Melbourne, Australia has formed the backdrop for Netflix’s hybrid live action and animation film, Woody Woodpecker Goes to Camp. The second instalment of the famous cartoon character’s riotous adventures was shot on location at a suburban park in Melbourne and is now streaming on Netflix.

The project was attracted to the state by VicScreen’s Victorian Screen Incentive, which supports some of the world’s most exciting and innovative screen projects to come to life in Victoria and its capital city, Melbourne. US Producer Jon Kuyper said traveling to Melbourne to shoot the film was a no brainer.

“I was able to convince Universal to come down to Australia to shoot it for a number of reasons; one because it’s economically viable, and two, this film is very technical because of the animation, live action hybrid technology that we’re using, so we needed a very specific skill set and we were able to find that here in Melbourne,” said Jon.

Location Manager Jacob McIntyre emphasized the diversity of locations on offer, as well as the accessibility these locations afforded.

“Victoria does have a really diverse range of locations, which helps to put a base to an American style show…I would say Victoria is really film friendly. The support coming out of VicScreen, and how proactive they are to ensure we have a smooth-running production has been a major component in that.”

Jacob McIntyre, Location Manager

For Kuyper, the clincher to determine a project’s success is the crews attached. “Whether I’m working in South Africa or Europe, or in the States, I’m always bringing Australians into the fold just because there’s a great attitude and there’s a certain amount of ingenuity.”

Woody Woodpecker Goes to Camp shot over 30 days across Melbourne and was the first Netflix film to be made in the state. “It’s a very busy time to shoot in Australia, that’s for sure. But there’s a reason for that. It’s because there are great crews and great locations. I’m doubling North America here, but the last movie that I did here we were doubling Thailand. So, I think it’s a very exciting time to be shooting in Australia.”

According to Kuyper, without the assistance of VicScreen, the film would not have been made.

“Victoria has been incredibly film friendly. VicScreen have been so supportive and given us a lot of time to help us facilitate access to the local councils, parks, buildings, and parking lots, which we needed for parking all of our trucks. It’s all mundane stuff, but it’s part of getting the movie done and we wouldn’t be able to do it without them.”

Jon Kuyper, Producer

Check out the trailer below: