Three Summers film shoot lifts local economy

4/10/2016 12:05 PM

• 100-strong cast and crew on-set at Fairbridge Village
• First production funded by $16 million WA Regional Film Fund
• Made possible by Royalties for Regions and Screenwest 

Production is well underway on director Ben Elton's Three Summers, the first film to be funded under the Liberal National Government's Western Australian Regional Film Fund.

The film is being shot almost entirely at Pinjarra's historic Fairbridge Village, with 100 cast and crew on-set, including Australian screen greats Magda Szubanski, Michael Caton, Deborah Mailman and John Waters and international actor Robert Sheehan.

Culture and the Arts Minister John Day said production and post-production would also be completed in WA.

"The story of Three Summers was inspired by a Western Australian event - the Fairbridge Festival," Mr Day said.

"Not only will it expose this fascinating part of the State to national and international audiences, it is also creating exciting opportunities for our local film industry.

"From costume designers to camera operators, all but three of the crew members are from WA.  It's helping lift the local economy and also involving the community, with about 1,000 locals cast as extras."

Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said Three Summers would boost the State's screen industry and better position WA as a viable film-making destination.

"The film fund is designed to build a critical mass of production skills," Mr Redman said.

"For instance, there are 12 young locals gaining a unique experience as production interns, working across departments including production design, art, camera and costume and as runners, who are getting to learn from some of the industry's best.

"The film has a strong sense of place and focus on community, both on screen and off and will work with a number of local organisations during and post-production until its release."

Three Summers is the first production to be supported by the $16 million Western Australian Regional Film Fund.  It is being produced by Australian companies Taylor Media and Invisible Republic with support from Screenwest, Screen Australia, Transmission Films and Arclight Films.

Three Summers is expected to be released nationally in cinemas mid to late 2017.

Fact File

• Screenwest administers the fund, partnering with regional development commissions to market WA locations locally and overseas to attract productions
• Applicants can register online at http://www.filminwesternaustralia.com   
• Screenwest also supported the productions of Breath, Jasper Jones and Red Dog: True Blue
• For more information, visit http://www.screenwest.wa.gov.au