Whilst Sony Pictures feature The Shallows is becoming the must-see film of summer, currently ranking in the Top 5 films on the Australian iTunes Charts, what the film did for Queensland is a story also worth sharing.
The Shallows was an international box office success causing a feeding frenzy on its opening weekend, outperforming and doubling the expectations for the “little film that could” and impressing the critics. It has continued to outperform expectations reaching number one at the box office in numerous countries across the globe, and is currently in fourth position on the Australian iTunes Charts.
But the untold story is The Shallows made an even bigger splash in the Queensland economy through millions spent on Queensland jobs, goods and services and creating 323 jobs during its filming.
Queensland Premier and Minister for the Arts Annastacia Palaszczuk said The Shallows had contributed significant benefits across a range of sectors in Queensland including the film, hospitality and retail industries, while also showcasing Queensland to an international audience.
‘The Queensland Government is committed to the long-term future of our State’s film industry and The Shallows is another example of how we can create jobs, upskill the workforce and grow the local screen economy.
‘We have had an impressive pipeline of productions over the past 12 months, with Marvel’s Thor: Ragnarok, Legendary Pictures’ Kong: Skull Island, Arclight’s Nest and Jungle and most recently Legendary Pictures’ Pacific Rim 2, and this is set to continue into 2017 and beyond,” the Premier said.
332 Queensland companies were engaged to supply goods or services for the film, ensuring the benefits of the capital input into Queensland were spread wide across the State’s business community. Local vendors and suppliers ranged from building materials, heavy equipment hire, marine vessel hire, crane hire, catering, accommodation, camera rental, generator rentals, truck and car rentals along with fuel and transport costs.
‘Our local industry is developing incredible momentum and an outstanding international reputation for being the best in their fields,’ said Screen Queensland CEO Tracey Vieira.
‘Queensland is firmly established as a screen production hub both here and off-shore and this brings huge benefits to every member of our film community. The Shallows created local jobs for production staff, construction crew, sculptors, painters, technicians, actors, picture doubles, stunt performers, background action along with many underwater technicians and marine experts,’ Ms Vieira said.
‘It also provided opportunities for Queensland creatives to pitch their ideas to the film’s producers who happily provided guidance and feedback to the teams.
‘The film has kick-started the careers of locals including Samantha Laidlaw from the Gold Coast, who was assistant to the producers, and who has since filmed her first short film in Queensland and is currently building her career experience in Los Angeles. It also launched the acting career for Pablo Calva from West End in Brisbane and who was unearthed by Queensland casting director Ben Parkinson who did the casting on the film,’ she said.
‘The Sunshine Coast’s rising surf star Isabella Nichols who earlier this year became the World Junior Surfing Champion, was Blake Lively’s surfing double in the film.
‘There are so many success stories from this one production that will have an ongoing positive ripple effect for our entire industry.’
The Shallows was largely filmed at the water tank at Village Roadshow Studios, with other locations including Coolangatta, Mt. Tamborine, Bilinga, Main Beach and underwater sequences on Lady Elliot Island.
Since the completion of The Shallows, Queensland now boasts the biggest sound stage in the Southern Hemisphere at Village Roadshow Studios adding to Queensland’s attraction as a major film production destination.
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