With the threatened writers' and actors' strikes forcing studios to step up production, Australia has seen a 75-percent rise over last year in the number of U.S. movies being shot there. the Melbourne Herald Sun reported today (Monday).

Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance official Simon Whipp told the newspaper: "It used to be that there would be one offshore film every two years, but now there are two or three going at any one time." Kingston Anderson of the New South Wales Film and Television Office added: "Hollywood producers are now aware of what we have to offer. ... Before they didn't believe it, but now they know we have the talent."

Source: Studio Briefing