Written by new-contact on Oct 15, 2012. Posted in On Location

South Africa's Cape Town Studios prepares for pirate miniseries Black Sails

South Africa's Cape Town Studios is preparing to host the pirate-themed miniseries Black Sails. The project involves Transformers filmmaker Michael Bay as an Executive Producer. It’s scheduled for a 16-week shoot and is the latest major production to visit the relatively new Cape Town facility.

Black Sails was secured for Cape Town Studios at the 2011 Annual South Africa/Hollywood MediaXchange, where delegates from Film Afrika met representatives from US TV network Starz Entertainment. MediaXchange involves individuals from throughout the US industry, ranging from the major studios through to independent production companies. It’s a good way for South Africa to promote regional location filming.

Vlokkie Gordon is a Producer with Film Afrika: “We are delighted to have been awarded [Black Sails] and it is further proof of South Africa’s international reputation for outstanding production skill and expertise.

We are delighted to have been awarded [Black Sails] and it is further proof of South Africa’s international reputation for outstanding production skill and expertise.

Vlokkie Gordon, Film Afrika

Gordon adds: “A production of this scope provides not only employment for South Africans, but also skills transfer which is in line with Film Afrika’s policy of supporting growth and development of the South African film and television industry.”

Major comic book adaptation Dredd was one of the first projects to film at Cape Town Studios. Paranormal thriller Chronicle doubled the region for Seattle last year and thriller Safe House was specifically set in Cape Town, further raising the country’s international profile when it became an international hit.

(Safe House image: Universal Pictures)