Melbourne, Australia, is set to become a global centre for virtual production with NBCUniversal’s Universal Studio Group announcing its new science fiction TV series, Metropolis, will be filmed in Victoria’s capital city.
Professor Marie Sierra, dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music at the University of Melbourne; Matchbox Pictures COO Matt Vitins; Minister for Employment, Workforce Skills, Small and Family Business Stuart Robert; VicScreen CEO Caroline Pitcher; Victorian Minister for Creative Industries Danny Pearson and Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher. (Photo: Daniel Mahon)
The biggest screen project to ever be produced in the state of Victoria, Metropolis will be created using new cutting-edge virtual production infrastructure.
The Federal and Victorian Governments are supporting the infrastructure to be built in Melbourne, including one of the largest permanent ‘LED volumes’ anywhere in the world.
“With this industry-leading infrastructure capability, we’re putting Victoria at the forefront of the global screen industry. Together with the recent addition of our new super sound stage, this will make Victoria the go-to place for ambitious screen productions.”
Danny Pearson, Minister for Creative Industries
“I’m pleased to welcome these productions to Australia, creating more than 2,100 jobs for local cast and crew, more than 7,200 extras roles, and utilising an estimated 2,100 businesses across the country, supporting our ongoing national prosperity and further strengthening our creative and cultural sectors.”
Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon. Paul Fletcher MP
This state-of-the-art technology, which was used to bring worlds to life in the ground-breaking Star Wars series, The Mandalorian, will be configured for high-budget international films and television series. A second permanent LED volume will be adapted for more contained scenes.
“Australia’s strong history and reputation in visual effects and equally strong record in game development, is well-placed to take a world-leading position in the application of virtual production technology.”
Matt Vitins, Chief Operating Officer, Matchbox Pictures
Inspired by the revolutionary Fritz Lang science fiction work, and led by writer, director and showrunner Sam Ismail (Mr Robot, Homecoming), Metropolis is the first of a pipeline of projects that have been attracted to Melbourne by VicScreen’s Victorian Screen Incentive grant and the Australian Government’s Location Incentive.
Metropolis comes off the back of numerous international smash hits that have filmed in Victoria, including NBCU’s La Brea and Clickbait, which reached the #1 spot on Netflix in more than 20 countries.
Victorian director Michael Gracey (The Greatest Showman) is now gearing up to film Better Man, a biopic on British pop star Robbie Williams, and La Brea is returning to Melbourne shoot its blockbuster second season.
“Metropolis is set to be one of the most technically ambitious screen productions in the world, and the state-of-the-art infrastructure being built right here, along with our outstanding crew and locations, truly places Melbourne as amongst the world’s great screen production cities.”
Caroline Pitcher, CEO, VicScreen
The permanent virtual production infrastructure, coupled with the recent completion of Sound Stage 6 at Docklands Studios Melbourne – a 40,000 sqft (3,700 sqm) super stage designed to support larger-scale international productions – reinforces Victoria’s position as a global screen powerhouse.
View the Australian Government press releases below:
State-of-the-Art infrastructure boosts Australian screen industry