Amazing Race spends close to $2m to film in TT

A view of Pigeon Point, Tobago.  JEFF MAYERS -
A view of Pigeon Point, Tobago. JEFF MAYERS -

THE Amazing Race television show did not only highlight the beauty of TT’s culture and attractions that will encourage more directors to choose TT as a film destination, but it created job opportunities for hundreds of people in this country.

Minister of Trade and Industry Paula Gopee-Scoon spoke to journalists about the filming of the show in 2018 on Zoom, on Tuesday.

The Zoom meeting included Shomari Hector of the Tobago House of Assembly, who is also the assistant secretary in the Division of Tourism, Culture and Transportation.

Chair of the TT Film Company Dionne Mc Nicol Stephenson and local line producer and facilitator for Amazing Race Lorraine O’Connor also spoke during the virtual briefing.

In the American series, teams of two race around the world in the adventure reality game show. The teams must work out clues, travel to foreign areas, interact with locals and must complete physical and mental challenges. The teams utilise various transport options in completing the challenges. The goal is to avoid elimination throughout the competition, as the teams battle for the first prize of US$1 million.

Most of the season 32 premiere episode was filmed in Tobago and will air in a few weeks.

“It’s scheduled to be on air October 14, 2020 and that’s my excitement about it,” Gopee-Scoon said. It will be shown on CBS.

The Trade Minister said over 300 locals were hired in TT and $1,915,000 was spent filming on location.

Gopee-Scoon said, “According to E Online and Entertainment Magazine, the Amazing Race typically averages about ten million viewers per season, so we could add to that if we all look on, which means that the beauty and the culture of TT would be seen by this very large audience.”

TT’s culture is showcased through steel pan, carnival costumes, goat racing and locations such as Exodus panyard, the Nylon Pool and Pigeon Point were used.

“Again I am extending an invitation to everyone at home and all the TT nationals abroad to view this episode, which undoubtedly will have a profound impact on our national pride at this time when we are celebrating Independence (Day) and Republic Day as well.”

Exodus members during preliminary judging in the panyard in St Augustine for the Carnival 2019 Panorama competition. FILE PHOTO -

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