Music Video Production — August 9, 2026
Homegrown — A Love Letter to Toronto
A Love Letter to Toronto
An SS Records Production
Produced by
I Thought It Was Just Me — The Podcast
Sunday, August 9, 2026 — 2:00 PM ET
Production Day Is Coming
About Homegrown
A Love Letter to Toronto
Homegrown is an original music video celebrating Toronto through music, movement, culture, and community.
Inspired by the energy of the city and the nostalgia of 1990s hip-hop and R&B, the project brings together an incredible group of dancers and creatives to produce something joyful, authentic, and unmistakably Toronto.
This production is presented by SS Records and produced by I Thought It Was Just Me — The Podcast, created and co-hosted by Shawna Stewart and Jayne Kamara.
This is our love letter to the city we call home.
Meet the Creators
Created by Friends. Inspired by Toronto.
Sponsored by CTRL Acrobatics
Interested in Acro, Circus Arts or Dance Tech? Check out CTRL Acrobatics — founded by Katelyn Ettinger & Shawna Stewart.
Production Team
The Crew
Production Support
Two dedicated chaperones and additional production assistants will be on-site throughout the day.
The Cast
Featured Dancers
Our cast is being confirmed. Dancer profiles will appear here as registrations are completed.
Headshot
Dancer 1
Headshot
Dancer 2
Headshot
Dancer 3
Headshot
Dancer 4
Headshot
Dancer 5
Headshot
Dancer 6
Group Photo — Coming After Production Day
Special Guest Note
We Sent an Invitation to City Hall…
Because Homegrown is a true love letter to Toronto, we invited Mayor Olivia Chow to stop by the production and celebrate with us.
We'll see if her schedule allows it—no promises, but we had to ask!
Listen
Hear the Song first
Dancers are encouraged to listen to Homegrown as often as possible before production day. Knowing the song builds confidence, sharpens timing, and makes the freestyle moments feel effortless on camera.
Open in SpotifyProduction Day Timeline
Sunday, August 9, 2026
All times are Eastern. The schedule may shift slightly on the day.
2:00 PM
Production Load-In
Production crew begins setting up Location 1.
Dancers are not required at this time.
3:30 PM
Dancer Call Time
Arrival, check-in, wardrobe review, and preparation.
4:00 PM
Freestyle and Camera Work
Dancers will participate in:
- Freestyle filming
- Camera tests
- A few full-group choreography runs
- Small performance moments
- Warm-up and blocking
The major choreography moment will be filmed later at the rooftop location.
5:15 PM
Dancer Break
Shawna and Jayne will capture additional solo and duo footage while dancers take a break.
5:30 PM
Snack Break and Final Prep
Dancers will have time to eat, hydrate, reset, and prepare for the location move. Snacks and refreshments are provided; dancers are welcome to bring their own meal as well.
5:45 PM
Pack-Up and Travel
The production begins packing up and travelling to Location 2.
5:45–6:30 PM
Travel Window
Transportation between locations will be provided for dancers who require it.
6:30 PM
Arrival at Location 2
Dyptych
122 John Street
Toronto, Ontario
6:30–9:00 PM
Rooftop Performance Filming
The main choreography and featured dance performance will take place on the rooftop.
This section may also include:
- Group choreography
- Featured dancer moments
- Small groups
- Solos and duos
- Artist performance footage
- Golden-hour and evening footage
9:00 PM
Estimated Wrap
The schedule may shift slightly based on lighting, weather, production needs, and the pace of filming.
Locations
Two Stops. One City.
Location 1
777 Richmond Street West, Unit 102
Toronto, Ontario
- Check-in
- Wardrobe preparation
- Freestyle filming
- Camera testing
- Rehearsal
- Group choreography runs
- Artist footage
Location 2
Dyptych — 122 John Street
Toronto, Ontario
- Rooftop filming
- Main choreography
- Golden-hour footage
- Featured dance moments
- Artist performance footage
This is a private, closed set. Entry and access to each location will be granted in person by the production team — no walk-ins.
Wardrobe Lookbook
1990s Toronto, head to toe
The look is nostalgic 1990s hip-hop and R&B: oversized silhouettes, denim, clean sneakers, and confident simplicity.
Full Lookbook
Download the Wardrobe Lookbook
The complete visual guide to the Homegrown look — bring it with you when you shop your closet.
Visual Reference
Inspired by "Real Love"
The look and feel of the video is inspired by the music video for “Real Love,” where Mary J. Blige sports the iconic 2 Black Guys | Toronto jersey — oversized, unmistakably 90s, and unmistakably Toronto.
Provided by production
The Official Jersey
Every dancer receives an official oversized black Homegrown baseball jersey to wear on camera—and to keep.
Bring with you
Your Own Pieces
- Two to three baggy bottom options
- Baggy jeans
- Long denim shorts
- Cargo pants
- Parachute pants
- Clean sneakers
- Optional hats
- Simple jewellery
- Optional accessories
Hair and Makeup
Dancers should arrive camera-ready with hair and makeup already completed. A makeup artist will be on-site for touch-ups only.
What's Provided
Taken Care Of
Dancer Honorarium
Each dancer will receive an honorarium as a thank-you for their time, talent, and participation. Details are confirmed privately with each dancer's parent or guardian during registration.
Homegrown Jersey
Each dancer will receive an official Homegrown oversized baseball jersey to keep.
Jerseys are pre-ordered as adult mediums, so they run oversized on the dancers — no size needed.
Snack and Refreshment Table
Water and snacks will be available during production. Dancers are welcome to bring their own meal if they'd like something more substantial.
Parents must disclose all allergies and dietary considerations in the registration form.
On-Site Support
The production will include:
- Two designated chaperones
- Additional production assistants
- Director
- Director of Photography
- Photographer
- Choreographer
- Makeup support
- Additional helping hands
For Parents and Guardians
What We Need From you
Requirements
- Complete the participant registration form
- Provide emergency contact information
- Disclose allergies and relevant medical considerations
- Remain reachable throughout production
- Inform the production of any required accommodations
- Confirm transportation arrangements
- Sign all required participation and media releases
Media Release Covers
Footage and photography from this production may be used in:
- The Homegrown music video
- Behind-the-scenes content
- Promotional materials
- Social media
- Websites
- Press and publicity
- Festival or award submissions
- Advertising
- Archival use
- Future promotion of the project and its creators
Accessibility and Accommodations
How Can We Support Your Dancer?
We want every dancer to feel safe, comfortable, and supported throughout production.
Parents and guardians may use the registration form to tell us about:
- Accessibility needs
- Sensory considerations
- Mobility support
- Communication needs
- Dietary restrictions
- Religious or cultural considerations
- Medical needs
- Any other accommodations
The production team will follow up privately where needed.
What to Bring
Production Day Checklist
- Baggy bottom options
- Clean sneakers
- Optional hat
- Simple jewellery or accessories
- Makeup completed
- Hair completed
- Water bottle
- Phone charger
- Any required medication
- Weather-appropriate layer
- Positive energy
FAQ
Questions, Answered
Contact
Questions Before production day?
Reach the production team directly. We respond to parents and guardians as quickly as possible.
Contact us
Send Us A Message
Fill this out and it goes straight to the production team's inbox.
Next step
Complete Your Registration
Every dancer needs a completed participant registration, emergency contact details, and signed releases before production day.