Filming and Post-production
Writer/director Sandeep Panesar completed the screenplay during the winter of 1998/1999. Universal Groove was shot in the then-new digital video format. The producers felt that this medium would allow the gathering of additional B-Roll footage that may not have otherwise been shot. The shooting of particular scenes and some western footage took place in a single day at Upper Canada Village during March 1999. Other shooting took place during a week-long excursion in May 1999. Principal photography began on July 11, 1999 in Montreal, continuing for eleven days around the city.
For Montrealers the return of Corey Haim to his home city was media-worthy, and the production was followed relentlessly, inciting visits from People Magazine and other large media interests. Haim's presence on set was marred by his inability to stay drug-free and perform at his peak. He was frequently noted to be confused and high; leading to his overdose during production. The tight schedule allowed little time for Haim's recovery.
The film wrapped on July 22, 1999, leaving producers with approximately 36 hours of digital video footage to comb through. The producers took a one-year hiatus on the film while they experimented with digital effects, post-production processing tests, and interviewed post-production facilities. Due to the dwindling post-production budget, the producers needed to raise more finance in order to complete the film. The film went into hiatus for three further years. At the end of 2003, post-production once again began in earnest.
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