out:

The Belleville Project AKA

MASTERS OF THE PLAZAVERSE – Season 1

Strip Prods. Inc. / E1 Entertainment

Prod: Colin Brunton
Exec. Prod: J. Belleville, R. Belleville
Dir: Various
Cast: TBA
PM: James Mauro
PC: Michelle Robeson
Shoot: Oct. 12 – Nov. 12/10
1345 Lakeshore Road E.
Mississauga L5E 1G5


It's a TV series and as you can see, they should be done next Friday.

Also filmed in the area is/was Little Mosque on the Prairie - studio in Etobicoke, locations on Mississauga Road north of the tracks.

Let me know if you see any others.

Karen

Zack said...

Hi Karen, thanks for the information. I do remember seeing some filming on Mississauga Road a few weeks ago, I had no idea it was Little Mosque on the Prairie though!

Karen said...

Noticed the red cones out on Mineola East this afternoon, and signs for Against The Wall.

AGAINST THE WALL
Pilot GEP Prods.
Shoot: Nov. 14 - 29/10

A Toronto address so must be a location shoot today only.

Anonymous said...

Hey thanks for the blog - that's my son in the commercial :) He had a great day on set... looking forward to seeing it on air soon!

Karen said...

Blogger was down for a day or so, and this is my first chance to post about another commercial that was filming in this location.

It was a commercial for Pfizer - got some pics and will post ASAP

also of note is an animated Mickey Mouse filming at Brueckner Rhododendron Garden this week, and two of the crew from Frenemies with dog in tow (he's the talent, they said) that is filming in Richmond Hill.

The new Burt Reynolds/ LeAnn Rimes pic Reel Love is filming south of Barrie on Lake Simcoe.

Karen said...

Today a Movie of the Week is filming on location in Port Credit on Bay Street west of Front Street.

Crew told me it is Silent Witness:

SILENT WITNESS
TV Movie
TNT
Prod: Steve Solomos,
Deborah Marks
Dir: Peter Markle
Cast: TBA

location is one of those cute little houses in this part of Port Credit - tho today an American flag is flying from the front porch.

Karen said...

Saw the traffic cones at Mississauga Road exit ramp from QEW yesterday.

Base camp set up near/at Holy Name of Mary school and outside a 50s style bungalow a few blocks west of there.

The signs said XIII so I checked it out today.

Here's what is filming at this location:
XIII Series 2 Inc.
Shoot : Feb. 13 – July 18/12

Info: Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XIII:_The_Series

Karen said...

Evening shoot just wrapped at Saddington - water truck for rain scene left, camera truck gone - some excitement for the day.

Friend thinks it was Lost Girl shoot as they were filming at the Arms factory on Lakeshore earlier.

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