Maxfactormama’s Weblog

Last pick up shoot this weekend and there were a lot of small segments to be filmed and slotted into the footage. Makeup call was a “lazy” 8:30am – felt like half the day had gone by the time we started filming! We’re so used to the crack of dawn starts – it felt weird to be starting so “late”. We arrived at Warburton for our riverside shots for Andrew and Cass – Andrew’s “dropping of the jar” was rehearsed numerous times before the acutal footage was shot – in the end we had several takes and there was less and less of the jar  being held together by the final take! Hopefully it will still look effective! We had some close up shots of the Guide (who was only partly in costume and had no makeup as they were close ups of hands). As usual, there were some moments of comedy  – we always seem to have a few of these (causing a comment from one of the watching crew – ‘are we making a comedy or an action movie?’) The sight of Andrew doing his road runner impersonation should feature somewhere in the Behind The Scenes footage! Geoff’s shakey hand routine was also a little gem – hoping Dan got that on video! We also had some tricky “sleight of hand” shots with Handras and a fighting stick – thanks to Daniel for the fake stick movement!! Andy once again filled in with his “multi-tasking” talents – this time as a “freaky hood”. He has been not only a great member of the crew but he has also subjected himself to being my makeup guinea pig – allowing me to experiment with special effects makeup – thanks Honey! Relocating to Dave’s house at lunch time, we had a few more pick up shots to do – once again only using a couple of main actors and “faking” the off camera dialogue and movements of characters who were not there for this shoot. After being involved in this film project I don’t think I’ll ever be able to watch a film in quite the same way again – it has taken away some of the “magic”, in seeing how it’s all put together. However, that said – it has been an awesome experience – one which I would never trade and I have learnt so much. It has been an honour and a priviledge to be invited to be part of this project, especially given my limited experinece in this field  – I can certainly say i have learnt things on this film that could not be taught in a makeup studio! My thanks to the awesome cast and crew of the Elindil’s Secret family – we have truely become a family over the past 10 months and I will certainly miss the weekly treks (not the early morning alarms) and the sense of adventure we have all encountered as we embarked on this project together. I have tremendous respect and admiration for Luke Oliver as a director and his work effort on this project has been nothing short of astounding. I’m sure Leanne’s support has also been large part of why this has worked – an enormous effort and sacrifice over many months. Well done guys – you are an inspiration to us all!  I have also discovered a soul mate – my buddy “Thelma” – we have had a fab time and I’m looking forward to working together on more projects (or at least doing another road trip together ) – we’ve still got to find Brad!!