Construction Manager – Karl Slotboom

By VIC Committee Chair, Aphrodite Kondos

In the mid-1980s, Karl moved his small workshop from Ferntree Gully to the inner-city suburb of Port Melbourne and started Illusions Studios, a family business. The film studios flourished, due to Karl’s hard work, passion and dedication to the film industry. Anyone who has ever filmed in Victoria would have at some point in their career met Karl. He was one of a kind. It did not matter whether the production was large or small, had a big budget or not, if you needed a set built, Karl was the man. Always happy to help, with a huge smile and an open heart, he was a gentleman and a friend to all who knew him and had the pleasure of working with him. Karl was a brilliant and inventive construction manager, a mentor to his construction team and anyone who needed some friendly advice, an artist and an all-round, great guy. Karl’s contribution to the Australian film industry has been enormous and we are all the richer for it. His legacy continues through his son, Grant, a chip off the old block, who was taught by Karl and now manages Illusions Studios. The APDG would like to extend its sincere condolences to Karl’s family.