BLOCKBUSTER BOOST FOR JOBS

THE Gold Coast jobs market has been given a Hollywood-style boost thanks to filming of a new blockbuster, San Andreas, which is being filmed at the Movie World studios and locations across south-east Queensland.

State Arts Minister Ian Walker says the film will employ more than 3000 local crew and actors during the course of production and follows the filming late last year of Angelina Jolie’s feature film Unbroken around Brisbane.

San Andreas stars Dwayne Johnson, otherwise known as The Rock, with the story focused on a massive earthquake that strikes southern California.

The Queensland Government is understood to have offered the producers of the film incentives to bring filming to Queensland, but details have not been disclosed.

Walker, who toured the San Andreas set on the Gold Coast this week, says the film brings direct benefits to Queensland in jobs and money, as well as indirect opportunities including the international exposure the films provide.

“People living overseas see the stars here, see the locations and want to visit too,” he says.

“San Andreas is employing more than 3000 local crew and actors during the course of production.

“The film is delivering on our strong plan to grow Queensland’s economy.

“It’s a win-win situation not just for the film industry but the state as a whole.

“In 2013-14 there have been two international productions, bringing in $52.2 million to Queensland, including Angelina Jolie’s Unbroken, and Modern Family.”

Walker says San Andreas will bring in “significantly more income”.

He says this compares with no offshore film investment in Queensland the previous financial year.

San Andreas is targeting a 2015 release.