Bahamas stars in another primetime drama

The beautiful beaches of The Bahamas got more prime time television exposure on September 20 with the much-anticipated premiere of the CBS drama called Bull.

The episode’s Bahamas sequence was the prelude to a series starring Michael Weatherly, the former co-star of NCIS.  His star power helped push NCIS beyond 16 million weekly viewers last season. As he departs that show, he begins a new role as Dr. Jason Bull, who runs Trial Sciences Inc. The series is based on media personality Dr. Phil’s early career as a trial services consultant. Dr. Phil also co-wrote the pilot.

The second scene of the pilot opened with the word, Bahamas, superimposed across the screen as locals took part in a game of volleyball. The beauty and energy of Junkanoo Beach in the heart of Nassau, prompted many viewers to recall the highly-rated Scandal television show, which shot an opening sequence in The Bahamas before Bull was shot. Similar to the scene in Bull, the first episode of Scandal’s fourth season opened with spectacular views of The Bahamas’ aquamarine waters and sandy beaches.

Rhett Giles, the producer whose Master Key Productions coordinated both the Scandal and Bull scenes in The Bahamas, said his production company returned to The Bahamas because of the excellent first time experience with Scandal. 

“It’s just been an easy process through Customs with the Film Commission, with the Tourism Commission, just everyone helping us out,” he said.

Mr. Giles said that the Scandal episode drew lots of attention in the industry for his company and for The Bahamas.

“They actually thought we went to Zanzibar, to Africa,” he said. “Then they found out they doubled it here. There was a lot of talk, a lot of people calling us to double that sort of stuff. The producer of this show saw that and was impressed.”

Clarence Rolle of the Bahamas Film & Television Commission said the Scandal/Bull dynamic demonstrates that delivering outstanding service to film crews can win future business for The Bahamas. He said scenes like those in the Bull television show also have incredible promotional value. The Bull scene, he said, can help to establish Junkanoo Beach as an iconic locale of The Bahamas.

“In every country, there is something iconic about it,” Mr. Rolle said. “If you were to go to Brazil, you would visit Ipanema or Copacabana Beach. In the United States in New York, you know to look for the Statue of Liberty or the Empire State Building. Hopefully with this television show, we are continuing to show people that there is a beach experience in downtown Nassau, Junkanoo Beach, and they will come here looking to enjoy the beach and experience that.”

Television shows and films also help directly support the livelihood of many Bahamians, Mr. Rolle said.

Sarah Hamilton, a Bahamian production fixer – someone who clears logistic matters for productions coming into the location – said she and several others make a living based on the country’s ability to attract film or television productions. She was the fixer engaged on both the Scandal and Bull projects.

She pointed out that the one-day Bull shoot required 62 Bahamian residents to be hired – 40 as cast members and 22 crew. 

“And this is just a real small shoot. It is just one day,” she said.

Ms. Hamilton said the Bull production was also contributing in significant ways to restaurants, hotels and super markets while on location in Nassau.