Plymouth in Wonderland
BLOCKBUSTER film studio Disney is to shoot a multi-million
pound new version of Alice in Wonderland in Plymouth.
Internationally acclaimed director Tim Burton will put his
own unique stamp on the classic tale – and it is being heavily
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rumoured that Hollywood heart-throb Johnny Depp will star as
the Mad Hatter.
And hundreds of Plymothians will have the chance to get
themselves seen by an audience of millions on the silver screen
by starring as extras in the film.
People are being invited to a casting event in Plymouth next
week, where 250 extras will be chosen.
Shooting will take place in the city in September for two
weeks, and the hunt is now on for extras to take part in scenes
set in Victorian times.
The name of the Disney/Burton film has not been publicly
confirmed. However, an industry source has told The Herald that
it will be a major new adaptation of the timeless Lewis Carroll
favourite.
The filming locations in the city also remain a closely
guarded industry secret, but impressive historic properties
like Saltram House, Mount Edgcumbe and the Royal William Yard
are strong contenders.
The film, which is due for release in 2010, will be shown in
3-D, and has all the hallmarks of a massive box office hit.
Its director Tim Burton has already made his name on hit
films, including Batman, The Nightmare Before Christmas and
Edward Scissorhands, which also starred A-listed Johnny
Depp.
The pair have teamed up on numerous other major films, like
the recent smash-hit Sweeney Todd. Australian newcomer Mia
Wasikowska, will play the part of Alice.
The film's casting agents are coming to the New Continental
Hotel, Plymouth, on Wednesday August 6 and Thursday August 7,
between 10am and 6pm, auditioning for paid extras. There is a
minimum age limit of 16.
Ilenka Jelowicki, who has cast for James Bond movie Casino
Royale and is company director for Mad Dog, said: “We are
looking for people above the age of 16 who have naturally
coloured hair.
“We would prefer girls with long hair and men with natural
styles. Extras will get to dress up in Victorian period
costume, corsets and wigs and will have their make-up done.
“We would also like people whose work allows the flexibility
of two weeks' worth of filming.
“Being an extra is not just about being a blur in the
background, it can lead to fantastic opportunities. One of my
extras has now gone on to produce his own film, and another
went on to star in Hollyoaks for three years.
“There will be at least 100 crew on-set and it'll be a
wonderful experience to be a part of a big movie. It'll be
well-paid and hopefully a hugely enjoyable experience.
“It is definitely something to show your grandchildren.”
It will not be the first time Plymouth has been chosen to
host A-listers and big-budget film crews.
Big movies filmed in the city include Sense and Sensibility,
starring Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant and Kate Winslet, filmed at
Saltram House in 1995, and Churchill, the Hollywood Years,
starring Christian Slater and Neve Campbell, shot at the Royal
William Yard in 2003.
David Shepheard, Head of Locations at South West Screen,
confirmed that his team had been working with the Disney crew
to scout possible locations across the West, although he
refused to give details.
He said: “The locations chosen in Plymouth had just the
right feel for the needs of the film.
“Our primary role is to attract productions to come to film
in this region and we're absolutely delighted to attract such a
big production to the South West.”
The Herald's historian, Barbican-based Chris Robinson,
pointed to some possible prime spots for a Victorian-era film
set.
He said: “The Barbican has the highest concentration of
cobbled streets in the country and Mount Edgcumbe has one of
the finest landscaped gardens in the country, so these are
possibilities.
“In fact the Italian garden there would be perfect for a Mad
Hatter's tea-party, and there is also a fine orangery.
He added: “Funnily enough I was at the Royal William last
night, thinking what a fantastic location it would make for
filming too, as it is so untouched and secluded.”
He also pointed towards the long colonnade at Devonport High
for Boys, perfect for scenes with the Queen of Hearts, Fore
Street in Plympton St Maurice and New Street, where part of
Hornblower was filmed.
Malcolm Bell, Chief Executive for South West Tourism
highlighted the benefits an event of this kind could bring to
the area.
He said: “Any filming in a town brings three levels of
benefits. First there's the economic benefit of the actors and
crew spending money in local businesses. Then there's the PR
that is brought to a place from extra news coverage, and
finally the boost to the profile and perception of a place when
they expose the beauty of a location.
“This will give a great opportunity for a new perception of
Plymouth.”
Comments
by Stephen, Plymouth
Friday, March 19 2010, 6:23PM
“Alice in Wounderland.
I was a film extra in this movie when it was filmed at Atony house Cornwall.
It was a hot day in September 2008, we all had to be at the film location by 5am in the morning, and we did not finish until 6pm.
A long day just standing around in the Garden. I was lucky enouth to be standing next to the woman who played Alice in the movie and I was hoping Tim Burton would of including this scene with his movie, but he did now, I am however standing at the back of Alice in the garden party.
Many good scens had been taken at Antony house, but lots had not been included into this movie, as Tim Burton decided not to use but to do most of the filming back in America using cgi, and using green back groud for most of the filming. All the film extras had been most dissapointed with Tim burton not including some great perfect scens at Antony house. Eve at the end of the movie when alice went onto the sailing ship, it was a quick moment and that was it. Maybe Tim Burton will make a second part of this movie in the future.
Not bad film but not a 100% mark up for this movie as it should of been. Lets hope when the DVD comes out, he will include all the scenes which have been deleated from this movie.”
by rachel, birmingham
Sunday, March 15 2009, 3:23AM
“i was born in plymouth and lived there until i was10 but still clas it as home all my family still live and every time i come home i get a warm fuzzy feeeling in my belly i know im home”
by Rachel Lovell, Plymouth
Thursday, August 07 2008, 12:01PM
“Beki my shining star I know you were shining down yesterday, love and miss you always, mum and Josie xx”
by Rachel, Plymouth
Thursday, August 07 2008, 11:58AM
“I along with daughter Josie, auditioned in memory of Beki my talented singer acresss performer who sadly recently passed away aged 12 from Cystic Fibrosis. I was there yesterday for Beki who was a huge fan of Tim Burton films and loved Alice in Wonderland too. R.I.P Beki her tribute will be in tomorrow's Herald paper.”
by Martin, Plymouth
Wednesday, August 06 2008, 10:13AM
“Dear James (Further Down The Page), Excuse Me? Do you live in plymouth? because north prospect aint that bad anymore! And we have the: Hoe, Saltram House, Mount Edgcumbe, Dartmoor, Central Park, Not Forgetting The Dockyards + RWY! Also '24-7, Wonderland'- only 20% of Plymouth are chavs! and chavs aint bad,,, does it matter if they are chavs or goths? Because they will be in costume and make up. Why does every put down plymouth!!??”
by anne, plymouth
Wednesday, August 06 2008, 9:04AM
“my 21year old amateur actor son would like to have auditioned but is away in London this week on a stage combat course. Is there any way he can forward his details to the audition panel”
by anne lee, ivybridge
Wednesday, August 06 2008, 9:02AM
“my 21 year old amateur actor son would like to have auditioned but is away in London this week on a stage course is there any way he can forward his details to the producers for consideration”
by BARBICAN GIRL, Plymoutj
Tuesday, August 05 2008, 11:09PM
“Fab news for Plymouth! For those people who are so negative - if Plymouth is so bad in your eyes - move away! We don't need negative people in our City thank you! I was born and bred in Plymouth and am very proud of our City and my roots. I have travelled all over the world, but there is no view like looking out over Plymouth Sound from the Hoe! We have places, views, historic buildings, countryside, coast, beaches and gardens as well as PLYMOTHIANS that are second to none. We welcome this movie and all the fun it brings to the City. It is a shame they don't want teenagers to audition though. My daughter is 12 and would have loved to audition. Good luck to everyone who is auditioning. Have fun! xx”
by bek, plymouth
Tuesday, August 05 2008, 7:09PM
“does anyone know what you will do at the audition??”
by Anna, Cheltenham
Tuesday, August 05 2008, 5:23PM
“I live pretty far from Plymouth so I really need to know what time I have to be there by. Will there be huge queues? I'll be going on the Thursday if at all. If I thought there were going to be more auditions in other areas I'd miss it - but how many scenes of this film will they need realistic Victorian extras? Surely only the very beginning and end, so I'm assuming these will be the only ones. Also, I get my braces of on the 9th of September - does anyone think they'll still consider me?
If anyone has been to these things before and can offer any advice I'm sure so many of us would be so greatful!”