Press release from Victoria Government
The continued success of Victorian-made monster movie Where The Wild Things Are at the US box office is highlighting the State’s attractiveness as an international film production destination, Innovation Minister Gavin Jennings said today.
Mr Jennings said the film, which has now has taken almost $US54 million at the North American box office in its first nine days of release, had become a powerful example of how the international film industry can create jobs for thousands of Victorians.
“Our film industry is important to Victoria because it employs thousands of people across a range of professions and brings millions of dollars of investment to the State,” Mr Jennings said.
“Where The Wild Things Are alone injected more than $57 million into the Victorian economy and employed 670 people. Its success will ensure the Victorian screen industry continues to attract productions of its scale and importance.
“Victoria’s ability to host significant international productions like Where The Wild Things Are is a credit to the Victorian screen industry and its ability to provide skills and service that are equal to any around the world.
“Importantly, working on a film of such size and budget gives local practitioners a chance to further develop their skills and broadens the industry’s skills base, which is good for the long-term sustainability and prosperity of Victoria’s screen industry.”
Mr Jennings said the Spike Jonze directed adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s classic children’s book was filmed at 11 city and regional locations in Victoria and at Melbourne Central City Studios.
“The locations required to create the fantastical world of Where The Wild Things Are needed to be beautiful, enchanting and spectacular,” Mr Jennings said.
“Victoria’s diverse range of locations and world-class studios at Docklands made it the ideal destination for this production.
“Filming took place at Discovery Bay, in the striking forest setting of Gilwell Park in Gembrook, just an hour from Melbourne, as well as Bushrangers Bay and the spectacular rock formations at Mt Arapiles in the state’s north-west.”
Mr Jennings said Where The Wild Things Are is one of several international productions the state government agency Film Victoria has attracted in recent years. Other productions including Miramax’s Don’t Be Afraid Of The Dark and HBO Films’ The Pacific.
Where The Wild Things Are opens in Australia on 3 December. The trailer can be viewed at www.filmedinmelbourne.com.au/wtwta