Press release from Film Victoria
Film Victoria CEO Sandra Sdraulig confirmed today that the James Cameron 3D underwater action film SANCTUM will perform all of its post-production and visual effects in Melbourne in 2010.
Directed by Australian Alister Grierson (KOKODA) from a script penned by Aussie cave diver and documentary filmmaker, Andrew Wight and John Garvin, SANCTUM is inspired by the true story of Wight’s near-death experience leading an expedition of divers to explore a remote cave system beneath the Nullarbor Plain. A freak storm caused the cave entrance to collapse, trapping the 15 divers inside.
SANCTUM will be the latest 3D offering from Executive Producer James Cameron, who is enjoying record-breaking box office success with his visually spectacular feature film AVATAR. The reported $30 million project from Wayfare Entertainment is being co-produced by Wight and FilmNation’s Aaron Ryder with Emmy award winning Melbourne local, Marc Van Buuren, as Post Production Supervisor.
The production has chosen to work with Melbourne companies Digital Pictures, Iloura, Soundfirm Melbourne and Deluxe Melbourne.
Ms Sdraulig said she was delighted to announce the upcoming project, which Film Victoria attracted through its financial incentive program. SANCTUM marks the fourth international production in four years to choose Melbourne’s dynamic post-production and visual effects facilities.
“SANCTUM is yet another international production that recognises Melbourne as a thriving post-production destination, with Warner Bros. Pictures’ WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE, Miramax Films’ DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK, and the biggest mini-series ever made, HBO Films’ THE PACIFIC, all completing post and VFX here since 2005.
“No matter where films are shot, they can always bring their post and visual effects to Melbourne and SANCTUM is another great example of a project doing this. Creative practitioners, technical innovation and competitively priced boutique companies keep international studios returning to Melbourne again and again.”
Tony To, Co Executive Producer of HBO Films THE PACIFIC, which was filmed largely in Victoria and hits Australian television screens this year, said of Melbourne’s lab, post and VFX facilities: “The support that our post production got while we were there was first class.”
Competitive financial incentives programs also make Melbourne an attractive post-production destination, as Film Victoria’s incentive grants can be combined with the Australian Federal Government’s rebate.
SANCTUM is currently filming in Queensland and is expected to commence post and VFX in Melbourne in March 2010. For more information on Film Victoria’s incentive programs or post-production in Melbourne visit
www.postvfxmelbournenow.com.