South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC) Chair, Cheryl Bart announced today that the sequel to an internationally acclaimed film, a Rolf de Heer feature, and a major television series will be the first to use the SAFC’s state-of-the-art Adelaide Studios at Glenside.
Media were given a preview of the new facility today by the Chief Executive of Adelaide Studios, Richard Harris, and Chair of the South Australian Film Corporation, Cheryl Bart.
Ms Bart said the mix of restored heritage buildings alongside cutting-edge production facilities, provided the South Australian film industry with the infrastructure it needs to grow in the highly competitive national and international markets.
“Glenside’s heritage listed administration clocktower building will provide an iconic new headquarters for film in South Australia and really is light-years ahead of the old facilities at the Film Corporation’s former studios at Hendon,” Ms Bart said.
“While the production facilities are the equal of just about anywhere else in Australia, having a beautifully integrated site on the fringe of the CBD gives Adelaide Studios a major advantage.
“That’s already being recognised by the industry which has snapped up nearly all the founding tenancies, including the Bigpond Adelaide Film Festival.”
Ms Bart said the new facility was also off to a winning start in terms of major productions.
They include:
Resistance – a 26-part children’s sci-fi series, produced by Andrew Dillon and Lesley Parker, to be screened on ABC TV. Executive produced by Gary Kurtz who has Star Wars and the Empire Strikes Back among his producing credits, it will be shot over 23 weeks at Adelaide Studios commencing in September 2011.
With a $14 million budget, Resistance is the biggest budget to date of any live-action drama for ABC Children’s Television. 70% of the budget of this major series will be spent entirely in South Australia, employing around 450 cast, crew and people as extras, making it an important and historic landmark for not only the SAFC and ABC TV but for children’s television production in Australia.
Wolf Creek 2 – the $13M sequel to the horror block-buster shooting in South Australia and utilising Adelaide Studios early in 2012.
The King is Dead – the latest Rolf de Heer film, which was the last film to shoot at Hendon and will be the first to use the new sound mixing theatre at Adelaide Studios.
Suitable for film, television and digital media production, the facilities at Adelaide Studios include:
Chief Executive of the South Australian Film Corporation, Richard Harris described Adelaide Studios as a watershed for the Corporation and the South Australian industry, and a significant vote of confidence in the local production sector by the State Government.
“Adelaide Studios will be a creative hub for local production companies and screen practitioners, with more than 30 local businesses to take up tenancy on the site,” Mr Harris said.
“What will be a significant point of difference between Adelaide Studios and other studio complexes around the country is that we will target local Australian production.’’
“That will provide a clear focus to attract film and television production to the state for the benefit of the state, and local industry and practitioners in particular.”
The State Government announced in 2008 that it was developing a new film and screen centre as part of a $300 million project to redevelop the run-down Glenside campus to create distinct precincts for health, cultural, retail, commercial and residential use.
Adelaide Studios, which has been developed at a cost of $48 million (including land purchased, restoration of heritage buildings and construction of the new facilities) is in phase 1 of the project. Phase 2, which includes new mental health facilities has commenced and is scheduled to be completed next year.
Ms Bart said the Adelaide Studios would build on the many recent South Australian film success stories that include:
Premier Mike Rann will officially open Adelaide Studios at a star-studded Gala event in October.
