Qld lures more screen productions in a further boost to economic recovery

Three landmark Universal Studio Group TV series - Young Rock, Joe Exotic and Irreverent - are set to film in Brisbane’s Screen Queensland (SQ) Studios generating an 18-month pipeline of continuous production work for the state’s thriving screen industry.

Starting this month, the three high-end scripted television series from Universal Studio Group, a division of NBCUniversal, are set to film back-to-back in SQ Studios, as well as surrounding locations in South East Queensland and Far North Queensland.

Universal Studio Group, which comprises Universal Television, Universal Content Productions (UCP) and NBCUniversal International Studios, will bring Young Rock, Joe Exotic and Irreverent to Queensland.

Produced for NBCUniversal’s flagship NBC network, USA network, streaming service Peacock and the global market, it is expected that the three productions will provide a significant boost to the Queensland economy and creative sector.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said securing these three productions is a significant sign of confidence in Queensland’s economic recovery and would importantly create local jobs.

“These productions are expected to contribute around $143 million to the Queensland economy,” the Premier said.

“More than 3,500 local cast, crew and extras will also be employed to work across the three shows and many more jobs supported in numerous industries like hospitality, tourism, transport and logistics.

“Due to the measures we have in place and the amazing efforts of Queenslanders in dealing with this pandemic, Queensland is one of the safest places to film not just in Australia, but in the world.

 “Queensland locations, together with talented crew and first-rate facilities like Brisbane’s Screen Queensland Studios, are able to deliver what these big budget productions need.

“We’re able to support the industry and get people back into work in a COVID safe environment.”

Screen Queensland was able to help attract these productions to Queensland through the Queensland Government’s Production Attraction Strategy.   

Leveraging its local expertise and infrastructure, Matchbox Pictures will lead and oversee all three projects on the ground – partnering with Universal Television to deliver Young Rock and UCP to deliver Joe Exotic.

From Nahnatchka Khan (Fresh Off the Boat) and Dwayne Johnson, NBC’s Young Rock is a comedy inspired by Johnson himself. The show will be produced by Universal Television, Seven Bucks Productions and Fierce Baby Productions.

Joe Exotic is a limited series from UCP based on the hit Wondery podcast depicting the true events of Carole Baskin (Saturday Night Live’s Kate McKinnon), a big cat enthusiast, who learns that fellow exotic animal lover Joe “Exotic” Schreibvogel is breeding and using his big cats for profit, and sets out to shut down his venture, inciting a quickly escalating rivalry. The eight-episode adaptation will launch on flagship network NBC, USA Network and streaming service Peacock.

Hailing from NBCUniversal International Studios’ Matchbox Pictures is new ten-part drama series Irreverent, which is being developed and produced for the global market. It follows a criminal on the run from his life of crime back in New York, who is forced to hide out in a reef town in Far North Queensland, posing as the new church Reverend.

Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt welcomed the news Irreverent will also film in Far North Queensland.

“The Far North was the host of the first screen production to start shooting again after COVID and it’s great that momentum is continuing,” he said.

“All of this wouldn’t be possible without the Far North Queensland Screen Production Strategic Plan we released to attract and boost screen industry jobs and growth in the region which is great to see.”

Screen Queensland CEO Kylie Munnich said this was a significant announcement and is testament to the hard work that has been done to highlight Queensland as an optimal choice for productions.

“This is a massive boost for the Queensland screen industry and a vote of confidence in how safe Queensland is as a major destination for film and TV production,” Ms Munnich said.

“We can’t wait to welcome the Universal Studio Group and Matchbox teams to Screen Queensland Studios and watch as these series take shape, and also see our facilities and locations showcased around the world.”

Screen Queensland’s Head of Studios Derek Hall believes the facility is a perfect match for Universal Studio Group and Matchbox, and the creative output that will be generated by the three productions.

“Having Universal Studio Group come in with major projects like these, for such a duration, allows SQ Studios to continue to increase its reputation to producers in Australia and internationally, while further cementing Queensland as one of the best places in the world to film.

“Onto the SQ Studios lot, we also recently welcomed resident company, Extra-Specialists, which utilise ex-military skill to provide expert training in wire-flying stunts, combat and weaponry. It’s a truly action-packed time here for us at SQ Studios!” he added.

For further information about Screen Queensland Studios visit www.screenqueenslandstudios.com.au 

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT

Zoe Russell (Premier’s office) – 0439 982 347

Liana Cantarutti (Screen Queensland) - 3248 0524

Matchbox Pictures publicist: Asha Holmes - 0403 274 299

ABOUT SCREEN QUEENSLAND

Screen Queensland is a Queensland Government owned company that invests in talent and production to grow a creative, innovative and successful screen industry with a focus on stories and audience, secures production and post, digital and vfx to Queensland, and delivers an active screen culture through festivals and events funding across the state. Screen Queensland invests in stories and talent through a range of mechanisms including development, production investment, initiatives, sqhub and mentorships. Screen Queensland is deeply committed to increasing diversity in the screen industry to reflect the Australian community. For more information visit screenqld.com.au

 ABOUT UNIVERSAL STUDIO GROUP

Universal Studio Group is comprised of Universal Television, UCP and NBCUniversal International Studios. Collectively, the three powerhouse studios produce over 2500 hours of programming currently airing or streaming around the globe, own one of the largest libraries in the world with over 120,000 episodes of television, and house some of today's most ambitious storytellers, including Tina Fey and Robert Carlock, Michael Schur, Sam Esmail, Seth MacFarlane, Amy Poehler, Dick Wolf, Lorne Michaels, Debra Martin Chase, Martin Gero, Gareth Neame, Larry Wilmore, Alan Yang, Nahnatchka Khan, Sera Gamble, Tanya Saracho, Tony Ayres, David Heyman, Julie Plec, Carol Mendelsohn and Nick Antosca, among others. Universal Studio Group is a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production and marketing of entertainment, news and information for a global audience.

 ABOUT MATCHBOX PICTURES

Matchbox is a prolific film and television production company with offices in Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne, Australia. It makes world-class content for a global audience. Its credits include leading international adult dramas Stateless, The Heights, Glitch, Safe Harbour, Seven Types Of Ambiguity, Secret City, Wanted and The Slap; and children’s dramas Nowhere Boys and Mustangs FC. Matchbox is also currently in production on a new eight-part drama Clickbait for Netflix.

The company is one of the most credentialed and awarded producers in Australia. It has won International Emmys, Prix de Jour, a BAFTA and multiple AACTAs (Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards) and Logies. An NBCUniversal International Studios company, Matchbox has produced more than 50 titles, working with every network in Australia and various international buyers and commissioners.