Film London
Project Details
Witstudio delivered a comprehensive website design to Film London, designed to promote the city as a top filming destination while streamlining access to local talent and shoot locations. The goal was to build a powerful, data-driven platform that connects producers with the resources they need to film in London, Ontario — from registered crew to shoot-ready spaces.
Categories
Website Design
SEO
Content Creation
Team
Sean Cavanaugh
Youssef Sadaki
Kristina Esposito
Website Design
Our Approach
Our strategy was centered around user empowerment. We didn’t just want to inform — we wanted to activate the community. Whether you’re a producer looking for a location, or a resident with a unique space to offer, the site makes participation intuitive and secure.
We focused on UX clarity, strong content hierarchy, and seamless navigation between directories, registrations, and local filming info.
Understanding the Industry
We studied the needs of two primary user groups:
- Producers/Filmmakers in search of trusted local crew and locations
- Residents and freelancers looking to enter or grow in the film industry
By analyzing how other cities manage film resources and directories, we built a centralized solution that avoids friction, saves time, and protects user privacy — turning what is often a fragmented process into an accessible, film-friendly digital platform.
Design and Development
We created a user-centric experience optimized for simplicity and functionality. The homepage acts as a gateway to core actions:
- Find Crew
- Find Locations
- Register as Crew
- Register a Location
Each path leads to intuitive forms and filterable directories backed by a growing database of over 300+ entries, empowering producers to find the right match faster.
SEO STRATEGY
As part of the core deliverables, we implemented foundational on-page SEO practices including:
- Optimized URL structures
- Metadata and headings for location/crew pages
- Keyword-rich copy aligned with search intent (e.g., “film in London Ontario,” “crew directory,” “location scout Ontario”)
- Accessible and structured content for long-term indexability
This ensures Film London ranks for its key services and is discoverable by producers, scouts, and talent.
DIRECTORY INTEGRATION
This feature was the heart of the build. We developed:
Crew Directory
- Fully searchable and filterable
- Vetted members
- Over 200 profiles published
- Direct contact with crew member
Location Directory
- Filter by location type, features, and accessibility
- High-resolution image support for visual scouting
- Over 200 profiles published
- Direct contact with location member
These directories help bring projects to life — they’re fast, secure, and deeply local.
Registration
We built two self-serve onboarding portals:
- Crew Registration: for freelancers, actors, set designers, camera operators, and anyone in production
- Location Registration: for business owners, homeowners, and venue managers who want to rent out unique spaces
Each submission flows into the back-end system, reviewed and published after admin approval, ensuring high-quality listings.
Key Features
CREW & LOCATION DIRECTORY
Built to scale with new member submissions and easy back-end management for admins.
Multi-Point FILTERING
Producers can find exactly what they’re looking for — fast — whether it’s a drone operator or a lakeside cabin.
PRIVATE & SECURE CONTACT
No email address exposure. Inquiries go through a secure, anonymous form for privacy and professionalism.
INTUITIVE USER EXPERIENCE
Everything from registration to discovery is just a few clicks away. Information pages are enhanced with media and calls to action.
Results & Impact
CENTRALIZED FILM RESOURCE HUB
London now has a go-to portal for connecting people, places, and productions — all in one place.
Growing Membership
Over 300 local crew and location listings live at launch, with tools in place to grow community involvement, membership grew more than 35% within 6 weeks of launch.
SUPPORTING ECONOMIC GROWTH
By making it easier to procure filming resources locally, the website helps attract projects that can contribute to London’s economy.
POWERFUL TOOL FOR PRODUCERS
Instead of hunting through outdated PDFs or Facebook posts, producers now have a streamlined, modern tool to scout and staff efficiently.
Visit the Film London Website
Case Studies Compelling Case Studies
Our commitment to tailored strategies is not just a promise; it’s a proven practice. Explore our collection of case studies to see how we’ve helped businesses just like yours achieve remarkable results. From increased organic traffic to higher conversion rates, our case studies highlight the tangible benefits of our custom SEO approaches.
Let's Start Something! Let's Start Something New!
Ready to experience the power of a customized digital marketing strategy? Let's embark on this journey together. Contact us today to discuss your specific goals and objectives. At Witstudio, we're not just your digital marketing agency; we're your partners in success.