Neighbours say film crews, including the one currently working on a remake of Stephen King’s IT, are infringing on city bylaws by creating disruptive noise, bright lights on set, trespassing and parking illegally.
That’s how one Riverdale resident describes the “excessive” number of film shoots that have taken place in the historic Toronto property next door.
The most recent one, the remake of Stephen King’s IT, has taken over the three-storey, nearly 130-year-old property right beside the home where Nick Shcherban lives with his family.
IT — based on a King novel of the same name — follows several children terrorized by an evil, shape-shifting monster that appears in the form of a demonic clown.
But according to Shcherban, a horror story is also playing out in real life.
“These (films) have been affecting the lives of the families in the neighbourhood,” Shcherban said.
“It looks like Universal Studios out there,” he added, referring to the trucks and crew members that have become a staple at the corner of Pape and Riverdale Aves, surrounding the property that was once used as a home for single mothers.’
Shcherban says the film crews make excessive noise, and he has complained to local Councillor Paula Fletcher and the Toronto Film Office about what he believes are infringements of city bylaws. His concerns include disruptive noise, bright lights on set, crew members trespassing and illegal parking.
One of letcher’s staff said she was out of the city and not available for comment. The city’s film commissioner Zaib Shaikh responded to queries by email.
“Staff from the City’s Toronto Film, Television and Digital Media Office, have met with one resident regarding their concerns and have advised them that we have been working with the production company to ensure that all public filming regulations are abided by,” wrote Shaikh, also the city’s director of entertainment industries, in an email. “We will continue to work with all concerned to ensure that this film production causes the minimum of disruption.”
Shcherban said the IT team is just one of a steady stream of production crews that have taken control of the corner property over the past year, including TV show Orphan Black.
Requests for comment from the property owners were not answered. The production companies responsible for the IT shoot, Third Act Productions and Warner Brothers, did not return calls for comment.
The area is zoned for residential, Shcherban said, “but at what point does it become a film studio?”
At least one other neighbour shares that concern.
The film crew has “taken over the streets,” said neighbour Jacquie Neveu.
According to Neveu, the production team asked for access to her water source when the crew needed water on a particularly hot day.
But not all neighbours demand a curtain call on production.
“I think it’s fantastic,” said lifetime Riverdale resident Paul Rutledge, of the filming. It’s “great for Riverdale.”
The production at the Pape Ave. house increases the neighbourhood’s exposure and provides an economic boost, Rutledge said. “I think it benefits us all.”
