'Nightline' Video -
22 May 2007
'Nightline' Video -
22 May 2007
On 22 May 2007, the Australian television programme, Nightline, shown by Channel 9, featured a video detailing what will happen during the Darwin shoot. It also revealed an expected release date for the film of November 2008.
The video reported that filming in Darwin will start in late June. However, with filming expected to continue in Bowen until the end of June, this seemed to be a few days out. The video also reported that the total screen time of the Darwin shoot will only be around 5 minutes, but the city will of course still play an important role in the film. It was also very exciting to hear from the video that shuttle buses will be operating to take movie fans to the end of Stokes Hill Wharf to watch the filming! :)
Video - Nightline -
Channel 9
Date: 22 May 2007.
Nightline Presenter - "Filming in the top end will begin late next month with hundreds of Darwin residents in line for cameo roles rubbing shoulders with the stars Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman."
Bowen Reporter, Justin O'Brien - "Three weeks into filming and the residents of Bowen, Queensland, are already feeling the benefits of our movie, Australia."
Male Bowen spectator - "We're standing here watching them make a movie. We're standing on the set, and that's just bloody fantastic."
Reporter - "Set in the Northern Territory and described as an Aussie epic version of Gone With The Wind, when cameras start rolling on Stokes Hill Wharf in late June, it's hoped the movie will sell Darwin and the Top End to the world."
Phillip Roope, Location Supervisor - "Basically, Lord of the Rings was made 6 years ago. Every year since that was made, tourism to New Zealand has gone up 20%."
Reporter - "The Government has chipped in AU$200,000, as well as incentives like shutting down construction at the waterfront to satisfy film makers. Of the final cut, it's believed only 5 minutes of the movie will have been filmed in Darwin."
Carl Wood, Location Manager - "No matter how much is shot here, or how much is shot elsewhere, Darwin is a star and the Top End is a star."
Reporter - "Shuttle buses will transport tourists, locals and movie fans to the eateries at the end of the wharf, where producers say they'll get a close up look at the movie being made."
Producer - "This is an epic film."
Reporter - "Volunteers and a lucky 200 are needed for movie extras. Once completed, Australia is due to be released in November 2008."
