Melbourne has been given a makeover as filming gets underway on the upcoming US drama series, La Brea.
It was announced at a press conference on Monday that the city would double as Los Angeles, with the new TV show set to be filmed in Victoria.
The show will feature local talent such as Rohan Mirchandaney and Chloe De Los Santos, alongside a host of US actors.
Caught on camera: Melbourne has been given a makeover as filming gets underway on the upcoming US drama series, La Brea.
Other cast members include Ione Skye, Natalie Zea, Eoin Macken, Jon Seda, Jack Martin and Lily Santiago.
According to a report by TV Tonight on Monday, filming has already begun in Port Melbourne.
The series centres around a family in Los Angeles, who is left separated after a massive sink hole mysteriously opens up in the ground.
Hollywood Down Under: It was announced at a press conference on Monday that the Australian city would double as Los Angeles, with the new TV show set to be filmed in Victoria. Pictured, La Brea creator David Appelbaum
Aussie stars: The show will feature local talent such as Rohan Mirchandaney and Chloe De Los Santos, alongside a host of US actors
Half the family finds themselves transported to a different time, and they must find a way to return to the present to be reunited with the rest of their family.
Filming for the series was scheduled to begin in late April and is expected to continue until September.
The production is expected to generate $71million for the local economy, and will create jobs for 290 Australian cast and crew.
Ready for action: According to a report by TV Tonight on Monday, filming has already begun in Port Melbourne
Action-packed: The series centres around a family in Los Angeles, who is left separated after a massive sink hole mysteriously opens up in the ground
It will also use the services of around 295 local businesses after being given a $9.66million grant as part of the federal government’s location incentive.
La Brea will be the biggest international TV series to be filmed in Victoria in over a decade.
‘Being able to tap into the creative infrastructure in Australia has been incredible and we are proud to invest back into our global production community,’ said Universal Studio Group chairman Pearlena Igbokw as reported by Deadline on Sunday.
Production: Filming for the series was scheduled to begin in late April and is expected to continue until September
Money-maker: The production is expected to generate $71million for the local economy, and will create jobs for 290 Australian cast and crew
‘We are delighted to continue our alliance with the Australian government and Hon Paul Fletcher MP for our latest series La Brea in Victoria, and look forward to broadening our partnership.’
According to a report by 7News on Monday, Bay Street, a major beachside thoroughfare in Melbourne, will be shut down for several days.
It will be transformed to look like a suburb of Los Angeles, with only pedestrians allowed access to the street.
Closed: According to a report by 7News on Monday, Bay Street, a major beachside thoroughfare in Melbourne, will be shut down for several days
Shut down: Road closures were in place on the street on Monday, with barricades and signs preventing cars from entering
‘The sinkhole will be created through the use of props and/or special effects,’ Port Phillip Mayor Louise Crawford said in a statement.
Road closures were in place on the street on Monday, with barricades and signs preventing cars from entering.
Meanwhile, special effects green screens were erected on the street, while a US-style yellow taxi was spotted on set.
Getting a makeover: The area will be transformed to look like a suburb of Los Angeles, with only pedestrians allowed access to the street