Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon. Paul Fletcher MP, announced the return of international TV series La Brea to film season 2 in Victoria.

Industry Association Ausfilm welcomes the support from the Australian Government and the Victorian Government to secure the second season of Universal Television and NBCU-backed Matchbox Pictures’ successful premium series.

It is expected that the return of production will generate more than AU$118 million into the Australian economy, create jobs for 390 Australian cast and crew, and use the services of around 800 Australian businesses.

Australia is enjoying exceptional success in attracting a consistent flow of international production activity, thanks to the Australian Government’s Location Offset and Location Incentive program combined with State Government support.

Kate Marks – Ausfilm CEO

Ausfilm’s CEO, Kate Marks said that international TV series’ like La Brea significantly invest into Australian businesses, “large-scale series like this deliver secure and steady work to companies within Ausfilm’s membership who offer sound stages, legal services, immigration, tax and financial services, post-production, sound and music production, animation, visual effects, travel and transport. Not to mention the job opportunities open to Australian cast and crew and non-screen businesses who supply building materials, software and rigging equipment,”

“Foreign TV with larger budgets locating to Australia really help our local businesses. They can employ more staff, innovate their tech and infrastructure, and are instrumental in supporting business growth, so Australian companies remain world-class.”

NBCUniversal has been a long-term client and partner with Australia having produced film and television productions going back to the early 2000’s and then acquiring a stake in Australian production company Matchbox Pictures in 2011. Kate Marks says “It is a long-standing and deeply valued partnership within Australia’s screen industry and we are grateful for their continued and significant investment and support of Australia’s creative talent, crew and screen businesses.”

Minister Fletcher said the return of this series to Australia is a testament to our talented screen sector and diversity of landscapes, “the production of La Brea season 1 injected an estimated AU$84 million into the Australian economy and created more than 475 jobs for local cast and crew. The production of season two in Victoria will provide us with another opportunity to create a pipeline of continued jobs to develop the next generation of screen industry professionals.”

La Brea is produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group along with Keshet Studios. David Appelbaum, Bryan Wynbrandt, and Steven Lilien executive produce with Avi Nir, Alon Shtruzman, Peter Traugott, Rachel Kaplan, and Ken Woodruff.

As part of their remit, Ausfilm continues to provide support to international film and television studios and companies looking to locate their production in Australia. See the full list of international film and television series secured to Australia through the Location Offset and Location Incentive here.

Read how Australian post-production studio The Post Lounge supported the production on Season 1.

Read Film Victoria’s press release here.