The cast for Dan Pritzker’s upcoming 1930s noir drama Fog City is locked in. Cooper Koch, Angus Imrie, Sarah Bolger, Miranda Otto, and Carla Gugino will anchor the feature film. The story unfolds in Depression-era San Francisco right as the Golden Gate Bridge is being constructed.
Billionaire musician and filmmaker Dan Pritzker wrote the script and is directing the project. This continues his focus on early 20th-century American history. He previously directed the niche historical dramas Bolden and Louis.
But the production is nowhere near California.
Cameras are currently rolling in Australia. The production began in mid-June and is scheduled through September. To accurately recreate the 1930s Bay Area, the crew is utilizing a converted backlot at Docklands Studios. They are also taking over several Melbourne heritage landmarks. Those real-world locations include the Labassa Mansion, Palais Theatre, Rippon Lea Estate, Melbourne Town Hall, and Hotel Windsor.
Melbourne’s Aggressive Tax Strategy Secures Another Hollywood Period Piece
The decision to shoot a distinctly American historical drama in Victoria comes down to aggressive regional financing. The Australian Federal Government’s Location Offset and VicScreen’s Victorian Screen Incentive lured the project across the Pacific.
The financial impact is direct. Fog City is injecting an estimated $60 million into the local economy, backed by VicScreen. The production is employing 365 local crew members. It also opened up 2,645 roles for cast, casuals, and extras in the area. Hollywood studios continue to abandon expensive California shooting locations in favor of international hubs willing to heavily subsidize expensive period set pieces.