JULY 2007
________________________________
25 July 2007
Sydney Shoot
- As previously reported, filming in Darwin ended on 11 July 2007, and the production of Australia has since moved to Sydney. Filming has been taking place at Fox Studios since 16 July 2007 and is expected to continue there until 2 August 2007. Unfortunately, there has been no information released regarding this shoot to date. However, if anyone is lucky enough to be involved working as an extra in Sydney, please feel free to contact me. After Sydney, filming will then move to Kununurra in Western Australia from around 6 August 2007 and the shoot is expected to continue in this region through into September 2007.
Kununurra Extras Casting
- Meanwhile, it seems that extras casting has recently been taking place in Kununurra, with many locals trying out for a role in the movie. Unfortunately, I have no actual details of the dates or locations of the extras casting, but ABC Rural has reported the following article. If anyone is lucky enough to be involved working as an extra in Kununurra, please feel free to contact me.
Hollywood
comes to Kununurra
ABC Rural, 23 July 2007
Move over Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman because Kimberley locals have had their
chance to audition for the Hollywood stars' new film, Australia. Director Baz
Luhrmann plans to start filming next month near Kununurra and hundreds of locals
are hoping to make it onto the big screen as extras. Carolin McLeod says she
would even be happy to fill in for Ms Kidman if need be. "Why not? Why can't I
be a leading lady for goodness sake, I'm gorgeous," she said. "But it's all good
fun, isn't it? Who knows you might be a dead body in the movie for two minutes
or you could end up on the cutting room floor."
________________________________
21 July 2007
Darwin Images
- Filming of Australia in Darwin began on 2 July 2007 and finished on 11 July 2007. Various media sources released many images of the Darwin shoot. I have featured some of the best images above - Northern Territory News posted the top three pictures of Hugh Jackman onset on 9 July 2007, and Newspix posted the lower three pictures of Hugh Jackman onset on 10 July 2007.
I would also like to draw your attention to the excellent Hugh Jackman unofficial fansite - hugh-jackman.com. This site has posted a huge selection of images of Jackman filming in Bowen and Darwin, many of which I had never seen before. One particular shot shows Lady Ashley, the Drover and Nullah embracing on Stokes Hill Wharf, and Lady Ashley and the Drover are kissing! (Make of this scene what you will!) Visit the gallery at hugh-jackman.com to view these stunning images!
'Australia' Videos
-
Feed24 has recently posted a video by
Reuters that runs for 3 minutes 30 seconds and can be viewed
here. The video is entitled
'Hugh Jackman surprises fans' and features footage of Jackman filming onset and
also mingling with fans in Darwin. The video also features Nicole Kidman filming
on Stokes Hill Wharf and in a boat in Darwin harbour. Near the end is a short
interview with Baz Luhrmann who is speaking to reporters and says:
"What's interesting about Darwin in the 1930's was that it was a little bit of
Asia, a little bit of the Wild West, a little bit of Africa, all mixed in ...
creating a natural and very unique environment. It was truly truly unique and
truly exotic and I've been seeing some rushes back actually, we shot them all in
Sydney and Bowen, and I mean the one comment we've had is that,oh my God, if
Darwin was like that in 1930, where was I, because it's really ... and it is all
based on our very accurate research, so it was, it's truly an exotic location."
The video was accompanied by the following text:
Hugh Jackman Surprises Fans
Jul. 13 - Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman stun fans on the set of their new film
"Australia". Jackman and Kidman have been drawing crowds on the set of their new
film, 'Australia', set in the country's northern city of Darwin. The film
centres on Kidman, playing a British aristocrat, who comes to Australia and
falls in love with Jackman, an outback drover. The actor had time to chat to his
adoring fans after the shoot but had to rush off to another appointment .
"Australia" is Baz Luhrmann's first feature film since the 2001 musical success
"Moulin Rouge!" The movie is scheduled to be released in November 2008.
SOUNDBITE: Baz Lurhmann, "Australia" Director
Yahoo News is also currently hosting a Channel 7 news clip showing Hugh
Jackman filming in Darwin.
Click here to view the clip, which is just 27 second long, but still worth a
look :)
Darwin Shoot
- Northern Territory News
provided several entertaining stories during the Darwin shoot, some of which
are featured below. The following articles report about the excitement in the
town, as well as details of some of the actual filming that took place there.
Stars In
Their Eyes
Northern Territory News, 10 July 2007
Darwin
was chock-a-block with superstars last night after the rumoured arrival of
country rock star Keith Urban. He is believed to have arrived in a private jet
from Sydney last night to visit wife, Nicole Kidman. And star-struck locals also
got their first glimpse of Hollywood star and fellow Aussie heart-throb Hugh
Jackman. Decked out in period costume and sporting a jackaroo tan, the
star was surrounded by hordes of adoring fans as he made his first appearance on
the set of Australia. Contacted by the Northern Territory News last night,
Kidman's spokeswoman said she was not aware of any planned visit by Urban.
Kidman herself took time out on the weekend to search for some Territory
crocodiles. The superstar took a cruise on Kakadu's Yellow Water over the
weekend. Darwin High School teacher Kyalea Young was with her disabled mother,
Jan, when they bumped into the actress. "No one was there but us and Nicole and
her entourage," Kyalea, said. Despite the protests of her entourage, Kidman
agreed to a photo. Jan, 60, was amazed at how normal and natural the Hollywood
star was. "She put her arm around me and I put my arm around her," she said.
"She was really soft, cuddly and warm. Really beautiful." Kyalea said no one
recognised Kidman until a group of Spaniards spotted the star. "She wasn't
disguised and looked very relaxed."
Jackman spent yesterday afternoon filming with children on the Anniki clipper.
"Filming has been fantastic," Jackman said. "Beautiful weather - I love Darwin
and wish I could stay longer." He made time to chat with his fans and was
surprised by the turn-out. "It reminds me of being at the Oscars," he said. A
long-time fan said she had been at the set for days waiting for the actor.
Sharon McAlear said it was great meeting and sharing a photo with him. "I have
got the shakes. It was nice of him to stop and talk to us," she said.
Hollywood
heart-throb gets nod of approval
Nothern Territory News, 11 July 2007
Hundreds
of female fans undressed Hollywood heart throb Hugh Jackman with their prying
eyes yesterday. The actor mingled with fans in between filming scenes for Baz
Luhrmann's Australia at Darwin's Stoke Hill Wharf. And many girls were there for
one thing only _ to get a glimpse of one of the most famous bums in Hollywood.
"I stood behind him for 10 minutes and the entire time I was checking out his
bum," one female fan said. Another fan said: "I didn't know where to look first.
At his bum or his pecs." Jackman seemed unaware of the attention from the girls
as he signed autographs. "I love Darwin, it's awesome," he told the Northern
Territory News. Most of Jackman's scenes were shot on board the Anniki clipper
on the harbour. "I've been on that boat far too long," he said. Kurt Ramjan, 13,
scored an autograph from the star after waiting more than five hours. "We have
been waiting since 9.30am," Kurt, from Darwin, said. "He high-fived me."
Visitors to the wharf watched as Luhrmann directed Jackman and hundreds of
extras, including local children, during the last day of filming. Machines blew
smoke over the harbour as Luhrmann filmed scenes of post-bombing Darwin. Filming
ended last night, with the crew working throught the night to pack up the set.
Nicole
says thanks ... and I'll be back
Northern Territory News, 12 July 2007
Nicole
Kidman has fallen in love with Darwin. She said shooting a film in plain view of
the public in the city was a "lovely'' experience. In an exclusive interview
with the Northern Territory News, the Hollywood star said Territorians were
"very, very down-to-earth'' and seemed "very relaxed''. And she revealed that
she had pottered around town on a scooter. "We rode scooters around and went to
the markets, ate oysters and mussels, listened to a little music and did a
little browsing in some stalls,'' she said. "There seems to be a very easygoing
and appealing nature to Darwin. And I just want to extend a big thank you to
everyone in this city who has accommodated the film. I look forward to coming
back next time I am on holiday.'' She said her trip to Kakadu National Park --
where she went crocodile spotting on a boat cruise -- was "glorious.''
The Oscar winner flew
out of Darwin on Tuesday after completing the Top End scenes for Baz Luhrmann's
film Australia, where she plays an English aristocrat who comes to the Outback
to sell a cattle station. Kidman could not comment on the content of Luhrmann's
epic, where she stars with Hugh Jackman, but said she enjoyed shooting the film
in public view at Stokes Hill Wharf. "It was actually lovely because it seemed
like a celebration of the film and part of the reason I wanted to make this film
was to see more of this country and to be around Australians, and to have them
see how we make films,'' she said. "This is a pretty big film, I have to say,
and I enjoy sharing that. The Darwinians -- is that what I'm allowed to call
you? -- have been extremely warm and open and helpful. I just hope we get to
show off the city in all its glory -- or at least the wharf.''
Kidman said she was amused when a picture of actor Bill Hunter touching her bum
was identified as a "Territory handshake'' on the front page of the Northern
Territory News. "It made me laugh,'' she said. "I was slightly embarrassed
that my bum was on such display ... not usually my style.'' The actor, who drew
a crowd each time she appeared on the water at the wharf, will soon head to a
cattle station across the Western Australia border to continue the ambitious
shoot. And she said much of this vast country had remained hidden to her,
despite her extensive travel. "The adventure of it -- seeing parts of Australia
I have always wanted to see and never taken the time,'' she said when asked why
she was looking forward to heading into the Outback. "I have seen more parts of
the rest of the world -- obscure countries and places -- than I have of my own
country and I am ashamed of that. So this gives me the chance to show the rest
of the world how beautiful this country is and for me to see it, feel it and
experience it.''
Perth Now, part of The Sunday Times, has set up a webpage
with a variety of stories and pictures regarding the Australia shoot. I
think I have already reported all of these stories previously, however the most recent
one, dated 12 July 2007, is another take on the story above and reads as
follows:
Nic red faced about bum pinch
Perth Now (Sunday Times), 12 July 2007
Nicole
Kidman has spoken of her "embarrassment" at having been touched on the bum by
veteran actor Bill Hunter. Kidman said she was amused when a picture of actor
Bill Hunter touching her bum was identified as a "Territory handshake'' on the
front page of the Northern Territory News. "It made me laugh,'' she said. "I was
slightly embarrassed that my bum was on such display ... not usually my style.''
The Oscar winner flew out of Darwin on Tuesday after completing the Top End
scenes for Baz Luhrmann's film Australia, where she plays an English aristocrat
who comes to the Outback to sell a cattle station. She said shooting a
film in plain view of the public in the city was a "lovely'' experience.
In an exclusive interview with the NT News, the Hollywood star said Territorians
were "very, very down-to-earth'' and seemed "very relaxed''. And she revealed
that she had pottered around town on a scooter. "We rode scooters around
and went to the markets, ate oysters and mussels, listened to a little music and
did a little browsing in some stalls,'' she said. "There seems to be a
very easygoing and appealing nature to Darwin. And I just want to extend a big
thank you to everyone in this city who has accommodated the film. I look forward
to coming back next time I am on holiday.'' She said her trip to Kakadu National
Park - where she went crocodile spotting on a boat cruise - was "glorious.''
Kidman could not comment on the content of Luhrmann's epic, where she stars with
Hugh Jackman, but said she enjoyed shooting the film in public view at Stokes
Hill Wharf. "It was actually lovely because it seemed like a celebration
of the film and part of the reason I wanted to make this film was to see more of
this country and to be around Australians, and to have them see how we make
films,'' she said. "This is a pretty big film, I have to say, and I enjoy
sharing that. "I just hope we get to show off the city in all its glory -- or at
least the wharf.'' The actor, who drew a crowd each time she appeared on the
water at the wharf, will soon head to a cattle station across the Western
Australia border to continue the ambitious shoot. And she said much of this vast
country had remained hidden to her, despite her extensive travel. "The
adventure of it -- seeing parts of Australia I have always wanted to see and
never taken the time,'' she said when asked why she was looking forward to
heading into the Outback. I have seen more parts of the rest of the world -
obscure countries and places - than I have of my own country and I am ashamed of
that. So this gives me the chance to show the rest of the world how beautiful
this country is and for me to see it, feel it and experience it.''
Luhrmann Speaks at 'Moulin Rouge' Screening
- Filming in Darwin wrapped on
11 July 2007, and that night Baz Luhrmann attended a question and answer session
before a special screening of his film, Moulin Rouge. Luhrmann said that
he enjoyed filming in Darwin, and also revealed that he expects Australia
to be released around November 2008, as reported in the following articles by
Northern Territory News and ABC News:
Baz's
epic may premiere in Top End
Northern Territory News, 12 July 2007
The premiere of Australia may be held in Darwin, director Baz Luhrmann told a
local audience last night. Luhrmann appeared at Darwin's Deckchair Cinema for a
question and answer session before a special screening of his film Moulin Rouge.
Speaking to the media before his appearance he said the Australian premiere of
Australia could "possibly'' be held in Darwin. Luhrmann said he would also
consider filming a movie in Darwin again. "I would (work in Darwin) again, for
sure,'' he said. About 300 people turned up to hear Luhrmann speak before the
screening of his 2001 film Moulin Rouge, which also starred Nicole Kidman.
Luhrmann said he expected Australia to be released in November 2008. "Filming
finishes in November, and post production takes about a year,'' he said. "So if
I don't fall horrendously behind it should be out in November next year.''
Film-goers quizzed Luhrmann about his film making skills, with most people
wanting to know how he came up with the idea of making both Moulin Rouge and
Australia. "You have a passion and that passion becomes your life,'' he said.
"With (Moulin Rouge) it was about how to tell a story using music as the
predominant language in this point of time.'' Deckchair Cinema manager Jett
Street said she was thrilled Luhrmann spoke to the audience last night. "He is
passionate about his films and the chance to hear him talk about his work is
amazing,'' she said.
Baz bids Darwin farewell
ABC News, 12 July 2007
Movie madness in Darwin has come to an end with Hollywood director Baz Luhrmann
spending his last night in the city at the local outdoor cinema. Darwin's Stokes
Hill Wharf will today be undressed and return to modern days. For nearly a week
there was intense shooting at the wharf for just five minutes of footage for
Luhrmann's film Australia. Luhrmann last night chose to farewell the Top End by
taking centre stage at Deckchair Cinema where Moulin Rouge was being screened.
Outside the theatre, he said shooting in Darwin went particularly well. "The
light, the water, those particularly, those visual elements are really worth
coming to photograph," he said. As for Darwin's future in the movie industry, he
said: "That's in the hands of the Darwin film-makers I think." And the director
did not rule out holding the premiere of Australia in the Top End. "Possibly,
possibly," he said.
World Premiere: Bowen v Darwin?
- In response to Baz Luhrmann's
comments made before the special Moulin Rouge screening in Darwin on 11 July
2007 (reported above), The Townsville Bulletin and Northern Territory
News have
posted the following articles (both with rather snarky titles) regarding the
implication that Bowen may not get the world premiere of Australia. As
far as I can remember, Luhrmann never said that Bowen would get the world
premiere of the movie. He did imply there would be some kind of premiere - a
special screening - and I assume he will still do this. He may even hold a
special screening for the townspeople before the actual big world premiere, you
never know! As there has been no actual official quotes from Luhrmann as to where the
world premiere will take place, this all remains speculative. The premiere will obviously take place
somewhere in Australia. Personally, I had always assumed that it would be held
in Sydney, home of Bazmark Inq and Fox Studios. However, a world premiere in
Darwin would make sense, as this is where the film is set (despite hardly being
filmed there), and this is the main location that the movie will be remembered
for. Whatever the case, we will have to wait and see which town is chosen closer
to the time of the actual premiere, as we now know that the film is not set to be
released until around November 2008.
Baz hints at movie snub
The Townsville Bulletin, 16 July 2007
Bowen has been snubbed by its best mate Baz. Australia director Baz Luhrmann is
rumoured to be planning a world premiere of his epic film in Darwin. Mr Luhrmann
hinted to Darwin media last week that he was looking at the Northern Territory
capital as the site of the first screening in 2008. The film crew spent only a
little over a week filming in Darwin this month where the film's star Nicole
Kidman was spotted eating out at local cafes and visiting markets. But it was
Bowen that became the Hollywood hang-out when the films stars stayed for two
months, drifting around the coastal hamlet's main streets, which were
transformed into a 1940s-styled Darwin. Herbert MP Peter Lindsay said he was
shocked to hear North Queensland had potentially been forgotten. He said Bowen
had opened its heart to the crew, welcoming them and helping them on set, yet
Darwin was being positioned as the likely premiere base. "Come on guys, this is
where a majority of the movie was shot. We looked after you, now you look after
us," Mr Lindsay said. "We want the world premiere in Bowen." He said it would be
very unfortunate if North Queensland was snubbed for any premiere. "The majority
of the film was shot in North Queensland. The people of Bowen and North
Queensland opened their hearts to the movie crew, they were really well looked
after when they were here. The whole community accepted the disruptions that
occurred and took it with good grace and gave every assistance. "I reckon the
people of Bowen deserve the world premiere after all they did."
Bowen Mayor Mike Brunker said Mr Luhrmann had promised a premiere during their
Bowen stint. While he didn't think Bowen had the scope to host a world premiere,
he said they should have some type of premiere. "I hope we don't miss out on
some type of premiere," Cr Brunker said. "If Darwin gets the major premiere that
is fine but as long as we get ours here as well, and not just at Darwin, we will
be happy. We don't want to miss out on one after all." He said Bowen was still
riding on the filming buzz with tourists and locals still visiting the set site.
"I think we will still feel it for a long time," Cr Brunker said. "I think the
next big stage will be the premiere next year. We hope we will take part in that
in some way but, regardless, people will want to come here to see where it was
shot."
HEY
BOWEN! Nothing here says BOWEN
Northern Territory News, 17 July 2007
The Queensland town of Bowen is up in arms over suggestions the premiere of Baz
Luhrmann's film Australia could be held in Darwin. A North Queensland newspaper
and the local MP have taken up the cause for the town where Luhrmann, Nicole
Kidman, Hugh Jackman and crew spent a month filming. Parts of Bowen were
recreated to look like Darwin, where much of the film is set, including the
dramatic bombing climax. But the parochial Queenslanders say this entitles the
lookalike town to the film's real premiere. Luhrmann was quoted last week saying
the film could "possibly" premiere in Darwin. The Queenslanders saw red. Bowen's
local Federal member Peter Lindsay saw an opportunity to score points. "Come on
guys, this is where a majority of the movie was shot," Mr Lindsay said. "We
looked after you - now you look after us. We want the world premiere in Bowen.
The majority of the film was shot in North Queensland ... the whole community
accepted the disruptions that occurred and took it with good grace and gave
every assistance."
And while Darwin is the scene of the film's climax, an article in the Townsville
Bulletin said the Territory capital did not measure up. "The film crew spent
only a little over a week filming in Darwin ... but it was Bowen that became the
Hollywood hang-out when the films' stars stayed for two months, drifting around
the coastal hamlet's main streets, which were transformed into a 1940s-styled
Darwin." The Bulletin quoted Bowen Mayor Mike Brunker as saying Luhrmann had
promised a premiere during their Bowen stint. But councillor Brunker was more
realistic, saying Bowen was not equipped for the world premiere. "I hope we
don't miss out on some type of premiere," he said. "If Darwin gets the major
premiere that is fine but as long as we get ours here as well, and not just at
Darwin, we will be happy."
Finally, on a more positive note,
The Epoch Times has reported the following article regarding Bowen coming to
terms with the Australia experienc. The article reveals that 20 of the
Bowen extras have been asked to continue filming in other locations. The article
also confirms that there are plans to set up a permanent display of memorabilia
from the movie in the town.
After Baz, Bowen is a
Better Place
The Epoch Times, 10 July 2007
With Baz Luhrmann now filming his multi-million dollar epic Australia in Darwin,
the locals from his first location in the North Queensland Town of Bowen are
coming to terms with the movie industry experience. "The impact on Bowen has
been immense as far as raising the profile of the town," said property developer
Erik Fairbairn whose vacant site on the Bowen harbour front was leased by the
film crew for the duration of their filming. "The production company and their
crew have made many friends in Bowen and I am sure left Bowen a better place,"
he said. Mr Fairbairn said he was initially surprised when approached by the
film crew to lease the site but saw the potential it had to increase interest in
Bowen and to further the town's economic growth. Locals lined up to volunteer as
tour guides to tourists during filming and many more assisted with set
construction and catering for the cast and crew. Meanwhile hundreds of Bowen
locals were given roles as extras, twenty of whom have been asked to go on with
the cast and crew to the other locations for further filming.
Therese Saad of Tourism Bowen said the town was going through a bit of "PMS; or
post movie syndrome" as the crew cleaned up and moved on to the next town, but
that the opportunity had been an extraordinary one that she felt had brought the
community closer together. Businesses in Bowen say they have had an increase in
trade and tourism as a result of the filming with curious sightseers drawn to
catch a glimpse of the action, especially the two lead actors Hugh Jackman and
Nicole Kidman. The Tourism Bowen website had 190,000 hits last month and now
there are plans to set up a permanent display of memorabilia from the movie for
future visitors to the town. Converted to look like Darwin in the 1930s for
several months, Bowen was chosen for its similar coastline to pre-war Darwin,
having no high rise buildings to jeopardise the authentic feel of the set. Local
construction crews were used to recreate the Territory Hotel and red dirt was
even freighted into the small town to recreate the old-time cattle yards in a
vacant block. The film is a romantic adventure saga set in the 1930s and 40s
around the time of the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbour and Darwin. Utilizing
the dramatic Australian scenery as a backdrop, the film tells the story of an
English aristocrat, played by Nicole Kidman, who inherits a large cattle station
and seeks the help of a drover, played by Hugh Jackman, to move a herd of cattle
across the wild Australian landscape in order to thwart a plot to take over her
land.
________________________________
7 July 2007
Darwin Shoot in Full Swing!
- The Darwin shoot of Baz Luhrmann's Australia began on Monday, 2 July 2007, and the local media has been providing great coverage of the filming! First of all, it has been revealed that five Northern Territory filmmakers have been given the opportunity to work on the movie while production is in Darwin:
Great opportunity for
local filmmakers attached to Australia
Northern Territory Government, 3 July 2007
Five Territory filmmakers have been given the opportunity to work on the set of
Australia while the production is filming in Darwin. The Northern Territory Film
Office (NTFO) negotiated for these attachments. Twelve emerging filmmakers vied
for the screen attachments on offer, which have been made possible thanks to
Catherine Knapman and Baz Luhrmann. The attachments are Phillipa Barr in the
Production Department, Curtis Brownjohn in Camera, David Hansen in Assistant
Direction, Bronwyn Wright in the Art Department, and Curtis Marriott in Second
Unit Camera. The NTFO is pleased that these attachments have been realised, as
they create opportunities for the development of skills that will remain in the
Territory when Australia leaves Darwin.
This next article has quotes from Luhrmann himself, who has revealed that the reason he was originally not going to film in Darwin was because of financial reasons. However, he believes that the water in Darwin Harbour is unlike anywhere else in the world, and so he went for it! :) The article also gives details of some of the scenes that will be filmed in Darwin.
Territory
epic chews up cash
Northern Territory News, 2 July 2007
Filming
the epic movie Australia in Darwin is four times as expensive as Sydney for
director Baz Luhrmann. "There was a very long time when it looked impossible to
actually film here for financial reasons," he said. "But I don't believe
the water down there (in Darwin Harbour) is like anywhere else in the world."
During a sneak peek on to the Stokes Hill Wharf set, Mr Luhrmann said the movie
could draw tourists to Darwin like Lord of the Rings affected New Zealand.
He said the movie will transform Darwin into a "truly romantic place" because he
is telling a romantic story. Chief Minister Clare Martin said the
Territory's $200,000 contribution was a bargain. "I hope we can get
millions of tourists just wanting to see where it was shot. I think we got away
cheap," she said. Mr Luhrmann laughed off suggestions that his decision to film
in remote parts of Australia was a public relations exercise. "Are you
saying to me that you think that I've got 20th Century Fox to spend multi-
multi-millions of dollars because I want to be liked in northern Australia," he
said. "It's an artistic issue, not a political one."
For authenticity, a small section of the wharf has been modified to resemble
1930s Darwin. The concrete deck has been covered by 90sq m of timber and a 15m
fake railway track. An 11m long staircase was also built down to a 37sq m
floating pontoon and a working crane that will carry luggage to the wharf.
The two-week filming schedule starts today and the set will be used during three
scenes, but only minutes of footage will be used showing:
- Nicole Kidman's character landing in a Qantas Emperial Aircraft flying boat
and disembarking on to Darwin.
- A later scene where Ms Kidman's character is frantically pursuing a young boy
in her care while dodging up to 200 soldiers.
- Hugh Jackman's character under the wharf as part of a rescue operation
following the bombing of Darwin.
Mr Luhrmann said he was driven to make this film after growing up with epics
such as Lawrence of Arabia. "If you're talking about drama in landscape, we have
that in spades," he said. "What's interesting about the NT of the 1930s is that
it is a little bit of Asia, a little bit of the Wild West and a little bit of
Africa."
Week 1: Darwin Shoot
- On Monday, 2 July 2007 and Tuesday, 3 July 2007, Nicole Kidman was seen filming on Darwin Harbour. There was a lot of media coverage of this, including some fantastic photographs. Check out the Rotten Tomatoes gallery, including the above images. The media coverage also included several news articles detailing the events of the filming.
On Day 1, one particular image was taken of co-star Bill Hunter's character giving a 'helping hand' to Lady Ashely. This action was part of filming, but has become part of the on-set talk due to its cheeky nature! Details can be found in the articles below:
Nicole's bum steer in
outback
Courier Mail, 3 July 2007
Delicately
shaded by a cream umbrella and neatly dressed in a matching outfit, Hollywood
star Nicole Kidman skipped out of Bowen and into the sunny surrounds of Darwin
yesterday to continue her role as rich English aristocrat, Lady Sarah Ashley.
With a helping hand from co-star Bill Hunter, Kidman stepped back in time more
than six decades to portray scenes of her character's arrival from England to
Stokes Hill Wharf in outback adventure Australia. While the Academy Award
winner's leading man Hugh Jackman was missing, the pair are expected to film
scenes together this week before shifting their focus from the $120 million
project to another worthy cause – as presenters at Sydney's Live Earth concert
at Aussie Stadium on Saturday. It appears the unseasonal rains that have flooded
the outback set of Baz Luhrmann's epic movie could prove a huge bonus for the
climate change event. It is believed the film's A-list stars will be back in
Sydney this weekend, preparing for interior shoots here next week while the
homestead in Kununurra, in the Kimberley Region, dries out. Kidman would no
doubt relish the opportunity to contribute to the global Live Earth event as her
husband, Keith Urban, recently signed on to appear at the New York concert.
Urban will perform a duet with R&B superstar Alicia Keys.
---
Nicole
earns a Territory handshake
Northern Territory News, 3 July 2007
Nicole Kidman began work in Darwin yesterday and was promptly given what local
girls call the "Territory handshake" - a tweak on the bum. The Hollywood star
gets the cheeky helping hand as she steps out of a launch during the filming of
Baz Luhrmann's Australia. Territorians and tourists watched from behind a line
set up by guards as her character arrived at Stokes Hill Wharf on a dinghy.
Another actor lifted her up by putting his hand on her bum - and got a dagger
look from Kidman. "She's been given the old Territory handshake," said one
onlooker. "Every Territory girl has had one of those."
But it was all part of the action - designed to show how Kidman's character is
trying to make it in a male-dominated world. Kidman, Hugh Jackman, David Wenham,
Bryan Brown and the cast of Australia are in the Top End to film Darwin
Harbour scenes Luhrmann said could not have been shot anywhere else.Access to
the wharf has been limited during filming on a closed set. And an exclusion zone
has been declared by harbourmaster Bruce Wilson, preventing anyone going on the
water within 300m of the wharf. Kidman plays an English aristocrat who flies
into Darwin on a flying boat to sort out a cattle station she has come to own.
Old-looking boats are moored at the wharf for effect and metal pylons have been
done up with fibreglass props to create the impression of an old wooden
structure.
The Darwin-shot scenes will make up less than five minutes of screen time,
production staff said. Cars were banned from the wharf yesterday. People were
ferried from Frances Bay Drive past the set in a shuttle bus. Most of the movie
is being filmed in Sydney and Bowen. But Luhrmann said he decided to film in
Darwin because the colour of the harbour water could not be replicated. The
maritime exclusion zone will be in effect until June 12.
---
The following article is about Day 3 of the shoot, but the beginning makes reference to the Territory handshake ;) This article also reveals that the planned filming in a Darwin warehouse will now not go ahead. I can only assume that this is for financial and/or scheduling reasons, and whatever was to be filmed in the warehouse will now be covered at Fox Studios in Sydney, where the production will be heading next now that filming in Western Australia has been delayed.
Nicole gets the NT handshake
Herald Sun, 5 July 2007
The "Territory handshake" has entered film director Baz Luhrmann's on-set
vocabulary. In the film Australia, being filmed at Darwin's Stokes Hill Wharf,
screen veteran Bill Hunter's character welcomes Nicole Kidman's English
aristocrat to the Territory with a pat on the bum. The cheeky pat, dubbed the
Territory handshake by an onlooker, has become part of the on-set talk. While
calling the actors through their moves Luhrmann has now taken to calling out
"Territory handshake" to cue the bum grab.
Kidman, Hunter and teams of local extras spent yesterday sweltering in the sun
in 1939-style suits and frocks on the boat that brings Kidman to shore. Much of
the filming yesterday was done in the middle of the harbour, with the boat's
passage interrupted at one stage by a passing livestock export vessel. Having
landed in Darwin on a flying boat, Kidman's character heads for the shore where
she is to meet her love interest (Hugh Jackman) -- a rough and ready stockman
who she has been told is "a man she can trust". But in scenes that won't be
filmed in Darwin, Jackman's character is finishing off a fight in a pub when she
arrives. Jackman has
not been seen on set and is not needed until the latter part of the shoot, set
during the bombing of Darwin in World War II.
Sources close to the film say the bombing scenes will not involve anything being
blown up, with this to be added by special effects in post-production. But the
production crew will set fire to some boats at the wharf as filming nears its
finale. Producers had
planned to film in a warehouse in Darwin but it is understood these plans have
been scrapped, with efforts to focus on the harbour area and the tropical
blue-green water.
On Day 2, filming of Nicole Kidman and her co-stars continued in Darwin Harbour. The following article gives general details of the excitement of the second day of the shoot:
Hundreds
gather for glimpse of film magic
Northern Territory News, 4 July 2007
Territory movie buffs were seeing triple on the set of the blockbuster film
Australia yesterday. Hundreds of tourists and locals watched on as star Nicole
Kidman floated around Darwin harbour on a boat during filming. But some were
left wondering if it was the real Nic out there - with at least two body doubles
spotted around the wharf. Some observers said it was "definitely the real Nic"
in the morning. But late yesterday afternoon onlookers were sure body doubles
were being used. This still did not quell the enthusiasm of Territorians and
visitors alike, all keen to get a glimpse of the stars and see movie magic
unfold before their eyes. Stokes Hill Wharf was blocked to traffic from near
Frances Bay Drive, onlookers caught shuttle buses to Stokes Hill Wharf where
they could watch the filming of one of the film's first scenes. Kidman's small
boat floated past the wharf many times as as numerous takes were filmed.
Responding to a call from an onlooker on the wharf, Oscar winner Kidman said she
was enjoying her time in Darwin. "Lovely," she called back. "I haven't seen much
yet - I've been sitting on this boat." Captaining the launch was Australian
acting legend Bill Hunter, who was pictured yesterday in the Northern Territory
News as his character grabbed Nicole Kidman on the bum when she alighted the
vessel. Watching their positions on wharf were scores of local extras, dressed
in World War II-era clothing and playing the parts of stockmen, Chinese miners,
onlookers and dock hands. With the filming taking hours, the extras sweated it
out in the midday sun - but with smiles on their faces. Kidman and Hunter are
joined in Darwin by Luhrmann, Hugh Jackman, David Wenham and Bryan Brown.
Among the tourists and locals craning their necks for a look was Anna Degeling
of Malak. Nicole waved to us, it's pretty exciting," Ms Degeling said. Her
mother Jenny, on holiday in Darwin from The Hague in The Netherlands, said the
film set was "the big happening event". "Here we are in Darwin starspotting,"
she said. "It was all quite exciting - all the beautiful harbour with the blue
sea ... it's quite spectacular."
This article is the lengthy account of one news reporter trying to get some shots of the onset action on Days 1 and 2, and the problems he encountered in trying to do so. However, his defiance appears to have paid off in the end. Indeed, it appears it was he who called out to Kidman from the wharf! It is an amusing article, and shows just what lengths the media will go too to get their story...
Risking life and
limb on the set of 'Australia'
National Nine News, 4 July 2007
I am the most unpopular person on the set of 'Australia'. Baz Luhrmann's movie
only starting filming on Monday, yet I've already been evicted from the location
once, and told to go away on nine different occasions. Covering a good news
story has never been so hard. Darwin has been abuzz since the weekend over
Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman and Keith Urban's arrival for the movie 'Australia';
a romantic tale set in the 1940s and based around the bombing of Darwin.
Accordingly, the newsroom at Channel Nine began preparing to cover the event,
and our cameramen were in place around Stokes Hill Wharf when filming started at
dawn on Monday morning.
The Darwin Harbour Master has ordered a 300 metre exclusion zone around the set
to ensure no boats or aircraft get in the way of production. This means our
cameras are forced to the edge of the wharf, which has still been adequate.
After checking each crew was ready, I decided to see if I could go for a wander
onto the wharf to take a look at the set and film some of the action with my
handicam. Three security guards were checking cars, but ignored me as I strolled
out towards the movie cameras. Once on set, the first thing I learned was
filming movies can take a long time. No one paid me any attention as the crew
scrambled to prepare for the first scene in which Nicole Kidman's character
"Lady Sarah" arrives at the wharf in a small boat. Rehearsals started, but the
'Moulin Rouge' star was nowhere in sight. In her place, a body double acted the
part in jeans and bright red rubber shoes. After an hour of observing this, I
was summonsed to a safety briefing by an angry looking man with long blonde
curly hair. I joined the rest of the film crew, sans Kidman, as we were told in
menacing tones about the location rules. I was not to think I was a big
shot (fairly safe there). I was not to get angry at security guards for asking
to look at my pass (definitely safe here). And most importantly, I was not to
get on a boat without a safety vest. If anyone broke these rules (and the
angry man didn't care who they were), their bags would be packed and their
"backsides" would be "shipped off the wharf!" We were all then ordered
back to our spots to get ready for a long day of filming. As I didn't have a
spot I wandered off to the edge of the pier and amused myself by imagining the
angry blonde man giving Russell Crowe a safety briefing.
After another 45 minutes of wondering if the film crew would supply breakfast to
someone who had nothing to do with the movie, I was asked by a producer what was
I doing. "I'm going to film a video of the set", I replied. "Have you been
videoing here?" he asked in panicked tones. "Not yet, I’m waiting for it to
start." "And who's this video for?" I sensed my eviction was near. "Anyone who
wants it", I said hopefully. "I'm going to have to ask you to leave." And
so it was, my two hour stint on the set of 'Australia' came to an end. I was
escorted off the wharf and all security guards were told to ensure I was "moved
on".
After that there was nothing to do but wait with a
cameraman at the end of the wharf for Nicole Kidman to appear. After half an
hour of waiting, the movie producers realised that we would be able to film the
action on the water. This wasn't to their liking. Security guards were sent to
get rid of us, even though we were standing in a public place. When we pointed
out that we had a right to be there, the police were called. They arrived and
also pointed out that we had a right to be there. I tried my best not to look
smug, but probably failed. The producers responded to this setback by attempting
to erect large black screens to block our view. Unfortunately for them, the
screens weren't big enough and the wind blew them over anyway. They gave up and
concentrated on making the movie.
Nicole Kidman then finally made her entrance, dressed elegantly in a full length
tan coloured dress with a blue jacket. She also wore a pale hat and shaded
herself with a parasol. We watched as she rehearsed and then acted out her
character's first moments in Australia; disembarking from the boat and chasing
after a young boy who she had been caring for. The scene was redone at least a
dozen times as Baz Luhrmann watched on and made suggestions. But the producers
were still not impressed by Channel Nine witnessing this and called their
publicist to try and move us along. She asked us to consider leaving, telling us
nothing more of interest would be happening today. If "you work with us, we'll
work with you", she said. I proposed that we would go away if we were allowed on
set for five minutes to get some shots. Unfortunately they weren't prepared for
that sort of working with us. Despite the fact we weren't invading anyone's
privacy, disrupting production or giving away the movie's ending, they wanted us
gone.
Once Nicole finished her scene, we went to the one part of the wharf that hasn't
been quarantined off. A lot of the extras were waiting around and we interviewed
a few of them who were genuinely enthusiastic about their experiences. None of
them had met Nicole yet, but all were keen to get a photo with her. The job
meant a lot of waiting around they said, but it was a once in a lifetime
opportunity and they were thrilled just to be there. One person who wasn't
thrilled was a stage manager who ran around furiously reminding all extras of
some forgotten fine print in their contracts stipulating that any contact with
the media was banned. He warned that anyone who breached this faced serious
consequences. The extras all looked slightly puzzled as they just wanted to say
how excited they were. We were asked to leave again and complied this time as
our deadline was approaching.
I wasn't to know, but Tuesday would be even more exciting. Tuesday, July 3 -We
were greeted at the wharf by a new burly security guard who immediately told us
we were risking legal action by filming and to go away. We were happy to let the
police's decision from yesterday stand and stayed. The publicist reappeared and
took our contact details and then left. One thing I was quickly working out is
the threats and orders usually meant something exciting was about to happen. And
so it was that Nicole appeared and proceeded to motor around Darwin Harbour in a
small wooden boat. She wasn't alone of course. The vessel was filled with extras
of all ages, and veteran Aussie actor Bill Hunter was at the tiller looking very
pleased with himself. I grabbed a spare camera and raced around to the other
side of the wharf where approximately 100 movie fans had gathered hoping to get
a picture of Nicole. I was pursued by several security guards who said I wasn't
allowed there with a camera and I risked prosecution by not leaving. The other
100 people could stay with their cameras, but apparently I had to leave. No one
could explain why or tell me what law I was breaking. So I stayed and luck was
on my side.
Nicole sailed close to the wharf and our cameras, and was
clearly pleased to see everyone. She bowed to the onlookers, called out "hi",
said the crowd was "fantastic", and commented on the "beautiful day". "What do
you think of Darwin?" I asked. "It's lovely", she yelled back. "Though I haven't
seen much of it. I've just been in this boat". A fair point on her behalf. I
found it quite ironic that after all the efforts to keep everyone away from her,
she was the only person from the movie actually being friendly. But as quickly
as she appeared, she was gone, with Bill Hunter directing them back towards the
large manmade pontoon where dozens of movie cameras were ready to get down to
business. Nicole though appeared to be having a ball, talking to all the
children in the boat, and encouraging them to wave to the public. With some
exclusive vision secured of a happy Nicole on set, I called it a day. As I
walked off, an unhappy security guard made a rude gesture in my direction. I
tried not to look smug, but probably failed.
On Day 3 of the shoot, there was apparently a mishap while Kidman was out on the boat, and on Day 4, Kidman was apparently accidentally hit in the head with a gun barrell. Thankfully, these appear to have been minor incidents!
Nicole
cops a little bit extra
Northern Territory News, 6 July 2007
Nicole
Kidman was struck in the head with a gun barrel by a Darwin extra on the set of
Australia yesterday. The incident occurred while Baz Luhrmann was filming his
epic love story at Stokes Hill Wharf. It was the second apparent mishap
involving Kidman in two days after the launch she was sitting in reportedly came
close to running head-on into a much bigger boat on Wednesday. Yesterday Kidman,
playing English aristocrat Lady Sarah Ashley, was running through army officers,
shouting out to people leaving the wharf on a boat, when one of the extras
accidentally hit her in the head with the barrel of his gun. An on-site source
said Kidman bent over clutching at her head. Production staff denied reports of
the launch near-miss. But an on-set source claimed the boat, meant to take
Kidman from a plane to Stokes Hill Wharf, "suddenly shot forward'' straight at
the other moored vessel as it neared the wharf. The source said an extra on the
launch jumped up and took the helm from veteran character actor Bill Hunter. The
launch just stopped short of a collision.
Parts of the wharf have been made-over, coming to resemble a 1940s militarised
Darwin for the period film, based partly on the World War II bombing of the
city. Locals and tourists were touched by Hollywood as they flocked to the
public viewing areas to watch. They rubbed shoulders with Luhrmann and robe-clad
actor David Wenham. Business owner Janne Stewart watched on as the reconditioned
pearling lugger Anniki she owns with her partner was the centre of filming
action. "Anniki is an authentic pearling lugger and now she's become a hero
boat," she said. "Filming has been very exciting. I met Baz and he is pretty
interesting, but full on -- he just runs and runs and doesn't stop."
Schoolteacher Dean Sciacca from Melbourne said he had come to Darwin "to catch a
glimpse of our Nic. Just joking," he said. "It's amazing though, that they are
shooting before our eyes." Filming with Aboriginal children being taken to a
mission was carried out yesterday afternoon. Hugh Jackman is set to arrive in
Darwin in the coming days and one of the first scenes he will film will be
rescuing those children from the mission to the backdrop of a post-bombing,
smoke-filled Darwin.
More Bowen Photos
- Special thanks to Robyn for providing some great images of bombed out 'Darwin'. These have now been added to my Bowen Location Images page. As reported in my last news update, filming in Bowen has now come to an end, but at least we have plenty of memories of the shoot there. I would like to thank the many locals and visitors who kindly provided photographs to this website. If anyone has any other Bowen images, or indeed Darwin images, please feel free to contact me.
________________________________
1 July 2007
Bazmark Press Release
- Filming at Bowen was completed last week after a successful six week shoot. The production of Australia has now moved on to its next location, Darwin, where filming will take place on selected days over the next couple of weeks. As we know, the production was then due to move to Kununurra in Western Australia, however the shooting schedule has had to be rearranged due "record-breaking unseasonably wet" weather. After filming wraps in Darwin, the shoot will now move back to Fox Studios in Sydney, with the Kununurra shoot now expected to take place from early August through until September. In effect, the Kununurra and Sydney shoots have been swapped around to allow for the unexpected weather patterns, and filming of the movie should still be completed on schedule. A couple of days ago, Bazmark issued the following press release with details of the film and the upcoming shoot:
PRESS RELEASE: FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRIDAY 29 June 2007
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'AUSTRALIA' MOVES BACK ON THE ROAD!
Baz Luhrmann's epic movie 'Australia' will arrive in the Top End after filming
is completed in Bowen in Northern Queensland this week. Production commences on
Stokes Hill wharf in Darwin on Monday 2nd July. After filming wraps in Darwin,
the company's planned move to Kununurra will be postponed due to the
record-breaking unseasonably wet season. Instead, the production will return to
Sydney where filming will resume on the sound stages at Fox Studios.
Luhrmann, the writer/producer/director of such films as 'Moulin Rouge!', 'Romeo
+ Juliet' and 'Strictly Ballroom', conceived the project in the Top End three
years ago and has insisted the film be shot on location there. He sees the Top
End as one of the last frontiers for travellers to explore. Once the film is
released he believes that people will want to come and see it for themselves.
Luhrmann said: "If a film moves people, they want to see where it was shot. In
New Zealand, the popularity of 'Lord of the Rings' has resulted in a huge rise
in NZ tourism in 6 years. The film has to deliver, but if that happens, everyone
benefits."
In Darwin, the filming on Stokes Hill wharf will feature scenes with stars
Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman. The filming will include the arrival to Darwin
of Kidman's character, Lady Sarah Ashley, on a Qantas flying boat at the
bustling wharf. Jackman will be featured in a scene that takes place in the
aftermath of an attack by Japanese forces on the city as Australia enters the
Second World War. These scenes will be edited together with footage already shot
in Bowen and Darwin will come to life as the exotic port it was then and remains
today.
The filming of "Australia" is expected to provide a substantial boost to the
local economy in Darwin. Film Representatives have been working closely with NT
Government, NT Tourism and local media to ensure that Darwin's businesses are
looked after and to help facilitate the increased exposure that filming will
bring. Local businesses are being used to source a range of products and
services and the crew of over 400 will be accommodated in hotels and motels.
More than 300 extras will be cast locally to appear in the movie and there will
also be opportunities for locals to be part of the action as volunteers. For
further information please contact Lisa Naumann, Volunteer Coordinator on mobile
0439 882 920 or email lisa.naumann@nt.gov.au.
Bazmark Film II has been working closely with Chief Minister, Clare Martin, to
implement a Special Wharf Task Force whose duties will include: minimising any
inadvertent impact on local business due to filming; car parking and shuttle bus
arrangements; waterfront construction and the potential of some intermittent
stoppages of specific noise generating activity and a Traffic Management Plan
with Ace NT which will be in place from 30 June to 13 July.
The first tangible sign that filming is coming to Darwin can be seen on McMinn
Street where a billboard has been erected to promote the free shuttle bus
service to the Wharf. Six buses will be operating daily from the Shuttle Base to
the Wharf between 8:30am and 11:00pm and as needed to Fort Hill Wharf for
harbour cruise boat customers. A Travel Guide Volunteer will also be appointed
to each bus to assist commuters with any enquiries. Further information about
the shuttle service is available from www.nt.gov.au or call 8999 6819.
Once filming wraps in Darwin, the company will return to Sydney where filming
will continue on the sound stages at Fox Studios. The production made the
decision to postpone shooting originally scheduled for Kununurra and the
surrounding area due to unseasonably bad weather in the region over the past
weeks. The torrential rains slowed down the construction of sets and the waters
blocked access to many crucial locations. Luhrmann insists that "the color
palette and drama of the East Kimberley landscape during the dry is worth
waiting for. Once the waters have subsided and our team can recommence work
there, we look forward to returning to Kununurra to complete filming."
AUSTRALIA is set in the country's northern outback prior to World War II and
centres on an English aristocrat, Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman), who finds
herself unexpectedly fighting to save a cattle station the size of Belgium. When
local cattle barons plot to take her land, she reluctantly joins forces with a
rough-hewn cattle drover (Hugh Jackman) to drive 1500 head of cattle across
northern Australia's breathtaking, yet brutal landscape. Love ensues, but they
must still face the bombing of Darwin by the Japanese forces that had attacked
Pearl Harbor only months earlier.
Produced by Baz Luhrmann , G. Mac Brown and Catherine Knapman under Luhrmann's
Sydney-based Bazmark Film banner, AUSTRALIA will be distributed worldwide by
News Corporation's Twentieth Century Fox.
FACTS AND FIGURES FOR DARWIN
On the Wharf the production is building:
100 M. of handrail
90 Sq. M. of timber deck
15 M. of fake railway track
11 M. long staircase down to the water
37. Sq. M. floating pontoon
A working crane will be used to lift luggage from the pontoon onto the Wharf.
The production is cladding the existing concrete and steel to look like timber
using a mixture of fibre-glass and plaster. Steelcon (Berrimah) is manufacturing
the set pontoon, and Workboats North Australia is providing workboats and crew
for construction. The production will be hiring at least two more pontoons (the
Labroy and the DMS one) and several dressing vessels TBC. The casting department
has built up a database of over 1200 extras. The production's caterer will be
sourcing all foods/supplies locally for approx 200 crew breakfasts, 280 crew
lunches and 200 afternoon teas per day plus approx 175 additional breakfasts,
lunches & teas daily for extras. A traffic management plan will move our crew
and wharf patrons through the wharf development and onto the wharf.
Australia Booklet
- The excellent Tourism Bowen website has recently posted a brilliant "Australia - The Movie Booklet" which is available to view and download. It is full of stories and images regarding the Bowen shoot, and it's a great souvenir for movie fans. Apparently the booklet was made available around the town, but now everyone is able to obtain a copy online. I would highly recommend visiting the website and downloading the booklet, or click here to go straight to the pdf file! :)
Bowen Says Goodbye
- The production of Australia has now moved on from Bowen, however the movie has done big things for the town, and the tourism is bound to continue. The following article reveals that the town will be keeping some movie memorabilia, and I have a feeling that people will continue to visit the town over the years to come. This will perhaps be the final article and images from the excellent Townsville Bulletin Bowenwood page, which has kept us fully updated throughout the entire Bowen shoot:
Post-movie tension
Townsville Bulletin, 28 June 2007
If people in Bowen today are bleak, unreasonable and accuse you of not
understanding them, blame it on PMT – Post Movie Tension. Baz Luhrmann, Nicole
Kidman and Hugh Jackman and Co have been in Queensland's tomato capital for the
past six weeks filming the movie Australia. They shot their last scenes in the
town last night. The word on the street yesterday was that star Nicole Kidman
had already abandoned the town. If she had, she didn't stop to say goodbye. It
has been an emotional roller-coaster, and it has even been said the town's
ebullient mayor Cr Mike Brunker could suffer a form of post-natal depression
when the movie crew pack up and leave town. It was Cr Brunker, whispering sweet
nothings about a wooden jetty and open foreshore land into Baz Luhrmann's ear
that convinced the famous Aussie movie producer to shoot the 1922 and 1942
scenes – to be depicted in the movie as Darwin – in the town that was once
considered the `ugly step sister' by the likes of Townsville, Mackay and Airlie
Beach. Cinderella Bowen is sky walking and it was Prince Baz who helped the
ostracized sister, bullied and ridiculed by evil step-mum Townsville, and
jealous step-sisters, Airlie and Mackay, to meet her prince and to live happily
ever after. Cr Brunker said there was no stopping Bowen now that she had been to
the ball and had won the hand of the handsome prince. "The movie has been
monstrous for the town. The number of people who have come in to see the sets
and then discovered the beaches. It's just been great," he said. Cr Brunker said
the town would get to keep movie memorabilia such as the WWI cenotaph, all
signage, and a police cell and prison. He said this would all be collected in a
permanent display to remind the locals and visitors the time Bowen became
Bowenwood.
Final Bowen Images
- Check out photographer Cameron Laird's website for some of the last images of scenes shot in Bowen last week. The photos on this page were taken on 24 June, and show a distressed Nicole Kidman wandering around in despair in a scene that looks to be near the end of the film. Be warned - the caption underneath the photos gives away a big plot spoiler! It seems that someone may possibly die at the end of the movie... take a look at the page to see who that might be!
Darwin Filming Dates
- If anyone is in Darwin and would like to try and check out the filming action, the dates have now been confirmed by the Northern Territory Government in this pdf file, a transcript of which reads as follows:
Filming dates announced - Filming of Baz Luhrmann's Australia will take place on Darwin's Stokes Hill Wharf from Monday 2 July to Thursday 5 July and on Tuesday 10 July and Wednesday 11 July. Filming will also take place in a Darwin warehouse on Friday 6 July and Monday 9 July. Stokes Hill Wharf will remain open for business throughout filming, however as the film will require full use of the car parking on the wharf, alternative car parking and a shuttle bus service will be in place. It is the most ambitious film ever produced in Australia. "The filming of this big budget film in Darwin will provide a long-term boost to tourism and there will also be opportunities for Territorians to be part of the action as either volunteers or extras," said Chief Minister Clare Martin.
The media has already started reporting about the filming that is set to take place in Darwin, so hopefully we will get good coverage of the Darwin shoot :) The following article confirms that while it will be a closed set, there will be free shuttle buses will be operating every 5 minutes to take people to the wharf. And the second article contains some more plot information, including the scenes that will be shot in Darwin.
Stars
show up for Darwin film shoot
Northern Territory News, 1 July 2007
The cast and crew of Australia are rolling into Darwin in preparation for the
first day of shoot-ing tomorrow. Director Baz Luhrmann is in Darwin and it is
believed Nicole Kidman arrived yesterday with son Connor and daughter Isabella.
And co-star David Wenham was spotted wandering along Mitchell St yesterday.
Kidman, who plays Lady Sarah Ashley, will be on set at Stokes Hill Wharf
tomorrow to start filming scenes including her arrival on a Qantas flying boat
on Darwin Harbour. Hugh Jackman will be featured in a scene that takes place in
the aftermath of an attack by Japanese forces on the city as Australia enters
World War II. These scenes will be edited together with footage already shot in
Bowen in Queensland. The filming for Australia will take place at Stokes Hill
Wharf from tomorrow until Thursday and again on July 10 and 11. There will also
be two days of filming in a Darwin warehouse. Up to 300 Territorians have been
chosen as extras for Australia. Many of them, who are men, aged 16 to 70, have
been groomed to suit the era, which includes a 1940s hairstyle. It is understood
that extras will be required on set as early as 4am tomorrow for a full day of
work. They will be paid $15.70 an hour, for the first eight hours of work and
then overtime rates after that. Extras roles include priests, drovers, wharfies,
passengers on the flying boat and government officers. Australia is a closed set
but there will be free shuttle bus to Stokes Hill Wharf as businesses are still
open. The shuttle bus will leave every five minutes from a temporary car park on
the corner of McMinn St and Frances Bay Drive from 8.30am to 11pm until July 13.
Filming of Australia starts
in Darwin
TVNZ.co.nz, 1 July 2007
The US Navy is likely to cause more trouble on the night streets of Darwin than
the set and crew of the epic film Australia, says director Baz Luhrmann.
Speaking on Darwin wharf, where four days of filming of the movie starring
Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman will begin on Monday, Luhrmann said his team
started at four every morning. "We're lucky to finish at seven, and then you
need an hour to do wrap down and reboot. You've got to be in bed by 9 O'clock
and then you go again. "It's pretty relentless. You'd have more trouble from the
US Navy than from ourselves I think." But the engaging director of such box
office triumphs as Moulin Rouge, Romeo and Juliet, and Strictly Ballroom had a
disclaimer. "The crew have been incredibly exhausted so last night I would like
to go on record and just apologise to the local nightclubs (in Bowen) because I
think there might have been just a little bit of loosy goosy and having a good
time shall we say," he said.
The tiny Queensland town of Bowen is 'playing' most of Darwin in the movie. "But
we've done the ins and outs, the beginnings and ends in Darwin," Luhrmann said.
These include a dramatic scene with a little Aboriginal boy on the stairs
leading to the wharf, the arrival and departure of Kidman and a rescue scene
which takes place under the wharf. The outback epic centres on Lady Sarah,
played by Kidman, who becomes the proprietor of a cattle station before World
War II. She enlists the help of a "rough-hewn" drover, Jackman, in a fight
against cattle barons who plot to take over her land. The pair drive 2,000 heads
of cattle across the Top End and get caught up in the Japanese bombing of
Darwin. Luhrmann agreed the film could be described as part Crocodile Dundee,
part Gone With The Wind. "They sold pretty good tickets, I like that," he said.
"The film is called Australia not because it's in Australia but it's a metaphor
for ... a thing that comes from a far away place and in the 1930s the far away
of the far away was the Northern Territory. "If you're talking about drama is
the landscape, we've got it in spades."
Shooting so far had revealed a lush and exotic lifestyle, Luhrmann said. "It was
a little bit of Asia, a little bit of the Wild West, a little bit of Africa -
all mixed in creating a natural and truly unique environment. "If Darwin was
like that in the 1930s where was I?" Luhrmann conceded that shooting in Darwin
was four times as expensive as filming in a Sydney studio, but he said the film
- if a huge hit - would be a tourist winner. "It takes it to another level
because it becomes globally mythologised," he said. "If the film does play, if
it's half good, I mean Lord of the Rings is the best example in the world ...
the response as far as tourism was unprecedented and unimaginable." NT Chief
Minister Clare Martin agreed. "The economic benefit we will get I think will far
outweigh the ($220,000) we put in (as a sweetener)," she said. "I think we got
away cheap."
Kimberleys Update
- As reported above, filming in the Kimberley region has now been delayed until the beginning of August due to unseasonably heavy rains. This decision seems to have been confirmed just within the past few days, however it is still expected that the shoot will begin there once the land has 'dried out' a bit. The Sydney Morning Herald has today posted the above photograph of the Faraway Downs set. Faraway Downs will be Lady Ashley's homestead in the film, and we can see how shooting there would be most impractical at the moment! However, this is the very first photograph we've seen of the homestead. It looks impressive, and I can't wait to see it when it's finished! The following articles provide updates regarding the Kimberleys shoot:
Muddy hell as Kidman homestead flooded
Sydney Morning Herald, 1 July 2007
It was meant to be the dusty, outback homestead playing host to Nicole Kidman
and Hugh Jackman - but the romantic set of Faraway Downs, the homestead at the
heart of Baz Luhrmann's Australia, has been flooded in a remote region of
Western Australia. Because of the flooding Luhrmann has pulled the pin on
filming at the homestead, in Kununurra, in the Kimberley Region, within the next
fortnight as planned. Instead, the stars of the film, Kidman and Jackman, will
travel from Darwin back to Sydney to shoot interior scenes while waiting for the
expensive set to dry out. Key crew members from Australia have expressed their
astonishment at the flooding of the set. "It's like rain in the Sahara, it's as
unexpected as that," said Phillip Roope, location manager for Australia. "But
we're making an epic and if you make an epic you're going to have setbacks.
That's the way [Baz] sees it, I guess." A spokeswoman for Luhrmann said: "We
need it to be rustic and outback, so we had no choice about changing the
schedule." The Aboriginal meaning of Kununurra is "big waters". Roope said
Luhrmann's filming schedule had been changed to minimise the financial effects
of the flooding. "There will be a cost involved but we did have stuff to shoot
in Sydney, so we'll go back there and regroup, and wait for it to brown off
again," he said. Kidman and Jackman, who are filming scenes in Darwin over the
next 10 days, will only be sent to Kununurra when the set has dried out. They
are expected to spend at least a fortnight in Sydney while waiting for the mud
to clear. The fake homestead was put in place three weeks ago by a crew of 40
workers after being prefabricated in Sydney and transported to Western Australia
in semitrailers. After it rained heavily in the first week Roope and his crew
used heavy equipment including graders to try to restore the set. But then it
rained again. Locals said they had never experienced such wet conditions at this
time of year. "We looked at the records which have existed since 1889 and there
has never been anything like this in June," Roope said. The average rainfall for
Kununurra in June is 10 millimetres, but last month the region received 100
millimetres. "The brown soil just turned to sticky mud straight away. Actually,
it's not really mud, it's clay," Roope said. "It's put everything back, because
nobody expected it." Luhrmann's budget of $120 million included the building of
an entire stand-alone set in the Queensland town of Bowen, the re-creation of
war scenes near Darwin Harbour and the construction of the outback homestead in
Western Australia. Roope said Faraway Downs was at the centre of the film,
housing much of the romance between the lead characters, so Luhrmann would wait
"until it is 100 per cent perfect".
Rain
puts dampener on Kidman in Kimberley
The West.com.au, 30 June 2007
Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman’s arrival in WA has been delayed after an
unseasonal deluge of heavy rain flooded sets in the Kimberley. Filming of Baz
Luhrmann’s sweeping epic Australia was scheduled to start on July 13, but the
actress and her co-star Hugh Jackman will return to Fox Studios in Sydney until
the region dries up. However, both stars will be in Darwin on Monday to
shoot scenes at the bustling port, where hundreds of fans are expected to turn
out to see Kidman at work. A set had been constructed on Carlton Hill Station,
north of Kununurra, to represent the fictitious Faraway Downs featured in the
movie. But last night publicist Edweana Wenkart said filming, which was
scheduled to take place over six weeks, would be postponed after torrential
rains slowed down the construction of sets and water blocked access to crucial
locations. “The production made the decision to postpone shooting originally
scheduled for Kununurra and the surrounding area due to unseasonably bad weather
in the region over the past weeks,” she said. Luhrmann said last night that the
production would be in Kununurra once the water levels had subsided. "The colour
palette and drama of the East Kimberley landscape during the dry is worth
waiting for," he said.
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