It's lights, camera, action for Bond University's Catherine O'Sullivan, who will play a leading role in attracting big-budget film productions to Queensland in her newly appointed role to the Screen Queensland Board of Directors.
Ms O'Sullivan, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Pathways and Partnerships at Bond University, will serve a three year term with Screen Queensland, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to help guide funding recommendations to prospective film and television projects.
Screen Queensland is the Queensland Government screen agency whose role it is to develop and support a creative, innovative and commercially sustainable screen industry, attract production to Queensland and celebrate an active screen culture across the state.
Ms O'Sullivan said it was important to highlight the positive impact the industry has on the Queensland economy.
"The film and television industry has a strong economic multiplier, and people should be encouraged to understand this is a creative space that has a huge impact on the economy," she said.
"Screen Queensland is undertaking a rigorous study into the economic benefit of filming Pirates of the Caribbean on the Gold Coast and the early indicators are that it is quite significant. We want to work out exactly what that multiplier is so we can have a substantiative conversation around it.
"It is an exciting time in Queensland for the film and television industry as both the Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Mayor Tom Tate have been outspoken advocates for the development of the industry here and would like to see us continue to grow as a preferred site for creatives to come together to produce high-quality entertainment.
"Screen Queensland has recently signed a partnership with Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) to provide funding toward developing what will be the largest sound stage in the southern hemisphere, which will be a legacy project from the Games.
"It is a fantastic move for the Gold Coast and will help us continue to attract blockbuster films to the area."
Ms O'Sullivan said Bond University was committed to developing the film and television industry, not only through educating young people in the industry but also forging strong links with the corporate world in that particular sphere.
"Screen Queensland has had a great relationship with Bond University for some time through the fantastic work of Michael Sergi, Bond's Director of Film and Television, and we have gained a reputation for being a leading voice of innovation in the industry," she said.
"It is very exciting for Bond University to now have representation on the board of Screen Queensland, so we can continue to be proactive in this space and actively seek and attract international producers to develop their films here in Queensland."