Australia’s screen industry agency Ausfilm says “production is booming” across the country, partly due to new tax incentives for local productions that were introduced two months ago.
With eight major TV series and films either completed, in production or post-production this year, streamers and studios are taking advantage of the 30 per cent “location offset”, legislated in July and now fully operational.
“We’re aware that since changes to the location and producer offsets came into effect, several projects have been in pre- or post-production, which is undoubtedly a positive outcome for our industry,” Screen Producers Association (SPA) boss Matthew Deaner told The New Daily.
“However, we are still without crucial streaming legislation that would provide an essential counterbalance for local productions.
“We deeply value our international and global producing partners and the benefits they bring to our shores – but we must ensure that our local industry is robust, resilient, and prioritised regarding support measures.
“Our Australian screen industry should aim always to remain open to new entrants to ensure diversity and stories from the grassroots of society. Almost everyone gets their start in the local industry.
“That’s why local must always be our first, second and third priority as an industry, government and society.”
The 30 per cent tax rebate (up from 16.5 per cent) is for large-budget film and television projects shot in Australia, and can be combined with state and territory government incentives.
According to Ausfilm, the Qualifying Australian Production Expenditure (QAPE) for the location offset generally covers production expenditure in relation to goods and services, the
use of land and the use of goods in Australia at the time they are used in the making of the production.
The QAPE includes spending on production and post-production, including animation, and digital and visual effects.
Big studios like NBC Universal are in Melbourne right now to film Peacock series All Her Fault, starring award-winning Succession actress Sarah Snook.
Snook, 36, is currently based in Melbourne and shares a child with her Australian husband, comedian Dave Lawson.
US actress, Dakota Fanning (War of the Worlds) has also been spotted on locations across the city including Elwood, where more than 100 film crew, trucks, cameras and lighting were gathered, and at Docklands Studios.
Adapted from the bestselling novel by Irish author, Andrea Mara, the story centers around Dublin mother, Marissa Irvine (played by Snook, the Emmy and two-time Golden Globe award winner).
Production Head at Universal Studio Group, Mark Binke, acknowledged the federal government’s support through the new location offset.
“[It] makes it possible to bring projects like All Her Fault to Australia.”
Tony Bissett (Jesse Spencer) and Judy Bissett (Radha Mitchell) in The Last Days of The Space Age. Photo: Disney+/Joel Pratley
Something for everyone
While not a big commissioner of local content, Disney+ is about to release an original Australian drama series, The Last Days of the Space Age.
It was filmed in Perth, Sydney and Wollongong with the assistance of the New South Wales Government via Screen NSW and the Made in NSW Fund and Screenwest.
With a local and international cast including former Neighbours stars Jesse Spencer (Chicago Fire) and Radha Mitchell (Man on Fire, Finding Neverland, Melinda and Melinda), the eight-part series showcases Perth in 1979.
Ausfilm, a federal government-industry partnership that acts as a national content attraction organisation, lists productions underway in most states and territories around the country.
In Queensland, pirate adventure film, The Bluff, recently wrapped, while the action comedy Balls Up starring Mark Wahlberg, and new series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters are in production on the Gold Coast.
In Melbourne, shark movie, Beneath the Storm, starring Blood Diamond actor, Djimon Hounsou, is in post-production.
Over in South Australia, the creators of the independent A24 studio horror hit Talk To Me have just wrapped filming on their latest project, Bring Her Back, starring Sally Hawkins (The Shape of Water).
Up in the Northern Territory, Screen Territory says NCIS: Sydney producers are filming two episodes of the hit series, arriving in the top end after being attracted by their production incentive program.
Back to WA, production on upcoming Australian film, Overture, directed by Bruce Beresford and starring old friend, Bryan Brown, is underway.
Article originated in: The New Daily
