Asher: Support for television productions shot in Victoria

· Up to twelve television productions shot in Victoria supported
· Four thousand additional jobs for cast and crew
· Napthine Government’s Victorian Drama and Comedy Initiative a
great success

Minister for Innovation Louise Asher today announced a screen funding package of up to $4.5 million to secure up to 12 television productions to be shot in Victoria, with the potential to trigger $67 million in production expenditure and thousands of job opportunities.

The Napthine Government’s Victorian Drama and Comedy Initiative, developed and delivered in partnership with Film Victoria and the ABC, will ensure a significant proportion of Australia’s television drama and comedy activity is undertaken in Victoria over the next 18 months.

“Through this initiative the ABC will commission a package of up to 12 television projects to be shot in Victoria between 2014 and 2016, with the majority to be produced by local companies,” Ms Asher said.

“These projects are expected to bring up to $67 million in production expenditure and create more than 4,000 additional employment opportunities for cast and crew in the state.

“The initiative provides Victorian production companies with a guaranteed level of project work for writers, directors, cast and crew, with the benefits also flowing on to the Victorian post production sector and numerous small businesses.

“In addition, the mix of projects ensures work is spread across a range of locations in Melbourne and regional Victoria, driving economic activity across the state.”

The first four projects funded under the initiative are the six part drama series Glitch, from Matchbox Pictures, comedy series Sammy J & Randy in Rickett’s Lane, written by Tim Ferguson and produced by Sticky Fingers, and the return series of two popular television dramas, December Media’s The Doctor Blake Mysteries Series 3, and Every Cloud Productions’ Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries Series 3.

Other projects funded through the initiative are in development and will be announced over the coming months.

ABC Director of Television Richard Finlayson said the Victorian Government’s decision to invest in the Victorian Drama and Comedy Initiative will have enormous cultural and economic benefits for the State.

“Its support will greatly assist ABC TV in continuing to bring some of Australia’s favourite series to the screen, as well as launching a host of exciting new programs and supporting Victoria’s reputation as Australia’s home of drama and comedy.”

Film Victoria CEO Jenni Tosi said securing projects for the Victorian Drama and Comedy Initiative is a great win for the Victorian industry and further demonstrates the state’s reputation as the place to make great television.

“The commitment of the Victorian Government and the ABC to this strategic package highlights the depth of talent and creativity in Victoria, and the capacity of Victorian screen businesses to deliver high-quality television content,” Ms Tosi said.

“The direct benefit of this support will go to the production companies as creators and intellectual property owners, providing business certainty, whilst ongoing benefits will flow to other businesses and practitioners in Victoria as the projects go into production.

“We’re delighted to be collaborating with the ABC to deliver more Victorian made drama and comedy for Australian audiences.”