The brand new multimillion rand Hollywood-style studio complex, Cape Town Film Studios (CTFS), officially opens its doors in September to host production on Judge Dredd, a 3D live action international feature film produced by DNA Films (Trainspotting, The Beach, The Last King of Scotland).
CTFS CEO Nico Dekker says that the studio complex was not originally scheduled to be fully operational as early as September. “So we have been through quite an intense process to get ready for Judge Dredd. A core team from DNA Films has been here since 23 August and we’ve been working around them, laying cables, putting in roads and landscaping the backlot. It’s been a fantastic process and I’m grateful for the trust that DNA Films has put in us. They will use most of the 17 000 square metres we have available, including our four sound stages.”
The American co-producer on Judge Dredd, Michael S Murphey (supervising producer on the South African megahit District 9), says that DNA Films, like many European companies, was interested in exploring South Africa as a possible location.
“At first they considered Johannesburg but there were concerns about where the studio shoot would take place. The next logical step was to investigate Cape Town Film Studios. I’m not exaggerating when I say it’s one of best studios I’ve ever seen anywhere in the world,” he explains.
Read more in the September 2010 issue of Screen Africa
