Victoria's reputation as a hotspot for screen production continues to go from strength to strength, with filming of the new TV series The Dispatcher delivering a $50 million boost to the state's economy - thanks to the Allan Labor Government.
Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks recently visited The Dispatcher set at Docklands Studios Melbourne to meet actor Brendan Cowell, director Christian Schwochow and executive producers Hakan Kousetta and Joanna Werner as filming on the six-part series wrapped up after 20 weeks in Victoria.
The series was predominantly filmed in regional Victoria, generating a significant economic boost in the regions, and is set to showcase diverse locations - including Somers, Hoddles Creek, Yarra Bend Park in Fairfield, Altona, Avalon, Warburton, Mount Dandenong, Warrnambool and Portland - to a global audience.
The Dispatcher created 768 jobs for Victorian cast and crew, employed a further 900 background artists, with 450 taking part in scenes at Warrnambool's Flagstaff Hill Museum, booked hotel 21,000 nights across Victoria and engaged 735 local businesses across the state including accommodation, hospitality, and transport.
It also provided invaluable training, development and employment for 22 emerging Victorian screen practitioners in diverse roles such as shadowing director, assistant director, shadowing producer and across areas including production design, lighting, transport and scriptwriting.
The Dispatcher is a psychological drama starring Gotham Award-winning actor Patrick Brammall (Colin From Accounts, Evil) as a former police detective who is searching for his missing daughter. Based on Ryan David Jahn's novel of the same name, the series has been adapted by Victorian writer and executive producer Kris Mrksa.
The series also stars BAFTA Award nominee Maxine Peake (Words of War, Say Nothing, Black Mirror), Brendan Cowell (Dune: Prophecy, Plum), Daniel Henshall (Mickey 17, How to Make Gravy), Jessica Wren (Mr. Inbetween, Return to Devil's Playground), Zahra Newman (Thirteen Lives, Addition) and newcomer Chloe Jean Lourdes.
The series is executive produced by Emmy® Award winners Jamie Laurenson and Hakan Kousetta from 60Forty Films (Slow Horses, Hijack), alongside Christian Schwochow, Kris Mrksa and Joanna Werner at Werner Film Productions, who have provided local production services. They are joined by producer Katharina Haase, co-producer Stuart Menzies and line producer Amanda Crittenden.
The Dispatcher is the latest in Victoria's growing pipeline of screen productions including Liam Neeson thriller The Mongoose, The Untitled John Tuggle Project, World War II thriller Play Dead, the original Stan series Gnomes, and ABC drama series Goolagong. Many of these have also filmed in regional Victorian locations.
The Labor Government's screen strategy has so far created 44,000 jobs and generated $1.7 billion in direct economic expenditure in Victoria - securing the state's reputation as a global destination for screen and games production.
The Dispatcher was backed by the Labor Government's Victorian Screen Incentive and also received support from the Federal Government's Location Offset, administered by the Office of the Arts.
As stated by Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks
"The Dispatcher is another world-class production that we're proud to have attracted to Victoria, showcasing our stunning locations and screen capabilities to the world."
"Productions like this are big business for our state - including regional communities. The Dispatcher contributed $50 million to our economy, engaged hundreds of local businesses and employed more than 1,600 Victorians."
As stated by VicScreen CEO Caroline Pitcher
"VicScreen is proud that 60Forty Films chose to make The Dispatcher in Victoria. Their commitment to sustainable practices and their focus on inclusivity and diversity and training is to be commended."
"We're thrilled that so many emerging screen workers have had the opportunity to be a part of the crew and refine their skills on the set of this gripping new series."
As stated by The Dispatcher Executive Producer Hakan Kousetta
"The State of Victoria afforded us an abundance of opportunities for making a series of this scale possible. Fantastic facilities, competitive incentives, incredible locations and first-class crew made filming here a really easy choice."
"We're genuinely excited to be making this compelling Australian set show for international audiences to enjoy and have it serve as a showcase for what is possible to achieve in Victoria."
