Spartacus

Spartacus was shot over four seasons in a studio in Auckland, with not one frame shot on location.

The production used 788 local suppliers, leased 6 warehouses (which were converted for production), and provided 20,000 extras' workdays. The series employed 350 permanent and 150 casual crew each week, and 20 core cast each season.

Overall, the production made a $200-million investment in New Zealand. Post production and visual effects were done at Digipost in Auckland.

Rob Tapert, Producer

Rob Tapert has lived and worked in New Zealand for two decades. Most recently he produced Spartacus and Evil Dead, both filmed here in New Zealand.

Cast & Crew on Set

The series employed 350 permanent and 150 casual crew each week, and 20 core cast each season. See the cast and crew at work.

Rob Tapert, Producer
DOP John Cavill rehearses for a Technocrane shot
Costume Designer Barbara Darragh adjusts a costume on set
Manu Bennett relaxes between scenes

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Action on Set

Spartacus is renowned for its intense physical effects and stunts.

Manu Bennett lunges at Steadicam operator Cameron McLean
Lining up a shot on the streets of Capua
Peter Mensah
Stunt performers working

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The Studios

The Spartacus team converted six warehouses into top-of-the-line studios to accommodate the scale of the production. See some examples of how the space was used.