New $20 million William F. White production centre opens in Toronto

Toronto-based equipment supplier William F. White has opened a new C$20 million production centre to take advantage of the province’s “revitalized” moving pictures industry, according to Paul Bronfman, Chairman and CEO of Comweb Group and William F. White International.

At a packed ribbon-cutting industry event late last week, Bronfman said: “Our celebration responds directly to the renewed spirit and revitalization of Toronto’s production industry,” which was effectively rescued by the Ontario government in 2009 when it matched Quebec’s 25% all-spend tax credit.

The new 338,000 square-foot complex—dubbed the William F. White Centre—is located in Toronto’s west end, a few blocks south of the parent company’s existing facilities. It currently occupies half a brand new building and offers production office space and related services. Bill White’s 3D Camera Company will soon move into the building’s other half.

Bronfman also noted that the new Centre “is a short drive to both downtown Toronto and Pinewood Toronto Studios and the new Cine Space Studios are right down the street.”

Resident Evil franchise producer Don Carmody said he believes it adds “an important contribution to our local infrastructure.”

William F. White is currently providing production support services to Total Recall (starring Colin Farrell), which is shooting in Toronto, and David Cronenberg’s Cosmopolis, amongst others.

Oscar-winning director Norman Jewison—still best known for Moonstruck—told the room full of directors, producers, writers, shooters, cutters, thespians and politicians that: “We’re growing up. We’re exploding. There’s energy here. It’s in the room.” And like Bronfman, he referred to the general notion that the city is regaining its strength in the post-recession economic climate: “I look around and see a lush landscape of new film and TV production activity like never before.”