This Town’s Not Big Enough For the Both of Us…
June 3rd, 2007
A recent spate of articles would seem to indicate that the Hollywood honeymoon is over for some residents in the Queensland shire of Bowen, but then the press are always looking for the gritty side of a story.
Apparently residents are now seeing less and less of filming due to barricades errected around the sets,
Mayor Mike Brunker says security is now tighter to protect the stars from paparazzi and some locals have complained about the attitude of security staff. He says the council has made a number of requests to ensure the shire’s residents are looked after.
In a step which would have done little to further endear themselves to local residents access is also being restricted to certain areas of the town. In recent days cars parked in the main street of Bowen have provided obstacles for the heard of short horn cattle which are driven down the main street in part of the film.
One defiant driver parked his vehicle in front of the barber shop on Tuesday and then refused to move it.
“At first the film crew asked the man to remove his vehicle and he refused,” a witness told Sydney Confidential. “And then police asked him to move it and he still refused,” the witness added.
Producers went ahead with the cattle drive, but the vehicle came off worse for wear after the film encounter, left with a dented chassis and covered in a thick layer of dust. Unfortunately it wasn’t the first time cars parked in the main street have caused issues for the production – and by all accounts, it won’t be the last.
At the end of the day the perks of a film in town are nice, but always remember, it’s called show business.
sources: Sydney Confidential, ABC NewsOnline
image: cameronlaird.com