Wollongong will appear in cinemas across Australia during the April school holidays when a new movie almost completely shot in the city showcases the city on the big screen.
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Buildings at the University of Wollongong Innovation Campus are very prominent in the movie Wollongong almost lost to Queensland and other states before Steve Jaggi Company asked Destination Wollongong for help.
At a special VIP thank you screening on Sunday afternoon at Greater Union Event Cinema Shellharbour the first to see Back of the Net recognised Campus East, Figtree Junior Soccer Club, Seacliff Bridge, Mount Keira, Fernwood Wonoona, Fisherman's Beach and Five Islands Secondary College.
Back of the Net producer Steve Jaggi thanked everyone who helped make it happen in Wollongong before the movie opens in cinemes in Queensland and Victoria on April 11 and the rest of Australia on April 18.
Mr Jaggi was joined at the premiere by actress Ashleigh Ross, production designer Jamie Cranney and associate producer and location manager Kim Cleary. She said the movie nearly was not made locally but Destination Wollongong saved the day and was instrumental in ensuring filming was done in the city.
"When I was shown the script I knew that Wollongong would be perfect," Ms Cleary said.
"Selling the creative impact is always difficult and for a while, everything was against this film kicking off, particularly down here. Queensland and other states were vying for the opportunity to host the production.
"A regional town like Wollongong wouldn't normally be considered to 'pack much of a punch' against other regional areas who have greater experience with screen production and prioritise attraction incentives over other things.
"After months of pushing, my fight to keep it In Wollongong had all but failed. But one call to Destination and their immediate response was 'let's make it happen'. And it was back on. They stuck with us the whole way".
Mr Jaggi said Sunday's screening was about thanking Destination Wollongong and Wollongong City Council for bending over backwards to accommodate the production and everyone else who supported the making of Back of the Net.
They included Girls Make Your Move campaign, Football South Coast, Warrigal Charters and Illawarra Youth Art Project who provided extras in the feature film that showcases so many local attractions.
Novotel Wollongong Northbeach was acknowledged for accommodating Disney Channel's Sofia Wylie and her family during filming in Wollongong And the visit definitely made an impact on Sofia's father Chris Wylie.
"Australia is so big and we'd love to visit but often ask where would we go? Where would we start? Wollongong! That is the place to go. I can't imagine anywhere being more perfect than this. Why would you want to go anywhere else? I'm telling all my friends!"
And for the local audience who completely filled Cinema 3 at Shellharbour on Sunday there was nothing but pride about how good Wollongong and the region looked.
After the movie comments ranged from the great music accompanying a feel-good underdog story of not giving to how good Wollongong looked in nearly every scene.
A Q&A session in the cinema followed the first screening along with an autograph signing and photograph opportunity where guests could put on clothing used in the movie.
Mr Jaggi and Ms Cleary answered questions such as what the next project might be and whether Wollongong will be the location for more movies.
Mr Jaggi said he will wait until after the Federal election to decide what next and where.
And Ms Cleary said they were certainly hopeful of shooting more movies in the Illawarra and look for more local involvement from local people, performing arts centres and other organisations and businesses.
Ms Cleary said Destination Wollongong was likely to play a role in many more great things for the city she calls home.
"They do a lot more than attract tourists. They are the driving force behind a range of projects which are as varied as our demographic but are all focused on propelling our region into not only a competitive space; but a great place to live, work and visit. They're actually doing it," she said.
"They are effective at this because they know our community extremely well, they know what we want, what we are capable of and where we are going. They've got their ear to the ground. They are the 'movers and shakers' who say 'yes'. And they're putting our home on the map".
At the start of the Q&A Ms Cleary said asked if the audience agreed that Wollongong looked amazing in the film.
Every applauded and yelled out "yes".
"We had a lot of fun choosing places. It was such a pleasure working with everyone at those locations. I would like to thank everyone in the cinema tonight for their involvement".
Mr Cranney said Wollongong provided many locations that many might not expect.
"Sydney Airport and LAX we found all those locally," he said.
"With some clever film work and signage we were able to transform those. The original plans for the film was to shoot some of it in Sydney but Wollongong delivered and we didn't actually have to leave the area which was fantastic.
"And the locals were so accommodating and helpful. That really made a big difference to the whole process".
The shoot time was four weeks and pre-production went for three months prior to that. Post production and editing took eight weeks.
The director was Louise Alston and Emilio Abbonizio was the director of photography.
Ashleigh Ross said it was interesting and amazing to sit in the cinema and see the end product all come together on the large screen.
Mr Jaggi concluded the Q&A by asking those present that if they enjoyed the film to help get the word out on social media.
"It is very hard making Australian films. We want people to come and see this film so we can keep making them".
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Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
