Archive for April, 2007
Australia stars Nicole Kidman (see pictured), Hugh Jackman and David Wenham have been seen practising their horse riding skills at Sydney’s Centennial Park over the past few days. Check out our Gallery section for many images of the stars on horseback! Centennial Park is located next to Fox Studios, where some filming of Australia will also take place. And it has now been revealed that the heritage-listed property of Strickland House, near Sydney, has been chosen as a location. Filming will take place there over two weeks from late this month to early next month, and will consist mostly of exterior shots. Could this be the location that will double for Lady Sarah Ashley’s English home? Or could we be wrong? Only time will tell!
Sources: Just Jared, Sydney Morning Herald
April 15th, 2007
Baz Luhrmann has been in Bowen recently preparing for production of Australia, with the movie due to begin filming there around 15th May 2007. Sets are being constructed and the locals are understandably excited about the production. In recent interviews, Luhrmann has said, “Bowen is suitable for two reasons. It’s got a lot of old structures in it. It has this back lot here where we’re building… old Darwin, and this is the pearling world, old pubs, the cattle yards, the cattle race, and it runs straight on to a deep water port.” The film company still do not have enough extras for the Bowen shoot, however another extras casting session is still due to take place before the end of the month (dates have yet to be announced). And they are also looking for extras of a different kind… “We still need 150 superstar short-horn cattle with big horns, very fat.” Luhrmann said. “We’re still looking for houses to accommodate the whole cast and crew here in Bowen. We don’t have enough. So if you happen to have a large, seven room mansion in Bowen, do let me know!” Luhrmann is of course hopeful that Australia will be a huge success, “If we do this half well, we change forever the dynamic of what it means to make Australian films. There’s no kind of Australian film that can’t be made.” Filming of Australia is expected to begin in Sydney around 30th April 2007.
April 12th, 2007
No one can gaurantee a movie will be an award-winning masterpiece based merely on size and scope of the project, just look at Oliver Stone’s Alexander after all! However when asked by the Townsville Bulletin whether this was his aim Baz indicated that he certainly was hoping to create something special; a love story surrounded and embellished by the vast beauty of the outback and the mayhem of wartime Darwin
“‘I can’t guarantee that [it will be a great Australian epic]. I’m reaching out. We’re all reaching out. I’ve got the best actors and the best crew. This is the Olympics of cinema and we are going for gold,” he said.
Parts of the movie being shot in Bowen are meant to represent Darwin in the 1920s-1940s. Bowen, with its long timber wharf and undeveloped esplanade, is providing the perfect place to build a faux Darwin waterfront. Yesterday he pointed to a spot near the wharf to be called Australia Point in the movie. It is here at Australia Point where the characters played by Nicole Kidman (Lady Sarah Ashley) and Hugh Jackman (increasingly known as DWNN: Drover With No Name) will meet for the first time in the film.
Earlier in the year australiamovie.net brought you exclusive pictures of proposed shooting sites in Bowen. We now have an update for you with the world’s first look at the film sets in the process of construction. Visit our gallery to see the full sized images. And over the next few days keep an eye on our media section for a video addition containing news of the Darwin shoot.
Finally, it is no secret that anyone with an interest in Australian history and/or the film industry is vying to be a part of this unique experience. Baz has embraced the enthusiasm shown by the surrounding towns, particularly in Bowen where Mr Luhrmann has said bus tours would be conducted from centres such as Mackay and Townsville. In an interesting move Mr Luhrmann went on to say that special days would be set aside during filming to allow tourists to watch production from public galleries.
sources: BowenGirl, Townsville Bulletin
April 4th, 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
April 3rd, 2007
David Wenham has been busy promoting his upcoming role in Australia throughout various interviews held over the last week.
He has talked excitedly about his involvement in the film, and has openly praised the opportunity to work with Luhrmann. “There is only one Baz Luhrmann, there’s no one you can compare him too, he’s unique. I am incredibly excited to go on this adventure. There is no downer or negative involved in this film. To be involved in any project that Baz directs … you would give your left foot if you had to.”
He has also revealed further clues about his character, “I play a guy who manages a cattle station. It’s a very, very large cattle station and without giving too much away. He likes it so much he wants the cattle station for himself. Nicole and Hugh’s characters may also have something to do with that.” Like Jackman and Kidman, Wenham has been practising horseriding for the film, “I’m a good horse rider. I’m using this project to turn good into great. The one thing I’ve never got on top of - and I am going to see somebody about, I have an appointment this week with Mr Horse Whisperer - I never feel like I have a total connection with the animal. This man can apparently achieve this in a two-hour period, so I look forward to that.”
Wenham is looking forward to doing an Australian movie, “Australia is a phenomenally beautiful country and every time I go away and come back it never ceases to amaze me. It’s incredible, so I am looking forward to it.” Though David is hardly alone in his enthusiasm toward the project. He recalls that excitement levels among the starry cast were high. “Nicole was like, ‘I want to do this film now!’” laughs Wenham, who told the Sunday Telegraph that the vibe on set will be similar to that of a high-school reunion.
sources: The Western Australian, Daily Telegraph, Herald Sun, Sunday Telegraph
April 1st, 2007
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