Prime Minister Perry Christie, who continues to be on an investment high as he signs and pushes for new development deals throughout the country, believes that Disney’s upcoming ﾑPirates of the Caribbean’ II and III shoot will help give Grand Bahama the perk it needs to experience substantial economic growth in the coming months.
Mr. Christie’s comments came late Friday afternoon after he signed a 50-year lease agreement with President of Gold Rock Creek Film Studios Paul Quigley in Nassau to provide for the use of 3,500 acres of land in East Grand Bahama.
The prime minister said the movie deals will help diversify the Bahamian economy, which continues to strive mainly off tourism and financial services.
ﾑPirates of The Caribbean’ II and III will be shot simultaneously as part of what has been called Disney’s largest film production ever.
According to Mr. Quigley, 16,500 hotel room nights have already been booked for the 10-month shoot.
He pointed to what he said will be tremendous spin-off benefits for Grand Bahamians and the wider Bahamian economy.
“I think the opportunities for Grand Bahamians are huge in so many different areas, not only in film production, but certainly in construction and in the hospitality industry,” Mr. Quigley said.
“There are so many different companies that service film companies ﾖ caterers, local graphics companies ﾖ so I think a lot of local businesses will benefit in an enormous way and certainly a lot of individuals in terms of crafts people will benefit.
“Our crews will be enormous and we will draw from other islands. I don’t think we’ll have all of the people we need in Grand Bahama so there’s certainly an opportunity outside of Grand Bahama.”
Prime Minister Christie seemed particularly excited that film productions at the studios are about to begin.
It comes at a time when his government continues to push for employment opportunities for hundreds of Grand Bahamians who were forced onto the unemployment line after the back-to-back hurricanes last September.
“When we add the development that the Minister [of Financial Services and Investments Allyson Maynard-Gibson] is now negotiating for West End to this, we are truly making Grand Bahama arrive at a level of resort development, of tourism, of attractions and of course of investment dollars in a really strong position.”
Minister Gibson, meanwhile, pointed out that there exists new and exciting opportunities for Bahamian actors in the upcoming movie shoot.
“There are many Bahamian actors abroad and the developers have indicated their willingness to consider our Bahamian actors that either have made a name or are about to make a name for themselves in New York and also in Hollywood,” the Minister said. “They can also audition for parts in the movie. The developer is anxious to have them come to The Bahamas and audition for small parts.”
Mr. Quigley added, “We’ve had a number of calls from Bahamians abroad who have been working in the film industry, not necessarily on that side of the camera, but behind the camera who are very interested in the possibility of coming back to The Bahamas to be part of crews here.”
He said the producer also intends to hire about 150 people as extras initially. He revealed that about 800 people showed up at a casting session in Grand Bahama recently, but did not yet have numbers on how many people showed up for a session in New Providence on Friday.
The developers plan to look for extras in Abaco this coming Friday.
“It’s going to give people tremendous hope in Grand Bahama,” said Prime Minister Christie, referring to the work that will be taking place at the film studios.
Candia Dames, The Bahama Journal
