Fiji has become a popular destination for movie makers to produce films.

And for the producers of Wrecked Season II, there’s always the hope of returning to film in Fiji.

Wrecked Season II Line Producer Michael Pindell said the project was estimated at $US44 million (gross) (F$92.4m).

The film is the animated version of the 2004 series Lost.

It is set to premier in the US through the Turner Broadcasting System (TBS) next month.

“This is my first time in Fiji. I am sure the show and the studio would be open to coming back here,” Mr Pindell said.

“Overall we had a fairly good time, it was challenging and in most cases very different but when you take a step back most people would say it was very positive. They had a good time here.”

He added it had been challenging to shoot the first episodic production in Fiji.

“There are challenges that other productions may not face. We do a lot of projects in a short period of time, we have learned and there are benefits that have been discovered.”

Challenges

The production team had to import about 40-50 tonnes of equipment, including sound systems, hi-tech cameras’, caravans, and the vehicles to be used by the cast and make up stylists from Australia.

They also hired about 90 rental cars from various local dealers.

The team had to bring in props from Puerto Rico (shooting of the first series last year).

“We have to bring in all of the crews, all of the equipment, and the cost to ship things into Fiji.

“The paper work, were just some of the technical side of things that was a challenge for us because we are used to doing everything fast and quick. As a TV show, you need to be fast.”

They also employed 90 Fijians in various departments.

Leap frog shooting

Mr Pindell said the production team used the leap frog strategy so that they could complete filming within the set time frame.

“It’s called a leap frog because you’re prepping one show, while shooting the other one, then jumping ahead. We shoot every single day,” he added.

“We are in production for two months and within that period of time we did 10 episodes, where some other movie makers come in during that same period and do one movie.

“We are doing 10 individual projects.

“I think we had invested $44 million.”

Script writers: Shipley brothers

Kansas siblings, Justin Shipley and his younger brother Jordan in their 20’s, wrote the series script.

“It’s been great. We came here not really knowing what to expect but it’s been a really great experience” Justin said.

“The last thing that was shot here was Anaconda, so we felt that we were the first to get back to the island. We didn’t know what to expect but it’s been great.

“There are challenges whenever you shoot in a new location but we felt very committed to the island and its fun. There is a difference between comedy and drama.

“I think we will definitely come back,” said Jordan.

“We are going to try and do another show for TBS which is the network that the show is on, we are doing a romantic comedy for them and hopefully movies after that,” he revealed of their future plans.

Ninth Floor Fiji Productions LIC production manager Nic Leggett was overwhelmed with the project.

“It was an astounding project to see locals be part of this grand project,” Mr Legget said.

He added some of the equipment used would be handed over to schools or the various orphanages.