Studios lands major production

Docklands Studios’ international standing in the screen industry is continuing to strengthen, with the announcement of its role in the next season of US television series “Preacher”.

On November 30, Film Victoria announced the series’ next season will be set and produced in Victoria, with pre-production to start at Docklands Studios before the end of the year.

It will be the biggest budget television production to come to Victoria since Steven Spielberg’s The Pacific in 2007 and will feature a Melbourne-based plotline and locations in both the city and regional Victoria.

Docklands Studios CEO Rod Allan said big productions like Preacher were a perfect fit for the studios and “demonstrate our reputation as a world class facility. We look forward to welcoming the cast and crew to the studio”.

The production’s contribution to the Victorian economy is predicted to be $50 million and 740 jobs for local cast and crew.

A tour of Docklands Studios involving 30 producers from the Screen Forever conference on November 13 is an indication of the attention the studios is receiving.

Screen Forever has been running for over 30 years and one of the largest congregations of screen industry professionals in the southern hemisphere.

The group toured stage five, where a number of television shows are recorded (Hot Seat Millionaire and The Footy Show), before moving on to stage one, where filming for The Whistleblower recently wrapped up.

It was the day after the 10-year anniversary of the state government’s purchase of the studio from a private consortium.

Mr Allan said the government purchase had guided the studio’s philosophy and allowed it to be driven by more than strict commercial pursuits.