Canberra could be Australia’s next hub for producing feature films when a sound stage is built in the city.
Key points:
- The 24-metre LED sound stage is being built in Watson in Canberra's north
- Those in the industry hope it will help attract and keep creative talent in Canberra
- The ACT government has been asked to chip in $450,000 for the stage
A sound stage, or production hall, is a large sound-proof, hangar-like structure that is often used to film inside for portions of feature films.
It is more than just a room though — it can be transformed into a sprawling desert in outback Australia, a futuristic city set in a sci-fi wasteland, or even the endless black of outer space.
A joint venture between the Academy of Interactive Entertainment (AIE) and Screen Canberra is currently constructing the space in Watson.
AIE chief executive John De Margheriti said the set was the same size as what was used by Disney for the Mandalorian TV series.
"It's a 24-metre LED sound stage,” Mr De Margheriti said.
Attracting talent to Canberra — and keeping it
Once the sound stage is built, actors and the crew will be able to stay in Canberra for the entire production of a movie, instead of having to travel interstate.
To date, the lack of infrastructure was what had deterred more major productions from filming in the ACT, Screen Canberra chief executive Monica Penders said.
“So for instance when we have Secret City come to town, they'll come and do what they need to do from a location point of view but then they'll go back to Sydney or Melbourne,” Ms Penders said.
“But if we have studio space we can say: 'If you want to come here, if you want our support, you need to stay here for longer and we have studio space to do it.'"
And, it is not just Australian productions that the sound stage is hoped to attract, but Hollywood blockbusters like Liam Neeson's Blacklight, which recently used the national capital as a backdrop, closing streets in the CBD for a car chase scene.
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Training the filmmakers of tomorrow
But it is hoped that it will not just be the professionals who will benefit from the space – the AIE will be working with the Canberra Institute of Technology to establish vocational training courses for its students.
“What I’m loathed to do is have a big sound stage that sits empty three-quarters of the time,” Ms Penders said.
It will also be accessible to the University of Canberra and the Australian National University so students can complete projects and have the opportunity to work on feature films.
“It’s a trade skill at the end of the day,” Mr Margheriti said.
In a budget submission, the AIE has asked the ACT government to chip in $450,000 towards soundproofing and rigging lights for the project.
It is hoped the soundstage will be ready to be opened early next year.