Netflix drama series set to be filmed in Port Douglas
FILMING IN FNQ
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A 12-episode teen mystery drama is set to begin filming in Port Douglas next month before being released in 2021 on an Australian commercial broadcaster and globally to over 190 countries on Netflix.
The wholly Queensland-made series Dive Club will be produced by Brisbane-based production house The Steve Jaggi Company, and post-production by Brisbane company Serve Chilled with support from the Queensland Government through Screen Queensland.
Filming is set to begin in Port Douglas in late October with the story following a group of skilled teenage divers as they strive to uncover a mysterious disappearance that will change their small town and each other, forever.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said her Government was proud to support the Queensland screen industry and overall economic recovery through her strong commitment to investing in the work of local producers.
“I am delighted to announce that filming is forthcoming on the series Dive Club, which is currently estimated to create in excess of 110 jobs for Queenslanders and inject nearly $8 million into the economy,” the Premier said.
“Dive Club will showcase the tropical paradise location of Port Douglas and its lush surrounds to audiences across Australia, and the world, while providing jobs and training opportunities for established and emerging local crew permanently based in Queensland.
“With additional outcomes for FNQ tourism, hospitality, logistics and transport, just to name a few, it’s not only local filmmakers who will benefit from this exciting new production.”
Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said this is a fantastic opportunity for the Shire that will pump millions of dollars into the local economy.
“We are really excited about it because it will not only be on Netflix, it will also be broadcast on Network Ten here in Australia; marketing like this you couldn’t ask for,” he said.
“They are looking at filling 80 rooms for about 16 weeks while they're here filming. These people will be going to our shops and restaurants, they will all be utilising the place. It is estimated millions and millions of dollars will come into our economy and this is just season one, if they get to a second season, they will do it all again.
“It was a fantastic job by our Council Tourism and Economic Development Officers who have worked with this producer to make this so successful and get them here for the show,” Mayor Kerr said.
Screen Queensland CEO Kylie Munnich said The Steve Jaggi Company has an impressive global production track record, as well as a demonstrated commitment to gender parity in the industry.
“This is the third Steve Jaggi Company production we have supported, following Swimming for Gold filmed in Brisbane, and This Little Love of Mine, which was filmed in Cairns.
“We are also delighted to see Dive Club feature strong lead female characters, as well as a wealth of female directors working on the series, including Hayley McFarlane, Rhiannon Bannenberg and Christine Luby,” Ms Munnich said.
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Dive Club Producer and Showrunner Steve Jaggi said the drama series was always envisaged as a Queensland production, with Port Douglas the ideal location for the fictional seaside town the series is set in.
“Port Douglas was my first choice for Dive Club from the get-go as it’s exactly the tropical wonderland I pictured Cape Mercy to be in my imagination.
“Following our positive experience of shooting This Little Love of Mine in the region, the decision to return to Port Douglas and FNQ was an easy one,” he said.
The Steve Jaggi Company is no stranger to Port Douglas also recently filming the movie Kidnapped in the town.
Mr Jaggi emphasised that as a Queensland creation, Dive Club predominantly employs talent who already reside in Queensland.
“We are proud to be a Queensland based company and are always thrilled to be working with the fantastic cast and crew that our very own home state has to offer," he said.
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