Crooked Mick had a three day supported shoot from the 11th till the 13th of May 2004. With such an ambitious vision there was no way everything could squeeze into that timeframe. So prior to the main shoot, the team shot elements of the film that didn't require the use of the school's professional equipment or staff.

On the weekend prior to the supported shoot the team filmed a variety of material which they felt confident in achieving on their own. This included the Crooked Mick shots with Ian Roberts, the shearer's shearing the giant sheep, the flying Dandy and the sheep in the miniature shed. They also filmed a 'lost scene' with producer Luke Eve, who was an irate elephant waste manager, however this great piece of cinema ended up on the cutting room floor. Elements needed from the digital media department such as fire, smoke and various camera tests were also undertaken in the week leading up to the shoot.

These low pressure days proved a great warm up for the crew. And by the time of the main shoot they were operating like clockwork.

Due to time limitations, Crooked Mick was shot out of order. First up was the Pie Store, a wonderful set created by James Croke which would have set extension work done by the digital media team. This shot was a difficult one to coordinate, but after several takes, it was in the can. Phil and Matt Potter then ran to the sound studios to record the song (which would film on the last day), while James and his art department pulled down the Pie Store and set up for the fairground. More actors arrived and went through costume and make-up. The fairground was also a very difficult shot to coordinate, with set extension and animation needing to blend in with the live action crane and dolly movement. To achieve this, the digital media department stuck tracking markers all over the blue screen. Later in post production they would track these points, and create a virtual camera which would match the live action one. The 3D work would then be built and match the movement of the shot perfectly.

Above: Camera Operator Shing Fung Cheung and Focus Puller Matt O'Brien

The following day was the Drover scene. Overnight James Croke and his team had transformed the studio into an amazing campsite. Director of Photography Nicola Daley had people in her department flickering their fingers over lights to give the impression of firelight flicker on Gus, Sam and the Drover's faces. After a couple of takes Nicola wondered what had happened to the firelight? The guys were so engaged by Bruce Spence's fantastic ability with telling tales, they had forgotten about the job at hand! The Drover scene was a complicated one to light, as the scene needed to be dark, with gentle highlights on the actors faces -but with this huge bright bluescreen behind. Nicola did a great job creating a dusk scene, and it keyed beautifully.

That afternoon it was time for the crane shot over Gus and Sam as Crooked Mick arrives. A cardboard cutout of Ian Roberts provided the silhouette of Crooked Mick. Alan and Matt looked truly terrified as Mick loomed over them, where as in reality all they had was a bit of cardboard on a stick, and Phil yelling "BOOB BOOM BOOM" as Crooked Mick's footsteps.

On the final day of the shoot some of the more physical sequences were filmed. This began with Gus and Sam getting thrown off the back of a giant Kangaroo. Matt Potter and Alan Cinis had to walk up a ramp, which would later be digitally turned into a kangaroo back. Then Matt and Alan stood in front of a crash mat, and had to fall backwards as though they were falling from a great height. Again, most of this shot would be made up in visual effects.

Next was the bake off with the shearer's. Some of the pies had been filled with salt (to keep the look of a solid freshly baked pie). Unfortunately one poor shearer ended up with a mouthful of salt when he bit into his pie. He kept acting though, as if it was the most wonderful thing he had ever eaten. What a professional! Then afterward, his only comment was "it's a bit salty".

Finally, the song was filmed with Matt Potter miming to Jonathan's tune, which had been recorded on day one. The last thing that was filmed was the dust storm, with Alan and Matt covered in dirt and filmed in front of a giant fan. What a way to end an incredible experience!

Above: Some of the Crooked Mick crew at the end of shooting. Photo by Shing Fung Cheung