William F. White International welcomes Big Sky Studios as a partner to its premier line of film and TV production space
Winnipeg, MB (October 20, 2022) - William F. White International Inc. (WFW), a Sunbelt Rentals company, is pleased to announce its partnership with Big Sky Studios (BSS), a new full-service 187,000 sq. ft. film and television studio owned and operated by Vancouver-based Eighth Avenue Development Group Ltd., the general partner for Eighth Winnipeg Studios Limited Partnership.
This collaborative partnership brings together a modern, innovative studio complex with the experienced, service-focused teams at WFW and Sunbelt Rentals, who have a proven track record of providing equipment solutions to productions across Canada and internationally.
“We’re thrilled to be working with BSS and boosting our support to clients interested in filming in the Winnipeg region,” says Robert Rowan, General Manager, WFW Calgary and Winnipeg. “The City of Winnipeg has a strong and established reputation as a production hub for the film and television industry. We believe that this brand-new, world-class studio complex coupled with our extensive equipment offering will help promote the city as a top destination, especially for larger film and television productions.”
The first phase of BSS is now officially open. The building’s recent renovations include transforming 137,000 sq. ft. of existing interiors into two soundstages at 17,000 sq. ft. and 12,800 sq. ft., renovated production offices, workshops, on-site equipment rental and specialty areas for various film departments, all fully air conditioned. The second phase will see the addition of two purpose-built 15,000 sq. ft. clear span soundstages with 40-foot-high ceilings, along with indoor climate-controlled loading, with a planned completion date of December 2022.
“In response to industry research, our purpose-built studio boasts a user-centric design to suit the needs of any production, including scalable office space and robust facilities for prop sets, wardrobe, mill, painting and more,” says Ed Kolic, CEO, BSS. “This is a unique offering in Manitoba, one which will elevate the scale of what is now offered in the Winnipeg market. We’re excited for this partnership with WFW to further tap into the potential of this growing industry.”
Manitoba’s Film and Media Tax Credit (up to 65 per cent on Manitoba labour, or up to 38 per cent on eligible Manitoba expenditures, and a 10 per cent increase on the labour tax credit on the third film shot within a two-year period) - the most competitive tax credit in Canada - is a significant incentive for producers. As well, the extensive variety of locations, experienced local production crews, and direct flights between Winnipeg and Los Angeles make Manitoba an extremely appealing place to shoot.
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Media Contacts
WFW
Ashley Villarroel
Manager, Communications
Big Sky Studios
Jocelyn Mitchell
Manager, Business Development and Marketing
William F. White International
Founded in 1963, William F. White International Inc. (WFW), a Sunbelt Rentals company, is Canada’s most iconic provider of production equipment to the entertainment industry. With offices across the country, the company services productions of all sizes from coast to coast and houses an extensive state-of-the-art inventory, including camera, lighting, grip, power, specialty equipment, location support, virtual production volumes, and over 1.4 million sq. ft. of production-ready studio properties, in addition to a 23-acre Backlot situated on a 90-acre plot of land complete with 30 storefronts and five interior sets.
Sunbelt Rentals
We MAKE IT HAPPEN! With a passionate team of 20,700+ rental experts, a growing network of over 1,250 locations across North America and the United Kingdom, and an extensive equipment fleet that exceeds $13.2 billion, Sunbelt Rentals helps professionals and do-it-yourselfers get things done. With a highly diversified offering of equipment, solutions, and services available, we assist customers extend their capabilities, complete projects on-time, and handle times of crisis. No matter if you are in commercial, industrial, residential, or municipal industries, we are constantly advancing the idea of what an equipment company can do for its customers. To find out what we can do for you in North America, visit sunbeltrentals.com and sunbeltrentals.co.uk for the United Kingdom.
Big Sky Studios
Located in Winnipeg, the heart of the Canadian Prairies, Big Sky Studios is 187,000 sq. ft. full-service motion picture production facility with 60,000 sq. ft. of sound stages, with half being new, purpose built 40 feet height ceiling, clear span. Over 100,000 sq. ft. are made up of creative production offices, art department and support space including mill and paint shop, wardrobe with laundry and dye, set dec and props, an indoor atrium, kitchen and cafeteria, and ample crew and circus parking. Big Sky Studios is 15 minutes from Winnipeg’s international airport, 15 minutes from downtown, and 10 minutes to the edge of town - a convenient location with all the services of a major urban centre, along with easy access to rural filming spaces. For more information, visit bigskystudios.ca.