Dungog opened its arms to Brisbane-based actor and director Warwick Young and his production team as they filmed a feature movie in town last week.
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Mr Young, who has appeared in films including Superman Returns, Beneath Hill 60, Stealth and the Australian classic Two Hands, is a graduate of the Australian Film Television and Radio School and is directing the short film as part of his Master of Screen Arts degree.
The film Stuffed is based on a middle aged man, a postman and part-time taxidermist who lives with his mother.
His father died when he was 10 and the story is about how he copes when she dies.
Mr Young said the story is about releasing the past and moving forward to the future.
“The people of Dungog have been absolutely fantastic while we have been making the film,” he said.
“They have been so supportive of the actors and film crew and have made us feel very welcome.
“I love the way the town has embraced us, wanted to be involved as extras in the movie and their general interest in how a film is made.”
The bingo scene was shot at Dungog RSL Club on Monday and the dance scene at the Anglican Church Hall the following day.
One of the extras was Dungog resident Dawn Studdert who was also involved in the
Tomorrow, When the War Bega
n which was shot in Dungog in 2009.Tomorrow, When the War Bega
“I really enjoyed myself and it is great to see how movies are made,” she said.
“At the RSL all the tables were set up with props of food and drink and we had to make out we were playing bingo and when the cameras came in close we had to mime that we were talking.
“We weren’t to look at the camera and had to be as natural as possible.
“We had to repeat a couple of scenes as they weren’t quite right and it went longer than originally thought.
“When they were finished we had a real game of bingo with $100 for the winner. Two locals shared the prize money.”
The dance scene at the hall was where the main character meets his love interest played by Anita Hegh.
“We were told to wear semi-formal clothing in browns, pinks and greens as it was a charity dance theme,” Mrs Studdert said.
“People were sitting, dancing, walking around holding glasses of drink and miming as though they were talking.
“There were only 12 locals for the dance scene and they ended up using a few production people to make up the numbers.”
Filming continued at Rocky Hill on Fosterton Road on Wednesday and Thursday and then in Dungog on Friday.
Mr Young said the 20 to 25-minute movie will be screened in Dungog.
“At the very latest it will be mid-December,” he said.
Actors include Travis Cotton, Anita Hegh and Jan Oxenbould.
