Would it surprise you to learn we have a Hollywood film producer right here in Townsville? Thanks to the latest internet technology, you’d be amazed by what’s happening in our very own home town.
By day, you’ll find Lyndon Berresford in his Flinders Street studio where, as Creative Director of the AEC Group, he’s busy developing international brands from right here in North Queensland. By night, you’ll find Lyndon beavering away at his home studio in South Townsville where he works as an art director and producer for Hollywood film production company Noel Braham Entertainment.
“In my free time I’ve always been interested in conceptual and fantasy art and about three years ago I produced some concepts for a Disney competition,” Lyndon says.
After one of these went viral Lyndon was approached by film producer Noel Braham, who is based in Hollywood and had seen some of Lyndon’s work online. Noel wanted to see if Lyndon was interested in designing some conceptual art for a small independent film he was producing.
“The project was being filmed in California for another International Disney Film Competition and he had no idea I lived in North Queensland,” Lyndon says.
“With the fast NBN I have at home I’ve been able to work on the film while my wife Lisa is watching Netflix,” Lyndon says.
“I’ve often been on Skype to LA receiving a rough cut of the film via file transfer while Orange is the New Black is streaming in the background.”
As Lyndon’s input into the film grew, he was made producer of Star Wars: Exile, which was launched earlier this year at the historic Vista Theatre in Los Angeles. It has since been screened at five film festivals around North America, including two screenings at the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood (the one with all of the stars’ hand prints out the front!) and an IMAX Theatre in New York.
“I must admit I got a huge kick out of seeing my name up on the big screen in Hollywood.”
“I must admit I got a huge kick out of seeing my name up on the big screen in Hollywood,” Lyndon says. “We’ve had fantastic feedback and were nominated as a finalist in the Audience Category Award for the 2016 Disney Fan Film Awards.”
Lyndon travelled to London for the Awards with the film’s creator and admits it was ‘surreal’ sharing a London flat with a Hollywood actor and director (Noel Braham).
The scenario soon grew comfortable though. So comfortable that Noel and Lyndon found themselves discussing other projects.
“We both had similar ideas for a new film and have since gone into the early stages of pre-production,” Lyndon says. “I can’t reveal much at this stage but it’s a sci-fi thriller and we’re looking to film both in Los Angeles and North Queensland with a release date pencilled in for late 2018. I’m sure there will be a chance for locals to get involved.”