Coast home becomes a TV set for new L’Oreal ad

WHEN the world’s largest cosmetic firm went searching the planet for the perfect location for its next advertisement, only one destination would do.

DREAM LOCATION: Glen and Deb Watson’s stunning home at Sunshine Beach has become a film set for L’Oreal and, below, the Watsons jostle for space with the crew.

WHEN the world's largest cosmetic firm went searching the planet for the perfect location for its next advertisement, only one destination would do.

It wasn't Paris, Italy, New York or the Gold Coast. It was Sunshine Beach.

L'Oreal selected the home of builder Glen Watson and his wife Deb as the stunning dream location it had to have for its Chinese shampoo commercial.

Glen and Deb initially said "no thanks".

"We heard the film shoots involve 300 people and we thought 'oh no, you're not doing that in our brand new house," Deb said.

But L'Oreal just wasn't going to take no for an answer and agreed to scale down the shoot to a crew of 60 and persuaded the couple to give it a go.

Nearly two weeks ago their luxury three-level home, Azure, was transformed into a film set with directors, producers and one of China's top actresses, understood to be Jing Tian, moving in.

"The whole house, all three levels, became a massive movie studio," Deb said.

"It was very interesting and exciting."

The commercial will be a fabulous boost for the house at 26 McAnally Dr, which the couple are personally selling at Glen Watson Building and Design with a $6.5 million plus price tag.

But Deb was optimistic it could provide a boost for the whole region.

"It will be shown in China and around the world. It will be really wonderful for Noosa," she said.

Internationally acclaimed horror film maker Chris Sun, who lives on the Sunshine Coast, believes the region has been missing out to the Gold Coast.

But it would take more than beauty to bring the big movie-makers and their multi-million dollar business here.

"It seems like the Gold Coast is more inviting. Our local council doesn't do enough to attract the business," Mr Sun said.

This could change.

Sunshine Coast councillors agreed in November to call for an investigation into an investment incentive scheme to attract the film industry.

Gold Coast's $156 million economic film boost

SCREEN Queensland has outlined what the Gold Coast has that makes it attractive as a destination for the lucrative film industry.

"It is where the Village Roadshow Studios is based, close to an international airport and a large range of facilities, and 80% of Queensland's crew live there," a spokesman said.

"The Gold Coast City Council offers financial incentives, actively engages with the international market, and reduces red tape.''