Posted on Monday, June 01 2026
Location managers and production crews can spend months – even years – scouting the perfect setting that brings their stories to life on screen. Finding the right city, rural landscape, or landmark is only half the challenge. The other half? Making sure the destination can support production cast and crew.
Beyond the backdrop, production teams need housing that’s scalable, flexible, and built for the realities of filming on location. That’s why so many productions across Canada turn to corporate housing, like Premiere Suites, for long-term stays while on location.
The perfect location has been scouted; the next step is securing housing for a range of cast and crew. Whether it’s a smaller scale production or a large-scale shoot with countless moving parts, securing reliable long-term housing is essential for keeping everything on track.
When it comes to housing cast and crew, here’s what every production team needs to consider:
From pre-production through to wrap, headcounts are constantly changing. Production teams need crew accommodation that can scale up or down on demand, whether that means a variety of unit types within one property, or a corporate housing provider with the network to source additional properties as production evolves.
Many factors can cause production schedules to shift – weather, talent, permit delays. When this happens, production teams need housing with flexible booking terms that can adapt to changing timelines.
Time is money when it comes to production. Crew housing needs to be conveniently located to set so it can minimize commute times for cast and crew as much as possible.
Benefits of being close to set include:
Reduced turnaround times ensuring rest periods are compliant
Lower costs for commuting to and from set
More time for cast and crew to recharge
Faster response to emergencies, or early call times
Productions have a duty of care when it comes to their team. Accommodation needs to offer a level of anonymity and security that allows talent and crew to switch off and feel completely at ease throughout production.
Production budgets are locked in well before the cameras start rolling, leaving little room for unexpected costs along the way. This is why it’s imperative to choose a housing option that offers transparent, all-inclusive pricing from the very beginning.
The last thing a location manager needs is dozens of invoices and contracts, adding to an already complex process. Working with a housing partner that consolidates billing and communication through a single contact makes everything run much smoother.
From executive suites for top talent to fully equipped apartments for long-term crew, production teams need a housing partner that has options, with the ability and variety to accommodate varying needs.
It may appear to be an extensive list, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Choosing the right housing partner – one with genuine experience in Film and TV – will already know exactly what’s needed, making the process much simpler than organizing everything alone.
Film and TV productions operate within a world of unique demands and unpredictable schedules. Reputable furnished housing for film crews, like Premiere Suites, are well versed in the entertainment industry, offering the flexibility, reliability and experience that productions depend on.
Whether a shoot takes production from the natural landscapes of the Bay of Fundy to the urban energy of Toronto or Vancouver, corporate housing can accommodate cast and crew across a wide range of Canadian destinations.
With properties in key cities including Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Halifax and Montreal, as well as access to rural towns and destinations, Premiere Suites’ extensive national portfolio ensures cast and crew can always stay conveniently close to set, wherever filming takes them across Canada.
Whether headcounts are growing at the height of production, or scaling back as things begin to wrap up, Premiere Suites can adjust accordingly – adding units, changing unit types, or extending stays wherever needed. For productions that need to move quickly or pivot on short notice, having a housing partner that can move with the changes, and accommodate last-minute bookings makes a big difference.
Arranging accommodation for a large-scale crew is a logistical challenge. Having one single point of contact for all cast and crew housing eliminates the need to coordinate across multiple providers or third-party suppliers.
Corporate Housing partners like Premiere Suites manage everything from sourcing and booking, through to maintenance and special requests, making it easier for productions to:
Source multiple accommodations within one specific location
Book a variety of unit types for cast and crew under one account
Extend or amend bookings for cast and crew with one single call or email
Raise questions or report issues quickly and efficiently
When cast and crew spend months on location, their accommodations matter. Furnished suites offer the comforts of home, giving production teams a secure place to relax and enjoy their downtime.
With suite options ranging from one to six bedrooms suite types – including private condos to spacious townhomes - there’s something to suit the varying needs of both talent and crew.
Features of furnished suites include:
Separate bedrooms and living spaces to relax after a long day on set
Fully equipped kitchens, from a quick morning breakfast to a late-night meal
Dedicated workspace for off-site productivity
In-suite laundry and bi-weekly housekeeping for added convenience
Secure buildings in safe neighborhoods
Properties with 24/7 concierge services
Full access to premium amenities including rooftop pools, coworking spaces, state-of-the-art fitness facilities and more
Unexpected costs have no place in a locked production budget. When you choose a reputable and experienced housing provider like Premiere Suites, pricing is completely transparent and all-inclusive from day one, covering:
All utilities, Wi-Fi, and cable included with each stay
Fully equipped kitchens that significantly reduce cost of dining for production teams
Tax-free stays of 30 nights or longer (31 nights in Quebec)
Not all housing providers are equipped to handle the demands of production. With over 25 years of providing housing solutions to cast and crew across Canada, Premiere Suites offers a level of service and reputation that modern short-term providers simply cannot match:
Reputable industry accreditation, guaranteeing standardized quality across an extensive portfolio of suites
Professionally managed and inspected, ensuring consistence across the board
24-hour satisfaction guarantee – if cast and crew aren’t completely satisfied with their accommodation, we’ll work directly with you to place them somewhere new
Guest services are available around the clock, seven days a week
Can productions extend their stay if shoots run longer than expected?
We understand the unique demands of Film and TV schedules, which is why Premiere Suites offers flexible bookings that adapt to production schedules. If your production is running longer than expected, our team will work with you to extend cast and crew housing as needed.
Can we adjust the number of units as our crew size changes?
Yes, Premiere Suites offers scalable housing solutions that can adapt to your production size. Whether you need to add units or scale back overtime, we’ll work with you to amend your bookings as needed.
Do you have a mix of unit sizes to accommodate talent and crew?
Yes, with access to over 10,000 furnished housing options across Canada, there is range of unit types and sizes to accommodate everyone on your call sheet.
Can you consolidate billing under one account?
Yes, Premiere Suites offers direct billing, making it more convenient for your crew to have all billing for the production on one invoice.
What cities across Canada do you offer accommodation in?
Premiere Suites offers cast and crew housing in all of Canada’s booming production hubs, including:
With the help of Premiere Suites Alliance, Premiere Suites can accommodate productions in cities and remote destinations well beyond the list above.
What is the best accommodation option for film crews on long-term shoots?
For long-term shoots, furnished corporate suites are widely considered the best options for cast and crew. Unlike hotels, furnished suites offer fully equipped kitchens, in-suite laundry, separate living spaces and flexible booking options, providing cast and crew with the comforts of home.