A new WWII survival thriller, Play Dead, has commenced production at Docklands Studios Melbourne, utilizing one of the world’s largest permanent LED volume stages operated by NantStudios. The project is one of the latest international productions drawn to Victoria through government incentives.
Docklands Studios Melbourne
Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra (Black Adam, Carry-On), the film is set in 1940s Belgium, which will be digitally recreated using LED in-camera visual effects technology. The production will also feature scenes shot in South Gippsland.
Jaume Collet-Serra
Play Dead is projected to contribute more than $24 million to the Victorian economy and provide over 300 jobs, including 160 crew members, 40 cast and extras, and 100 positions in post-production and digital effects. Additionally, the film will offer 10 skills development placements for emerging professionals in stunts and virtual production.
The film stars Noah Jupe (A Quiet Place, Franklin), Matthias Schweighöfer (Army of Thieves), Patrick Gibson (Dexter: Original Sin), Andreas Pietschmann (1899), Juliette Gariepy (Red Rooms), and Sebastian Griegel (Young Woman and the Sea). Australian actors Joel Jackson, Sean Keenan, Harrison Quast, and Don Hany also feature.
Produced by Nocturnal Entertainment’s Akiva Nemetsky and Keaton Heinrichs, the project brings together industry veterans including Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert for Ghost House Pictures, JD Lifshitz and Raphael Margules for BoulderLight, and Dane Eckerle for Bad Grey. The screenplay is written by Peter Stanley-Ward and Natalie Conway.
Play Dead is supported by VicScreen through the Victorian Screen Rebate, and also accesses the Federal Government’s Location Offset. It follows other high-profile productions in Victoria such as The Dispatcher, Ice Road 2: Road to the Sky, and Netflix’s The Survivors.
Colin Brooks, Victorian Minister for Creative Industries, said the production “creates jobs, builds our skilled workforce, generates millions for our economy and showcases Victorian innovation to the world.”
VicScreen CEO Caroline Pitcher noted Play Dead is “yet another screen production to utilise Melbourne’s LED in-camera volume screens… engaging our world-class technicians and demonstrating Victoria’s capability for high end virtual production.”
Producer Akiva Nemetsky described working in Melbourne as “an incredible experience,” crediting the “exceptional crews, talented cast, and stunning locations” for elevating the production.