Movie Studio on Grand Bahama Island - New state of the art facilities built and growing. The Bahamas Film Studios

Freeport, Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas
Updated May 17, 2006

Toronto-based Gold Rock Creek Enterprises is developing The Bahamas Film Studios which is reported to be a $75-million state-of-the-art recording and movie production studio. The 3,500 acre property includes an 8,000-ft runway, a dock along the Port Authority area boundary and installations of tracking and communications devices along the coast for about five miles. It also has an extensive beach.

The film studio project is well under way with environmental cleanup, landscaping and building restructuring that will turn several old barracks-type buildings into offices.

Missile Tracking Base Photos while in operation (click to see in full size):

Our thanks to Don Stanley for contributing use of his photos, he is standing on left in this photo.

Former Barracks before project commencement

On 7 May 2005 I had the pleasure to to meet Mr. Paul R. Quigley, Chief Operating Officer of Gold Rock Creek Enterprises Ltd. He was on the studio site, quite busy attending to the numerous details and responsibilities of the project while multiple crews were working on the various aspects of the studio. He was kind enough to invite us back on 8 June to allow us to update our photos for you.

Mr. Quigley stated that they are gearing up to accommodate the filming of the Pirates movies [Pirates of the Caribbean II & III] and are under the gun with requests to complete various aspects of the studio for Disney to use in the production of the films. Deadlines include the completion of the water tank. Please note that all smaller photos are clickable for an enlarged view.

These photos were taken 6 May 05 by Barak McClain and son Rudy. They were visiting the island and touring the East End. Being tourists they didn't realize that the boundary from the water tank was the new access road built by Gold Rock Creek Enterprises Ltd. and the boat launch. However these are wonderful photos of the interior section of the tank; between the two outward extensions or the "V".

The Pirates of the Caribbean 2 & 3 movie shooting is scheduled to commence in mid June by Disney, according to Mr. Quigley.

The tank as of 5 June 05 from the Boat Launch - also the side edge with a cove.

James Niell, Construction Superintendent at the studio, stated that there is a lot of misinformation being reported on the actual size of the tank. The dimensions he states it to be are: 600 feet wide at the mouth, 400 feet wide at the back end (into the beach), the extensions are 500 feet wide (the "v" into the ocean) and the extensions are out into the water 230 feet which pretty much faces due south. I failed to ask the depth but have read that it will be 25 feet deep.

Mr. Quigley stated that it will be the largest tank of its kind in the world, once completed.

The first phase of production was the tank so as to facilitate Disney's shooting of the Pirates sequels. Naturally due to Disney's need in having a controlled water environment, the tank was of the utmost priority. The second phase includes the studio offices, the prop, wardrobe and production space. It is planned and being built to conform with Disney's requirements and with their deadline objectives of the utmost importance. Mr. Quigley is quite certain that their company can meet with all deadlines as set forth for the facilities to be readied for Disney's use. Mr. Quigley enjoys the regiment of working toward that goal and is very confident that they will be met. He further states that they are being kept on their toes by having these deadlines. It was quite evident in my observations while on the grounds of the studio that work crews were active at every part of the current phase - offices, wardrobe, prop and production spaces.

In May Mr. Niell pointed out a building between 10,000 - 11,000 square feet that is to be a props studio. In June Mr. Quigley informed us that it was completed on the inside and now only the exterior was to be refinished.

The set dressing building is finished and in use by Disney as we tour the studio with Mr. Quigley in June. It is where they store items such as urns, lights for the boats and the like to perfect the sets at time of shooting. We therefore couldn't go in and Mr. Quigley had posted a sign on the building for his crew who are still busily working on the studio so there would be no confusion and disruption to the Disney staff.

Art Department

The future studio Cafeteria:

And of course there will be a restaurant or cafeteria on site - some of you will recognize this building from prior postings. It is said to become a eatery with a top-side lounge deck and patio furnishings, umbrellas and the like to accommodate the crews and actors. At this point it is nearly striped as compared to prior photos. We didn't revisit this in June but it was not a priority so more than likely will be finished when Disney's immediate needs are seen to.

The offices are completed and we had a peek inside, very nicely finished and roomy. The above interior is a standard office. Below are photos of the executive offices and board room.

The Wardrobe Department is completed and occupied by Disney so we took no photos of the exterior or interior.

When we visited in May the crew was busy reactivating water lines to the facility plumbing to allow for the power washing of the wardrobe department as well as the other services.

Now on the former entry road to the missile base beach, the tank bears a name - The Collyer Tank.

When we discussed the future plans for the studio Mr. Quigley was quick to interject that there were a couple of movies vying for placement with the "worlds largest water tank".

There has been a private road installed for studio and film crew personnel to utilize to access the water tank and facilities therein.

They have added tents, trailers and are busily finishing the details of the tank.

The signs are in place for crew to find their way to the studio while travelling out east on Grand Bahama.

They have installed power lines down to the working area surrounding the tank.

What about future phases? Well all those rumors you have been hearing are true! A large hotel franchise is negotiating to build a 130 room facility near the studio out east on Grand Bahama. The property will be beach front and if talks go as anticipated Mr. Quigley assured that they would be sealing the agreement in a week or so and the hotel folks would be down this way looking at possible sites.

And that theme park? Well it is really a last priority but it is obvious that it holds a special interest with Mr. Quigley. With all other aspects of developing the studio into production of movies at hand he really can't focus on final phase attributes. But when allowed to expand on them briefly he enjoys the thoughts of creation of a park with left over memorabilia from films created at the studio as well as his own studio owned TV series. An interesting contribution of effects that will likely rival theme parks world wide if they come into fruition.

Apparently the next production to use the studio following Disney is already advertising for extras and small parts. "Eye of the Dolphin".

Oh - And if you are considering helping yourself to a tour of the new studio grounds, think again! Wilton Thomas of EEPS (East End Protection Services) Limited is on guard and you are not getting in! He was kind enough to allow me take a photo to share with you, but trust me he doesn't budge and that is what kept me out for nearly three weeks until Mr. Quigley & crew authorized my access;)

As I always say - more updates next week! This time I say it with Mr. Quigley's continued permission [hopefully] - thank you Mr. Quigley for the time out of your obviously busy schedule for the interview and for allowing me to walk and shoot your property. . . that new camera is sure coming in handy!

- cheri@bvgdesign.com