According to Inside Film, the Australian Federal Government has splashed $21.58 million to lure two Netflix titles to Australia: feature film Escape From Spiderhead, due to shoot on the Gold Coast, and eight-part series Pieces of Her, bound for Sydney. Both projects have been coaxed here via the government’s $400 million Location Incentive Program, with the expectation that combined they will inject around $160 million into the economy and create 770 local jobs. Notably, both projects star homegrown talent. Chris Hemsworth leads the cast of Escape from Spiderhead, while Toni Collette, Bella Heathcoate and David Wenham are attached to star in Pieces of Her, executive produced by Bruna Papandrea’s Made Up Stories. Pieces of Her will shoot from January in Sydney’s Homebush. The production has also received support from the state government’s Made in NSW fund, into which it last week announced it was pouring an extra $175 million over the next five years. Based on the 2018 Karin Slaughter novel, the series is set in a sleepy Georgia town where a random act of violence sets off an unexpected chain of events. Writer/producer Charlotte Stoudt is the showrunner, with Minkie Spiro reported to direct. “Through the NSW Government’s Made in NSW fund, and with our successful management of the COVID-19 pandemic making NSW a highly attractive place to film. We are sending a clear message that we are open for business, a safe location to film, and keen to welcome great opportunities to the state,” said NSW Minister for the Arts Don Harwin. “Netflix’s Pieces of Her will deliver a substantial investment to the state’s economy and provide a significant amount of work for local cast and crew along with catering, security and other on-set operation.” The production team will work with Screen NSW, Ausfilm and AFTRS on industry training needs and opportunities for emerging filmmakers.
Collette said: “Given the challenges the film and television industry has faced this year on a global level, I am thrilled that the producers and Netflix have been able to relocate Pieces of Her to film in Australia so that production can remain on track and this story can be told. On a personal level, for me, it also brings with it the great joy of shooting at home in Australia.”
Netflix APAC director of production policy Debra Richards said: “We greatly appreciate the support of the Australian Government through its Location Incentive program, together with the Queensland and New South Wales governments, and the City of Gold Coast, to secure these productions which will deliver significant contributions to Australia’s screen industry and economy. We’re looking forward to working with more of Australia’s great talent and crew, as well as the award-winning production service businesses.”
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