[Andlauer]

Just wanted to make this thread to see what people think of Vancouver's moniker, "hollywood north".

I was born and raised in Vancouver, and I strongly disagree with the title.

IMO Toronto is much more deserving of the title

Vancouver doesn't possess any of the traits of the real Hollywood, other than the fact that a good number of movies are filmed here. But Hollywood is about much more than just filming. Hollywood is about glitz and glamor. It's where people go to "make it" in the film industry. Thats why I think Toronto deserves the title of "hollywood north". Thats where the majority of Canadian made films and television shows are filmed. And that is also where the majority of young Canadian talent goes to break into the filming industry. Look at all the young hollywood stars that are canadian. Michael Cera, Ryan Gosling, Jay Baruchel, Shenae Grimes, Alisha Curhbert, etc. They all got their start in shows that were filmed in Ontario. If you're canadian and you want to break into the film/tv industry you either go to LA or Toronto, not Vancouver.

Also Toronto has the Film Festival which is arguably the biggest film festival in the world. Its a huge star studded event that brings in the biggest celebrities, the glitz, and the glamor of hollywood. Vancouver has nothing even close.

Yes Vancouver gets a decent amount of films and tv shows filmed here but so do other places. So does New York, Philly, Chicago, Portland, Seattle, etc. The list goes on. We're no different from any of those cities. Films are shot, celebrities are occasionally spotted walking around, thats it.

So please people, stop calling Vancouver "hollywood north". It makes us look like a bunch of pompous idiots.

[johnjimbc]

Actually, I'd have to disagree with you on this one.

I don't think it's a matter of importance really, but Hollywood is about filming. And in Canada, Vancouver is still seen as the major go-to spot for filming.

Yes, I know filming takes place in Toronto as well. They also film in New York City, but it still isn't Hollywood.

I just think you're way too dismissive of the idea that Hollywood isn't about filming. It is, and that is what people think of when they think of Hollywood. It's one of the reasons people make a distinction between "Hollywood" and "LA" - Hollywood is part of LA, but people visualize them differently.

Plus, the "Hollywood" image is based on the west coast. Picking a northern "counterpart" as a city in Ontario doesn't really add up.

What west coast Canadian city hosts film production capabilities and "subs" as Hollywood for productions? Gee, guess that would be Vancouver, hence the moniker "Hollywood North."

I don't think the "title" (if you can call it that) is important, but I do think it is obvious.

[Yume-sama]

That moniker doesn't make us look pompous. This on the other hand...

http://www.brandsoftheworld.com/brands/0020/3886/brand.gif

:haha:

[BigWilly]

If people outside of Vancouver want to proclaim Vancouver as "Hollywood North" then thats perfectly fine, if we as Vancouverites self proclaim ourselves as "Hollywood North" i think its rather lame. That being said, if i had to choose a location as one that fits the name best in Canada i would have to agree with Andlauer and say Toronto.

[LeftCoaster]

Just wanted to make this thread to see what people think of Vancouver's moniker, "hollywood north".

I was born and raised in Vancouver, and I strongly disagree with the title.

IMO Toronto is much more deserving of the title

Vancouver doesn't possess any of the traits of the real Hollywood, other than the fact that a good number of movies are filmed here. But Hollywood is about much more than just filming. Hollywood is about glitz and glamor. It's where people go to "make it" in the film industry. Thats why I think Toronto deserves the title of "hollywood north". Thats where the majority of Canadian made films and television shows are filmed. And that is also where the majority of young Canadian talent goes to break into the filming industry. Look at all the young hollywood stars that are canadian. Michael Cera, Ryan Gosling, Jay Baruchel, Shenae Grimes, Alisha Curhbert, etc. They all got their start in shows that were filmed in Ontario. If you're canadian and you want to break into the film/tv industry you either go to LA or Toronto, not Vancouver.

Also Toronto has the Film Festival which is arguably the biggest film festival in the world. Its a huge star studded event that brings in the biggest celebrities, the glitz, and the glamor of hollywood. Vancouver has nothing even close.

Yes Vancouver gets a decent amount of films and tv shows filmed here but so do other places. So does New York, Philly, Chicago, Portland, Seattle, etc. The list goes on. We're no different from any of those cities. Films are shot, celebrities are occasionally spotted walking around, thats it.

So please people, stop calling Vancouver "hollywood north". It makes us look like a bunch of pompous idiots.

Hmm I don't agree at all. I don't know anyone who went to Toronto to make it in the film industry. I know plenty of actors who live in Vancouver, and while some have gone to Toronto for the odd job most stay here because there are more opportunities. I know a few who have gone to LA and most have come back because as an entry level actor the job opportunities here are just as plentiful as down south.

I don't really see any parallels between Toronto and Hollywood, Toronto has TIFC but LA doesn't have anything like that. Like you said Toronto is the home of Canadian entertainment, whereas Vancouver is more where Hollywood gets outsourced to.

You discuss some pretty mediocre stars from ontario but what about the multitude of stars who got their start in Vancouver base filming such as Seth Rogan, Michael J Fox, Ryan Renolds, Hayden Christensen, Carrie-Ann Moss, Jason Preistley etc... Considering the population disparity between Southern Ontario and Metro Vancouver I'd say these numbers are far more in favour of Vancouver's influence on its actors.

You list many other cities, but the bottom line is other than New York or LA more films and TV shows are shot in Vancouver than anywhere else on the continent. I'd say Vancouver is much more deserving of the title Hollywood North... although that said I would much prefer we had our own nickname rather than piggybacking on another.

[ambiguoustraveller]

Don't both cities call themselves "Hollywood North"? It's silly either way. Neither city is very "glitzy" or "glamourous", and having a major film festival doesn't make Toronto anymore "Hollywood", since Venice and Cannes and Berlin also have major festivals yet don't claim such a title.

Also, as stated by LeftCoaster, there are many famous actors from Vancouver who never went to Toronto. Besides the ones already mentioned, there's Pamela Anderson, Tommy Chong, Joshua Jackson, Kristin Kreuk, Ryan Stiles, Colin Mochrie and more.

It's definitely true, however, that Toronto is the centre of Canadian media. Most shows filmed in Vancouver are U.S. productions, and most of those actors listed pretend to be American on film. In Toronto, there's actually some chance you might play a Canadian on a Canadian program. In that sense, Vancouver does seem more deserving of the title "Hollywood North" since the film industry here is all about disguising itself as American!

[Yume-sama]

Don't both cities call themselves "Hollywood North"? It's silly either way. Neither city is very "glitzy" or "glamourous", and having a major film festival doesn't make Toronto anymore "Hollywood", since Venice and Cannes and Berlin also have major festivals yet don't claim such a title.

Also, as stated by LeftCoaster, there are many famous actors from Vancouver who never went to Toronto. Besides the ones already mentioned, there's Pamela Anderson, Tommy Chong, Joshua Jackson, Kristin Kreuk, Ryan Stiles, Colin Mochrie and more.

It's definitely true, however, that Toronto is the centre of Canadian media. Most shows filmed in Vancouver are U.S. productions, and most of those actors listed pretend to be American on film. In Toronto, there's actually some chance you might play a Canadian on a Canadian program. In that sense, Vancouver does seem more deserving of the title "Hollywood North" since the film industry here is all about disguising itself as American!

It's just unfortunate you can't pay people to watch Canadian television.

Even Canadian Idol couldn't make it for goodness sake!

[crazyjoeda]

If Toronto doesn't have enough "glitz and glamor" to be called Hollywood North. Vancouver has been referred to as Hollywood North for decades. Many more Hollywood films are filmed in Vancouver than Toronto. Vancouver is by far Canada's largest film centre; in fact the film industry is one of the largest industries in BC. In all of North America only L.A and NYC have more film production. Toronto has a great film festival, and a fair number of productions, but Vancouver is the original Hollywood North and produces far more Hollywood films.

[LotusLand]

Vancouver has been called Hollywood North for many decades as Crazyjoeda stated. Only recently have I heard Torontonians call themselves that. I think think it was their mayor a few years back (can't remember his name but he was a buffoon who claimed it).

If you look at sheer production numbers and $$$ Vancouver has T.O. beat. Vancouver is 3rd behind L.A. and New York. What's more evident is that Vancouver is growing its reputation whereas T.O. on the world stage isn't. This will only be more evident as talent and movie studios continue to sprout in B.C.

On the domestic front its only natural as CTV and CBC are in Ontario and would film local shows (for the most part) there. Although I can't name any off the top of my head.

What's next...Toronto will lay claim to being biggest video game producer in Canada lol. They have to truely be the centre of the universe.

[LeftCoaster]

The Mayor's name was Mel Lastman, and despite the litany of incredibly stupid quotes to come out of his mouth he was actually a decent mayor.

[LotusLand]

The Mayor's name was Mel Lastman, and despite the litany of incredibly stupid quotes to come out of his mouth he was actually a decent mayor.

Yes Mel. Thanks LeftCoaster :tup: Yeah I heard he was a good mayor, but he came across as a self centred ass.

[Davel]

That moniker doesn't make us look pompous. This on the other hand...

http://www.brandsoftheworld.com/brands/0020/3886/brand.gif

:haha:
Is anyone else embarrassed by this slogan? Are we that full of ourselves? Tourists must laugh to themselves when they see "Best Place on Earth" plastered all over the province.
As referenced in a thread in the Canada section, Vancouver-LA is the second busiest Canada-US air traffic route. I think this stat helps support the Hollywood North label.

[phesto]

If people outside of Vancouver want to proclaim Vancouver as "Hollywood North" then thats perfectly fine, if we as Vancouverites self proclaim ourselves as "Hollywood North" i think its rather lame.

For the most part it is self-proclaimed, which is indeed lame, regardless of how many years certain Vancouverites have been trying to work it into the North American vernacular. I’ve never heard of anyone refer to Vancouver as Hollywood North outside of B.C.

That being said, Vancouver is definitely well recognized among the film industry as a legitimate centre for activity, so if anyone is going to take the ridiculous moniker, it should be Vancouver over Toronto.

Shouldn't hollywoodnorth have something to say about this?:D

[LotusLand]

For the most part it is self-proclaimed, which is indeed lame, regardless of how many years certain Vancouverites have been trying to work it into the North American vernacular. I’ve never heard of anyone refer to Vancouver as Hollywood North outside of B.C.

That being said, Vancouver is definitely well recognized among the film industry as a legitimate centre for activity, so if anyone is going to take the ridiculous moniker, it should be Vancouver over Toronto.

Shouldn't hollywoodnorth have something to say about this?:D

Nobody uses that moniker but us, however, in the states when they associate a city as film production centre in Canada, 8 out of 10 times its Vancouver. Entourage anyone!

[kylemacmac]

Based on the Gov't of BC's new pompous slogan, I'm going to start calling L.A. 'Vancouver South'. Calgary should also be referred to as Surrey East. Edmonton will now be called Surrey Northeast.

Also, while we're on this: Anyone who ever refers to Vancouver as 'Van' is not from Vancouver. This is a 100% accurate fact, all the time.

[agrant]

Regarding Hollywood North... Meh!

That moniker doesn't make us look pompous. This on the other hand...

http://www.brandsoftheworld.com/brands/0020/3886/brand.gif

:haha:But we are the best place on Earth. ;) I've noticed some people take this a little too seriously. I think of it like saying my mother is the best mother in the world. It's just to say we're proud of our home, not to say every other place is the shits. At least that's how I interpret it.

[zivan56]

I wonder how that "best place on earth" slogan is allowed in advertising overseas. In some countries, you can't claim something is "the best" or whatever unless you can actually prove it...

[LeftCoaster]

Well since this is purely subjective (and ludicrous) you can't disprove it, so I think we are ok.

[NetMapel]

Vancouver has more internationally recognized studios, films, and TV show compared to Toronto. I think the moniker is justified.

[twoNeurons]

I think it's an insult to Toronto to call it Hollywood North.

As other have said, it's the centre of Canadian production. Hollywood is not in Canada.

Vancouver serves as a northern extension of Hollywood and with many studios and film stages as well as local talent.

Of course, now if they do what India did and call it Tollywood, or Collywood, you'd get no argument from me.

Besides, all the Canadian actors who "made it big" didn't go to Toronto first, they went to Hollywood.

[SpongeG]

hollywood north refers to LA/US productions filmed done north of the border - in that regard vancouver is that

Toronto however is the place to go if you want to be an actor in Canada and languish in the lameness that it is