Ōamaru is back in the spotlight once again with the return of a big Hollywood film production.
Netflix is making a seven-episode limited series based on Nobel Prize-winner John Steinbeck’s classic novel of the same name, East of Eden, in the South Island region.
Filming is now in full swing this week with the town’s heritage precinct front and centre.
Ōamaru Whitestone Civic Trust chairperson Richard Vinbrux told 1News: “There’s a huge crew around.
“Most of our businesses will have some additional income from this. So it’s good for us. It’s also good promotion for Ōamaru — once again.”
The series will feature Oppenhemier actress Florence Pugh who is also co-producing.
The region’s not-for-profit film advocate Film Otago Southland believes a huge effort over the years has brought film crews back to the area.
Spokesperson Stefan Roesch said: “I would say that it speaks volumes to all the involved stakeholders — both on a national and regional level.”
“New Zealand remains very competitive in a challenging market. So this is the result of a lot of hard work.”
It is just the latest production with international backing to take place in the south.
Parts of Oscar-winning director Dame Jane Campion’s film The Power of the Dog was captured in the town and wider district.
Netflix film The Royal Treatment also featured Dunedin’s Larnach Castle.
Harry Andrew from the Ōamaru Steam and Rail Restoration Society is no stranger to his train carriages in the spotlight.
He told 1News: “I’ve done three movies of different types. The last one was part of a French movie, doing an ad for overseas market.”
Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher said the district is buzzing.
“Certainly it’s taken up any accommodation within half an hour of Ōamaru. So that’s been quite significant.
“Quite a few locals are standing in as extras and they’re doing alright out of that.”
It is thought every dollar spent here by film crews under the country’s rebate scheme get roughly six dollars into the economy.
But industry experts hope for more Kiwi stories to go with the New Zealand locations.
Screen Production and Development Association president Irene Gardiner said: “It’s a fairly delicate ecosystem.
“We don’t want it getting to the point where the balance gets out of kilter and it becomes like, New Zealand’s just a service centre for international productions.”
But for now, Ōamaru is making the most of the attention as the spotlight continues to shine bright in the south.
