MP: Melburnians to benefit from US TV production

Local workforces can reap the benefits from new projects being carried out in their areas with an increase in job and training opportunities and flow-on effects for regional industries.

Melburnian technical and trades workers may be interested in today's announcement (March 30) of an American television production company's decision to film near the towns of Thornton, Alexandra and Mansfield.

Sony Pictures Television will produce the pilot for Frontier and the project organisers have already begun making use of local workers.

"The support and services we have received from Film Victoria have been outstanding, as has the crew and Victoria’s exceptional facilities," said Shaun Cassidy, Frontier creator and executive producer, who helmed the production of Cold Case.

Jenni Tosi, chief executive officer of Film Victoria, stated that productions such as Frontier brought both business and employment opportunities to communities, especially in the technical and trades sectors.

She said that these types of working environments "give local crew and technicians the opportunity to gain experience on international projects, which boosts their skills and experience and the industry's skills base overall".

Victoria's minister for innovation, services and small business, Louise Asher, said that this production is expected to create about 100 jobs.