Archive for category: Acting and Extras Work in Sydney

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New Drama Coming to Nine

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Channel Nine has announced new drama offerings at its Upfront 2022 virtual event. As reported in IF magazine, the announcement included Underbelly: Vanishing Act to be produced by Sydney production company Screentime. Similar to Australian Gangster , the series will follow the recent real life Sydney story of Melissa Caddick, the high-roller who allegedly embezzled over $40 million before disappearing from the Eastern suburbs in 2020.

A fantastic cast has been announced for the series including Kate Atkinson (Wentworth, Jack Irish, SeaChange) as Melissa Caddick, Colin Friels (Water Rats, BlackJack, Mystery Road), Tai Hara (Madam Secretary, Home and Away, Hyde & Seek), Maya Stange (Love Child, A Place to Call Home, Rake), Ursula Mills (Out of the Blue), and Sophie Bloom (Love Child, Amazing Grace).

More to come on this one, in the meantime you can read the full article here.

📷: Kate Atkinson and Colin Friels

Australian Gangster Premieres Tonight

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Back in 2018, 85 MCTV members worked on Australian Gangster, directed by Gregor Jordan (Two Hands). Tonight, after lengthy delays caused by legal action, we finally get to see it! Australian Gangster will premier on Seven and 7Plus at 9.07pm.

The two 90 minute episode drama, which is inspired by true events, takes us into Sydney’s world of crime and gangland wars. More specifically, events surrounding the murder of “Instagangster” Pasquale Barbaro in 2016. As reported in the Sydney Morning Herald, only now, with Barbaro’s killers behind bars, is it safe to put it to air.

Channel 7 describes the series as a wild tale of ruthless ambition and revenge, set within the Sydney underworld, where gangsters and the Instagram generation collide with Sydney’s glamorous social elite.

If you can’t wait till tonight, some great BTS videos, including some footage of lead actor Alexander Bertrand being made up with fake tattoos for the role, can be found here. Congratulations to everyone involved in this long awaited project.

Shang-Chi Smashes US Records

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Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings released over the weekend to thousands of eager Marvel fans. The movie has smashed Labor Day weekend records in the US and has already grossed over $140 million at the global box office, incredible after only 4 days of showing.

Due to the current lockdown, Marvel has announced a new September 16 theatrical release for NSW, Victoria and the ACT (put it in the diary!!). In a boost to theatres, they have promised a worldwide 45 day cinema-only release. Many outlets are reporting that the movie will stream from around the 18th of October.

Shang-Chi was filmed almost entirely in Sydney. Along with legions of Marvel fans, there are 110 eager MCTV extras who worked on the film who can’t wait to see it. Congratulations to everyone who contributed to the amazing success of this movie – proving the expertise of the local film production industry yet again!

Rafters Almost Here

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“Back to the Rafters” will premiere on Amazon Prime on September 17. The show is a reboot of the hugely popular “Packed to the Rafters” which ran for 6 series from 2008-2013.

The show picks up 6 years after we last saw the Rafter family. Dave and Julie have created a new life in the country with youngest daughter Ruby, while the older Rafter children face new challenges and Grandad Ted struggles to find his place. As Dave enjoys his new-found freedom, Julie must reconcile her responsibilities to the family.

Congratulations to the 60 MCTV members who worked on this series, we’re sure it’s going to be a total hit just like the original. Check out the official trailer – you might spot yourself!!

Extraction Extracted

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A disappointing update to share with you today. As those of you who have been submitted may know, Extraction 2, the sequel to Netflix’s 2020 action hit starring Chris Hemsworth was due to start production in Sydney shortly. Unfortunately, due to current restrictions, filming has now moved from Australia as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald.

Poker Face, which has been filming at Barangaroo and is only 6 days away from the end of shooting is also currently on hold due to a crew member testing positive. Filming has been paused and all cast and crew directed to isolate until investigations are complete. You can read more here.

While the loss of Extraction 2 is discouraging, there are always new productions in the pipeline. We are still submitting for series and advertising campaigns. We thank everyone for their patience and cooperation in relation to the COVID protocols at this tricky time.

📷: Chris Hemsworth in Extraction: Netflix

Funding for Tom Weekly

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Northern Pictures, the team behind International Emmy Kids Award-winning children’s series Hardball has secured production funding from Screen Australia for “Tom Weekly Versus…” The 20-part live action series for ViacomCBS will be based on the best-selling book series by NSW author, Tristan Bancks.

The series will follow 10-year-old Tom and his outrageous adventures, whether it’s leasing his mum’s internet to the neighbourhood just as her online auction is about to finish, or breaking his Pop out of the nursing home to attend bingo.

“Tom Weekly Versus…” is financed with support from Screen NSW with ViacomCBS Networks International managing international sales. The funding announcement is a further boost to the local industry – Northern Pictures is Sydney based and both series of Hardball were shot in Sydney using MCTV extras.

We can’t wait to hear more on this one.

📷:Tristan Bancks: Byron Shire News

More Aussie Originals to Come

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Stan is championing locally produced, original Australian content with the announcement of several new series in conjunction with Screen Australia.

“Bump” has been just been renewed for Season 3 (to air in 2022) – as Series 2 commences filming! A new spin off-series, “Year Of” will feature the students and teachers we’ve met in “Bump” and will explore the challenges of growing up.

“Ironside” is a new series inspired by the Australian Federal Police and FBI’s ANOM app to track down international criminals. Also announced is “Bad Behaviour”, a four part series based on the book by Rebecca Starford which switches between past and present storylines and looks at the impact of bullying and it’s long term effects.

This is excellent news for the local production industry. We will keep you updated as more announcements are made on these.

Read more here.

📷: BUMP 2 Filming Underway: Stan

The Unusual Suspects US Bound

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Congratulations to everyone involved in local comedy heist drama “The Unusual Suspects”, which has just sold to Hulu for US release, as reported by Variety.

Producers Angie Fielder (Aquarius Films) and Polly Staniford (SBS) commented: “We hope American audiences enjoy this riotous, hilarious and empowering crime caper which ultimately has an important message at its heart.”

With so many international productions filming in Sydney recently, its great to see a local story being sold internationally. If you missed it on SBS, you can catch up here. There’s also a debrief with the cast called “Unwrapped” about the show and Filipino culture.

Well done to all the MCTV members who worked on this one.

📷: Lena Cruz as Amy in The Unusual Suspects (SBS)

Hang in There

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We are still submitting every day for productions even though our office and studio are temporarily closed.

At the beginning of the pandemic we doubled all memberships to 24 months, instead of 12 months at no additional cost, to assist our members. As our photo studio is currently closed for initial photo shoots and updates, we have further extended the membership period for all current members by an additional 3 months. Any new members who sign up before the end of September will also benefit from this extension.

In the meantime, new members or members who are due for an updated image should email through current selfies or headshots for submissions.

Thanks to everyone for your ongoing support and positivity at this time. We will continue to do all we can to secure jobs for as many members as possible and keep you updated on the situation as things change.

Hang in there and stay safe everybody.

📷: Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible 4

Bump 2 Starting to Show?

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Submissions are underway for Season 2 of Stan’s hit series, Bump. Director Leticia Cáceres posted a shot of her boarding a plane to Sydney to film the new season on Instagram with a heartfelt message:

“It’s a bitter sweet experience to be getting to work on something you love in a city that’s been so hard hit with COVID-19 and at a time when most of the country is in lockdown…But rest assured I’m fully vaccinated and the crew I work for incredible at ensuring our safety at work.”

Bump tells the story of Oly, a high achieving teenager who has a surprise baby and the complications for both families. It aired on Stan in January this year and was a huge hit, gaining a second season almost immediately. If you missed it, you can watch it here. It’s great news that production on Season 2 is about to get underway. The original season of Bump included 154 MCTV members, best of luck to everyone who has been submitted so far.