In total contrast to her recent appearances on the set of "Australia", the Baz Luhrmann film currently in production in Australia, Nicole Kidman has been chosen as the 'face' of Nintendo's latest advertising campaign for its "More Brain Training". Kidman will be seen in worldwide TV spots starting this week.
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
Well, this is all I can show you of Nicole Kidman's 40th birthday party. Flagstaff Hill was the location for the birthday bash and it was guarded like the famous hill on Iwo Jima. Maybe minus the .50 calibre machine guns but still a precision military style exercise. Anyway, Bowen locals enjoyed the fireworks and while we couldn't see it from town I can tell you that a pyrotechnic sign "Happy Birthday Nicole" blazed in the Three Sixty carpark. Anyway, Happy Birthday Nicole!
See my "Australia" pics at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2849094
I found this video on YouTube showing some of the production behind "Australia", the Baz Luhrmann film featuring Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, Bryan Brown, David Wenham and many more quality Australian actors.
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!
Now, I'm not sure about you but there is no way I'd be leaving my car in the middle of the road if hundreds of horny (haha) cattle were barrelling down the road towards it. What about the driver of this spanking new Toyota Aurion? I'm guessing it is a hire car and I would love to see if it was covered by insurance if it had have been dented (like a car was yesterday). Imagine fronting up to Hertz - "Umm, the car has a couple of big dents in the side" - "How did that happen" - "Well, it was headbutted by a hundred cows in the middle of a Bowen street"...
See my "Australia", the movie pics at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2849094
With her riding instructor Craig Emerton watching closely Nicole put the finishing touches on the cattle drive scene yesterday. Things have got a bit quieter around town over the last day or two - seems as though Bowen locals just see it as another day at the office now but with the added bonus of having a quick peek at a Hollywood star during their lunch breaks!
Last night I went to the Queens Beach hotel for Monday night footy and a counter meal and who should be there but Bryan Brown and Ben Mendelsohn. They were having a great time too and seemed just as at home in country pub as any local.
Now, David Wenham's riding skills must be a little lacking compared to Nic, Hugh or Brandon. I'm yet to see Davo without a stackhat! Either he has a wild horse or he's taking to riding a bit slower than everyone else.
See my "Australia" gallery at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2849094
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
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
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
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.
Today was a pretty good day around the set - Nicole and Hugh took 20 minutes out of their day to sign autographs and pose for pictures with Bowen volunteers and locals. No, I'm not from Bowen and can't afford to volunteer but no stopping me getting a pic with Nic!
See some of my pics from Bowenwood at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2849094
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