Entertainment
18 March, 2023
Local film talent in spotlight
A NEW film series highlighting local movie industry talent is scheduled for Cairns Performing Arts Centre (CPAC).
It comes as construction starts on Screen Queensland Studios at Portsmith where $12.6 million is being spent on the former Bunnings Warehouse to create a world-class screen production facility with production offices, editing suites, sound recording studio, construction and wardrobe facilities.
CPAC’s Talking Pictures involves four movies, one per month from March to June, each connected to North Queensland by local film industry professionals who worked on the sets.
“We’ve invited these locals to join a lively discussion with Fiona Sewell, former journalist and die-hard movie buff, before a feature length screening,” a council spokeswoman said.
“Each screening will be followed by a Q&A session with the audience, where participants will be able to ask any questions relating to the films or film industry,” she said.
Mad Max: Fury Road screens at 7pm on Thursday, March 23.
Ms Sewell will be joined by award-winning action director, stunt coordinator and stunt performer Lawrence Woodward who worked on the set of Mad Max: Fury Road. He is a director of Kite Fish Film in Cairns.
Shot on location in Far North Queensland, The Island of Dr Moreau employed many Cairns locals as film crew and extras on a production that was fraught with challenges from day one.
Musician, artist, entertainer and presenter David Hudson, who played Bison Man in the movie, will take the audience on a behind the scenes Q & A session with Ms Sewell to talk about the relationships he built with cast members, including Marlin Brando and Temuera Morrison.
The Island of Dr Moreau screens on Thursday, April 20 at 7pm. The founder of Millstream Productions, Matthew Blyth, of Tumoulin, worked as the video split operator on Tracks, traversing a world desert terrain in Central Australia and capturing stunning footage along the way that augments this tale with the lead performance by Australian actress Mia Wasikowska.
Tracks is at 7pm on Thursday, May 11.
Local actor, presenter and make-up artist Sarah Speller worked on hair and makeup for the film Paradise Road, mostly shot at Port Douglas, and starring Glenn Close, Frances McDormand and Cate Blanchett.
Ms Speller, of Cairns North, joins Ms Sewell in a conversation that takes the filmgoers through a day entails as a make-up artist on a feature film. Paradise Road is on Thursday, June 8 at 7pm.
From left, make-up artist Sarah Spiller and Paradise Road poster, stunt coordinator Lawrence Woodward and Mad Max: Fury Road poster and video split operator Matthew Blyth and Tracks poster. With Mr Hudson they will be appearing at their films being shown at CPAC over the next four months
