Construction begins of Melbourne film studio with landmark stage
Construction of one of the southern hemisphere’s biggest film stages – spreading 3700 square metres – has begun, at Docklands.
Sound Stage 6 will increase the capacity of Docklands Studios Melbourne by 60 per cent and allow Australian producers to submit for more large, international tenders.
It will also support the local industry; in 2018-2019, Victorian government backed screen projects created c8300 jobs.
Docklands Studios Melbourne contains five stages – from 743-2323 sqm – which are hired for production of feature films, television commercials, music videos and corporate events.
The sixth studio is costing $46 million.
Penned by Grimshaw, it is due for completion in 12 months.
Development Victoria is building it for Creative Victoria, Docklands Studios Melbourne and Film Victoria on a part of a Docklands Studios Melbourne car park near the Bolte Bridge.
In October, Hillsong paid $23.4m for the nearby Festival Hall, also used for film production.
Wanda Studios in Qingdao contains a 10,000 sqm stage, in 2017 reported by Chinese press to be the world’s biggest.
Floors of c6000 sqm in that city and in Pinewood, London, have also claimed that title.
The globe’s most sizeable film set has since 1983 been considered the 32 hectare Cinema Studio Atlas, in Morocco, nearly 200 kilometres south east of Marrakesh.
Sound Stage 6 at Docklands ties size with Sound Stage 9 on the Gold Coast
Sound Stage 6 will have a 17 metre clearance and be soundproofed (story continues below).
The floor loading capacity is designed to be 20kpa.
It will also feature full back of house support facilities.
In Australia the venue will compete against Village Roadshow’s Sound Stage 9 on the Gold Coast, which also spreads 3700 sqm.
Upon completion, Docklands Studios Melbourne will have stages covering 10,018 sqm.
The precinct is c1.5kms from the city.
Docklands Studios Melbourne will grow 60pc
Docklands Studios Melbourne opened in 2004; its first feature film, Ghost Rider, costing $120m – making it Victoria’s priciest to produce.
Hating Alison Ashley was also part created there.
The estate has been extended and in 2009 Development Victoria seized ownership.
Eleven years ago, Channel Nine relocated functions to Docklands after selling Lendlease its long-time studio at 22 Bendigo Street, Richmond.
Development Victoria chief executive Angela Skandarajah said “Sound Stage 6 will be one of the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere and will complement the existing stages and facilities for smaller TV and film projects at the studio”.
The other five studios will operate through construction.
