Studios wowed by state's beauty
Filmmakers from big studios look to state for major projects
TASMANIA has caught the eye of Hollywood studios — with a number looking to the state as a site for major projects.
Screen Australia chief executive Graeme Mason has revealed recent successes such as blockbuster film Lion and a string of TV series has defined Tasmania as a viable but untapped option for filmmakers — with crews now able to be based here permanently.
“We have had more going on in Tasmania in the last two years than probably the last dozen added together,” he said.
“Tasmania provides a physical landscape which looks like nowhere else. There is crew there now and amazing landscapes very different to anything else, so Tasmania is having a real moment.”
TASMANIA’S reputation as an emerging new hot spot for film and TV production just got a whole lot hotter.
The state has caught the eye of Hollywood studios which are now looking to the state as a site for major projects.
A rash of films and TV series, including Nicole Kidman’s Oscar-nominated Lion, Rosehaven, The Kettering Incident and Australian super producer Bruna Papandrea’s new period film The Nightin gale, has defined Tasmania as a viable but untapped option for Hollywood and other filmmakers. “There are people absolutely looking at it [Tasmania] now,” Screen Australia chief executive Graeme Mason said.
“We have had more going on in Tasmania in the last two years than probably the last dozen added together.”
The Queensland, NSW and Victorian governments have aggressively pursued Hollywood for major productions with blockbuster action franchises and other genres, including Aquaman, Thor, Pirates of the Caribbean and horror flick Winchester starring Helen Mirren, shot on the Australian mainland in recent years.
The Tasmanian Govern- ment and its film-TV business unit, Screen Tasmania, have an advantage when courting directors and location managers scouting potential shoot locations.
“Tasmania provides a physical landscape which looks like nowhere else,” Mr Mason said.
The recent uptick in production in the state has also created film infrastructure to support bigger projects, with talented Tasmanian crew now able to remain home instead of flying north or overseas for work.
“There is crew there now and amazing landscapes very different to anything else you will get, so Tasmania is having a real moment,” Mr Mason said.
Arts Minister Elise Archer said it was no surprise Tasmania’s stunning natural attractions and growing screen sector had focused the world’s attention on the state as a desirable production location.
“Attracting more major productions would be a fantastic result for Tasmania that would create jobs and potentially add millions into the economy,” Ms Archer said.
“Tasmania is fast becoming known as a home of great screen content ... and we will continue to invest and add to our growing reputation.”
Tasmania and other states had the spotlight shone on them over the last week in New York during the four-day inaugural Australian International Screen Forum.