Tom Hanks coming to the Youyangs

from w
About twenty minutes drive from Geelong the Youyangs hills rise from a flat plain. It's a good place for picnics and climbing and a National Park. However it's going to be invaded soon by a film crew and our nearby hills turned into a Pacific island!
I drew a sketch while on a train to Melbourne last Friday.

from Melbourne Herald Sun:
Spielberg's Pacific solution
April 24.

BIG-wig producers Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg have a huge job ahead of them as they embark on filming in Melbourne and country Victoria. Confidential believes Hanks and Spielberg are planning to shoot some of their new HBO mini-series, The Pacific, in the You Yangs of all places.

Turning the humble mountain range in winter into a Pacific island will be quite a challenge, but luckily they have $150 million to make it happen.

The 10-episode series, a sequel to Spielberg's World War II epic Band of Brothers, is being touted as the priciest mini-series ever.

Pre-production for the filming is believed to be under way, with crew gathering in Melbourne from around the world. Filming will take place at the Docklands studios, as well as the You Yangs, until early next year.

Speculation in the industry is that Spielberg has booked the Melbourne Central City Studios for up to four years, with other projects on the agenda. Apparently, LA-based film execs are attracted to Melbourne, not just for the cheap rates, but for our quality cafes and restaurants. Everyone loves a good coffee.

On Monday there was a twister over the Youyangs and many motorists took photos on their mobiles. Here is one from Brendan Tyrrol that was in the local paper.