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US sci-fi series to shoot in Melbourne

Syfy mini-series, based on a classic Arthur C. Clarke novel, will film at Docklands Studios.

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2014-09-20_0155US mini-series Childhood’s End, based on a classic Arthur C. Clarke novel, will begin filming in Melbourne this year.

The six-hour miniseries, set for Syfy, will shoot at Docklands Studios and at various locations around Melbourne over 13 weeks. It will be produced through HayPop Pty Ltd’s Jeff Hayes and Brett Popplewell.

First published in 1953, Childhood’s End follows the peaceful alien invasion of Earth by the mysterious ‘Overlords’, whose arrival begins decades of apparent utopia under indirect alien rule, at the cost of human identity and culture.

It will be adapted by Matthew Graham (Life on Mars, Ashes to Ashes), with Mike DeLuca (Captain Philips, Moneyball, The Social Network) and Akiva Goldsman (Lone Survivor, Paranormal Activity, I Am Legend) attached as executive producers, with NBCU-owned Universal Cable Productions as the studio.

“Around 380 talented local practitioners, including up to 15 heads of department, will work on the Childhood’s End production, generating an estimated $20 million in production expenditure in Victoria,” said Arts Minister Louise Asher.

“This production will provide excellent employment opportunities for actors, technicians and small businesses, generating welcome activity in the state.”

Mark Binke, Executive Vice President of Production for Universal Cable Productions, said, “Melbourne was the right place for us to bring one of our premiere productions this year – from its beautiful scenic landscape to its production facilities and its talented and skilled production crews.”

Film Victoria CEO Jenni Tosi added, “Universal Cable Productions is a major player and critically acclaimed studio in the business of television production. Their decision to select Melbourne as the location for Childhood’s End is testament to the amazing crews, great facilities, diverse locations and film-friendly policies we offer here in Victoria.”

Pre-production begins in September with principal photography to commence in November.

3 Responses

  1. Fingers crossed they don’t screw this classic up. Unfortunately there’s not a lot of “action” (i.e. mindless violence, explosions and car chases) in the novel, which is always a challenge for TV and film makers. They usually butcher the story to put that in so it’ll rate unfortunately.

  2. Hah, when I saw this on the main page I was hoping that it would be Childhood’s End. It’s possibly Clarke’s best novel and certainly a favourite of mine. “They” have been trying to make this for 50 years so I hope that they do it justice.

    If anybody’s listening, could I have a TV series based on Isaac Asimov’s “The Gods Themselves” next?

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