The expansive water tank currently being built to accommodate filming of the water scenes in Pirates of the Caribbean II and III is expected to attract even more blockbuster films to the island of Grand Bahama.
The tank, currently under construction in Freetown, Grand Bahama, offers the film's producers the opportunity to create the illusion of untamed sea views and an unobstructed horizon without the hassle that comes along with filming in the middle of the ocean.
According to manager of the Film Commission at the Ministry of Tourism, Donna Mackey, once Pirates of the Caribbean has wrapped filming, there will be opportunities to use the tank to attract more water themed films to the second city. She noted that currently, there are only three tanks of this magnitude in the world and with the close proximity of Grand Bahama to the United States, The Islands Of The Bahamas had an added advantage in attracting the lion's share of these blockbuster films.
Currently coming to the end of a brief hiatus, filming of Pirates of the Caribbean is set to resume in September. Just before the resumption of filming however, Disney Studios, producers of Pirates of the Caribbean, hosted, in conjunction with the Ministry of Tourism, a high level partners' conference on Grand Bahama, August 1-5. Invitees included U.S. Fortune 500 companies like Kelloggs, Volvo and Verizon. The aim of the partners' conference was to establish joint marketing opportunities between these companies and the Disney film.
Since the entrance of Pirates of the Caribbean, Grand Bahama has also played host to smaller budget films and other film projects. Just recently, "Blue 14," a family themed feature by Quantum Entertainment and Braveart Films wrapped up shooting on the island. The low budget movie that followed the saga of a teenaged girl from Los Angeles and her tumultuous relationship with her father was filmed at locations like Smith's Point, Barbary Beach and Unexso.
The resumption of filming of the Pirates' sequels is expected to provide a tremendous boost to the Grand Bahamian economy. Ms. Mackey noted that before the brief break, the numbers on staff for the filming of Pirates of the Caribbean ranged as high as 300.
Producers of the sequels estimate that during the 80 days of filming scheduled for Grand Bahama, approximately $20 to $25 million will be pumped into the island's economy.
Walt Disney is also hoping that further partnering in cross promotions with the tourism boards throughout The Islands Of The Bahamas could lead to an even higher economic impact in the form of increased exposure. It is hoped that Pirates of the Caribbean II and III will create destination successes similar to those achieved by Hawaii with "Lilo and Stitch" or New Zealand with "Lord of the Rings."
THE BLACK PEARL, one of the Pirate ships to be featured in the upcoming Disney movies, Pirates of the Caribbean I and II, is already in Freeport and presently docked at the Lucayan Harbour. Minister of Financial Services and Investment, the Hon. Allyson Maynard-Gibson and others from her Ministry of Financial Services and Investment recently visited the ship where it is berthed. Pictured from left to right are, Lady Naomi Whitfield, Freeport Office; Dr. Poitier, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Financial Services and Investment; Anishka Bowleg, Financial Services and Investment, Freeport; Minister Maynard-Gibson; Dr. Donald Cooper, BEST Commission; and Kayus Fernander, Financial Services, Nassau. (BIS Photo by VANDYKE HEPBURN)
