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Fairmont Royal York Hotel still in demand for movie roles
Wednesday February 20th 2013There’s no Academy Award for stand-ins, but if there was Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York Hotel would have a credible claim on a nomination.
The Front St. institution, opened in 1929, has doubled for American hotels whenever an opulent ballroom, magnificent lobby or luxurious suite was needed for a film shoot.
The Royal York, almost always disguised, has appeared in about 20 features – including the Oscar-nominated Cinderella Man (2005) and Oscar-winning The Killing Fields (1984) – and her casting calls keep coming.
“I think every inch of the hotel has been shot … even the roof and elevators,” says Kerry Ann Kotani, the hotel’s regional director of sales and marketing. “It’s a beautiful building with a beautiful and classy exterior. It’s the perfect choice for a lot of situations.”
Film work at the hotel has remained constant, she says, even when U.S. film shoots declined.
“We’re aggressive about it. We’ve pursued it hard the past 12 years,” says Kotani, noting the Royal York has two full-time employees who work with the film industry. “But it’s just not about the revenue … it’s also the brag appeal.”
The hotel recently doubled for the Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park in the film Red (2010). Star Helen Mirren (an Oscar winner for The Queen) needed a good-sized kitchen for a shootout and the Royal York won the part.
Other movies that have used the hotel include Serendipity (2001); Brian’s Song (2001); The Tuxedo (2002); New York Minute (2004); Where the Truth Lies (2005); Hollywoodland (2006); Take the Lead (2006); Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium (2007); Max Payne (2008); Grey Gardens (2009), Chloe (2009) and Amelia (2009).
Kotani says crews tend to “take over” the hotel when filming, but they’ve never had any complaints from paying guests.
“To tell you the truth, it’s quite exciting, for everyone /// there’s a buzz. The visitors actually enjoy the activity and the chance to see a star.”
And the two hotel employees that work with productions move into the hotel and are there around the clock to address any situation.
But Kotani wouldn’t spill about any parties or hijinks from cast and crew, saying only “they have a good time” and “what happens at the Royal York stays at the Royal York.”
And it’s just not Hollywood calling.
Canadian film and TV production companies are still beating a path to the Royal York, according to Kotani, along with the many agencies that create commercials.
Source: The Star
Front Page, Industry News
Fairmont Royal York Hotel still in demand for movie roles
Wednesday February 20th 2013There’s no Academy Award for stand-ins, but if there was Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York Hotel would have a credible claim on a nomination.
The Front St. institution, opened in 1929, has doubled for American hotels whenever an opulent ballroom, magnificent lobby or luxurious suite was needed for a film shoot.
The Royal York, almost always disguised, has appeared in about 20 features – including the Oscar-nominated Cinderella Man (2005) and Oscar-winning The Killing Fields (1984) – and her casting calls keep coming.
“I think every inch of the hotel has been shot … even the roof and elevators,” says Kerry Ann Kotani, the hotel’s regional director of sales and marketing. “It’s a beautiful building with a beautiful and classy exterior. It’s the perfect choice for a lot of situations.”
Film work at the hotel has remained constant, she says, even when U.S. film shoots declined.
“We’re aggressive about it. We’ve pursued it hard the past 12 years,” says Kotani, noting the Royal York has two full-time employees who work with the film industry. “But it’s just not about the revenue … it’s also the brag appeal.”
The hotel recently doubled for the Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park in the film Red (2010). Star Helen Mirren (an Oscar winner for The Queen) needed a good-sized kitchen for a shootout and the Royal York won the part.
Other movies that have used the hotel include Serendipity (2001); Brian’s Song (2001); The Tuxedo (2002); New York Minute (2004); Where the Truth Lies (2005); Hollywoodland (2006); Take the Lead (2006); Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium (2007); Max Payne (2008); Grey Gardens (2009), Chloe (2009) and Amelia (2009).
Kotani says crews tend to “take over” the hotel when filming, but they’ve never had any complaints from paying guests.
“To tell you the truth, it’s quite exciting, for everyone /// there’s a buzz. The visitors actually enjoy the activity and the chance to see a star.”
And the two hotel employees that work with productions move into the hotel and are there around the clock to address any situation.
But Kotani wouldn’t spill about any parties or hijinks from cast and crew, saying only “they have a good time” and “what happens at the Royal York stays at the Royal York.”
And it’s just not Hollywood calling.
Canadian film and TV production companies are still beating a path to the Royal York, according to Kotani, along with the many agencies that create commercials.
Source: The Star
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Front Page, Industry News
Fairmont Royal York Hotel still in demand for movie roles
Wednesday February 20th 2013There’s no Academy Award for stand-ins, but if there was Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York Hotel would have a credible claim on a nomination.
The Front St. institution, opened in 1929, has doubled for American hotels whenever an opulent ballroom, magnificent lobby or luxurious suite was needed for a film shoot.
The Royal York, almost always disguised, has appeared in about 20 features – including the Oscar-nominated Cinderella Man (2005) and Oscar-winning The Killing Fields (1984) – and her casting calls keep coming.
“I think every inch of the hotel has been shot … even the roof and elevators,” says Kerry Ann Kotani, the hotel’s regional director of sales and marketing. “It’s a beautiful building with a beautiful and classy exterior. It’s the perfect choice for a lot of situations.”
Film work at the hotel has remained constant, she says, even when U.S. film shoots declined.
“We’re aggressive about it. We’ve pursued it hard the past 12 years,” says Kotani, noting the Royal York has two full-time employees who work with the film industry. “But it’s just not about the revenue … it’s also the brag appeal.”
The hotel recently doubled for the Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park in the film Red (2010). Star Helen Mirren (an Oscar winner for The Queen) needed a good-sized kitchen for a shootout and the Royal York won the part.
Other movies that have used the hotel include Serendipity (2001); Brian’s Song (2001); The Tuxedo (2002); New York Minute (2004); Where the Truth Lies (2005); Hollywoodland (2006); Take the Lead (2006); Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium (2007); Max Payne (2008); Grey Gardens (2009), Chloe (2009) and Amelia (2009).
Kotani says crews tend to “take over” the hotel when filming, but they’ve never had any complaints from paying guests.
“To tell you the truth, it’s quite exciting, for everyone /// there’s a buzz. The visitors actually enjoy the activity and the chance to see a star.”
And the two hotel employees that work with productions move into the hotel and are there around the clock to address any situation.
But Kotani wouldn’t spill about any parties or hijinks from cast and crew, saying only “they have a good time” and “what happens at the Royal York stays at the Royal York.”
And it’s just not Hollywood calling.
Canadian film and TV production companies are still beating a path to the Royal York, according to Kotani, along with the many agencies that create commercials.
Source: The Star
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