Winton film to inject cash

Taking place along the rugged coastline of Denmark, the filming of the latest Tim Winton screen adaption is expected to inject millions into the Great Southern economy.

Winton's award-winning novel Breath, which will be turned into a film by Australian actor Simon Baker, is predicted to bring initial economic benefits of more than $4 million to the region.

The $2.3 million investment by the State Government has secured Denmark as the film location with Baker - star of American television series The Mentalist - to make his debut as director.

Culture and Arts Minister John Day said he was thrilled the focus would be on regional WA and said the predicted benefits would be seen beyond the initial production in terms of tourism and job opportunities.

"We are delighted that Simon Baker and his crew have chosen Denmark and the Great Southern to film Tim Winton's screen production of Breath," he said.

"We believe it will be big benefits not only economically but also tourism promotion for Western Australia as a result.

"We expect there will be about 250 people who will be employed on this project in total from extras to support crews to doubles and so on, so that's really a great stimulus for this region."

Baker, who will star as reclusive surfer Sando, said he knew Demark was the right location immediately and was excited to work with the local community.

"I'm a gut person and as soon as we drove into the town it was just the feel straight away where it felt rich in authenticity," he said.

"There's a real sense of pride for the community and a respect for the environment; the balance of the two is something that's a really important factor in finding the authenticity of the story.

"I want to make something with this community and this region that we both can be proud of."

Winton who has strong connection to the area is pleased that Denmark will host the making of Breath and hopes to see it reap the benefits of having the production based locally.

Filming will begin later this year.

Oscar and Emmy-winning American producer Mark Johnson, who is known for his work on Breaking Bad, The Notebook and Rain Man, and See Pictures' Australian producer Jamie Hilton, will co-produce.