‘Speed’.
Shooting is underway around Adelaide on Speed, the first Chinese TV drama series to be shot in Australia.
The show, which follows an underground street racer who turns pro, is produced by Ciwen Media Co. The Beijing-based company has teamed with Adelaide’s 57 Films to handle all local production, with 15 of the show’s 32 episodes to be shot in Oz.
57 Films produced cooking show Chef Exchange with Qingdao TV, and has made The AFL Show with Port Adelaide Football Club for CCTV and a promotional film for the City of Qingdao.
Company founder Paul Ryan is the Australian producer in charge and Triptych Pictures’ Julie Byrne is the line producer. Speed is directed by Gan Lu, with action sequences directed by Bruce Law (Supercop, Transformers: Age of Extinction, Mission Impossible 3).
“Speed will further strengthen relationships between China and South Australia, inject millions into the local economy, create local jobs and put South Australia directly into the homes of millions in China,” said Ryan.
“Speed’s Chinese producers have been impressed with South Australia’s choice of film locations, accessibility to China and Hong Kong and the screen industry talent within the state.”
In addition to 120 cast and crew brought out from China, Speed will employ 50 SA crew as well as local cast and extras. The series is supported by the South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC) as well as local government.
SAFC CEO Annabelle Sheehan said the project will showcase the state to millions of Chinese viewers that are potential future tourists, students and business partners.
“The success of this production will attract further co-productions to the state and cement the growing production relationship with China,” she said.