Forget Uncle Sam! Australians, BAZ Wants YOU!
April 3rd, 2007
Making a movie always involves a lot of people to create the final product, but when Baz Luhrmann is involved and you throw about the word ‘epic’, you can garauntee involvement of …epic proportions. Own pre world war two trucks, cars or boats? You’re wanted! Experienced indigenous, male and female, stockmen and riders? You’re wanted! Chinese, Japanese, Aboriginal heritage?? Extras for the Darwin portion of the shoot? All wanted! Own a house in or near Bowen, Queensland? Urgently needed!
Find out how you can become involved in this history making movie…
During his latest visit to Bowen Mr Luhrmann revealed that he was still looking for extras including Chinese, Japanese, Aborigines, soldiers and experienced stockmen. “We need great soldiers, great cattlemen, people who can really ride. We need every shape and form that made up Australia at that time. We are looking for Aboriginal extras and we have to match them with the world we are creating in Darwin.”
The Bazmark team are desperately seeking young men with cadets, scouting or any form of marching experience as they are struggling to find enough extras to act as World War Two soldiers. When asked if he had contacted the Department of Defence to see if soldiers from Townsville’s Lavarack Barracks could be made available, Luhrmann said, “Actually I’ve got to say we have not clarified all of that yet, but I know Premier Beattie has been extraordinarily supportive and I’ve had several meetings with him”.
On a broader scale once all the casting is completed the town then has the problem of housing everyone involved in the filming.
“Accommodation is one of our great issues. We’re still looking for people who will rent out houses. We’re still looking for housing,” he said. He went on to say that Australia, because of its logistic demands, was becoming a collaboration between himself and the people of Bowen and to a wide extent, the people of Queensland. “It’s an enormous undertaking. It has to be a collaboration,” he said.
As if Bowen wasn’t proving a big enough task, after last weeks confirmation that shooting would take place at Darwin’s Stokes Hill Wharf the search for local Northern Territory extras will begin the process again. At this stage there are no specific casting dates set aside, however a major recruitment for extras will take place in May.
In the meantime, the film-makers are looking for pre-World War 2 vehicles and boats. If you have any, please call the NT Film Office on 08 8951 1162. They are also currently on the lookout for male and female Indigenous stockmen and riders. If you are interested, contact Lawrence Woodward on 0417 405 540. Please, do not call either of these numbers to be an extra.
Finally, to the Bowenites who missed out on attending auditions, we’re told that there’s a possibility of additional casting days to be held after easter, so it would pay to keep your ear to the ground!
sources: Townsville Bulletin, ABC Darwin
Entry Filed under: Baz Luhrmann, Cast, Media, Miscellaneous, Press