The Australian state of Queensland has agreed to co-finance construction of one of the largest sound stages in the world at Village Roadshow’s Oxenford Studios on the Gold Coast.
State premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said that her government had approved A$11 million (US$8 million) to build a 4,000 m2 stage. The facility will be used for the squash competition in the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, before reverting back to a film and TV production facility.
“The new super stage will position Queensland strongly against competitors interstate and overseas, growing the local industry, building local expertise and increasing employment opportunities,” Ms Palaszczuk said. “Lack of a super stage has cost
Queensland major productions in the past, so it’s important we explore this opportunity.”
“Major film shoots in the region have already proven to deliver massive international exposure for the Gold Coast and
Queensland, with media coverage of the recent ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ production reaching a world-wide audience of 2.7 billion people,” said Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games, Kate Jones.
Australia has recently hosted international film productions including “San Andreas,” Pierce Brosnan-starrer “The Moon And The Sun” and Angelina Jolie’s “Unbroken.” It is also confirmed to host Mel Gibson’s “Hacksaw Ridge.”
Reference:http://variety.com/2015/film/asia/australia-to-build-super-sized-stage-1201579459/