Posted by: Editor on Nov 13, 2006 – 01:23 PM
shows  Grand Bahama could be a possible location for the shooting of a new television show similar to the popular TV series Baywatch.

Grand Bahama film studio executive Paul Quigley, former chief operating officer at the Bahamas Film Studios, said he is producing an action adventure television show entitled BASRA, which was inspired by some of the real life heroic stories of rescue in the Bahamas.

He said that casting for the show would be 100 per cent Bahamian, with the exception of odd appearances by guest stars.

I am very excited about this because it would be a Bahamian production, and I am confident that we will be able to find lead characters in the Bahamas from any of the islands,” said Mr Quigley.

He said that the prime time show will be based on actual BASRA events and rescues and will feature five lead characters, including three men and two women.

“We would he looking for athletic people who can swim and dive, and who are very attractive,” Mr Quigley said.

Mr Quigley, who is presently in Canada, expects to negotiate deals for the TV show with major broadcasters in the United States and Canada, who have expressed interest in the concept.

If successful, he said the show will be the first major television series to be shot as a Bahamian production.

The filming of Disney’s block buster movies Pirates of the Caribbean II and III on Grand Bahama has put the island on the map as a major movie destination.

Mr Quigley said that the television series BASRA could promote and boost tourism on Grand Bahama. He noted that TV series such as Hawaii Five0 and Magnum PI have significantly cantlv boosted tourism in Hawaii.

He noted that the tourism industry in Hawaii was minimal until those popular TV series aired in the 1980s. “It was unbelievable how tourism just leaped after those series aired.” he said.

By DENISE MAYCOCK,
Tribune Freeport Reporter