Skip to content

Filming movie in Orillia 'a wonderful experience,' says director

Sean Cisterna, who went to elementary school in Orillia, is filming Boy City in Orillia - 'a booming creative community with several fabulous artists and people'

A former Orillian has returned to town to film his latest movie.

Sean Cisterna, who attended Monsignor Lee Catholic School, is in Orillia this month to shoot Boy City. It is described as “a tale of a group of men in their mid- to late-30s who for almost two decades have been earnestly pursuing a career in the music industry as a late-’90s, early-2000s style boy band.”

“When a student film crew decides to document their exploits, we are given a front-row seat to experience the incredible, even unfathomable lengths these ‘boys’ are willing to go to make their dream come true.”

“We chose to shoot Boy City in Orillia because there are so many diverse locations here that perfectly bring our story to life, from the shores of Lake Couchiching to (Creative Nomad Studios) to the new recreation centre,” Cisterna said. “Orillia has that nice mix of modern architecture, traditional interiors, and gorgeous natural landscapes.”

The filming has also provided some locals the opportunity to work behind the scenes.

“We also wanted a chance to develop local talent behind the camera,” Cisterna said. “I’d love to continue bringing productions here in the future, so testing the waters with local actors and crew gives us the confidence to do more here.”

Shooting in town has been “awesome,” said producer Mariah Owen, of GTE Productions.

“We are so grateful to be shooting Boy City here. There’s such a booming creative community with several fabulous artists and people,” she said. “We are already thinking of what other projects we can return with. We're definitely getting a great opportunity to highlight this awesome community and discover new parts as well while being able to connect with local creatives to collaborate.”

Cisterna has a number of films under his belt, including From the Vine, Full Out, and Kiss and Cry.

For Boy City, he said, it’s “a wonderful experience to film in a city that feels like ‘home.’”

Boy City was written by Matt Karzis, who stars in the film alongside Greg Calderone, Alex Spencer, Christian Smith and Joe Bucci. It is set to be released in late 2021 or early 2022.


Reader Feedback

Nathan Taylor

About the Author: Nathan Taylor

Nathan Taylor is the desk editor for Village Media's central Ontario news desk in Simcoe County and Newmarket.
Read more