Film Industry on the Gold Coast

Archived from Goldcoastcity.com.au of Gold Coast City Council's page on "Film".
May, 2006

Film

Film, television and entertainment, our largest 'creative industry' sector, pioneered international film production to Australia in the late 1980's and continues strongly.

As home to many national and international film industry events, we attract hundreds of industry leaders and boast international screen successes such as Peter Pan, Great Raid, Aquamarine and Scooby Doo, filmed on location and in local studios.

This industry accounts for more than 75% of Queensland's total value of film, television and drama production, according to the 2005 report Film Gold Coast - An Economic Impact Study of Gold Coast City's Film Industry.

Facilities include:

• Warner Road Studios' - sound stages, production offices, editing rooms and construction workshops on 13 hectares
• Atlab - film laboratory services
• The Post Lounge - post-production
• PHOTON's - visual effects house

The Film Industry Working Party (FIWP) overseas the industry development by identifying issues and implementing promotional initiatives.

Business development initiatives

Council commissioned a study in 2005, through its Economic Development Branch, to determine the value of the film industry.

The Economic Impact Study and the Development of an Economic Development Strategy for Gold Coast City's Film Industry looked at films made here from 2002 to 2004 and tracked their spend.

Industry stakeholders were also consulted to help create strategies for ongoing development.

Some key initiatives were:

• Film Gold Coast Now and Beyond
  • Lobby the Federal Government on Tax rebates and incentives to attract international film production. View media release
  • Establish a Gold Coast Film Commission - view media release
  • Creative Industry Audit of Gold Coast City
  • Warner Roadshow Studios Los Angeles Marketing Mission
  • Biannual Film Industry Stakeholder Forum

The Film Industry Working Parking is overseeing ongoing work on these initiatives.

Film Industry Working Party

The Gold Coast Regional Economic Development Advisory Board (REDAB) works with key businesses to develop, strengthen and diversify our economic base and encourage national and international investment.

The Film Industry Working Party is one of eight 'working parties' advising REDAB on economic development.
Its main objective is to:

• Increase film production
• Increase production spend
• Increase film infrastructure
• Increase the pool of experienced film technicians
• Ensure good film training opportunities

The high calibre film and media members are:

Mr Michael Lake (FIWP Chairman) 
President 
Warner Roadshow Studios

Mr John Cox
Director
John Cox's Creature Workshop

Mr Dale Duguid
General Manager
Photon VFX (Qld) Pty Ltd

Cr Jan Grew
Chair Economic and Cultural Development Committee
Gold Coast City Council

Mr Simon Hunter
Senior Teaching Fellow
Centre for Film, TV & Screen Based Media Bond University

Ms Kate Hynes
Entertainment Division
Hynes Lawyers

Mr Chris Nyst
Nyst Solicitors

Assoc Professor
Garry Tamlyn
Deputy Director 
Queensland Conservatorium - Griffith University

Mr Ray Waterhouse
Director
Blizzard Media

Courtesy: goldcoastcity.com.au
Last updated on goldcoastcity.com.au on 24/05/2006