$400m deal announced: Gold Coast gain major big-budget production companies interest
UPDATE: Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced a $400 million funding deal for big-budget productions and the Gold Coast are set to benefit.
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UPDATE
MAJOR production companies have already expressed interest in the Gold Coast as a filming location after a $400 million funding deal was announced on Friday.
The deal will double tax incentives for big-budget international movie productions, in hopes of bringing thousands of jobs and millions in revenue to the city.
Speaking to media at film equipment company Creative Productions in Molendinar on Friday afternoon Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he had already been contacted by several production companies.
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“Jerry Bruckheimer’s and Ron Howard’s (studios) have already reached out,” he said.
Bruckheimer’s company has previously produced blockbusters Bad Boys and National Treasure, while former Happy Days star Howard has directed Backdraft and Apollo 13.
Mr Morrison said the film industry would form a key part of Australia’s COVID-19 recovery.
“The film industry reaches into so many different sectors,” he said.
“People who work in the film industry also work in other sectors, particularly here on the Gold Coast.
“We know we’re investing in a bright and positive future.”
Earlier in the day Mr Morrison met with director Baz Luhrmann at Village Roadshow Studios on the Coast, where production is underway on a new Elvis biopic.
Creative Productions owner Dave Jackson said he hoped the investment would lead to more focus on hiring local businesses for big-name productions filmed in the area.
“Generally, the film business comes out of Sydney, so that’s a great idea if it works,” he said.
“If they’re using local businesses there’s definitely an advantage to it.”
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said large production companies such as Disney have already spoken to him and he’s confident the new $400 million funding will help move forward a deal for the city to be Star Wars’ new filming destination.
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“To all the other capital cities, like Sydney and Melbourne, there’s a pie there and we’re just letting you know Gold Coast will be getting a fair share,” he said.
“The dots have lined up and let’s say I foresee new content coming to a screen near you from the Gold Coast.”
Cr Tate said the city council will talk with the Queensland Government and large production companies to let them know the Gold Coast will help decrease filming costs.
“If they need to go to South Australia to do some filming, they’re welcome, there’s no need for us to charge them,” he said.
EARLIER
MILLIONS of dollars and thousands of jobs are set to flow after the Federal Government agreed to nearly double tax incentives for big-budget international movie productions.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison will visit the Gold Coast on Friday to announce a $400 million incentive deal to attract more productions to the country, capitalising on the prolonged shutdown of the US entertainment sector during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The incentives deal will run until 2027 and is expected to grease the pipeline to attract more.
It’s a huge win for the Gold Coast on the back of a three-year campaign by the Bulletin to secure the deal.
Mr Morrison said the deal would play a significant role in the revitalisation of Australia’s arts industry, which has been devastated by the pandemic.
“This investment is key to our JobMaker plan to create jobs, boost local business activity, and provide training and skills,” he said.
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“Behind these projects are thousands of workers that build and light the stages, that feed, house and cater for the huge cast and crew and that bring the productions to life. This is backing thousands of Australians who make their living working in front of the camera and behind the scenes in the creative economy.”
It comes just days after Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate pushed for the tax incentive to be increased to attract more productions to the city’s studios.
Cr Tate this week wrote to Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney, the bosses of the Star Wars franchise, to try to lure big productions to the Coast.
He pitched the city as a safe haven for US movie networks as the ravaged film industry looks to rebound from COVID-19.
The Gold Coast has established itself as a serious filmmaking location in the past decade, being home to Thor: Ragnarok, San Andreas, Aquaman, Kong: Skull Island andPirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has long campaigned for the rate of incentive funding to be increased after a series of confrontations between the state and federal governments in recent years over the need for extra funding to lure moves to the city.
The deal effectively increases the tax offset rate from 16.5 per cent to 30 per cent for eligible large budget international productions that film in Australia.
Arts Minister Paul Fletcher said the deal was designed to attract back-to-back productions and establish an ongoing pipeline of work.
“The location incentive is an economic multiplier. It will sustain the vitality of Australian screen production and support jobs and local businesses,” he said.
“Through this additional commitment, the Government is telling the world that Australia is a desirable destination for screen production with great locations, skilled crews, world-class talent, post-production expertise and state of the art facilities.”
Screen Queensland says the US media landscape is enthusiastic about heading to Australia, having fielded inquiries about $1.2 billion worth of potential film and TV projects.
Production of Baz Luhrmann’s untitled Elvis biopic was suspended on March 12 when star Tom Hanks tested positive for COVID-19.
Hanks remains in the US and it is unclear when production will resume.
Originally published as $400m deal announced: Gold Coast gain major big-budget production companies interest