Screen Territory hails new Netflix show ‘Territory’, which injected $6.9m into NT economy
Ahead of the premiere of Netflix series ‘Territory’, it has been revealed the production resulted in a $6.9m injection into the NT economy. SEE THE PHOTOS.
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Ahead of the premiere of new Netflix series ‘Territory’, it has been revealed Screen Territory invested $1.3 million into the project, generating a $6.9m injection into the NT economy.
Hours out from the show’s red carpet launch at Event Cinemas Palmerston, Screen Territory director Jennie Hughes said the local economy had greatly benefited from the show’s production.
“We invested $1.3 million and out of that we generated $6.9 million of direct spend,” she said.
“We employed 292 Territorians and 100 businesses, so it’s absolutely a fantastic story for Territorians.”
More than 13,000 meals were served in more than 30 days on the site of Tipperary Station, where the show is centred.
Further, to accommodate more than 200 cast and crew, more than 100 camper vans, amenities, mess kitchens, caterers, unit and logistics crew and cleaners were assembled.
With audiences in 190 countries and 240 million subscribers soon to have access to the highly-anticipated show, director Greg McLean said the series would be the Top End’s “biggest commercial ever”.
“It’s one of the biggest Australian television productions ever (made) in the country and we are able to show the world some of the incredible landscapes, locations and characters who capture the spirit of the NT,” he said.
“We hope the world falls in love with the show and the characters and we hope that it draws people into the NT and Australia.”
Featuring warring factions and families wrestling over a disputed cattle station, the show has drawn comparisons to series Yellowstone, which is set in Montana, in the USA.
Mr McLean is familiar with the Top End, having directed the 2007 horror film Rogue.
“In that film we got to explore Katherine Gorge (and) lots of areas of the NT, but this time we’re able to show much, much more.”
A self-described “huge fan” of legendary film Crocodile Dundee, Mr McLean said he hoped to generate similar NT fever among Netflix’s global community.
“I was always impressed with the way Crocodile Dundee captured the international audience’s imagination and brought a generation of people around the world to come and experience the NT,” he said.
“I always thought that was such an amazing thing to do so when I heard about (Territory), I thought ‘Wouldn’t it be great to be able to do something like that for a new generation?’”.
Department of Tourism and Hospitality chief executive Suzana Bishop echoed Mr McLean’s vision and said she hoped the show would captivate foreigners from afar.
“It’s not just about entertainment, it’s an invitation to get travellers to come and have their own adventure,” she said.
“Check out our backyard and check everything we’ve got to offer in the Territory.”
For Katherine born actor Beau Jones, the opportunity to return home was too good to refuse.
“This is just an absolute dream come true as an actor,” he said.
“You couldn’t get any better than this, especially as a Territorian I’m even more proud that this has happened.”
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