Cloncurry steps up for a cut of screen action

Cloncurry is rolling out the red carpet for filmmakers, encouraging them to make the most of the outback location by providing incentives. On the back of hosting Channel 10’s Survivor in 2021, the North-West Queensland town of some 3000 people is starring in The Bank Manager, a short film by Quamby Studios’ Luke and Madeleine Chaplain. The siblings grew up on Malakoff Station outside Cloncurry hearing about the legend of the bank robbery. They were motivated to capture the story on film, to ensure the folk legend lives on, and to film authentically in the town and on the ground where it happened, rather than on-location elsewhere or in-studio. "It's quite revolutionary what Cloncurry Shire Council is doing with their film incentive," Mr Chaplain said. "It's been a collaborative approach from the very beginning. Their willingness to pivot and adapt is a huge incentive for filmmakers." Cloncurry Shire Council Mayor Greg Campbell (pictured left) said to have The Bank Manager film in Cloncurry was a boon to the region, economically, but also culturally as it is a legend of the region. “There are not many backdrops as dramatic as the rugged outback landscape of Cloncurry," he said. "The red ranges, spinifex and waterways have already played host to Channel 10’s Survivor in 2021, and now in a wonderful serendipity, we have The Bank Manager, written and produced by two brilliant Outback Queensland-born creatives, and starring some of Australia’s best known actors.” Cr Campbell said Cloncurry Shire was the only small local government offering financial incentives to film locally. The council was committed to this program as it could see the benefit it brought to the community, he said. “We welcome any film makers to consider Cloncurry as a film location and encourge them to make the most of council’s support.” The Bank Manager is a comedic drama that tells the story of the 1932 Cloncurry bank robbery. The film storyline is based on real events, and will focus on key moments that led to the successful robbery. The all-Queensland cast and crew have just spent five days filming in Cloncurry, with some $40,000 spent directly in the region, in addition to the indirect economic injection the production represents. Fifty extras and 10 crew were all sourced locally. The cast includes Logie award-winning Gyton Grantley (Underbelly, House Husbands), Jason Wilder (Kidnapped 2021, Great White 2021, We Were Tomorrow 2021), Paula Nazarski (The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, The Second), fellow North Queenslander Jordan Abbey-Young (Thor: Ragnarök, Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan). * The Film Incentive Program is available to film makers wanting to capture their short film, feature film, pilots or series in the Shire of Cloncurry. For more information contact council@cloncurry.qld.gov.au.

Cloncurry steps up for a cut of screen action

Industry Queensland

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