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your webmasters small part in it!
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Sometime in April/May 2002 I was
approached by Cloud 9 Studios here in New Zealand to provide an indian
motorcycle, some spare parts, and to ride as a double for a main character
in a 1/2 hour program for "Revelations - The Initial Journey" Mini
Series, Part 26 of 26 entitled 'The Plays the Thing'
It is set in Australia in the mid 1920's, filmed in Whiteman's Valley just
30 minutes from my home.
photos and Story by Greg Cooney, Synopsis copyright
Cloud 9 productions.
click photos for a closer look.. |
Below is Drew Neemia
(JACK) another kiwi actor who I played the double for.
Drew's website |
 Revelations
is a unique drama series following JESS, a 16-year old's journey through
life and time. played by New Zealand actor Tom Hern (left). The series
debuted on UK broadcaster Channel 5 on October 6th 2002 - and has
attracted very positive reviews already. Revelations is available for
delivery as 26 x half-hour episodes. (http://www.theinitialjourney.com).
Each episode of the series is set in a different period of time and
location around the world ranging from the Roman Empire in 450 B.C to the
Maya civilisation in 1580's Central America, from the French Revolution in
1792 to the "Wild West" in the 1850.. |
...from a plague
devastated Europe in the 1380s to rock n' roll in the 1950s and right up to
contemporary life. "Revelations" is a drama series to challenge, educate,
and stimulate viewers in an entertaining way as the main character, Jess,
travels through time and life and meets a diverse range of people of all
ages, beliefs, religions, positions in society - each of whom is struggling
to deal with some trouble in their life.
Jess does his best to help them out and the audience wonders what they would
do in the same situation Jess finds himself. |
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I left early one morning in May to venture to an unmarked set in Whiteman's
Valley which is a rural area not far from urban Upper Hutt. Now, I had
spent the night before cleaning and detailing the old girl so she could look
her best for the filming. Waste of bloody time because no-one bothered to
tell me it was a hill climb up a steep muddy hill and down a ravine and
across a ford to a fantastic set nestled in bush a kilometre off and not
seen from the main road.
And all this after a week of torrential rain. (I passed the above bus which
was close to bogging down), So I spent an hour in the morning doing it again
onsite!
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Due to the rain staying away this day, I was there for just a day of
shooting which took all of 10 mins. I also provided some spare parts (20's
blind scout barrels etc) for a scene inside Sigleys garage which I didn't
get to see filmed the night before. All scenes for this series was filmed in
around Wellington our capital city.
During my day there I was treated very well, fed like a king and just ambled
around taking things in and awaiting me and my trusty steeds 10 minutes of
fame. |
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JACK, the character I was
doubling for in the riding scene, sat on my chief dressed in my old period
gear looking quite chuffed and rev-ving the right hand grip (of course!) as
I looked on.
Once he had been filmed we both went into an unused building and I adorned
his gear and mounted the chief back to the camera, ready for anything!
LIGHTS, CAMERA , ACTION, I kicked her over, it started first kick
dispelling any fear of stage fright and I idled for a second or two, and
took off into the sunset. CUT, THAT'S
A WRAP. Wow I must have been good only one take was needed!. |
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After changing the number
plate the art department quickly made up, with my INDIN custom
plate for the trip home, I was invited into a trailer to watch the
footage of my chief. It really looked the part on film and quite a lot of
exposure too, however I don't know how much will make it into the final cut
or if they will insult me by dubbing a modern Harley motorcycle sound for
the engine, do you?, no - so be sure to watch at least the last episode of
Revelations!.
http://www.theinitialjourney.com
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