Netflix giving Ottawa film, TV producers chance to shine

Netflix, the media streaming giant with a global reach of 194 countries and growing, is increasingly focused on presenting original programming to its subscribers, and that's giving local producers a new and lucrative outlet for their work.

"Netflixis really changing the game for independent producers.It gives you direct access to a broadcaster. You can get your movies made a lot easier," said producer Rob Menzies, owner of Zed Filmworks, a local production company.

"Regular TV networks like the CBC have a limited space of what they can take, while something likeNetflixhas no limit on what it can take."

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Earlier this yearZed Filmworksproduced the Netflix original movie I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House, starring Ruth Wilson. The atmospheric horror film was shot in Ottawa, employinglocal actorsand crew. The movie debuted on Netflixon Oct. 28to rave reviews from industry bibles such as Variety and The Hollywood Reporter.

"A small movie like this one can be seen by Netflixviewers around the world," said Menzies."And every success leads to the next project."

Academy Award-winner and industry analyst Tom NunansaysNetflix is striving to be the go-to content provider for everyonein every household around the world, fuelling its searchfor unique, locally made productions.

"The biggest difference thatNetflixis making for independent producers outside of the United Statesis that it is actually buying and financing content that is locally produced," said Nunanfrom Los Angeles.

"Rarely if ever do producers outside the United States, outside of Hollywood in particular, have the opportunity to reach a global content provider."

On a drizzly October afternoon in Ottawa, the cameras were rolling on a scene for Frontier,an upcoming series about the 19th-century fur trade that will air on Netflix and Discovery Channel Canada.

On the set, producer Alex Patrick said he's working in Ottawa for the first time, and he'simpressed.

"We think it's great. What's nice about it is it's accessible and we can do it on short time lines. We put this together in the course of a week and it went smoothly."

Bruce Harvey of Invest Ottawa's film office says that kind of positive experience can lead to ongoing relationships between Netflixand Ottawa producers.

"It allows the acquisition team at Netflix to see what the city looks like, allows them to work with the local filmmaker here, allowing him to show them what skills he has, what kind of team he can bring to the table. Those are all kinds of good things Netflix can see."