AUSTRALIA IS PLAYING A LEAD ROLE IN FILM INDUSTRY BOOM

PROLIFIC Australian actor Brad McMurray (left) says a reality has emerged from the mire of Covid. “We need entertainment, we need the arts, we need stories to be told,” he says from his Gold Coast performing arts studio. “This has seen the streaming services scrambling for content and, of course, to service that need we are directly in their sights.” McMurray, who has been in a staple of productions over three decades, says Australia, and the Gold Coast in particular, is proving to be a strong contender in the global film industry. “A combination of incredible locations, worldclass crew, and state-of-the-art facilities teamed with a low Australian dollar, very minimal community transfer of Covid and terrific government incentives make for one of the most sought-after locations in the world,” he says. “Attracting big productions injects so much money into the local economy over so many industries – tourism, hospitality all benefit from the film industry boom.” The Gold Coast has been McMurray’s home for the past

25 years. Recent work includes blockbuster Godzilla vs. Kong, the third season of Mr Inbetween and Stan original series Eden.

He decided to launch The Actors Club’s Gold Coast studio in January 2020, a month before the storm that would be Covid, and says the business has gone from strength to strength.

The studio has helped budding stars get ready to hit the big screen. Graduate Zac Lemons just scored a lead role opposite Liam Neeson on Black Light, while two others have leads on Swimming for Gold. He says the studio is at capacity and looking to expand.

McMurray says he was initially concerned for the future of the arts when the federal arts minister role was amalgamated into a new entity called the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications.

But he credits the government’s decision to extend the producer offset, a refundable tax offset (rebate) for producers of Australian feature films, television and other projects, with providing longevity with incoming productions to Queensland.

“This has already been seen with Marvel looking to lock in a long-term filming contract at Fox studios in Sydney and a significant increase in studio occupancy both here on the Gold Coast and at the Screen Queensland Studios in Brisbane.

“My belief is places like America and United Kingdom unfortunately will continue to be impacted by Covid. This is going to funnel more international work into Australia and therefore more jobs for Australians.”