DECEMBER 2005
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25 December 2005
Merry Christmas from Baz the Great!
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21 December 2005
Auditions for Aussie Epic
- According to the Australian media, auditions have been held this week in the Northern Territory for Baz Luhrmann's Australian epic. ABC News Online reported the following article:
Potential actors sought for Australian epic
19 December 2005
"Auditions have been held across the Kimberley for an epic Australian motion picture to be filmed next year.
A Sydney casting agent has visited Kununurra, Fitzroy Crossing and Broome over the past few days looking for potential actors to play the role of a young Aboriginal boy and stockmen.
The auditions follow reports Australian director Baz Luhrmann will film a new movie on a Northern Territory cattle station, 200 kilometres from Kununurra, next year.
The Australian blockbuster is expected to star Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe.
Bradley Rosewood was among those who auditioned and says there was a fair bit of competition.
"From all ages and sizes, you see a lot of experienced stockmen, young ones and even some just learning and whatever," he said.
"It's good seeing everyone coming down to do it because it's a good opportunity for Aboriginal people."
And ABC Rural reported the following slightly different article:
WA stockmen line up for role in film epic
19 December 2005
"The backers of a major Australian film to be set in northern Australia are looking at locations in Western Australia's east Kimberley region, and some of the locals have a shot at fame.
Film agency delegates have been in Kununurra looking for Aboriginal workers with a working knowledge of the land, to star as stockmen in the epic feature film set in the 1930s.
The auditions follow reports Australian director Baz Luhrmann will film a new movie on a Northern Territory cattle station, 200 kilometres from Kununurra, next year.
The Australian blockbuster is expected to star Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe.
Bradley Rosewood was among those who auditioned and says there was a fair bit of competition.
"From all ages and sizes, you see a lot of experienced stockmen, young ones, and even some just learning and whatever," Mr Rosewood said.
"It's good seeing everyone coming down to do it, because it's a good opportunity for Aboriginal people."
News of these auditions is a promising indication that the Australian epic will indeed move forward in the new year. And incidentally, for more about the role of stockmen in Australia, feel free to visit OzOutback.com, which features an explanation and some very good photos.
Craig Armstrong update
- Congratulations to Craig Armstrong, who has been nominated for a Grammy award! It also seems he may have more concerts lined up for 2006, and hopefully we'll hear more about these in the new year. Armstrong's official website has recently been updated and reads as follows:
"We are delighted to announce that Craig has just been Grammy nominated for his score to Ray in the category of Best Score Soundtrack Album For Motion Picture. Avid film fans amongst you will know that Della's Theme from Ray appears on Craig's latest album 'Film Works'.
Film Works hasn't received a negative review anywhere and in fact has been awarded some of the most shining reviews Craig's ever received.
We get many requests from fans asking about when Craig will be performing live. We're currently looking at some potential concerts for Craig and we'll keep you updated here.
Thank you to all the fans who've shown their support to Craig this year. It's been quite a year and 2006 promises to being you more of Craig's music and some opportunities to hear his music live."
Further to my last news update, I have also come across a couple more online interviews with Armstrong, which I have now added to my site. One is from MyVillage.co.uk which was featured on Craig Armstrong Online. In this interview, Armstrong mentions how he would like to work with Luhrmann again. When asked what his ideal film would be to compose for, Armstrong is quoted as saying:
"Ooohh! I would like to work with Baz (Luhrmann) again and I would quite like to do a science-fiction film! You tend to get quite typecast and I tend to do quite a lot of dramatic music and so I would really like to do a good science-fiction film. Plus I like those films! I suppose it would be a challenge to, as I haven’t done anything like that before."
The other interview is from MusicOHM.com, where Armstrong states the following about Luhrmann:
"Some directors let you get on with it, but with him it was very hands on. It can be quite stimulating, especially with Baz, he's a bit of a genius. The nature of the work means travelling a lot though, over to Australia, America, so you're never still. Baz wants me to do another film which is great."
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11 December 2005
Armstrong to work on Baz's next film?
- I have been wondering all year if the magnificent Craig Armstrong would be involved with Baz Luhrmann's next project, and it seems he might be. Armstrong worked with Luhrmann on both Romeo + Juliet and Moulin Rouge, and I have been really hoping they would work together again. Armstrong has worked on many film scores and has an impressive body of work. More information about this wonderful composer can be found on my Craig Armstrong page.
Many thanks to Craig Armstrong Online for featuring this interview from FemaleFirst.co.uk, in which Armstrong talks openly about his works, both past and present. He talks at some length about Romeo + Juliet and Moulin Rouge, crediting Romeo + Juliet and his "big break" and Moulin Rouge as one of his favourite movies he has worked on. I have posted the entire interview on my site here.
In this interview, Armstrong also mentions that Luhrmann has "asked him to work on a movie with him in the future". Could it be the Australian epic? We will have to wait and see! The relevant question and answer reads as follows:
"Now that you have worked with Baz on two of his movies do you two have any future projects lined up?
Yeah he has asked me to work on a movie with him in the future. I'm not sure what it's about yet. But Baz's projects take about two years to generate. I did meet him recently in London, which was nice. He's an incredibly talented guy."
Possible title for Aussie epic?
- The Internet Movie Database features an 'Untitled Baz Luhrmann Project' page with very limited information. However, occasionally people post news on the message board. This is where I have come across the following information from an Ain't It Cool News reporter:
"The new Baz Luhrmann film -- which I believe is called TEN THOUSAND HORSES or something similar... I got told by a prospective crew member over a beer, like, three months ago -- will begin shooting soon with a budget of $40million. Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman will star as two people who fall in love or sing or try to get three words out before the next slam cut."
I'm not sure what to make of this and the information should definitely be treated as speculation only. I am always wary of sarcastic reporters! This is the very first I've heard about a title, so I thought I'd post it. However, I am not sure whether it is legitimate, and we will have to wait for official confirmation regarding what the title of this possible movie could be.
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