Three Gold Coasters share their story on how they’ve had successful careers for decades within the local film and television industry and how a new initiative is supporting them to thrive for years to come. 

With a picturesque backdrop that consistently inspires filmmakers and creatives, it’s no wonder the Gold Coast continues to play stage to productions from grassroots moviemakers to Blockbuster shakers.

Behind the glitz and glam shown on the big and small screens – the polished cinematic final product – there’s an abundance of individuals and small businesses who are hands-on, bringing the riveting storytelling work to life.  

The Gold Coast film and television industry is simply thriving. We know this because the City of Gold Coast commissioned a whopping 126-page report in 2020 called Gold Coast Independent Screen Production. 

Essentially the report was to unearth and identify the who’s who in the local industry – from individuals to independent production companies, to tech, sound and lighting crew, Special Effects and FX specialists, costume designers, screenwriters and producers. 

Having been involved in the film industry for decades, the report was led by City of Gold Coast Film and Television Adviser, Gabrielle Jones alongside QUT Associate Professor Film, Screen and Animation, Mark Ryan. The aim was to identify the Gold Coast industry, it’s size, shape, capacity and any infrastructural gaps.

The program was developed to bolster  Gold Coast residents working within the film and television space and continue to foster, grow and establish the local industry – whether that’s through networking, upskilling, or providing funding support for business to expand their capabilities. 

This new program encourages Gold Coast individuals and businesses in the screen and creative industries to generate and grow their expertise and resources by providing grants from $10,000 up to $50,000. 

Here’s how the Screen Access Program has helped to foster three Gold Coasters and their businesses.

CREATING BIG MOMENTS ON SMALL SCREENS

Light Bulb Moment Productions – Founder, Karen Warner

Getaway, Top Gear and Masterchef have been gracing our small screens for years and are TV series we have all come to know and adore. We’re lucky enough to have one of Australia’s most respected Executive Producers and Show-Runners who has been in the big seat creating these shows, now on our turf. 

Meet Karen Warner. With nearly 30-years of commercial TV experience, she’s truly a screen queen and expert within the television industry and has the resume to prove it. 

Starting her career in 1993, Karen landed a gig with Nine Network Australia where she spent the next 15-years leading an impressive role as Executive Producer for popular TV shows to the likes of Getaway, Funniest Home Videos and The Waiting Room.  

From there she went on working as a Showrunner for Nine’s Top Gear, to an Executive Producer for Farmer Wants a Wife, Masterchef and the 30th Anniversary documentary on Neighbours, before making a sea change from Sydney to the Gold Coast where she started her own business specialising in creative content called Light Bulb Moment Productions (LBMP). 

“When I moved to the Gold Coast 4-years ago from Sydney, I was blown away by the diversity of locations and the incredible talent pool in South East Queensland,” Karen said. 

Newly established at the time, Karen was making a pilot for a USA network and needed a hand to kick start the development and production. 

Although with decades of experience and “a black book” of contacts, Karen applied for the Screen Access program in December last year with the intention of growing her businesses and network within the local industry. 

“I applied for the Screen Access program in December as I had started my own production company a few years prior. I really wanted to focus my creative efforts around this region and saw the Screen Access program as a great opportunity to drive that goal,” Karen said. 

Through the program’s support, Karen met up with other local creatives and suppliers. She said she was also able to assist a Sydney-based production company in suggesting talent for a Gold Coast-based shoot thanks to her new found database established through the program. 

CAPTIVATED BY GOLD COAST’S NATURAL LANDSCAPES

Kale Media – Founder, Kale Rickards (pictured)

Having always lived in coastal locations from Newcastle, the Sunshine Coast and now calling the Gold Coast home – Kale Rickards has always been captivated and drawing inspiration from the natural beauty the Australian coastline has to offer. 

He’s been working in the film and television industry for the past 10-years or-so, primarily within the videography space, after transitioning from a semi-professional surfer in 2012. 

“I’ve always had an interest in videography but it wasn’t until later into my 20’s that I really thought of it as a viable career option,” Kale said. 

“I grew up around the beach and was a decent surfer back in the day. I used to watch surf movies over and over. I took a lot of inspiration from the work of Taylor Steele as well as prominent Gold Coast filmmakers including Simon Saffigna and Matt Gye.

“Naturally I wanted to follow in their footsteps so I cut my teeth filming surfing and it took me to some amazing locations. 

“It was a great way to start out as it prepared me well for putting in the long hours of standing outside in the sun, and sometimes rain, all in hopes of capturing just a few keep clips that I had no idea if I could ever sell or not. It also helped me creatively as I was often forced to deal with harsh or changing light and always thinking of unique angles to shoot from.”

Following this, Kale was able to make some connections with photographers within the wedding scene who recommended clients which allowed him to kick-start a career as a videographer. 

But, Kale said it was a chance meeting with former AFL footballer turned radio host Peter ‘Spida’ Everitt that really changed, shaped and formed his career. 

Spida and his wife Sheree were where needing a cameraman for their television show called The Great Australian Doorstep, which has been filming since 2008, and Kale jumped at the opportunity. 

“This is where I really found my niche. I have been filming the show from series 7 through 12 and is an opportunity I will be forever grateful for,” Kale said. 

“The show has taken me around the country from beach to bush in just about every state and territory and has introduced me to some great Aussie characters.”

Now, Kale is embarking on his own TV show that aims to showcase the region’s natural beauty and outdoor lifestyle while encouraging visitation to the area. He’s planning to film a pilot episode on the Gold Coast soon. 

He said he’s already secured interest from a broadcaster and the ultimate goal is to sale up the production to a complete series of 13 episodes.

Kale applied for the Screen Access program in June and said he “thought it would be an amazing opportunity to elevate the capacity of my business Kale Media.”

“I saw it as an opportunity to allow myself the time to focus on where I want my career to be headed. I feel my strengths in film is the ability to operate efficiently and effectively as a Run and Gun style cameraman. But building a business around that skill alone can be very limiting in terms of income generation. It takes a lot more than just filming to make a TV show so I’ve been using my time in the program to expand on my current skillset, network and develop a broader range of business offerings and capabilities.

“The program has benefited me immensely. It has enabled me to grasp the concept of full scale television production and has opened my eyes to a whole new world of possibility within the space.

“It has come at a time of need off the back of Covid which has caused great disruption and resulted in many screen practitioners seeking alternate career paths. I would encourage others to seriously consider this program and explore what opportunities might be out there for them. 

“If you're willing to put in the work, the rewards will come and the Screen Access Program is a great tool to help improve business success.”

UPPING THE ANTE WITH CREW 

Myriad Studios – Founder and CEO, Duncan Jones

Duncan Jones has been doing business on the Gold Coast for two decades. He started his career as a Dolphin Trainer at Sea World before being introduced to the film industry in the late 1990’s and is now well-versed and experienced, having built a creditable reputation as Locations Manage and working on an array of some of the best major movies shot on the Gold Coast and surrounds. 

“The first production I was involved in was Flipper in 1998, which was filmed on the Gold Coast. At the time was working with dolphins at Sea World. The experience of being around the wonderfully creative people inspired me to want to work in film,” Duncan said. 

Duncan has since led an astonishing, working as Location Manager for blockbusters back-to-back for more than a decade; including Fools Gold (2008), Bait 3D (2012), Unbroken (2014), The Shallows (2016), Thor: Ragnarok (2017), Aquaman (2018), Dora and the Lost City of Gold (2019), Love and Monsters (2020), and Spiderhead (2022). 

“I love the craft of filmmaking. The idea of taking a story from an idea through to the big screen is such a challenging and creative experience,” Duncan said. 

“We’re so lucky the Gold Coast is one of the world’s most desired film destinations. Globally, the Gold Coast has a reputation for wonderfully diverse locations, very skilled and experienced crews and an unbeatable lifestyle in which celebrities and crew alike enjoy in their downtime. All this combined means local film professionals are exposed to high calibre film productions.”

Duncan founded Myriad Studios in mid-2019 and established himself at Village Roadshow Studios in Oxenford. 

Myriad Studios has a unique offering, specialising in LiDAR, Cyber and XFX Scanning on Location Company which is dedicated entirely to motion picture and gaming industries. 
Although boasting a creditable array of experience, Duncan applied for Screen Access this year and used the funding to hire and train a Gold Coast local and recent QUT graduate in all things Myriad. 

“For me, the Screen Access program provides leverage and support for local businesses to expand their capability. For us, that meant hiring a team and developing their skills,” Duncan said. 

“The City of Gold Coast is one of the most proactive and supportive Council’s when it comes to film and gaming business in Australia. It has a dedicated Film and Television advisor who is invaluable in the ongoing development of the film industry on the Gold Coast.”

HOW TO APPLY 

The Screen Access Program is available to anyone who has minimum of 2-years professional track record within the screen industry. A grant of up to $10,000 can be provided for those looking for training opportunities within an area of skills shortage or career transition; $25,000 for individuals to network build and access mentors; and up to $50,000 for screen industry businesses to expand capabilities and infrastructure. 

The Screen Access Program application can be found, here.

For more information, email film@goldcoast.qld.gov.au. This article was commissioned and first published by City of Gold Coast.