Disney Studios Australia (DSA) has affirmed its position as a major hub for international film production in Australia.
The Studios hosted the upcoming crime thriller Play Dirty for a period of 11 months during 2023/24, bringing Hollywood heavyweight Mark Wahlberg down under. Filming took place across 6 sound stages at the studio, with additional utilisation of production office space, construction, art and costume workshops, and catering facilities.
The all-star cast for the sequel of Sony Pictures’ I Know What You Did Last Summer also made their way to Sydney last year, filming across multiple sound stages at Disney Studios and spectacular locations around Sydney. The production set up their production office on site, using workshops for costumes, art, props and stunt rehearsals.
As well as blockbuster films, the studio welcomed a range of Australian projects from independent feature films, light entertainment programs, and high-end local drama.
2024 saw the release of the Academy Award nominated epic Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, which filmed at the Studio in 2023. “It was a pleasure to accommodate the tenth film in the enduring franchise, and see Australia’s beautiful landscape on the big screen” says Head of DSA, Yasmine Lintmeijer.
The introduction of the Australian Government’s 30% Location Offset, which can be combined with the New South Wales State Government’s Made in New South Wales Fund, has ushered in a period of unprecedented growth and production activity in the state.
The expansive 32-acre site is buzzing with production recently commencing on two major studio feature films; filming of Curio Pictures’ TV series Playing Gracie Darling for Paramount; as well as an independent feature film.
A recent study of more than 150 studio executives reported that Australia is one of the top five preferred filming locations around the world. With Disney Studios’ prime location close to Sydney’s international airport and city centre, and surrounded by the city’s world-famous harbour and beaches, production executives and crew are drawn to the enviable lifestyle that Sydney has to offer.
It comes as no surprise that DSA is able to continually attract this calibre of production given it is the largest integrated facility in the southern hemisphere, boasting 9 sound stages which range in size from 2,000 – 42,000 sqft (200 – 4,000 sqm), covering a total of 163,000 sqft (15,200 sqm). The stages are supported by over 146,000 sqft (13,600 sqm) of production support facilities including hair and make-up rooms, green rooms, production offices, construction, costume and art department workshops, catering facilities, parking, and 24-hour security, with access to backlots and a myriad of nearby locations for exterior filming.
DSA is also the home to Australia’s ultimate creative community. Together with over 50 screen production businesses based on the lot, including lighting, camera and textiles hire, aerial cinematography, props, wardrobe, picture, sound and music post-production, animation, visual effects, and more.