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12-29-2004, 07:59 PM
http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,11810345%255E1243,00.html
Cameras spinning for Charlotte's Web
By Claire Sutherland
December 30, 2004
ONE thousand local jobs will be created when international blockbuster movie Charlotte's Web starts filming in Victoria in late January.
Officially announcing the industry's worst kept secret, Premier Steve Bracks yesterday pinpointed the historic suburb of Williamstown and the country town of Greendale as key locations for the filming of the remake of the popular children's book.
Shops in Williamstown's Nelson Place will be given a 1940s makeover, with a record store becoming a barber shop for the shoot.
A nearby school will also be used.
Construction of farm buildings is already well under way on a property in Greendale, with 24-hour security to discourage onlookers.
Interior scenes will be shot in a converted warehouse in the western suburbs because another production, Ghost Rider, has booked out most of the Docklands' Central City Studios until mid next year.
No casting decisions have been announced, but child star Dakota Fanning (Man on Fire) is tipped to take the lead role of Fern in the production, which will be a combination of animation and live action, similar to Babe.
Suddenly 30 director Gary Winick will take the helm.
The decision by Paramount Pictures to shoot Charlotte's Web in Victoria means two multi-million dollar productions will be being made here at the same time.
The Nicolas Cage Marvel Comics adaptation Ghost Rider starts shooting in February at Central City Studios in and around the city.
Mr Bracks said attracting the two films to Melbourne marked a return to Victoria's former position as the film and television hub of Australia.
"We lost our way in the late '80s and '90s but we've re-established film and television as a high priority for our government," he said.
Herald Sun
Cameras spinning for Charlotte's Web
By Claire Sutherland
December 30, 2004
ONE thousand local jobs will be created when international blockbuster movie Charlotte's Web starts filming in Victoria in late January.
Officially announcing the industry's worst kept secret, Premier Steve Bracks yesterday pinpointed the historic suburb of Williamstown and the country town of Greendale as key locations for the filming of the remake of the popular children's book.
Shops in Williamstown's Nelson Place will be given a 1940s makeover, with a record store becoming a barber shop for the shoot.
A nearby school will also be used.
Construction of farm buildings is already well under way on a property in Greendale, with 24-hour security to discourage onlookers.
Interior scenes will be shot in a converted warehouse in the western suburbs because another production, Ghost Rider, has booked out most of the Docklands' Central City Studios until mid next year.
No casting decisions have been announced, but child star Dakota Fanning (Man on Fire) is tipped to take the lead role of Fern in the production, which will be a combination of animation and live action, similar to Babe.
Suddenly 30 director Gary Winick will take the helm.
The decision by Paramount Pictures to shoot Charlotte's Web in Victoria means two multi-million dollar productions will be being made here at the same time.
The Nicolas Cage Marvel Comics adaptation Ghost Rider starts shooting in February at Central City Studios in and around the city.
Mr Bracks said attracting the two films to Melbourne marked a return to Victoria's former position as the film and television hub of Australia.
"We lost our way in the late '80s and '90s but we've re-established film and television as a high priority for our government," he said.
Herald Sun