Young Rock headed to Strathpine

Excitement is rising in Strathpine with news the makers of NBC television series Young Rock will be filming in the area tomorrow.

The show, with 11 episodes focuses on Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s formative years and will be filmed around south-east Queensland.

Screen Queensland announced in September Young Rock was one of three Universal Group Studio TV series to be filmed in Brisbane’s Screen Queensland studios and in other locations around the state over an 18 month period, bringing a boost to the state’s filming industry.

Boost to the economy

At the time, Premier Anastacia Palaszczuk said the productions were expected to contribute $143 million to the state’s economy.

Late last week Strathpine residents received a letter from YR Production Pty Ltd announcing the filming of daytime scenes in Lincoln St and Bells Pocket Rd.

The letter said traffic controllers and Queensland Police would help manage changes to traffic conditions.

Lincoln St is home to a handful of small businesses.

Preparations begin

Fiji Shop owner Dan Chand said residents and businesses were watching with interest as preparations were made for the filming, which will take place in the area between 10am and 6pm.

Dan, who has run his family business at Strathpine for the past 16 years, says there’s been nothing like it in the area.

“They’re coming over here tomorrow, so we will see what’s going to happen then,” Dan says.

“There’s a few guys doing a few things out the front to create the right environment, but they’re not talking much about it – it’s a bit confidential.

“We’re just going to watch and wait and see what happens.”

Samford connection

Samford’s Tori Webb has a small part in Young Rock, and says she’s looking forward to being part of the series.

“It’s just a tiny role, but I’m super excited,” Tori says.

Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Peter Flannery says he can’t confirm or deny any of the rumours about Young Rock filming in Strathpine.

“But I will say that if you’re a filmmaker working in Queensland you should consider coming to Moreton Bay,” Mayor Flannery says.

“We’ve rolled out the red carpet for this production - turning around their application at lightning fast speed, waiving their filming fees, and even getting staff to help doorknock residents in Strathpine to let them know what’s going on.”

Mayor Flannery says because the production is bringing more than 100 cast and crew to the region, Council waived the filming fees in recognition of the benefit this kind of economic activity could bring to the area.

“With our shimmering coastlines and stunning hinterland region, why wouldn’t we be able to lure some A-Listers away from the Gold Coast and Sydney.

“We’re the first choice for a lot of national and international brands to film advertisements, but we want a slice of that Hollywood razzle dazzle.

“I hope this puts us in the box-office-seat for future filming success.”

A post on the Moreton Bay Regional Council Facebook page attracted more than 400 comments and more than 240 shares from nearby residents, with many speculating about whether The Rock himself would make an appearance.

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