One of Australia’s longest-serving studio bosses Rod Allan is hanging up his hat, having helped place two studio complexes in the international spotlight.
His legacy will be long-lasting, with screen producers lining up for stage space in Australia to satisfy the demands of content-hungry streaming platforms.
A former producer, Allan made his mark as a studio boss in 1995, overseeing the conversion of Sydney’s old agricultural showgrounds into Fox Studios Australia before serving as Director of Operations from 1998 to 2003.
Producers soon came knocking; The Matrix moved in before construction workers had packed up, followed by other blockbusters Moulin Rouge!, Mission: Impossible 2, and Star Wars: Episode II.
In 2009 Allan took the helm at Docklands Studios Melbourne, just five years after it was built on formerly-derelict waterfront land near central Melbourne.
The studio, owned by the Victorian Government, is now at the heart of that state’s screen economy and its 2022 booking sheet boasts major productions such as Amazon’s sci-fi thriller Foe, NBC’s hit drama La Brea (Season 2) and Robbie Williams’ biopic Better Man.
Other notable projects in recent years include Netflix thriller Clickbait, Paramount Television’s Shantaram and the first instalment of NBC’s La Brea.
“I am proud that during my 13-year tenure, Docklands Studios has been able to meet the needs of bigger and more complex productions.
Rod Allan
Much of the appeal of this studio can be attributed to supportive state governments investing in local industry and crews earning global recognition for their exceptional work ethic.”
Allan’s long-standing relationships with international filmmakers are also a big part of the studio’s success.
Netflix Director of Studio Affairs APAC, Deb Richards, worked closely with Allan on industry marketing trips to LA during her time as Ausfilm’s CEO, and salutes Rod’s contribution:
“It has been wonderful to witness Rod’s passion, commitment and focus throughout the years. Rod has formed many long-standing relationships with international filmmakers and he has played a vital part in the contribution of growth within the Aussie film industry. Congratulations to Rod on his success.”
With Allan retiring at the end of March, he has saved the best for last – the opening of Docklands Studios’ long-planned AU$46 million super-stage, funded by the Victorian Government.
Allan has overseen the design and construction of the state-of-the-art stage which will be one of the biggest in the southern hemisphere.
Allan’s replacement as CEO will be Antony Tulloch, whose most recent position was General Manager: Studio Operations at Iskandar Malaysia Studios, the largest purpose-built filming facility in South East Asia.
