March 28, 2018
Holly Menchetti, Ottawa Citizen
A web miniseries based on Ottawa’s own Chateau Laurier premiered on Facebook in March and has so far attracted more than 45,000 followers. The three videos in the series combined have been viewed more than a million times.
The web series was filmed in Toronto, but is set at the Chateau Laurier hotel circa 1912. It is about an arranged marriage between two young people. Season 1 has three episodes— running about three minutes each — and is produced and directed by James Stewart, who grew up in the capital.
“I love dramatic storytelling and Ottawa, so it’s the perfect combination of the two,” Stewart said in a phone interview.
Stewart attended Carleton University for film studies and moved to Toronto after graduating.
“I started to work my way up,” said Stewart. Eventually, he began working with short films, commercials, animation, 3D projects and more.
The Chateau Laurier web series (which is can be viewed on the Chateau Laurier — The Web Series Facebook page) was inspired by Stewart’s upbringing in Ottawa. He’s always had an interest in the history of the city, but also with the hotel itself. He believes inside the Chateau Laurier, there are many stories waiting to be told, as well as many interesting guests and personalities who have visited the hotel.
“The Prime Minister, politicians and wealthy people stay at the Chateau Laurier,” he said. “There’s always intriguing drama going on in there.”