Posts filed under 'Miscellaneous'
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
March 28th, 2007
Today, the 26th of January, is Australia Day. Appropriately it also marks the birthday of Australia crew member Catherine Martin, to whom we send our best wishes!
As our Australia Day gift to you we have finally opened the site gallery! Obviously at this stage the collection of images is not enormous, however we do have a pretty good collection and more on the way!
As an enticement, like you need it, here is a hot off the press image of our two leads in a steamy lip lock, (previously mentioned) as shown by Hugh during the G’Day USA promotional video. View the bigger version and one other from the same evening in the Australia gallery.
Be sure to check it out. You can rate your favourite or worst images, send e-cards and more. Don’t forget to click on the intermediate images to view the bigger image in a pop up window where available!
January 26th, 2007
We’ve already put several names into the ring of male actors who may be on board for Australia, but here’s another! Bryan Brown, established legendary Australian actor (Gorillas in the Mist, Two Hands) is expected to be in Bowen (one of the shooting locations) at the same time as Kidman, Jackman and Luhrmann. Whether he will be in the cast or not has not yet been confirmed, although Baz has previously mentioned they were negotiating with a well established actor for the third lead, of course Jack Thompson also fits this description.
It is reported that, in addition to Brown, many of the confirmed cast and crew are expected to attend the Nicole Kidman Cup at Bowen’s Ben Bolt Park. It is hoped that either Nicole Kidman or Hugh Jackman will judge Fashions on the Field and that Kidman will be on hand to present the owner of the winning horse with the cup.
“Obviously we have to work around Baz Luhrmann’s shooting schedule, but Baz has said the stars would undertake some meet and greet activities while they were in Bowen”.
We can now offer further news to all those who have eagerly been inquiring as to how they can
become involved as an extra etc, in
Australia.
Representatives from Baz Luhrmann’s production company will be in Bowen approximately two weeks before filming begins. “They will advertise for extras and that will be the time for people to make contact.” It is advised that you only make contact during this period or your query will likely go unanswered due to the sheer wealth of interest.
sources: Townsville Bulletin
January 13th, 2007
Baz Luhrmann has further spoke out about the timeline and locations for the pre-production and filming of Australia. Any day now, several of the prinicple actors are expected to arrive in Sydney, Australia for a pre-production workshop, which will wrap up just before Christmas.
It is no secret that Baz has selected the small Queensland town of Bowen for a substantial portion of location filming. (See our media section for radio interviews). The crew of 200, including its two major stars, are expected to stay in Bowen during the 10 weeks of shooting. Luhrmann said that the $500,000 contribution from the state goverment was a key factor in the decision to shoot there. But one needn’t think the Bazmark camp is living off of state contributions, in return Premier Peter Beattie has said the production will lilkely pump $7 million into Queensland during the ten week filming period. Furthermore residents can likely expect significant tourism opportunities upon the film’s release.
As an additional bonus, more than 100 locals will play roles such as Japanese pearlers and cattlemen, while students will be encouraged to take part in a bid to encourage young talent to stay in Australia. Luhrmann is quoted as saying;
“That is part of what I think Hugh, Nicole and I really share,” … “We’ve been very fortunate. This country gave us an opportunity to play around the world. And now at the point in our careers we are, we feel naturally like you want to give something back.”
Over the next few weeks the number of people in Bowen will be rapidly expanding, due to crew arrivals.
“We shoot at the end of April - actual film rolling at the end of April - but from January, we’ll have large teams of people there… I am what they call in the business, ‘locked and rocked’.”
Finally, we leave you with this tidbit from The Courier Mail, that Australian actor Jack Thompson will also be in Bowen for the shooting in April. We hope to hear more news on casting in the new year, but in the meantime, if you have any information, feel free to contact us.
SOURCES: The Courier Mail, The West Australian, Yahoo! News, The Herald Sun
December 13th, 2006
Next Posts
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.