In 2019, Netflix came to Cobourg’s Downtown and filmed parts of season 1 of Ginny and Georgia and from February 22 to 25, they will be back again – filming parts of Season 2. In October 2019 Kara Euale made a presentation to the DBIA about filming; she provided details of the benefits of this kind of disruption – her Powerpoint is in Resources below. It’s not just the fees paid but also the publicity which attracts tourists. This time, there will be approximately 120 crew members, 100 background performers and 40 production trucks. They will film in Victoria Park, in front of Victoria Hall and along King Street West from Third Street to Hibernia Street. Some roads will be closed and some parking lots fully or partly occupied – see details below.
About the Film
Ginny & Georgia is a mother-daughter coming of age series featuring Antonia Gentry and Brianne Howy (The Passage). Ginny & Georgia centers on Ginny Miller, a 15-year-old who often feels more mature than her free-spirited 30-year-old mother Georgia Miller. Netflix announced that 52 million subscribers watched the first season of the series for the first 28 days after its release in 2021.
Because the film is set in an American Town (fictitious Wellsbury, Massachusetts), we’ll see American flags flying in place of Canadian flags in the filming locations, including from the Victoria Hall building and in Victoria Park. And if it’s like the last time, we’ll also see U.S. mailboxes. The photo at top-right was taken in October 2019 – note the “Wellsbury” signs. There’s more photos in the previous posts – see links below.
Filming Schedule
- Filming preparation will take place Tuesday, February 22 and Wednesday, February 23 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Filming will take place on Thursday, February 24th, from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Tear down will take place Friday, February 25th from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
There’s no word of plan B if there’s a snow storm!
Temporary Road Closures and Traffic Stoppages (February 24)
- Third Street Closure (with local access). King Street to Albert Street, 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- King Street West. Hibernia Street to Third Street, 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- Intermittent traffic stoppages on Queen Street West, McGill Street to Church Street, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Intermittent traffic stoppages on King Street West, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Cobourg Police Services will be working directly with the production company to ensure safety and traffic control.
Film Production Vehicles Parking Areas
These are best seen from the two maps provided. Unfortunately one of them is upside down – map 2 shows north at the bottom and south at the top. Weird. Doubly confusing since Map 1 is normal. Click to enlarge.
The town said in their announcement:
Parking meters that will be put out of use for filming will be paid for by G2G Series 2 Inc. for all the time used. The Town of Cobourg is working closely with the production team to ensure they are meeting all Town of Cobourg requirements and COVID restrictions.
G2G Series 2 Inc. thanks you for your cooperation and consideration while it films in Cobourg. Please call Cobourg’s Community Events Coordinator Jackie Chapman Davis at 905-373-7976 with any questions or concerns. This project is supported by the Town of Cobourg and the Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA).
The previous filming was in Summer and Fall and not in winter or the Covid-19 era – it will be interesting to see what will change.
Resources
Cobourg News Blog posts
- Filming in Cobourg – report on Kara Euale’s presentation to DBIA (link below) – includes fees the Town charges and more – 20 October 2019
- Netflix back in Town – 8 October 2019 – second visit – includes 5 photos
- Netflix comes to Cobourg – 29 August 2019 – includes 9 photos
Town of Cobourg page
- Filming in Cobourg – instructions for anyone wanting to Film in Cobourg.
Other Links
Print Article:
https://www.marieclaire.com/culture/a35636415/where-is-ginny-and-georgia-filmed/
How about this sort of free PR?
And from various online sources about MarieClare magazine (which reports suggest ended its US print publication in summer 2021 after 27 years):
“Marie Claire magazine had an average monthly reach of over 1.9 million adults in Great Britain from July 2018 to June 2019. Reach was higher among women than men, with around 1.6 million women reached by the print title or its website.”
“The target demographic is Marie Claire’s core readership, women ages 18-44 with a median household income of $85,000,” …. “This readership is stylish, fashion savvy and loves to shop. Marie Claire is a fashion magazine published in 35 countries by Hearst magazines, a unit of Hearst Corp.”
(edit to correct typo)
A question. Based on past experience, what is the expected impact on businesses on King Street and on the side streets that either cross or feed into King? I would hope that the restaurants will do well but what about “life-style” businesses and services like the banks, buy-and-sell, second hand shops, the shoe store, pet stores, health shop, clothing stores, etc? Will they be compensated for lost business? What about the business parking on surrounding streets that will be lost to parking by the curious?
I’m all for this kind one-off event taking place here, but businesses in the King Street area are having a hard enough time as it is.
Cobourg should welcome this investment in our downtown. Businesses are compensated for losses. Filming closes certain areas while a shoot is in progress but after a few minutes pedestrian traffic is restored. Bringing out the cameras and movie-making equipment usually means large crowds of people wanting to see what goes on with more business taking place while people are in the area. As well, after the shoot is over and the tv show airs, there are often people coming to town to shop in the locations shown or buy a meal at the place depicted. Professional film crews are adept at ensuring minimal disruption. After two years of lockdown and a bleak and cold winter, let’s look forward to this venture.
Exactly. And there are local hires for extras, who, with their extra income will buy downtown or uptown. Young people get a first hand look at the vid industry and may be inspired to join such individuals: camera, props, costumes, as their education continues.
I appreciate that Mr Oliver raised the question of cost/benefits, something that the CTA would normally question.
Wally,
The CTA, having input from numerous people with business experience, knows that a movie shoot brings financial benefits and opportunity to some of the Town’s businesses and residents. The benefit to the “Town of Cobourg” however, is minimal.
But no thumbs down for this project.
I’m simply pointing out that Mr Oliver’s questions in this regard, would be the very questions and more that CTA ilk would ask. And should always be asked.
It would be cool if someone with entrepreneurial skills designed a restaurant to mimic a restaurant of Murdoch Mysteries times. When the film crew arrives they can use the restaurant for a scene. The restaurant will be able to bill itself as an MM place thereafter, and diners can enjoy the old time ambiance and fine food. Unique dining.
Some restaurant owner might decorate their restaurant to appeal to the viewers of Ginny and Georgia, which may attract cameras, and thereafter exploit the connection all to hell. Now two seasons, perhaps three and four seasons more.
The benefit to the Town may be “minimal” misses the point entirely. The salient point is that this job action (film crew) does not cost the Town a penny, and after that fact, whether a nickel is earned, $50 is earned, or $500 is earned is irrelevant.
When town citizens are paid as extras, that benefits the community because the money earned by its citizens is likely spent for the benefit of local merchants.
Wait! will they have to pay your new outrageous charges?
The CTA considering the town’s businesses and residents a seperate entity to the “Town of Cobourg” tells us all we need to know about that organization.
That thinking (and it’s apparent influence on our government), impedes our making any progress at all on so many problems in this town.
Matt, could you please provide specific examples of your concerns?
A town is only comprised of its tax paying businesses and residents – without them there is no “town.”
Agree. We should welcome it. Other lakeshore communities in the east have been making it a part of their economic development strategy. See link.
https://www.frontenacnews.ca/frontenac-county-news/item/15392-kingston-film-office-seeks-municipal-support-for-provincial-fund-creation