Maxfactormama’s Weblog

After another extended blue screen shoot this weekend – it is hard to believe we’re nearly there….that is unless Luke decides to add in some more shots or rewrite the script for the umpteenth time!!! We had a return appearance from “Elindil” – John Capper doing a reprise of his early 450BC character. A few anxious moments in makeup as we realised his hair was much longer than in the shoot last year – nearly had to get the clippers out, but Luke decided the longer hair was in keeping with the character being filmed in an earlier period (John was quite pleased he looks younger than last year!) There was some early “Hood” action prior to the rest of the cast arriving – somehow these shots degenerated into some Keystone cops moments – hope to see them in the behind the scenes footage! There were a number of crew members standing in for cast in the early part of the day – one thing about this crew, they’re good at multi-tasking (not to mention eating brownies!) Rodney – our cameraman, has finally made his ES film debut as someone else’s legs in a walk through shot – nice work Rod!

Luke had to fill in for Dave S as he was unavailable for his pick up shots (must have been forwarned about “getting wet again”!) So it was a chilly dip in Lilydale lake for our intrepid Director – at least he is prepared to do what he has asked a number of his actors to do over the past few months! After a delicious lunch provided by Mary we settled in for the long afternoon/evening. More technical aids were employed – weedy 1 and weedy 2 were most effective lighting aids, although they got a little droopy after being dehydrated in front of the lights. (I know how they feel!) Wazza returned (complete with wife and new baby as his fan club) to do his pick up shots. Radha was very well behaved til near the end. By that stage I think we were all ready to have a little winge!

We had more memorable moments from Cass as she endured the longest day of all the actors – providing a bit of light hearted entertainment for the crew with her “new vogue dance moves” while suspended from the roof. Fortunately we had Jess there for the all important VPL checks – we girls have to try to maintain some sort of dignity! Both Jess and Cassie had the fun job of being showered in dirt for one scene – hopefully Mary won’t mind her potting mix has been depleted slightly!

It was a lengthy session – after 13 hrs Luke finally announced it was a wrap and we very thankfully packed up and headed home. One more day to go……

Blue screen pick up shoots started this weekend with another early makeup call before the crew set off for Portsea with just one actor to do a couple of pick up shots at London Bridge. (A long way to drive for just a few second’s worth of footage!) I met up with the crew again at the AD’s house for the remainder of the blue screen filming with fight scenes involving just two actors and a rather sinister looking knife. With all due precautions taken for safety of cast and crew, scenes were rehearsed while John set up lighting. Rodney assisted with setting up shots and some strange shadowy figures were seen on the screen - Rod is a great cameraman but I don’t think shadow puppetry is where his main talents lie! Makeup for these scenes included continuity for special effects work done in previous shoots. Everything was going to plan except for some of the products which have not really been the same since our freezing shoot day up at Hotham. Despite this we had a successful day and captured all of the shots needed to “fill in the gaps” without any undue problems. Tash came to the rescue when we needed some blue string for a special effects shot – “Stringy No 2″ came in handy! (See previous blog entry re Stringy No 1 Oct. ‘07) Catering is always an issue when feeding a hungry film crew – thanks to Tash and Mary for providing a delicious BBQ lunch and devonshire tea for an afternoon snack and a special thanks to Jamie – the “Bee Warrior” whose job it was to protect us from the marauding bees at lunch!

After our Alpine adventure 2 weeks ago we had the challenge of rock climbing at the Grampians this weekend on our pick up shoot. Having been to this location previously, it was familiar territory, but I’d forgotten how much effort it took to lug all the makeup equipment up the side of the mountain! Got to the top, took out the camera to take some shots and discovered that my digital camera battery was flat – Doh! In addition to the usual cast and crew we had an additional cast member – “Buckethead” the crash dummy/stunt man, who bravely took a dive off the side of the mountain (several times!) The fight scenes filmed in this location were most effective – Luke really does “throw” himself wholeheartedly into his work!! Makeup was “routine” for the first part of the the day’s filming, but the second location shoot involved a bit more “hard core” action  as we had a  rather gruesome scene to be filmed. My blood kit was well used in this scene and the actor who endured the application of the special effects did well to cope with it all! I’m sure there were a few anxious tourists who either heard the blood-curdling screams or saw the action from a distance and wondered what strange “cult” people were up the mountain that day! Actually we were not the only strange ones there….the busload of hikers we encountered in the car park certainly had some unusual “team-building” activities going on, judging by the roaring and chanting noises we heard! 

The end of the day was very special as we had the opportunity to sit and watch a spectacular display of “God Rays” beaming down on the Grampians as the sun slowly set. It was an awesome view and a fitting end to a great day’s work in a spectacular environment. Thanks to Leanne and Andrea for the food – always greatly appreciated! A special thanks to Andrea for transporting the “devonshire tea” up the side of the mountain!!

While the rest of the crew wearily set off for Melbourne at the end of the long day (which had started at 5am for most) “Thelma”, “Louise” and Andy headed back to base camp at Hall’s Gap (where we had chosen to spend the night) and enjoyed a very pleasant and relaxing meal. So glad we weren’t driving straight back to Melbourne – we were wrecked!

(thanks to “Thelma” for the photos!)