By JEREMY FRANCIS

Freeport News Reporter

After months of putting finishing touches on the immense Collyer Tank at The Bahamas Film Studios at Gold Rock Creek, filming will today recommence on Disney's sequels to its 2003 blockbuster film "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl."

It has been reported that 65,000 room nights have been booked on Grand Bahama for a Disney entourage of some 400 persons, who will be working around the clock to trounce a tight production schedule.

Once production on the two films is completed, it is the belief of Paul Quigley, The Bahamas Film Studios at Gold Rock Creek's CEO, that they would have laid the groundwork for the development of a film and television production industry in the country.

Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe has, in fact, in the past spoken of utilizing the government-operated ZNS broadcasting station as a means of promoting and encouraging Bahamians to follow their big screen dreams. Such a move would have a trickle down effect on natives interested in the writing, producing, and directing aspects of the profession, he pointed out.

Minister Wilchcombe added that motion picture productions in the country — Grand Bahama in particular — have no choice but to blossom with such major developments unfolding and with backing from such a strong team in his ministry.

Earlier this month, Disney made a final casting call for men of all types and ages to be a part of the sequels, Pirates of the Caribbean 2 and 3. In a release issued by the films' background casting director, Thomas Gustafon, it was noted that persons were being sought to portray sailors, pirates, and Asian seamen.

Mr. Quigley says that the Collyer Tank outshines similar tanks in Rinella, Malta and Baja California, Mexico and will ultimately become the tank of choice among filmmakers, particularly those from the U.S. and Canada.

In a release issued by The Bahamas government earlier this year, Mr. Quigley was lauded for his vision of choosing Grand Bahama as the location to erect the Collyer Tank.

"Were it not for his commitment to build a critical water tank in Grand Bahama for this film and other productions, we would not be in this happy situation today. I am told that what Mr. Quigley and his Gold Rock Creek partners have done is likely to lead to a parade of motion picture productions in Grand Bahama, especially those that require use of such a tank, since there are few in existence around the world," a portion of the release reads.

Filming at the multi-million-dollar Collyer Tank at The Bahamas Film Studios at Gold Rock Creek is expected to go on between the months of September and December.