Dad, let's move to Bowen!

No doubting young Oscar Jackman's love of Bowen(wood). He has been surfing at Horseshoe Bay, played in the local footy competition, played on Rose Bay sand dunes, baked pies with Paddy at Jochheims Bakery...... the list goes on and on. And it is rumoured that he has asked dad Hugh what the chances on moving to Bowen would be? And now, to plead his case in the strongest possible way - he comes out wearing this shirt. What, with Hugh's Broncos cap and Oscars "I Love Bowen" shirt - maybe a move to the sunshine state isn't beyond comprehension?

Nicole yells out a spoiler

In one of the closing scenes of "Australia" Nicole Kidman's character "Lady Sarah Ashley" screams "Nullah!" as she and Hugh Jackman's character fall to the ground near the the prone body of Brandon Walters character "Nullah". Around them fires are burning in the war torn Darwin/Bowen set. Is this an indication that Nullah dies at the end of the movie? Make of it what you will, I doubt anyone will even remember this once the movies hits cinemas sometime in the distant future!

See pics of this scene at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2849094#166033900

Baz to Q & A in Bowen

Baz Luhrmann will speak during a Queensland Week function at Horseshoe Bay on Sunday morning at 10am. He is set to talk about his career and the production of "Australia" in Bowen. See you there!

See all my Australia pics at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2849094

Hugh hits Horseshoe

MOVIE heart-throb Hugh Jackman took to the waves of Horseshoe Bay with children Oscar, 7, and Ava, 22 months, yesterday.The outing helped blow out the cobwebs following the massive party he and co-star Nicole Kidman hosted on Saturday night.
The two stars of the Baz Luhrmann epic Australia threw a thank you party for the 500-strong cast and crew at Bowen's Grand View Hotel.
It included a surprise performance by Kidman's husband Keith Urban, who was joined on stage at the hotel by a mix of local musicians that the singer dubbed the Bowen Carney Boys after the Carney cattle company featured in the film.
Urban played from 8.45pm until just before midnight. "It was an amazing performance," Grand View's assistant manager Mike Burgess said.
After a day off yesterday, the third week of filming will resume today.
Source: Amy Harris/The Courier-Mail

See my "Australia" pics at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2849094

Bowen's 'Running of the Bulls'

Ok, maybe I used a bit of creative licence with my headline but the stampede of cows down George St and Herbert St Bowen may as well have been in Pamplona. There were some pretty scary horns amongst the herd and as they swarmed past me I hoped like crazy that they didn't break through the barriers. Nic and Hugh kept their distance, playing it safe, and will undoubtably be edited in for the final release.
Speculation is still running through town about a possible concert by Nic's hubby Keith Urban at the Grand View Hotel tonight but to be honest, I doubt it. My feeling is that it would be somewhere where all the cast and crew could attend and the beer garden of the Grand View would be WAY too small. Anyway, let's see what happens!

See my "Australia" gallery at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2849094

Nic and Hugh together on horseback.....at last!

Today just seemed to drag on and on and on. After a few too many ales celebrating Queensland's win in the State of Origin I wasn't really in the mood for a long day. However it was a bit of a treat to win a 'battle of the wits' with publicists and security for long enough to come up with some quality images! Action centred around Carneys Cattle Co. with Bryan Brown yelling from the balcony and Hugh and Nicole doing their best imitations of seasoned horse riders. They sure looked the part and didn't fail to impress with their riding talents!
From what I hear shooting is falling behind schedule however I'm sure they will make that up over the coming weeks.
And while I have the chance, if you are ever in Bowen MAKE SURE you stop in at Jochheim's Bakery for a pie or a coffee. Jayne & Paddy run what must easily be the busiest pie shop in Australia and it is a Bowen landmark. And thanks to Erin for my 17 latte's in 4 days! (A free Hunky Hugh pie for that plug wouldn't go astray!)

See my "Australia" gallery at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2849094

Groundhog day in Bowen

Seems like groundhog day each day now, scenes are filmed over and over and over and ....... But I guess that is how it goes in the movie business. Conner Cruise cruised the streets of Bowen on horseback for the second day in a row - no doubt he will give him Mum a run for her money when they get together for a race. Now that is one horserace I would LOVE to photograph! Hugh Jackman spent a few hours shooting a dusty scene on horseback outside the Territory Hotel and gave me the opportunity to shoot something TOTALLY DIFFERENT to what I have been doing (but I still did something saleable!)


See my "Australia" pictures at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2849094

"Australia" commences night filming

Friday night saw the commencement of night filming on the set of "Australia". Action concentrated around the Pearl Picture Gardens with a large crane holding thousands of litres of water soaking the set in a simulated rainstorm.

See my "Australia" pictures at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2849094

Nicole, Hugh & the gang meet the locals

Bowen locals had the opportunity to meet the stars during a "Traditional Welcome" ceremony on the set of "Australia". I was given the opportunity of looking around the set and seeing the incredible detail that has gone into the creation. Chinese gardens, outdoor picture theatres, a traditional brothel, cattle yards and pearl trading businesses are only part of a mass of streets that make up the set. The centrepiece of the movie is The Territory Hotel, which was the scene of yesterday's ceremony and will be the opening scene in the movie - Nicole Kidman's character arrives off a ship and walks up the jetty into the township just as Hugh Jackman's character is punched through the window of The Territory Hotel. Great introduction to Australia!

See some of my pics of the movie so far at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2849094

On the set of "Australia" the movie

Was given a nice treat today, a special look at the set of the new Baz Luhrmann movie "Australia" currently in production in Bowen, Australia. Had the opportunity to photograph Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman in costume and get a general overview of what is a stunning set creation. Can't wait to see the final product!! Had to take the opportunity to have a pic with Bowen's No.1 celebrity and all-round nice guy, mayor Mike Brunker.

See the story at http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21726759-2,00.html