Coober Pedy

If you built a set for a motion picture and it looked something like this, the critics would dub your film far-fetched, implausible. But the implausible Opal mining town of Coober Pedy has developed a lucrative new role as a movie location. Here in the Far North - hundreds of kilometres from a city, water or even a decent-sized tree...some of the world's top filmmakers are shooting for box office success. "Coober Pedy is actually quite a sophisticated town, it's got a good infrastructure for filming, they've made a lot of films here, it's a good logistics and support base."

"This is as far from Hollywoods as you can get. In many more ways than one. But that's the prime attraction - filmmakers here can find locations that look every inch as though they're from another world." This is the set for "Red Planet" a science-fiction blockbuster now filming in the Breakaway hills just out of Coober Pedy. The multi-million dollar movie follows a band of astronauts struggling to establish the first colony on Mars - the desert landscape stars as the Red Planet.

"It's dramatic, expansive it has enough shape about it to increase the drama - the colour's fantastic for us Mars most people understand is red".

Increasingly science fiction movies are drawn here. In the main street you find props form Pitch Black - another sci-fi flick to be released soon. The town is now actively encouraging its filmmaking reputation.

"I guess in the last 12 months with 3 feature films done here you'd probably have to look at a couple of million dollars left in the community which is great and also employment opportunities for people working on films is great for the town."

One Opal miner now has his own film support business - prospecting for the right settings.

"I basically show them around and different locations hoping to find something that suits them."

Restaurants and hotels do well - especially those that escape the heat in Coober Pedy's unique underground style.

"These days flights from Adelaide overnight so if any quirky demands of crews or actors can be catered for."

"Any unusual requests?"

"Was one with Tina Turner who wanted a particular brand of mineral water.....Perrier I think."

The star of the moment is the lead for Red Planet. Val Kilmer - and the location crew are very protective, shielding their top gun from our camera. Sightseers will find security around the locations over-bearing - crewmembers went to extraordinary lengths to block even our long-range shots of the set.

"Do you have a speaking role in this movie?" Silence.... Silence.

But the locals are getting used to the action as the crew's roll through.

"I think I enjoy the hype on set and all the people around and the whole town's alive."

All the attention can only boost the town's reputation as an outback curiosity...you can sample underground living at the Desert Cave Hotel with double rooms $150 a night.....the phone number is 8672 5688.

For more information you can email info@postcards.sa.com.au