- Western Australian Production Attraction Incentive sets cameras rolling on local crime drama series
- Perth-based film production ready to take notorious bank robber's story to the world
- Production expected to inject more than $7 million into the WA economy
The true story of a notorious Western Australian bank robber will generate local screen industry jobs with support from the Cook Government through the Western Australian Production Attraction Incentive (WAPAI).
The drama series will capture the story of Brenden Abbott, who was infamously dubbed 'The Postcard Bandit'. Abbott became a household name in the 1980s and '90s for committing a string of bank robberies, stealing and reportedly having hidden millions of dollars.
Production of the television series is anticipated to attract more than $7 million in spending into the WA economy and create 600 WA jobs for cast and crew and support economic diversification for local businesses and suppliers.
Production of the six, hour-long crime drama episodes commissioned by Foxtel Group, will be filmed around Perth and Fremantle, as far north as Regans Ford in the Wheatbelt and down to Collie in the State's South West.
The series will be directed by Western Australian Ben Young (Hounds of Love, The Twelve) with Bonnie Moir (Exposure, Love Me).
Young, who studied at Curtin University and WA Screen Academy, will also be executive producer.
Hamish Lewis (How to Make Gravy, The Twelve) is producing, alongside series producer Matt Noonan (Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Beyond Goodbye), with Michael Brooks as executive producer alongside Lana Greenhalghand Penny Winas commissioners and executive producers.
The series will air on Binge, produced in association with, and distributed by, ITV Studios.
As stated by Creative Industries Minister Simone McGurk:
"This is a very exciting opportunity for Western Australia's emerging film industry and further demonstration that our State has proven itself as a popular film destination for the creative sector.
"The production will employ up to 80 WA crew and 80 WA cast with speaking roles and providing development opportunities for some 400 extras.
"It is anticipated that this production will provide up to 10 weeks of on-set employment for the crew, along with two WA post-production roles."
