Fanshawe Conservation Area Hosts filming for Netflix Series FUBAR听
The months of July and August are always busy at Fanshawe Conservation Area (FCA), but in 2024, we received an especially unique request. We were approached by representatives from a Toronto area production company to see if Fanshawe Dam and Reservoir could be used for filming portions of Season 2 for the Netflix action-comedy series FUBAR. This series features actor Arnold Schwarzenegger as a retired CIA agent called back into service, as well as Canadian actor Jay Baruchel. 听After some internal discussion, it was decided that Arnold Schwarzenegger in London Ontario, at FCA, was something that could be accommodated. CA staff were then welcomed into the world of film production! 听听
Prior to any filming taking place there were a number of site visits to the filming location where producers, directors, set, stunt, logistical and safety personnel had a chance to envision how the filming would take place and ask CA staff numerous questions. The reservoir was to be featured in a 鈥渂attle鈥� and scenes right on the Fanshawe Dam would involve a tanker truck and helicopter. 听
As filming and preparation dates were to occur around the August Civic Long Weekend,., CA staff were tasked with trying to have as minimal disruption as possible to park operations, while also meeting the requests of the production company. Thankfully with the assistance of the UTRCA Marketing and Communication staff, CA staff were able to pull this off. Importantly, 听they were also present right on the sets to observe what was being done and answer questions or troubleshoot when required. 听While staff were not able to personally meet Arnold Schwarzenegger or other cast members, being in the midst of filming various scenes was a really interesting experience.听
A spin-off of the filming taking place were the questions and interactions staff had with crew members. On a regular basis, questions were posed about the significance of Fanshawe Dam and how it was operated, the Fanshawe Reservoir and flood control, watershed management in general, and the history and offerings at FCA. 听This was a real opportunity for staff to share our conservation messages and educate the crew members on the UTRCA mission.听