Last Updated 9 hours ago
Montréal offers equipment co-ops, artist-run post-production centres, small studios and a large commercial production sector. Independent filmmakers can build a practical package through Main Film, OBORO and local rental houses without starting with a major soundstage.
Guide area: This guide covers Montréal. Municipal filming rules vary by borough, while Laval, Longueuil and other off-island municipalities have their own processes.
Treat borough jurisdiction, language and transport as production decisions. The address where you put the camera may have a different permit contact from the place you park the truck, and a compact central location may still need careful loading and sound planning.
Find what you need
- Permits & permissions
- Equipment rentals
- Studios & stages
- Crew & casting
- Catering & meals
- Props & support
- Weather & daylight
- Shoot checklist
Browse all sections of this guide
- Montréal Film Permits and Permissions
- Transit, Drones, Night Work and Special Effects
- Finding and Scouting Montréal Locations
- Camera, Lighting, Grip and Sound Rentals
- Montréal Studios and Production Spaces
- Hiring Montréal Crew and Performers
- Catering and Crew Meals
- Props and Wardrobe Resources
- Location Supplies and Production Transport
- Post-Production and Finishing
- Budgeting, Incentives and Funding
- Parking, Power, Sound and Company Moves
- Montréal Weather and Daylight Planning
- Information for Visiting and International Crews
- Small Crews, Student Films and Affordable Resources
- Finding Film Work and Training
- Before You Shoot: Montréal Production Checklist
- Montréal Filming Questions
- Sources, Verification and Corrections
Start with these production contacts
- Montréal Film and Television Commission: logistics: Identify whether the BCTM serves your borough and open the appropriate production file.
- Québec Film and Television Council locations: Province-wide location research and help identifying the responsible authority.
- For a small independent shoot, compare Main Film with the rental options below.
Supplier and official guidance reviewed October 29, 2026. Prices are in Canadian dollars unless stated otherwise; published rates may exclude tax, insurance, delivery, staffing or other charges.
Montréal Film Permits and Permissions
The BCTM logistics page identifies the boroughs it serves and describes a production file, location applications and neighbourhood notification. Other boroughs have their own requirements. Use the City’s borough-specific permit selector for the exact address rather than applying one fee or insurance figure to the whole island.
Lead time: BCTM recommends opening the production file three weeks before physical production. Submit each location request with its plan and allow longer for street closures and coordination with other authorities.
Insurance: Insurance limits and documentation vary by borough and activity. Confirm the required amount and additional-insured wording with the office handling each location, then send the certificate before approval. Do not reuse another borough’s insurance figure without checking. Read the official insurance requirements.
| Item | Cost / requirement |
|---|---|
| BCTM application review | $38 from January 2026; amateur and non-profit productions are exempt from this review fee |
| Public-space occupation / services | Varies by borough, location and services |
| Student filming | Ask the relevant borough about eligibility and exemptions |
Student and independent projects: Read the local student and small-crew conditions. Confirm whether your project qualifies before relying on an exemption or discounted rate.
| Stage of the enquiry | What to establish |
|---|---|
| Before holding a location | Identify the owner and every authority responsible for the working area. Ask whether the planned activity needs permission, notification, a permit, services or a location agreement. A location enquiry does not reserve the site. |
| Before fixing the shooting date | Obtain the applicable application deadline, insurance wording, site conditions and service availability. Ask how changes to hours, vehicles or action affect the application. Do not treat a normal processing period as guaranteed approval. |
| Before paying deposits | Separate application fees, property charges, refundable security, parking, police or traffic services, overtime and reinstatement. Record what is payable if permission is refused or the date moves. |
| Before the call sheet goes out | Keep the issued permissions, approved site plan, owner contact and restrictions together. Check that the location, dates, hours, activity and support parking match the final plan. |
Transit, Drones, Night Work and Special Effects
For a full street closure, BCTM may require an engineered traffic-control plan and consultation. Its guidance also identifies separate arrangements for fire effects, Parc Jean-Drapeau and Espace pour la vie. STM property, stations and vehicles need the operator’s authorisation; drone rules and landowner permission are separate.
For drone work, check Transport Canada’s current drone rules and the relevant airspace and land-manager permissions. Give the permit office a clear description of anything that could concern the public. Hire the qualified people needed for effects, stunts, traffic control and specialised work.
| Activity | Questions for the coordinator |
|---|---|
| Transit, railways and controlled facilities | Ask the operator about filming areas, commercial use, passenger access, supervision, equipment, power and the working window. Arrange the actual facility permission; a nearby street booking does not settle access inside a station or vehicle. |
| Night scenes and conspicuous action | Describe loud dialogue, playback, smoke, replicas, emergency vehicles, uniforms and visible stunts. Discuss public notification, noise, neighbours and any required specialist services before scheduling the scene. |
| Drones and moving vehicles | Give the responsible operator the coordinates, height, intended movement, take-off area and public interface. Check aviation, landowner and location requirements separately. A location agreement is only one part of the plan. |
| Children, animals, weapons and effects | Assign a qualified person to the relevant activity and verify the applicable rules with the responsible authority. Put rehearsals, welfare, supervision and specialist preparation in the budget rather than adding them on the day. |
Finding and Scouting Montréal Locations
Work out the precise footprint on narrow streets and exterior staircases: camera position, public passage, load-in and where the rest of the crew waits. Check refrigeration, ventilation, buses, roadwork and flight paths during the sound scout. For seasonal continuity, record snow cover, leaf state and exterior practical lighting.
Record the agreed working area, access times, parking, washrooms, electrical supply and restoration terms. Use a written location agreement alongside any required permit. A location release and a municipal approval do different jobs.
| On the scout | Record in the location agreement or plan |
|---|---|
| Access and footprint | Who opens up, which rooms and entrances are included, when prep starts, when the last case must leave, and whether there is a usable step-free route for performers and crew. |
| Sound, light and neighbours | Normal operating noise, controllable lights, blackout, nearby works, quiet periods, public access and any adjoining tenants who need notice. Test rather than infer sound isolation from the appearance of a room. |
| Protection and welfare | Floor and wall protection, washrooms, drinking water, changing space, meal holding, waste, shade or shelter, and the agreed response to damage. |
| Changes and weather | A weather decision time, alternative dates, cancellation charges, overtime, restoration and the named person allowed to approve a change. |
Camera, Lighting, Grip and Sound Rentals
The first options prioritise independent production and compact packages. Check membership, insurance, competence requirements and pickup windows before comparing prices; a subsidised artistic-project rate may not apply to a client commission.
| Rental house / location | Services and booking notes |
|---|---|
| Main Film 2025 Parthenais Street, Suite 301, Montréal 514-845-7442 · tech@mainfilm.qc.ca | Independent-film equipment with member and non-member rates. Associate and active tiers have different discounts and eligibility. Compare the full membership-plus-rental cost. |
| SLA Location 4637 rue Franchère, Dock 1, Montréal 514-277-5425 · location@slacoop.com | Co-operative cinema equipment house open to non-members. Quote by email with dates and list; replacement values above $5,000 trigger its published insurance requirement. |
| Royal Photo 2106 boulevard Rosemont, Montréal 514-273-1723 · info@royalphoto.com | Photo/video camera store with rental services. Confirm local inventory, pickup hours, ID, deposit and video accessories for the chosen package. |
| Loucam 8345 rue Saint-Hubert, Montréal 514-385-1905 · location@loucam.com | Camera and video equipment rental with published price lists and rental policies. Useful to compare a compact camera package against larger cinema builds. |
| Entreprises Vidéo Service 2050 Dandurand, Suite 104, Montréal 514-593-7925 · info@entvideoservice.com | Cinema cameras, lenses, lighting and accessories. The published policy charges three days for a week and one day for its specified Friday-afternoon to Monday-morning weekend. |
| OBORO New Media Lab 4001 rue Berri, Montréal 514-844-3250 ext. 230 · lab@oboro.net | Equipment and studio access for media-art production. Discuss user membership, project eligibility and support with the lab. |
| CUTV Montréal Website membership and equipment enquiry | Member equipment and studio resources for community media. Check the project’s fit and current borrowing conditions directly. |
Send one complete list with prep, shoot and return dates. Include lenses, batteries, chargers, media, support, cables, sound accessories and monitoring. Ask what happens if an item fails and whether collection, return, weekend and travel days count as rental days.
Preparing a complete rental enquiry
| Department | Include in the request |
|---|---|
| Camera and lenses | Body and mount, the actual lens set, filters, batteries and chargers, approved media, card reader, tripod or other support, monitor and the cables needed for the full build. Ask for a prep slot and test the intended recording format. |
| Lighting and grip | Fixture models, modifiers, stands, sandbags, flags, distribution, extension lengths and suitable transport. State available power and whether the setup is indoors, exposed to wind or needs a qualified rigging crew. |
| Production sound | Recorder, microphones, boom, radio channels, mounting and wind protection, timecode and the monitoring arrangement. Give the number of speaking performers and any costume, vehicle or exterior challenges. |
| Booking and cover | Prep, collection, shoot and return dates; the person collecting; required insurance or security; replacement values; out-of-hours support; and the process if a held item becomes unavailable. |
Montréal Studios and Production Spaces
Compare the working space, booking period and sound conditions together. Include setup and teardown in the booking, check door and lift dimensions, and distinguish continuous video lighting from photographic flash.
| Studio / location | Space, booking and sound |
|---|---|
| Collective Studios Montréal 5465 Fullum, Montréal | Space: Backdrop-based photo/video space with equipment package options. Booking: Bare-space option published at $85 for one hour, $300 for four hours or $500 for eight hours; video packages cost more. Sound: Ask about building activity and recording conditions; a video package does not by itself establish sound isolation. |
| Petit Bonnet 3333 boulevard Crémazie Est, Suite 610, Montréal | Space: 28 × 20 × 10 ft cyclorama, blackout curtains and modular sets. Booking: Independent rental or a staffed production option; confirm the gear and support included. Sound: Book a sound check for dialogue and establish HVAC control. |
| NOMAD 129 avenue Van Horne, Montréal | Space: 3,000 sq. ft studio with 17 ft height in Mile End. Booking: Discuss shoot, event or longer production use and the appropriate quote. Sound: Confirm concurrent activities and external noise before planning sync sound. |
| OBORO 4001 rue Berri, Montréal | Space: Film/production, sound and post-production spaces within the New Media Lab. Booking: Request the specific room and user conditions; equipment can be a separate booking. Sound: Choose a room for its actual recording purpose rather than treating every lab space as a soundstage. |
For dialogue, visit while the building and ventilation are operating normally. Record a short test, listen on headphones and ask about adjacent bookings. Confirm power, paint, blackout, cleaning, cancellation and overtime before paying a deposit.
Checking a studio before booking
| Issue | Booking detail |
|---|---|
| Usable shooting area | Clear dimensions and height, cyc or backdrop size, rigging restrictions, floor loading and the room left after lights, set, camera and off-camera people are in position. |
| Dialogue and ventilation | Outside-noise isolation, air-conditioning noise, nearby bookings and whether ventilation can be controlled without making the working space unsuitable. Visit during normal building operation and record a test. |
| Access and power | Loading door and lift dimensions, stairs, parking, distribution, available circuits and who may make connections. Check the route for the largest case or set piece. |
| Complete booking cost | Prep and strike, minimum hours, overtime, studio staff, equipment, electricity, repainting, cleaning, waste, insurance, deposit and cancellation. Identify any compulsory supplier or staffing requirement. |
Hiring Montréal Crew and Performers
| Contact / resource | How to use it |
|---|---|
| BCTQ locations and production assistance | Start with the provincial commission to identify local production partners and location contacts. |
| Main Film | Connect through independent-film activities and training; send a clear project, dates and role description. |
| PRIM | Discuss the post team and technical services needed for an independent project. |
A useful hiring brief states the role, dates, expected hours, location, compensation, travel and equipment responsibilities. Ask for relevant experience and confirm the agreement, payment terms and required coverage before the call. For union performers or crew, speak to the relevant organisation about the agreement suited to the project; a small budget does not establish an exemption.
| Before confirming a hire | Put in writing |
|---|---|
| Scope and payment | Role, agreed rate basis, paid preparation, working hours, overtime arrangements, expenses, payment date and the entity responsible for payroll or invoicing. |
| Agreement and qualifications | Applicable production agreement, permissions to work, relevant licences or qualifications and insurance responsibilities. Ask the relevant union or guild about its actual route for the production. |
| Kit and delivery | Owner-supplied equipment, transport, replacement cover, prep, media ownership and the expected handoff. A person bringing a camera is not automatically providing sound, lighting or post-production. |
| Access and communication | Call location, parking or public transport information, access needs, dietary requirements, department contact and the process for reporting a schedule change. |
Catering and Crew Meals
Small crews can often use pre-ordered boxed meals or restaurant catering. Larger or remote shoots may need a staffed production caterer. Match the delivery window to the actual break and distinguish ready-to-eat food from orders that need reheating.
| Caterer / service | Services and booking notes |
|---|---|
| Société Traiteur Montréal Website film-catering enquiry | Dedicated film-production catering, mobile/on-site options and packaging. Its published service description covers crews from ten people upward; confirm the minimum for your call. |
| Alex & Milène Montréal area Website quotation request | Film/TV meals, hot or cold lunch boxes, buffets, breakfast and craft. Ask for a small-crew quote and exact ready-to-serve arrangements. |
| KANARI Montréal and surroundings 514-803-5694 · kanarimtl@gmail.com | Craft service, snacks and hot/cold drinks, with catering-trailer rental options. A craft table is not automatically a full meal service. |
Give the supplier a headcount and dietary/allergy list, a named handoff contact and a precise delivery point. Confirm minimums, cutoff time, packaging, utensils, tax, service fees, delivery, storage and waste collection in the final quote.
Planning the meal order
| Give the caterer | Confirm before ordering |
|---|---|
| People and diets | Crew and performer headcount, vegetarian or vegan needs, allergies and cross-contact questions. Ask for clearly labelled meals and agree who receives them. |
| Time and place | The actual break, an arrival window, the correct gate or loading area, parking and a named contact. Say whether food will be eaten immediately or needs safe holding and serving equipment. |
| Full cost | Minimum order, notice period, delivery radius, service charge, tax, packaging, utensils, drinks, staffing and any equipment or cleanup charge. Check the deadline for a headcount change. |
| Changing days | A weather move, early call, night work, second location or later meal. Agree how to communicate changes and the last point at which the supplier can accommodate them. |
Props and Wardrobe Resources
| Prop / wardrobe resource | Services and booking notes |
|---|---|
| Le Grand Costumier 2225 rue Montcalm, Montréal 438-896-4646 · info@grandcostumier.com | Professional costume resource. The current site restricts rentals to live/media-arts professionals and requires an appointment. School/student eligibility must be confirmed directly; do not assume access from an old policy. |
| Télé Ciné Montréal 9961 boulevard Saint-Vital, Montréal-Nord; 514-255-5666 | Sets, furniture and accessories for screen productions of different sizes, with a strong reuse collection. Select actual items and book viewing/loading, transport, condition/security and return. |
| Gascon & Krukowski Rental entrance: 2269 St-Clément, Montréal; 514-271-3149 | Family-run furniture and set-accessory rental for film, theatre, television and photo. The company states rental only, with no sales. Arrange stock selection, collection, handling and return. |
| Espace Costume 2155 rue Moreau, Montréal | Self-service film/TV/theatre wardrobe stock. Staff answer questions but do not assemble the character's costume for you. Published holds have a defined period and rail-labelling rules; confirm the current account, fitting, security and cleaning terms. |
| FMR Costumes Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, near Pie-IX métro | Period costume/accessory hire for film, TV and theatre. Arrange measurements, reference images, fitting and the actual collection address, with alterations, cleaning and transport stated. |
| Arabesque Burlesque costume rental Studio 204, 7100 rue St-Hubert; 514-586-2639 | Specialist boas, gloves, hats, corsets, crinolines and related accessories. Book an appointment and confirm film use, fit, handling, cleaning and rental period rather than assuming a general wardrobe collection. |
Montréal has dedicated furniture, scenic and costume houses beyond the technical-media labs. Espace Costume is self-service rather than a styling service, and Gascon & Krukowski rents its stock rather than selling it. Allow fitting, warehouse and loading appointments in the schedule.
| Before collection | Before return |
|---|---|
| Agree permitted use | Record whether an item may be worn outdoors, moved, painted, altered, exposed to water or used in action. Obtain separate advice for replicas and effects; ordinary prop hire does not settle those permissions. |
| Check continuity and condition | Photograph each item and label the case, hanger or parts. Build multiples and cleaning time into the plan where a scene changes the condition of a costume or prop. |
| Plan transport and reinstatement | Measure the largest piece, confirm the vehicle and loading crew, and agree packaging, cleaning and restoration. A furniture item that fits on the set may not fit in the booked lift. |
| Track holds and returns | Name one department contact, mark return deadlines and check every item back against the inventory. Confirm charges for missing components, late returns, cleaning or repair. |
Location Supplies and Production Transport
| Location / transport resource | Services and booking notes |
|---|---|
| SLA Location Montréal location@slacoop.com | Cinema grip, power and support inventory. Include rigging, distribution, protection and handling in the quote. |
| Montréal Star Mobile / MSM Greater Montréal; production-vehicle department | Specialist production vehicles with department-specific options. Specify dressing, makeup, office or wardrobe needs and quote actual vehicle, driver, parking, power/water, servicing and operating hours. |
BCTM logistics resources: Parking reservations, public-space plans and access to municipal services. Production vehicles require their own agreed footprint. Production liaison handling your file.
A working location may need tables, chairs, shelter, racks, steamers, bins, radios, protection, toilets and drinking water. Price delivery and collection, then confirm who loads, drives and operates each item. Keep crew cars separate from equipment unloading and production-vehicle parking.
| Transport or support item | Cost and access check |
|---|---|
| Van or production truck | Payload, internal dimensions, licence and age conditions, permitted drivers, mileage, fuel or charging, insurance, parking height and return hours. Ask whether equipment may remain inside overnight. |
| Base or holding area | Landowner permission, arrival and departure windows, toilets, lighting, waste, overnight restrictions and the walk or shuttle route to set. Do not send the whole crew to the equipment loading point. |
| Delivery and collection | The actual entrance, lift or stairs, parking, access contact, waiting charges and the person who signs the inventory. Include strike and return in the schedule. |
| Outdoor support | Wind and weather suitability, anchoring or rigging by competent people, safe power distribution and the route for emergency and public access. Do not assume a pop-up shelter can stay up in all conditions. |
Post-Production and Finishing
| Post resource / location | Services and booking notes |
|---|---|
| PRIM Montréal Official service request | Artist-run image and sound post-production, editing rooms, colour and digital distribution support. Request technical guidance and project-specific rates. |
| Main Film Montréal 514-845-7442 | Independent-film post-production suites and facilities. Confirm membership, orientation, software and attended-service availability. |
| OBORO New Media Lab Montréal lab@oboro.net | Sound and post-production studios and technical support for media-art work. |
Before shooting, agree the camera format, colour workflow, sound sync, backup ownership and delivery target. For a post quote, specify running time, picture lock, turnovers, revisions, subtitles, captions and final versions. A workstation booking is different from hiring an editor, colourist or mixer.
Agreeing the post-production handoff
| Post stage | What the quote should include |
|---|---|
| Editorial and data | Ingest and organisation, proxies, sync, edit time, review rounds, storage, backups and the handoff if the project moves to another editor. Equipment access and an attended editing service are separate bookings. |
| Picture finishing | Conform from the agreed source files, colour sessions, online work, graphics, titles, versioning and output checks. State whether remote review or an attended session is needed. |
| Sound and accessibility | Dialogue editing, noise treatment, ADR, sound design, music, mix, captions, subtitles and any accessible versions required by the release plan. Give the actual running time and number of deliverables. |
| Photochemical or archive work | Stock and processing format, handling, scan resolution, colour workflow, turnaround, shipping and retention of originals. Ask the lab to confirm the specific service before buying stock or exposing an irreplaceable roll. |
Budgeting, Incentives and Funding
SODEC film and television programmes: Québec production and production-services credits have different eligibility rules. Review the current SODEC programme, ownership and qualifying-cost conditions with the producer and accountant before adding a credit to the finance plan.
Build a cash-flow plan as well as a total budget. Include paid prep and wrap, labour, overtime, insurance, permits, parking, transport, food, data storage, post and contingency. Keep unconfirmed support out of the available cash balance. HTFS has a free film budget template to help organise those costs.
| Budget group | Include beyond the headline rate |
|---|---|
| People | Paid prep and wrap, payroll costs, overtime, kit, travel, accommodation, casting, performers, special skills and agreed expenses. |
| Locations and services | Application and location fees, insurance, parking, traffic or other required services, power, toilets, security, protection and reinstatement. |
| Equipment and space | The complete rental build, transport, prep, studio staff, electricity, overtime, cleaning, damage cover and return days. |
| Finishing and reserve | Data and storage, editing, colour, sound, captions, music and rights, festival or delivery versions, contingency and the timing of supplier payments. |
Parking, Power, Sound and Company Moves
- Confirm the borough for camera, parking and base camp separately, especially near a boundary.
- A narrow staircase or upper-floor apartment may need more load-in labour than the floor area suggests.
- Choose the working language and distribute critical instructions clearly to every department.
- Allow time for loading, bridge crossings and parking rather than budgeting only the driving distance.
On the tech scout, give sound and lighting enough time to check the location. Identify the safe cable route, actual circuits and load-in plan. Use qualified electrical and rigging personnel for work that requires them; a nearby outlet or ceiling pipe is not a complete power or rigging plan.
| Department check | Decision to make at the scout |
|---|---|
| Parking and loading | Where the truck unloads, where it can wait, where crew cars go, whether a marshal or approved traffic arrangement is needed and what happens when the loading space is unavailable. |
| Power | Which circuits or supply are available, the actual load, who approves connections, cable routes and protection. Assign distribution and any temporary supply to competent people. |
| Sound | Ventilation, plant, traffic, neighbours, public use and the time needed to record room tone and clean sound. Agree a practical response to a noisy interruption. |
| Company move | Wrap and load time, travel, unloading, reset, public access and the meal. Put every stage in the schedule; the map’s driving estimate describes only one part of the move. |
Montréal Weather and Daylight Planning
The table shows 1991–2020 average daily highs and lows for Montréal Trudeau (Airport), from Environment and Climate Change Canada. These are historical averages, not the hottest/coldest conditions, a shoot-day forecast or a safe working limit.
| Month | Avg. high °C | Avg. low °C |
|---|---|---|
| January | −5.0 | −13.5 |
| February | −3.4 | −12.4 |
| March | 2.4 | −6.5 |
| April | 11.3 | 1.1 |
| May | 19.4 | 8.3 |
| June | 24.2 | 13.8 |
| July | 26.7 | 16.7 |
| August | 25.7 | 15.6 |
| September | 21.1 | 10.9 |
| October | 13.2 | 4.5 |
| November | 6.1 | −1.7 |
| December | −1.2 | −8.7 |
- Winter: Winter requires genuine cold-weather planning: snow, ice, short daylight, warm holding and slower transport. A monthly average is not a safe overnight working limit.
- Spring: Spring thaw can change snow continuity and turn a clean exterior into slush within a day. Protect cable crossings and footwear.
- Summer: Summer can bring heat, humidity and thunderstorms. Build shade, water, cooling and weather interruptions into exterior work.
- Autumn: Autumn gives changing leaf colour and shorter days, but rain and early cold can disrupt matching exteriors.
Check ECCC’s local forecasts and alerts for the actual set, including wind, precipitation and air quality. Humidex and wind chill describe perceived conditions and are different from the air-temperature values above. Check NRC’s sunrise and sunset calculator for the exact date and location; usable shooting light also depends on buildings, terrain and cloud.
| Planning period | Local production considerations |
|---|---|
| Winter | Rain can interrupt exteriors and affect access, ground conditions and equipment handling. Check the actual forecast and a usable cover location rather than budgeting around an assumption of permanent sunshine. |
| Spring | Coastal cloud, changing light and occasional rain can alter continuity. Scout the useful window for the specific room, street or hillside. |
| Summer | Inland and Valley heat can be materially different from the coast. Provide water, shade and protected equipment holding, and plan the hardest exterior work with the day's conditions in mind. |
| Autumn | Heat, wind and wildfire-related conditions can change a location's viability. Check official warnings, access and the land manager's instructions before dispatching the unit. |
Information for Visiting and International Crews
A bilingual local production or locations contact can help with borough forms, notices and suppliers. Municipal permissions, immigration/work authorisation and any temporary equipment import process are separate arrangements. Make those decisions before booking flights or shipping cases.
Before travel, check IRCC’s work-in-Canada guidance for the people involved. Assign someone to resolve customs, equipment import and vehicle arrangements where applicable, and put a reachable local contact on the call sheet.
Small Crews, Student Films and Affordable Resources
Tell the borough and school whether this is coursework, an independent short or a commercial commission. Exemptions shown in one borough’s schedule do not establish an island-wide free permit. Check school insurance and instructor approvals before promising a location or borrowing equipment.
For a first short or small documentary, start with fewer locations, a complete basic camera/sound package and a crew sized to the work. Prioritise usable sound, enough time and a safe location over a large gear list. Confirm who owns the footage, who handles backups and what each collaborator is agreeing to.
| Production size | A practical way to keep the day manageable |
|---|---|
| One or two people recording an interview | Choose a controllable interior, use a compact tested kit, book a sound check and plan a simple meal. Confirm owner permission and any relevant filming requirements before setting the date. |
| Student short or artist film | Check the institution or resource centre’s eligibility, training, equipment, insurance and project conditions. Reserve actual resources after the script breakdown; membership alone does not secure a booking. |
| Small commercial or branded shoot | Budget commercial insurance, paid labour, the intended usage, reliable transport and the complete delivery. Check whether a discounted artistic-project rate can be used for client work. |
| Larger build or exterior unit | Ask for a properly staffed package and a location plan. A smaller cast does not remove the need for adequate rigging, traffic arrangements, welfare or a workable base. |
Finding Film Work and Training
Main Film, PRIM, OBORO and CUTV offer different routes into practical production and media arts. Check the programme’s mandate and current workshops before joining. Agree on the working language of the crew, call sheet, releases and safety briefings so that every department can act on the information.
Use screenings, co-op activities and appropriate trainee routes to build relationships around work you can actually do. Be specific about your department, availability and experience. HTFS’s first film-set job guide can help you prepare a focused approach.
Before You Shoot: Montréal Production Checklist
- Confirm the exact municipality and landowner for the camera, parking and base camp.
- Receive the required permits, location agreements and approved activity conditions.
- Check insurance wording, rental replacement values, deposits and cancellation terms.
- Confirm supplier pickup/return appointments and test the complete equipment package.
- Scout sound, access, power, public passage, toilets and crew holding at the intended time.
- Approve the travel, parking, meals, weather alternative and emergency-access plan.
- Issue a clear call sheet with the correct entrance and reachable contacts.
- Confirm media backups, post handoff, delivery requirements and who is responsible for each.
Keep the crew contact list, script breakdown and location paperwork together. Add the city-specific conditions above to the production’s working documents, and update the crew when those conditions change.
| When | Production checks |
|---|---|
| Before booking | Break down the script; identify the actual authorities; check location feasibility; compare complete supplier quotes; confirm who contracts and pays; and check programme or visitor requirements that must be resolved before work begins. |
| Before the technical scout | Bring location, camera, sound and lighting needs together. Check the agreed footprint, loading, power, public access, washrooms, weather cover, sound and the route for equipment and people. |
| Before sending the call sheet | Confirm permissions and agreements, crew and performer terms, supplier holds, transport, meals, parking, access needs, weather decisions and the exact entrance. Include an owner or facility contact and a production contact who can answer on the day. |
| Before recording | Check the approved working area, equipment build, sound, exposure and sync. Assign media copying and verification, maintain public access and run the day within the agreed location and working conditions. |
| Before leaving and returning | Check every room, item and case; remove agreed signs and protection; restore the location; sign off with the owner; complete rental and prop returns; and confirm the media handoff and next post-production step. |
Montréal Filming Questions
Is there one film permit for all of Montréal?
No. The applicable process depends on the borough and property authority. BCTM lists the boroughs it serves; consult the City’s address-specific requirements for other locations.
Where should a small independent production start?
Compare Main Film with the rental directory, then check Montréal Film and Television Commission: logistics for the exact location and footprint. Confirm membership and project eligibility before assuming access to a subsidised rate.
Does studio rental include equipment and a quiet recording space?
Only the written booking can establish what is included. Confirm continuous lighting, sound conditions, power, support rooms, technical staff, prep, wrap, cleaning and overtime with the operator.
Are these all the local suppliers?
This is a researched working shortlist, with directories for finding additional options. It is not a promise of every business or current availability. Send HTFS a useful supplier or correction with an official link so it can be checked.
Sources, Verification and Corrections
Municipal guidance, regional production resources, supplier pages and climate normals were reviewed on October 29, 2026. The relevant official or operator links sit beside the information. Where a commission or industry directory supplies the contact, that route is identified; confirm the service directly before booking.
Published prices and contacts can change. Confirm availability, rates, technical specifications, programme eligibility and approvals in writing. A supplier listing is a research starting point and does not guarantee a booking, discount or service outcome.
More Canadian filming guides: Toronto · Vancouver · Ottawa · Calgary · Edmonton · Winnipeg · Halifax · Victoria · Québec City · Regina · St. John’s.
We hope this guide helps you plan a better Montréal shoot. Contact HTFS with an outdated detail or useful local resource, including the official link and what has changed, so the guide can be checked and improved.