The Morrison Government's Location Incentive program and the Andrews Government's Screen Incentive scheme has attracted one of the most technically ambitious film and television projects ever to film in Australia - Metropolis from NBCUniversal's Universal Studio Group.
The Morrison Government is providing $83.8 million in Location Incentive funding for a pipeline of projects, including Metropolis, with the Victorian Screen Incentive further contributing $41.6 million to the project.
The Andrews Labor Government will support production as part of the $60 million Victorian Screen Incentive, which will keep Victoria at the forefront of the global screen entertainment boom over the next four years.
Metropolis is an eight-part television series inspired by the seminal Fritz Lang science fiction work, which is projected to contribute $188 millionto the Australian economy alone. Produced by UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group and Esmail Corp., Metropolis will be written and directed by Sam Esmail, who also serves as showrunner on the series, and filmed in Victoria.
It is estimated that the pipeline of projects supported by the Location Incentive and the Victorian Screen Incentive could contribute up to $621 million in direct spend across a five-year production period to 2027. Over 700 cast and crew and 2,500 employees will be employed to work on Metropolis, with an estimated 700 local businesses and service providers benefiting from the local production.
Metropolis will utilise cutting-edge virtual production technology, which presents an extraordinary opportunity to upskill and create the infrastructure needed for what is expected to be a fixture of the screen sector's future.
Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon. Paul Fletcher MP, said: "I'm pleased to welcome these productions to Australia, creating more than 2,100 jobs for local cast and crew, more than 7,200 extras roles, and utilising an estimated 2,100 businesses across the country, supporting our ongoing national prosperity and further strengthening our creative and cultural sectors."
Victorian Minister for Creative Industries, the Hon Danny Pearson MP said: "Metropolis will be among the largest productions to ever film in Victoria, providing thousands of secure local jobs and delivering a massive skills boost."
"Victoria is already home to some of the best staff, talent and production facilities in the world - new virtual production infrastructure will cement the state's reputation as a global screen destination."
Matt Vitins, Chief Operating Officer of Matchbox Pictures, who will be managing production services on the project, said: "Metropolis comes in the context of a pipeline of premium television drama series from across Universal Studio Group attracted to Australia by the Location Incentive including Clickbait, Young Rock, La Brea, Irreverent and Joe vs Carole."
"Australia's strong history and reputation in visual effects and equally strong record in game development means it is well placed to take a world-leading position in the application of virtual production technology. This latest pipeline of projects, as well as the investment in infrastructure and training,will position Australia for a decade of high-end work in virtual production driven film and television shows."
To date, the Australian Government has distributed more than $372.9 million under the Location Incentive, which has been instrumental in attracting 32 international productions to Australia. These latest productions will push private investment generated by the program to over $2.84 billion, add to the more than 20,500 employment opportunities for local cast and crew, and create further work for the over 19,500 businesses that support these big productions.
For more information on the Location Incentive, visit: https://www.arts.gov.au/what-we-do/screen/australian-screen-production-incentive
For more on the Victorian Screen Incentive, go to: VicScreen - Incentives
