Logan company helps blockbuster movie business keep motoring on Gold Coast

A GOLD Coast business is helping get blockbuster shows on the road and proving there’s more to motorhomes than self-funded retirees hitting the highway on the adventure of a lifetime.

Swagman CEO Dave Suttor. Picture: Jack Tran

A GOLD Coast business is helping get blockbuster shows on the road and proving there’s more to motorhomes than self-funded retirees hitting the highway on the adventure of a lifetime.

Swagman Motorhomes’ million-dollar, five-star facilities on wheels have played a leading role in the Gold Coast’s recent slate of blockbuster film shoots.

Jason Momoa as Aquaman. Photo: Warner Bros

The company has supplied motorhomes for cast and crew and customised wardrobe and make-up vehicles for movies including San Andreas, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales and Thor: Ragnarok and will provide 12 vehicles valued at up to $1 million each for Aquaman when production on the film ramps up on the Gold Coast next year.

CATCH OF THE DAY: COAST LANDS AQUAMAN

Swagman CEO Dave Suttor, who is also president of the Gold Coast Polo Club, said film production now accounted for 43 per cent of the Yatala-based business’s trade.

The company, which has 11 staff, manufactures, sells, refurbishes and rents five-star, A-class motorhomes ranging from 8m to 12m — including a twin executive model with a spa bath.

“A typical product that we use on the films, there’s not much change out of a million dollars,” Mr Suttor said.

Swagman CEO Dave Sutter. Pictures: Jack Tran

The air-conditioned wardrobe and make-up vehicles come with everything from full-length mirrors and change areas to NTSC and PAL monitors, jewellery safes, fitted wig stands, backwash sinks and hydraulic make-up chairs.

The specialised vehicles are also used at concerts and entertainment events, fashion shows, weddings and functions including Magic Millions and polo events.

Last days of Thor filming at the Oxenford Quarry. Picture Glenn Hampson

“We’ve been asked to tender for the 2018 Commonwealth Games,” Mr Suttor said.

Mr Suttor said the Federal Government’s decision to lift the location offset rebate from 16.5 to 30 per cent to help secure the Aquaman shoot made “an amazing difference to companies like us”.

The motorhomes Aquaman stars Jason Momoa and Amber Heard use when filming begins next year are more than likely going to require customising.

Swagman CEO Dave Suttor at his business in Yatala. Picture: Jack Tran

Momoa, who stars as the King of the Seven Seas, is a towering 1.93m Hawaiian actor and adventurer who might need a larger-than-standard door on his home away from home on wheels.

“We’ll be able to find something right for him,” Mr Suttor said.

Johnny Depp meets fans at Cleveland after a day filming Pirates of the Caribbean. Pic Peter Wallis

“If we can’t do it ourselves we can access a product that suits the client or the productions.

“We can access a vehicles with an eight foot ceiling.”

Mr Suttor said the company could also provide a specialised luxury vehicle for Heard if she brings her “terriergate” co-stars Pistol and Boo back to Australia while she works on Aquaman.

“We will have a little home for Pistol and Boo if Amber would like to bring them on to the film set,” he said.

“That’ll be in proximity to, I’m sure, her very adequate accommodation that we will provide.”

Samuel L Jackson at Broadbeach heading back to his hotel after dinner during his time on the Coast filming Kong: Skull Island.