Bermuda cliff divers are to feature in a global television advertising campaign for “one of the world’s biggest technology and lifestyle companies”.

Details of the commercial are being kept under wraps, but it is understood the film will be broadcast around the world next month.

A team from Los Angeles-based production company Epic Films was on the Island for several weeks last month and shot the footage over two days at Admiralty House Park, Pembroke.

Yesterday Executive Producer Matthew Binns declined to say which global brand had commissioned the advert. But his company has worked for a number of top names in the past, including Coca-Cola, Panasonic, Honda and VISA as well as a number of hotel chains. The company has also worked on some of Hollywood’s biggest films in the last two decades.

“Bermuda has some amazing cliffs and there’s quite a tradition of children jumping off these cliffs,” Mr Binns said.

“We went to St David’s Head but ended up filming at Admiralty House Park, which is almost like a film studio. The whole experience was amazing.”

Mr Binns was also full of praise for Bermuda as a perfect yet undiscovered filming location.

He praised local acting and technical talent which was hired to assist in the production and even suggested that Hamilton would make an in ideal backdrop for a television series.

“There’s a perception that Bermuda is a difficult place to work in because it’s expensive and there’s very little production support — that tends to turn people off,” Mr Binns told The Royal Gazette.

“But cost isn’t the only factor and we were very interested to come to Bermuda because we knew so little about it. We were very pleasantly surprised and made a lot of finds on the trip. We found some great people to work with, great technical support, and of course there are some great locations. I think there’s huge potential for Bermuda to develop as a location for commercials, TV series and movies to come here and shoot.

“The other perception Bermuda has is that it’s part of the Caribbean,” Mr Binns, who grew up in Jamaica, said.

“But of course, that’s not true — it really is unique. There’s something about the culture of the place. As a visitor just walking around the capital and seeing the way people interact, I got a sense that, in many ways, this is the type of world we all aspire to be a part of.

“As a producer I was amazed by Hamilton which is a beautiful town right on the water with little traffic. It would be great to use it as a backdrop for a positive story.

“That’s why it has so much potential — it’s different from a lot of other places and yet, for some reason, has remained undiscovered. People just haven’t been filming in Bermuda.”

Mr Binns, who has worked all over the world, praised the Bermuda Tourism Authority for helping to facilitate the trip, saying that Customs and immigration regulations did not prove to be a hurdle.

“Everywhere has their own different procedures, but if you know how to follow those procedures it’s a little easier for the local authorities to be helpful,” he said.

Mr Binns also pointed out the benefits that a mini film industry could bring to the Island. He said that films could help change the image of a destination and boost its tourism industry — and also bring more practical benefits. During the time his team was on the Island, the company hired 100 locals, from technical support and trade professionals to administrative staff. The crew also took up 200 hotel room nights.

Pat Philip-Fairn, chief product and experiences officer with the Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA), said: “The recent production that Epic Films conducted here demonstrates how Bermuda can leverage its natural attributes and collaborative capabilities to extend our profile globally.

“There is also a real and direct positive impact for local businesses, talent and the economy when film crews and production companies select Bermuda as a location.

“It’s wonderful for the Island to get such great feedback from someone of this calibre and experience and we appreciate it.”

She added: “The BTA sees further potential in facilitating such productions, which also benefit greatly from the cooperation and partnership of key stakeholders here such as the Immigration and Customs Departments, and the Ministry of Tourism Development and Transport.

“This is a highly competitive field, but by working together, both the public and private sector has the opportunity to build further opportunities for Bermuda.”