Pictured: ‘In a Cane Field’ crew on location in Condong (L-R: Andrew Gough (Clapper/Loader), Steivan Hasler (Focus Puller), Adric Watson (Director of Photography) and Emily Avila (Director), Photograph by Mia Forrest.
Local property owners and aspiring location scouts are being encouraged to get involved in a new program recently launched by Screenworks that will identify and market the Northern Rivers’ filming locations to interstate and international production companies, with the goal of attracting more productions to the region.
Residents are already well aware of the vast number of magnificent natural locations that the region has to offer – including our National Parks, World Heritage areas, rainforests and popular coastlines. These perfect locations are supported by easy access through international airports and a large community of screen industry crew and professionals. With better promotion of the locations that the region has to offer, there is potential to attract more inbound screen productions, bolster the local economy and ultimately create more jobs.
To kick off the program, Screenworks is holding a seminar on Friday 2nd June that will explain the why and how of attracting film and television production. Two of Australia’s most experienced professionals in attracting production to regional areas will be leading the seminar – Colin McDougall and Matt Carroll.
“If you are keen to learn more about the location scouting profession or have ever wanted your property to be used in a feature film or TV series, we think you should be attending this seminar so that you can find out about the business of filming locations, how best to market your property for production, create extra revenue and generate free publicity” said Ken Crouch, General Manager of Screenworks.
“This seminar will be targeted to both professional and aspiring location scouts and location managers, as well as to property owners, government location liaison officers and tourism officers”.
Attendees can also expect to find out about the incentives on offer for productions filming in regional NSW, the role of the location manager, the aesthetic and logistical requirements of film locations and how to best market your property to production companies.
Colin McDougall is one of Australia’s leading location professionals with nearly two decades of experience working on a wide variety of film projects in Australia and across the globe. He has worked across Australia on many projects including: Mad Max: Fury Road, Pacific Rim: Uprising, Peter Rabbit, Star Trek: Into Darkness and Packed to the Rafters – just to name a few.
Matt Carroll has been one of Australia’s leading producers for over 30 years. During that time Matt has produced or executive produced 16 feature films, 7 TV movies, 7 mini-series, 6 documentaries and over 500 hours of TV drama. Matt’s credits include Storm Boy and Breaker Morant.
“This seminar is just the start of a wider program that will also update existing resources and build networks in our region which will all help to enable us to better attract film and TV productions” explained Mr Crouch.
Seminar Details:
Date & time: Friday 2nd June, 10am – 4pm
Location: Cavanbah Centre, Byron Bay.
For more information, go to: www.screenworks.com.au/locations.
Following the seminar, an invite-only practical location-scouting workshop will take place (on Sat 3rd June) which will be led by Colin McDougall. To register your interest in attending this workshop, please email [email protected]. Please note spaces are limited.
PRESENTER BIOS:
Matt Carroll, Senior Manager Screen Destination Attraction, Screen NSW
Matt has been one of Australia’s leading producers for over 30 years. During that time Matt has produced or executive produced 16 feature films, 7 TV movies, 7 mini-series, 6 documentaries and over 500 hours of TV drama. Apart from the creative, management and financial skills required to execute such a large body of work he has broad experience of working in and managing companies involved in this work.
Colin McDougall, Location Manager, auslocations.com
Colin is one of Australia’s leading location professionals with nearly two decades of experience working on a wide variety of film projects in Australia and across the globe. He has worked across all states of Australia on projects ranging from locking down city blocks in Sydney for major international feature films to ensuring documentary crews get amazing shots in Kakadu National Park. Credits include: Mad Max: Fury Road, Pacific Rim: Uprising, Peter Rabbit, Star Trek: Into Darkness and Packed to the Rafters to name just a few.
