International crime drama starts filming on the Gold Coast

The Gold Coast's flourishing entertainment industry is starting off 2019 with a bang - first it was Godzilla vs King Kong kicking off filming earlier this week, and now the French-US crime series Reef Break has just started shooting.

Starring Australian-born Poppy Montgomery (pictured), the ABC Studios International series is now filming at Village Roadshow Studios as well as on location on the Gold Coast.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says history, as well as television and movie magic, is being made in the state.

"As well as Reef Break and Godzilla vs. Kong, there's also Queensland-made crime drama Harrow, produced by Hoodlum Entertainment and supported by the Queensland Government, which is filming its second series in Brisbane," she says.

"Never before has there been so much action happening in Queensland's screen industry, it's unprecedented.

"This means jobs for our local screen industry, money going back into the local economy and Queensland being showcased to the world."

The Premier met with representative from Disney, which owns ABC Studios International, on a trade mission last June.

"We've been in close negotiations since," she says. 

"The Reef Break will employ 75 per cent Queensland crew along and opportunities for our local people to upskill and create meaningful career pathways.

"Reef Break will spend approximately $41 million directly in Queensland."

The Premier says her government had secured the productions through Screen Queensland and the Production Attraction Strategy.

"We are experiencing back-to-back production in Queensland as we continue to work hard and build-on our state's brand equity when it comes to delivering world-class screen content for global audiences.

"By securing these productions and ensuring a consistent pipeline of production, we are creating ongoing employment for our local crew and creative talent."

Business News Australia