CASTING CALL: Bowen Extras. March 30, 31 & April 2

The search is now on for hundreds of Bowen people to be cast as extras for the Baz Luhrmann film, Australia, which is due to start filming in mid-May. The extras casting director and casting co-ordinator are in town this week and next scouting locals to be a part of background scene shots. They are looking for about 100 men to play World War 2 soldiers and other people to fill additional roles.

“We are looking for local men, women and children to be extras on our film and so I encourage Bowen residents to come along and register,” the movie spokesperson said.
“It’s a once in a lifetime experience to get yourself in what will be a great Australia film,” she said.

“There is one scene that requires one or more companies of soldiers marching, so if anyone has experience in the Army Reserve or Cadets, this would be beneficial because of their marching knowlege and skills.”
The spokesperson said that all nationalities were welcome to turn up to register at the Bowen Guide/Scout Hall (Wongabeena) This Friday and Saturday, and next Monday. (March 30, 31 & April 2nd)

“We are trying to recreate Darwin in the late 1930s and early 1940s and historical records indicate that Darwin was very much a multicultural society during that time,” she said.
“There were Caucasian, Chinese, Filipino, Aborigines as well as many other nationalities living there, and we want to recreate that multicultural flavour as closely as possible to mirror that period of time.”

“We will be needing people’s measurements, including their height, chest, waist, hip, shoe and hat size so that this information can be fed back to the costume designers.”
Residents are asked not to take photographs to the registration days because film staff will be on hand to take the required specified shots.

Friday registration is for adults 16 years and over, from 11am-5pm. Saturday is also for adutls, from 8:30am to 5pm, and Monday is registration for children aged 8-15 years, from 3:15 to 5pm.

“we will all be working hard to ensure that everyone taking part in the film has a great time,” the movie spokesperson said.
“That also means paying them appropriately and feeding them well while they’re on set,” she said.

SOURCES: BowenGirl, Article & Advertisement from March 28, 2007, Bowen Independent

Add comment March 28th, 2007

Rawhide! Rollin’ Rollin’ Rollin’ …almost

On March 25th Hugh Jackman and family flew in from the US to Sydney Australia where they will be based throughout the Australia shoot. Since arriving on the weekend Jackman was spotted (see pictured) taking a refresher horseriding course in Centennial Park. This is not the first time Hugh (and Nicole) have practised their riding, no doubt Hugh is keen to look like a long-term rider by the time filming starts in Bowen, Queensland next month!

Due to being held up by work commitments in the USA Nicole Kidman has not yet arrived in Australia. However the Sydney Morning Herald quoted a friend of Kidman’s as saying, “Honestly, she sounds like an excited schoolgirl …She can’t wait to come back here and make this movie.” Kidman was terribly disappointed when Eucalyptus, the small-budget film opposite Russell Crowe, didn’t work out. While few clues have surfaced about Baz Luhrmann’s script for Australia, the un-named Kidman insider said “it’s an adult’s film, a beautiful script, an emotional, lovely story”.

Meanwhile, early this month at the Academy Awards Nicole was asked about her stunning red gown and if we’d see her in such outfits for her next film. Kidman laughed and said she won’t have much need for a Balenciaga gown when she’s rounding up cattle in the outback. “In seven weeks I’ll be riding a horse and chasing young bulls.” Over the past 12 months, Nicole told The Daily Mail, that she has learned how to round up cattle — and castrate young bulls. “I don’t know if I’ll have to do that, but it’s best to be prepared,” she said.

sources: Daily Mail, Sydney Confidential, Sydney Morning Herald

Add comment March 28th, 2007