Studio upgrade

Docklands Studios has received a multi-million dollar upgrade courtesy of the State Government.

Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Businesses Louise Asher unveiled the upgrades to Stage 5 and the workshop last month.

The work is part of a $10 million commitment from the State Government to upgrade the studios.

“The studios stimulate the local economy, supporting Victoria’s film and television industry and equip Victorians with globally competitive film and television skills,” Ms Asher said.

Improvements to Stage 5 include motorised lighting hoists, a new dry-hire control room and more storage space.

The workshop has now been divided into eight bays and new fittings on the workshop floor will provide art, costume and construction departments with better equipment and work areas.

Docklands Studios CEO Rod Allan said the improvements would allow the studios to host multiple television productions alongside major film productions.

The studios recently secured international production Predestination starring Ethan Hawke.

Mr Allan said the film was currently in pre-production and filming was scheduled to start in early April.

Mr Allan said the studios had also secured an audience-based television show and a low-budget feature film, the titles of which are yet to be announced

The Government’s investment in the studios has been questioned by some due to the current strength of the Australian dollar and the consequential difficulty in attracting international productions.  

But the recent productions secured by the studios follow on from a successful year in 2012.

Last year the studios secured feature films I,Frankenstein and Patrick.

It also secured local TV productions The Footy Show, Millionaire Hot Seat, Australia’s Got Talent, Winners & Losers and Talkin ‘bout your Generation.

Channel 9 will be the anchor tenant for Stage 5 but other production companies will also be able to book the space.