Dawson’s Burrowing Bees. These little fellows were found in the middle of an outback road in Western Australia.
Well, here we are over half way through 2021 and still no film. We are getting nearer though and the funding is starting to improve, but nothing is going to happen until next year. And having said that in the heading – telling COVID to go away – sadly, I think it is here to stay and as much as I hate to admit it, we might/do have to learn to live with it.
A few weeks ago, I met with the two (so far) production companies involved and have been told that this is going to be a big-budget film with all stages (pre-production, actual filming, post-production and distribution) expected to take months/years. I will admit that this certainly sounded more possible than the original timeframe that was described to me – just a couple of weeks for the actual filming and not a lot more for the other stages. The funding has never been in question – although the way we were going to try to raise it has been but I made an ‘executive decision’ about that some weeks ago and think the new approach will help to move everything forward. Even if it does not happen until next year but I am constantly working on it.
‘Big Bell’. One of many ghost towns in the mining areas of Western Australia and scattered across the nation.
Some info about the ghost town of Big Bell. Might be too small to read though. If you are interested, you can google it.
Two of the parts have been cast which, to me, is a huge step forward to start with. If you are receiving this blog it does mean that you are still on our list to be considered for a part in the film (although there are a number of people whom have subscribed to this blog and are not involved in the film itself at all – thank you for subscribing), so please don’t worry that we have already cast these parts and that you weren’t contacted about them. Both these people are playing me, at different ages and while we are actually introducing a new talent, this person has some experience and does her own filming as well as having won awards for her acting. But NLB will be her first feature film. The second person is an actress who was very well known on Australian TV in the 60s and 70s and has appeared on and in different things through the years since. This latter lady is one of Australia’s big names. We are working on several others as well. And if you are on our list, you should eventually be called for an audition.
And a couple of our famous native budgies, peeking out of their doorway to say hello…
As most know, given that our international borders are still firmly closed and that the internal borders can be snapped close almost without warning, while I come from South Australia, we realised that the only way we could make this film was/is to shoot 99.999999% here in Western Australia. Both the opening and closing scenes have to be shot in SA.
Ancient Indigenous carvings cover this rock, although not easily seen and there are spectacular wildflowers surrounding it.
Some caterpillars – not sure what this is all about, but they are on a tree in outback Western Australia.
I will admit none of this has been easy – there have been some amazing challenges, including of course, COVID itself – but I have really never given up. Not really. I have been VERY close to it but I have always had the wonderful support of both production companies as well as a few others whom will be involved in the film – you all know who you are – thank you so much. The ‘thing’ is – I am really passionate about this film and I think all the above-mentioned people are too. I am told the idea is ‘different’ and ‘unique’ and really, now and in the coming couple of years, is the perfect time to get such a film made. Completely and absolutely Australian.
Site of the outback annual Landor Races. A similar race event will be covered in the film.
We are slowly but surely putting locations into place. The three stations that are involved are being kept up to date on progress as well as other places that will be in lieu of the places that featured so much at various times throughout my life, to date.
We still plan to have some Indigenous actors involved as well as an actual Indigenous community if we can. And the good old local races which were held in three of the ‘nearby’ (the nearest one being 22 ks away, the furthest being half way up to Broken Hill) towns, annually – one of these needs to be included as they have always formed such a big part of the social life of those in remote Australia, particularly, as well as rural Australia.
So much to do and all still so good. I just refuse to give up. I won’t give up – not bad for a 65 year young granny!
The spectacular ‘Wreath Flower’ – one of our many beautiful wildflowers.
