Shellharbour Airport was transformed into two bustling city airports for scenes in Carmen & Bolude. Photo: Adriana Mazevski.
What does it take to make a regional airport look like the hive of travelling activity that is New York’s JFK and Sydney Kingsford Smith International airports?
Illawarra locals found out during the shooting of Carmen & Bolude, when scenes were filmed at the Illawarra’s own Shellharbour Airport.
Illawarriors will have the chance to see for themselves whether our local and national talents pulled it off during a special screening this Thursday 27 March at Gala Twin Cinema in Warrawong.
But Coledale filmmaker and Screen Illawarra Projects and Relations Manager Holly Trenaman is pretty confident it’ll pass the test.
Working as extras casting director alongside Screen Illawarra Chair Nick Bolton who served as second assistant director for the airport scenes, Trenaman was instrumental in casting more than 70 locals as extras to achieve the illusion.
“Because it was meant to be airports in Sydney and New York, our extras brought in both winter clothes and Aussie summer gear,” Trenaman said.
“We swapped them out between the scenes and switched them up to really create the impression of a busy city airport.”
The film tells the tale of best friends Carmen (Michela Carattini) and Bolude (Bolude Watson), who must travel from NYC to Sydney, where they have 10 days to collect 100 “welcomes”. Photo: Carmen & Bolude.
Producers were impressed by the commitment of the region’s film industry creatives, who as volunteers far exceeded expectations.
“I’d asked 70 people to show up, even though we only needed 60. You’re taught to overcast in case people get sick or don’t show up, especially given it’s a volunteer gig,” Trenaman said.
“Every single one showed up, and then some. We ended up with 73 extras. It made my job so easy.
“Notably the production team said when they staged something similar in Sydney, people were either hard to find or didn’t show.
“One extra improvised bumping into a lead and they ended up keeping that.
“It was a fun day and a proud moment for us. It showed that we do have talent ready to work, we’re hungry for those opportunities because they don’t come around all the time.”
Inspired by real events, the film tells the tale of best friends Carmen (Michela Carattini) and Bolude (Bolude Watson), who must travel from NYC to Sydney, where they have 10 days to collect 100 “welcomes” so that Bolude’s traditional Nigerian father, Akin (Wale Ojo) will agree to let her marry an Australian, Tommy (Liam Greinke).
The special screening event at Gala Cinema in Warrawong will include a Q&A hosted by Holly Trenaman with producer Yolandi Franken and project creators/stars Michela Carattini and Bolude Watson.
A special screening of Carmen & Bolude takes place on Thursday 27 March from 6:30 to 9 pm at Gala Twin Cinema in Warrawong. Tickets are $5 for Screen Illawarra members and $10 for non-members – book via Humanitix.
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