Marta joins the cast to save arts industry

MARTA Dusseldorp has called for urgent government assistance to save the local arts industry.

The actor, who joins the cast of Wentworth next week, said international film shoots in Australia could stall growth of the local industry.

Local dramas, put on hold due to COVID-19 restrictions, are in danger after the government cut network quotas for local productions.

“What happens when we run out of content, because we will,” Dusseldorp said.

“This $400m injection into international locations for Hollywood to arrive at our door, bringing everyone with them, will absorb all of our crews because we have the best crews in the world and everyone knows that.

“And then Australian stories can’t be told because there’s no one available to shoot them.

“We’ve really got to talk about this and fight for our own space. We need to keep our arts industry alive.”

Dusseldorp, who is working on theatre and other production work in her new home in Tasmania, where there are fewer restrictions, was due to start another drama in Melbourne which is now on hold.

“There’s no JobSeeker (for the arts industry),” she said. “When you’re a professional of 30-odd years and you see other industries being taken care of, it’s a difficult thing to swallow.”

Wentworth producer Jo

Porter said quotas on local productions needed to be reinstated, forcing television networks to back Australian talent.

“We need the regulations,” Porter said. “We really do need quotas, we need to protect Australian voices.

“We know the best of our shows work brilliantly locally and internationally, which is fabulous to have our voices out there in the world, for our children to hear Australian accents and see their country on the screen, and to sustain the next generation of creatives.

“Offshore productions are great for local crew and some cast, but it doesn’t give an opportunity for our writers and directors.

“They’ll bring in A-list American cast.

“How do we protect our storytelling? Not just for now but for future generations.

“In a field with so much international competition we need to ensure there’s a way to get our stories out there in the world.”