Queenstown Screen Industry Update
Not much to write about as traditionally autumn is a quiet time for the deep-south screen industry crew - hopefully ahead of a busy winter.
Notable productions that have visited have been small with minimal crew, or larger scale Australasian TVCs, and not really anything in between. Travel restrictions are still hampering productions from further afield, and lack of a studio likely influencing producers considering the region for longer form productions until summer brings good weather for location shoots.
So consequently many local crew have been spending time supporting the resource-hungry productions shooting in the north.
Good news on the horizon though with ever-growing talk of a studio in the region - as has been widely reported, MBIE has set up a $20m fund to help support the diversification and reset of the Queenstown Lakes economy by helping develop alternative industries and attracting private sector investment. It has been mooted that potential projects include a film studio. I recommend not holding your breath, but there is definitely more conversation, and even some design and funding planning...
Currently a decent handful of interesting and varied projects are in talks with local film offices, and initiatives to secure projects are well supported by local groups.
We had a great turn out at the recent SIGANZ branch meeting with much vibrant conversation. Thanks to all who attended - it's great to get together with such a creative, engaged, vibrant, funny, insightful bunch. And sincere thanks to Sherwood Queenstown for hosting us at their Production Office - we LOVE the new floor that has just been installed, and I would highly recommend as a production space.
I'll also take this opportunity to offer an Art Dept thanks to Brett, Roger & Gillian for making available the workshop at the Film Inc yard. For years the yard has housed QT Camera and all-things Grip, Lighting, & Unit etc. For much of this year the workshop has been used as Art Dept workspace, and we are blessed to have such a great fit-for-purpose space, so well located, situated alongside all the other local film techos, that has been available for us to use.
It has always been very challenging to find appropriate workspace to rent for short term productions in Queenstown, and (in the absence of a purpose built studio) the Film Inc yard, and Sherwood production office have been our film-home. THANKS!
Finally we are enjoying watching Netflix's 'Sweet Tooth' - only a short time was spent filming in the region, but the editor has made great use of the stunning locations and from watching you'd think much of the time was spent in the south.
See you out there.
Nicola MacAllan
