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Comment by OJFord | Hacker News Reader

Toronto skyline is often apparent in 'New York' scenes, in many productions, Suits for example. It's like they think only NYC will be recognisable (formerly the twin towers, ESB, statue of liberty, etc.) so any view of Toronto can just sub in for an anonymous bit of NYC. (Except perhaps the CN tower, haven't seen anything that stupid!)

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This was the source of humour in "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" S2E3 where Kirk stands in Sankofa Square in front of a large sign emblazoned "Toronto Eaton Centre" and asks "Are we in New York City?"

Lots of film production goes on in Toronto, I especially love how Roy Thompson Hall always shows up in anything vaguely sci-fi. Vaught headquarters in The Boys, U.N. headquarters in The Expanse, it was even in the background of a few scenes of The Handmaid's Tale.

> It's like they think only NYC will be recognisable

Probably more because they look at how much dollars and hassle it would cost to film in NY, compared to the (relatively) cheaper Toronto.

Most likely production tax credits.

"The Ontario Film & Television Tax Credit is a 35% refundable tax credit on Ontario labour for film and television productions by Ontario-based Canadian controlled companies for productions shot in Toronto, Ontario."

Same general reason why a lot of film/tv production is done in the state of GA now, which decided to compete with California, Vancouver and Toronto to attract productions.

I'm not saying they should film in NY, I meant the lack of care to use less recognisable bits or remove them digitally etc. - that they think 'we can't film in NYC, people will recognise it, and this isn't set in NYC' - not that they were trying to film NYC and should do it in NYC. (But I realise now I made that confusing with the Suits example.)

Vancouver filming in the 1990s was worse, there's a Jackie Chan movie supposedly set in NYC where you can see a clear view of the snow capped north shore mountains across the water.

There was a scene in an X-files episode of a secret meeting in some US city ... under the Skytrain monorail with a train whizzing by.

The 'new' Vancouver Public Library also serves as the headquarters of an evil human cloning corporation in "The 6th Day", and is seen in Battlestar Galactica.

Something like the stray palm trees in the background of ads and shows that are supposed to take place in the US Midwest.

I know where you really are!

Halloween, supposedly set in Illinois, has palm trees in the background of many scenes, and classrooms with doors that lead directly outside.

Those classrooms! Exactly.

“Due South” was set in Chicago but shot in Toronto. It was fun to keep track of the recognizable Toronto locations while watching.

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