Archive for the ‘Interviews’ Category

2011 Exclusive Final interview with Hal and Di (Part 2)

14. Directorial duties for ‘Sea Patrol’ have been shared between two directors each series. Can you describe the logistics of this when shooting a drama completely out of order?

The shooting of Sea Patrol is dictated by the availability of the Navy Patrol Boat. The Navy gave us roughly 40 days at sea each season. Obviously we needed to choose the best weather window in FNQ and it is September to November each year. Given we never know exactly what we could actually achieve each day at sea, all we could do is schedule all the ‘at sea’ material first and get what we could. Then, figure out how to get the stuff we missed out on.

All the directors agreed this was a very pragmatic way to work and went out each day and gave it their best shot. As the saying goes ‘Some days we ate the bear, other days the bear ate us’. That’s okay. Of course the directors needed to be very experienced and be able to say exactly what shots they wanted for every sequence and do this literally months before they shot the sequence. Amazing ability really. All credit to them. So to complete, we’d fly down to the Gold Coast and shoot all our locations and our various sets and of course all the interiors of the Hammersley (sets built exactly to match) to make up all the missing parts of the jigsaw puzzle.

15. Many contemporary TV dramas seem to use arrangements of popular music to back their shows. What are the reasons for choosing to use all original music in ‘Sea Patrol’?

We felt that Sea Patrol deserved an original score so Les Gock, his son Adam Gock and Dinesh Wicks wrote every note of music you hear, specifically for each scene. What a job! And how well did they do it? Because a song is just a song.

16. How can the Australian Government and/or Australian TV industry best (and most sustainably) assist shows like ‘Sea Patrol’ to continue beyond 65 episodes? What’s the most workable solution to the current Producer Tax Offset situation?

It’s a dilemma really, as the Tax Offset has become a penalty for success. For whatever reason the previous government put a proviso in the original legislation limiting the payment of the 20% rebate up to a total of 65 episodes. Perhaps they didn’t want to extend an open-ended government subsidy to a commercial business like a network. Perhaps they were being democratic – spreading the funds around. Perhaps they thought that if a network really wanted to continue, then they would pay the 20% foregone after 65 episodes. Well, whatever the reason it seems that networks , having received a subsidy (because that’s what it is), decided that when it goes it goes – it’s over.

We respect all these various positions, but as we said, we’ve paid the price of success (i.e. to get past 65 episodes) by being cancelled. Perhaps the 65 episode cap should be lifted? Of course other producers are thrilled that Sea Patrol is over – more for them. That’s showbiz!

17. The way in which you have produced ‘Sea Patrol’ seems to be unprecedented for Australian television. Have you been approached by others in the industry for advice about achieving such a feat? How realistic do you think it is that other producers (or yourselves!) will take on a similarly huge task in the future? From a production point of view, what do you hope will be the ‘Sea Patrol’ legacy?

No, we haven’t been approached by others. There’s not a lot of sharing amongst producers – just ruthless competition. Anyway, who would be that crazy?! We tend not to look backwards, so from a legacy point of view we just mark it on the board with a tick and move on. There’s a saying that ‘You’re only as good as your last picture’. Not true. We’re only as good as our next picture!

18. While it must be extraordinarily sad to say goodbye to ‘Sea Patrol’ is there any part of you that is relieved at being off this roller-coaster? What won’t you miss about producing this show?

While we are sad that the ride is over, of course we’re also relieved. Not having to wake at dawn or in the middle of the night worrying about everyone’s safety at the morning’s shoot. It’s more than a roller-coaster (of just a few minutes duration); it’s been a five-year marathon. So, frankly, it’s sensible to stop and catch our breath.

19. What do you consider your proudest achievement in relation to a particular aspect of your ‘Sea Patrol’ journey?

Just making it – all 68 episodes. It was beyond difficult.

20. Sea Patrol came at a time when Australian drama wasn’t doing too well. Blue Heelers had just finished a great 12 year run, the axe was swinging for McLeods Daughters and All Saints had to do a major revamp just to keep viewers interested. Now after about 4-5 years, many productions that premiered around 2007/ 2008 are starting to disappear, or have unknown futures. What do you attribute this to? The ease (via the Internet and DVD) with which audiences are now exposed to international product? Are viewers becoming more demanding and/or fickle – wanting more and different content quickly? How has the contemporary, convergent media environment changed the way that Networks deal with producers such as yourselves? Do you have to work differently to how you did 10 or 20 years ago?

Big question, no simple, trite answers. But let’s start with truisms. (1)Making television drama is hard and most fail. Yes, fail. (2)Like it or not, with a 100 channel (200-500!!) universe there’s going to be more competition for the attention of viewers. This means the power of the big three networks is being undercut. (3)Not only are there more channels, there are more modes of distribution (DVD/VOD/IPTV/Hulu, etc. etc.). People are time poor and want/expect instant gratification. Young demos want to see what they want to see when they want to see it – like, now! They don’t want to live by someone else’s schedule. Everyone – networks and producers alike – is struggling in this hurricane of change. All we can do is keep running.

21. Where will you be when “One Perfect Day” goes to air? Who will you be with?

We’ll be at home, feet up, glass of good red wine in hand – just the two of us ‘alone’ and quietly happy. P.S. We’ve seen the episode at least 8 times already.

22. The final episode gives us an idea of where the crew are now. What sort of discussion was had about this? How easy or hard was it to determine the future of these characters? Were other ideas thrown around of how to close the show or pay tribute to the crew? Did the cast find out the path you’d chosen for their characters before seeing the episode?

We made these decisions alone and nobody knew until they saw the episode. The choices we made just felt right for the characters we created way back when.

23. What might have happened to our crew in Season 6? What areas in the life of the RAN would you liked to have explored in further seasons? Will any of your planned ideas for Series 6 ever be incorporated into future projects i.e. Do you keep character developments / storylines ‘on the shelf’ for use at a later date?

No, all those ideas are unique to Sea Patrol and its characters and we’d never ever use them elsewhere. As to what might have been? Tomorrow is a mystery until the sun rises.

24. After 5 years, do you have any regrets? A character you wished to see? A storyline you didn’t cover, or any other regret?

We try not to regret anything. Life is a journey, so we always look forward not backward. We’ve loved every minute. Sea Patrol has been a joy to make, and one made all the more joyful by connecting with our fans. Thanks for that. Tribute to Clint Rolfe as Webmaster for running the best fan site ever.

25. As a fan it has been fantastic to hear behind-the-scenes stories, read interviews and get news directly from the producers. Will you offer these exclusives to the online fan community with your next venture?

Yes, we expect so. The whole relationship with an unofficial fan site was a ‘learn as you go’ experience. Frankly at the beginning, given its unofficial birth, both ourselves and Nine (who, as the broadcaster, have their own large website) were a bit leery. But through the good work and sensible communications with Clint Rolfe, we were able to build a trusting relationship – and from that access increased and the fans got their reward for their support and patience. Like all relationships, if they’re founded on trust, they can build and grow.

26.What are your favourite TV shows? Do you watch a lot of drama, or other types of programming?

Believe it or not, we try to see everything. Nowadays that’s not quite possible but Foxtel’s IQ sure helps. Whilst we’ve studied most dramas including Australian drama, we don’t tend to watch them a lot (Downton Abbey – new Upstairs Downstairs – excepted). We tend to relax with variety/talk (Graham Norton, or believe it or not), reality (all the Housewives of, Bethany, Jerseylicious, Jersey Shore, Gypsy Weddings, Grand Designs, Man v Wild), cooking, real estate, etc. But not the shiny floor dancing, singing, skating shows.

However, broadly speaking, if a show is a hit we’ll catch it and try to learn from it. Basically we’re interested in people and how they interact. We’re keen students of human nature.

27. What is next for the McElroy team?

First a visit to LA to meet our first grandchild due late September! As for projects – it’s all top secret. But we’re very excited about one particular show… In some ways its going back (?) or should we say referencing, some of our earlier successes. Enough said. But boy, if we get to make it, it could be a big hit. We’re feeling very good about it. Fingers crossed.

 

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Categories: Interviews

2011 Exclusive Final interview with Hal and Di (Part 1)

1. What have you enjoyed most about making ‘Sea Patrol’? What have you enjoyed least?

It sounds a little glib to say ‘everything’ but it’s true! We loved going to work every day – working with a great bunch of people who worked incredibly hard but loved it too. It’s been hugely rewarding and the best producing experience we’ve ever had. As for the worst – hey, all of the lumps, bumps and problems pale by comparison – they’re part of this crazy world of TV and our role in it. But waking up in the middle of the night listening to the howling wind, knowing in a couple of hours we’d be sending 80 odd people out to sea, was a bit hair-raising.

2. What are your top three favourite episodes from the whole series?

Good question. We’re proud of them all, so hard to say. How about the fans vote for their favourites? We’d love to know how the votes line up.

3. It was reported that ‘Sea Patrol’ is the most expensive Australian TV drama ever made. What was the budget for each episode and how did the budget change over the years? What are the greatest challenges to remaining within budget?

Sea Patrol on a per episode basis was possibly the most expensive Australian produced series. However, if you exclude the Navy costs, our episodic cost would be similar to other Australian shows. And there’s been plenty of American/UK shows made Down Under that have cost more.

The total cost per episode was just over $1 million AUD, however as mentioned above, that included all the Navy’s costs which necessarily were high. Imagine a fully crewed (25 people) Navy Patrol Boat (worth $60 million plus) for 6 – 8 weeks for our use every year. We were so fortunate that succeeding Chiefs of Navy were prepared to recommend the exercise to their Minister each year. But of course it’s been a win/win for Navy too in terms of profile, publicity, politically, explaining what’s ‘involved’, etc. etc.

The greatest challenge was Mother Nature. Going to sea is elemental – you are entirely at the sea’s mercy which could have added to the overall budget if things went wrong. That’s why no-one has ever attempted to do a TV series set and shot on the open sea. It’s crazy, too risky – but that was part of the thrill of it all. Doing the impossible.

4. What was the most difficult scene to shoot during the entire series? Why?

Probably the terrorist bombing of the nightclub which commenced our last season (Series 5). Three different sets, pyrotechnics, fire, hundreds of extras, studio shooting, night shooting, explosions, fire brigade and days and days of shooting to get it right.

5. Are you disappointed that the show didn’t receive more recognition from the TV industry (eg. Logies, AFIs) or the public (eg. ratings) or the media (eg. TV Week coverage)?

Yes and No. We’re very proud of the show and believe it was a very accomplished display of a whole range of talents – acting, writing, directing, design , camera, editing, etc. Technically it was very difficult and dangerous to make. But it seems like the industry and the press kind of felt, ‘So what? You had all that money and you got great ratings, so shut up and be happy, other shows are more deserving’. We accept that outcome, but are sorry for our wonderful cast and crew who deserved the accolades.

6. In five seasons there must have been a lot of practical jokes on the set by members of both cast and crew. Any good ones played on you?

There were sooo many jokes every single day (particularly in the production office – rubber snakes on desks) so we can’t single one out. We like to manage with humour, use a lot of laugher and jokes – it relaxes people during stressful times. For example when things are really, truly horrible (nighttime, cold, wet, middle of the ocean) we all say to each other, ‘The reason we’re in showbiz is for the glamour!!!’

7. Are there any storylines which you would loved to have incorporated into the show but couldn’t? If so, what prevented you from doing this – budget? logistics? not enough seasons in which to do it?

The whole question of border protection has become an increasingly political issue over the eight years we’ve been working on Sea Patrol. Indeed today it’s an incredibly divisive political debate with both sides of politics over-simplifying a complex and very fluid issue. Navy has occasionally been dragged into this debate whereas really they are just doing exactly what the government of the day orders them to do – and doing a very hard job very well. So we started to veer away from too many refugee stories to avoid pouring petrol on the political fire. We did have constraints about relationships on board imposed by Navy initially which made it a little difficult.

8. There has been lots of discussion about the Mike/Kate relationship. Did you ever think that this pairing would be so popular? How long could the relationship have lasted in the event that the show went beyond Series 5?

When we conceive a show then define the characters, and cast the actor to play them, we’re always hoping ‘chemistry’ will occur. The word ‘chemistry’ is shorthand for something mysterious and magical that happens ‘on-screen’ (not always off-screen) between characters. We pray for it, look for it, feed it if we can and hope the actors respond to this, play with it and add to it. If you can ‘organise’ this (wrong word, but…) then it’s pure gold. So we hoped our casting choices would work and largely speaking they all did. Ian and Lisa are such clever actors and committed professionals. Who knows how long they could have danced – all night long?

9. Some long-time fans expressed intense frustration that the Mike/Kate relationship was left unresolved for so long, and because of this they stopped watching during the early part of Series 5. Do you think anything could have been done to retain this group of viewers?

We know we’re facing competition every night we’re on air. We know we win some and we lose some. Whilst we want to be popular and need (to survive) to get good ratings, we can’t chase after every ratings point based on a whim. We have to stick to our guns story-wise and not second guess ourselves. Besides, we had no choice as the show is really ‘A Day in the Life of HMAS Hammersley’, and for Mike and Kate to have a relationship, one of them would have to leave the boat and therefore the show. So we really were caught between a rock and a hard place.

10. ‘Sea Patrol’ has developed such a loyal and passionate fan base. Did you envisage that fans would be so enthusiastic and become so invested in the characters over the long-term?

Television is a powerful medium because it goes right into people’s homes – their living rooms and bedrooms. So, not surprisingly, people get very invested in shows, most often via the characters. That’s why we take such care with how they’re portrayed and how we tell the stories. We all know that audiences have favourites. The trouble is that they are all different – for different reasons! It’s very democratic that way. So we try to share the stories around and keep everyone happy.

11. Some fans are not happy that you’ve killed off popular characters (firstly ET and now Swain); they feel they’ve invested a lot of emotion with them to just have them die. Do you have any regrets about killing characters off?

With a lot invested in characters, it’s not surprising fans get disappointed when a character departs – no matter what the circumstances. However the actor is separate from the character. Actors make all sorts of life choices (as individuals) that are unrelated to their character. If they (the actor) choose to leave, they leave. But how they leave is up to the producers, not the actor. What we try to do if it’s inevitable, is to turn a loss into a win by using a departure to enhance the drama.

Of course this whole relationship between fans and actor (or is it the character?) is a little scary for the actor. Many actors hate the feeling of being captive or hostage to what the fans want or feel. It makes them feel weak or powerless. So they leave to get their power back. Funny isn’t it? Too much love can be destructive. The other important thing to note is that we can usually only contract an actor for a maximum of three years, so we can’t force anyone to stay.

12. There have been some great guest cast members during the five seasons of the show. Which guest characters and/or actors have you particularly loved? Why?

Don’t want to single out a guest actor as we had so so many good ones. We never had any trouble or tantrums from any of them. In fact often they or their agents would write to say that they had the best time, we have the best crew, that our regulars made them feel so welcome, etc. etc. Again, very rewarding for us – we all worked hard to make a tough gig fun.

13. How did you come to choose not to have an overarching Naval storyline throughout Series 4 but then return to that format in Series 5 with the terrorism plot? What factors were considered when deciding on the ‘big’ storyline each season?

The big overarching storyline is necessary if you’re making a mini series (of up to 13 episodes) but not if you’re making 16 episodes as we were for Series 4. Having said that, the selection process for all the big storylines is a combination of research and guesswork, i.e. what stories will people be interested in next year (when it goes to air) and how well will this storyline serve the dramatic needs of all the principal characters and their inter-relationship, and, needless to say, the budget!

Categories: Interviews

2011 Exclusive Final interview with Lisa McCune (XO)

1. What was the funniest experience you had while filming Sea Patrol?

Anyone falling in the water. Classic sight gag – always left me giggling. Did I say Kristian Schmid…..?

2. What was the scariest experience you had while filming Sea Patrol?

Some of the rough seas we worked on. Definitely the most exhilarating moments and thrilling to capture on film, but scary. You start out with a basic shape and then out you go…..thinking caps ON!

3. How did you feel when you found out that Series 5 was going to be the last?

Sea Patrol, from the beginning, has been huge. It was therefore a pleasant surprise to hear we were going each year, for five years. It’s an achievement in Australian drama on so many levels, so I feel proud to have been part of it.

4. What was your greatest personal challenge during filming Sea Patrol? How did you meet or overcome this?

Balancing my work and family. It’s been an intense time, yet brilliant for all of us. Starting with a young family and heading out to sea, 6 days a week with young kids at home on land was always foremost in my mind. And it still is. Balance.

5. What will you treasure most from your time working on Sea Patrol (a) from a professional perspective, and (b) personally?

Professionally, I experienced so many new situations. Drama production is usually filmed in controlled sets or locations. This was not that, and we adjusted, rose to the challenges and ultimately pulled off some incredible stuff. A huge feat for our crew and production team. We’ve captured some iconic footage.

Personally, having the opportunity to travel and experience a unique working environment with my kids. They witnessed, first hand, how a show is put together and they actually worked out what Mum does. I’ve made some great friends and shared more than a barrel of laughs.

6. How would you like Sea Patrol to be remembered?

As a brave, action drama series that will hopefully pave the way for future high-end television.

Categories: Interviews

2011 Exclusive Final interview with Ian Stenlake (CO)

1. What was the funniest experience you had while filming Sea Patrol?

In my very first shot of Series One I was leading a campaign to drop Dr Morell off at Bright Island and the tinny hit some rocks just below the surface and stopped dead in the water. We all went flying!

2. What was the scariest experience you had while filming Sea Patrol?

At 9.30 pm in the middle of Moreton Bay I was preparing to jump 7 metres from the Bridge Wing into the water. The rescue boats had shark shields, there was a 12 knot current running through the channel, and a sea snake swam through my landing zone. Yikes!

3. How did you feel when you found out that Series 5 was going to be the last?

I felt sad that Series 5 would be the last – but excited that I knew I could throw everything I have into making Series 5 the best.

4. What was your greatest personal challenge during filming Sea Patrol? How did you meet or overcome this?

My wife Rachael and I had two beautiful daughters during the five series, so it is now a very different lifestyle trying to juggle a family with work. We’ve had baby help from our family and great support from our producers, the McElroys.

5. What will you treasure most from your time working on Sea Patrol (a) from a professional perspective, and (b) personally?

(a) Working on another 68 episodes of an Australian drama with such a fantastic main cast and crew and brilliant directors means that I move into the future with a whole lot more experience.

(b) Definitely the friendships that have been forged through shooting Sea Patrol will last a lifetime!

6. How would you like Sea Patrol to be remembered?

It’s great to be involved in a drama that has such a unique setting. Navy has been virtually unexplored in Australia and hopefully we’ll be remembered as the series that inspired a generation of new sailors.

Categories: Interviews

2011 Exclusive Final Interview with Kristian Schmid (RO)

1. What was the funniest experience you had while filming Sea Patrol?

This is a hard question to answer because the cast and crew on Sea Patrol seem to be laughing most of the time. We did have a scene this season that was particularly funny that involved several members of the cast including myself stuck in mud unable to take a step with out at least one of us falling over. After numerous attempts to complete the scene and free ourselves we all just got the giggles and sat covered from head-to-toe laughing (and being laughed at by the crew).

2. What was the scariest experience you had while filming Sea Patrol?

It can be very rough out on the open water at times and we have had many injuries out there. From damaged knees, hips, wrists and split heads but last year one of our crew was in an accident away from work that left him with a broken neck. The thought of a friend being in this very frightening situation shocked and scared every one on the set. He made a full recovery but it really brought home how important it is to embrace every day because although we partake in very dangerous activities on a daily basis whilst filming Sea Patrol, the health we take for granted can be taken away very easily.

3. How did you feel when you found out that Series 5 was going to be the last?

I have loved working on Sea Patrol and am very proud to have been here since day one. When we received the news that this would be the last year obviously there was a large part of me that was sad to be finishing something that has been such a big part of my life for the last five years. The main feeling I am left with as we come to the last few days of filming though is a sense of accomplishment and pride that as a group we were able – through sometimes very challenging conditions – to bring a show that was the best it could be.

4. What was your greatest personal challenge during filming Sea Patrol? How did you meet or overcome this?

Although the locations we shoot in are glamourous they can also be challenging. Imagine being dressed in full-length overalls bullet-proof vest, helmet and heavy boots. Then add to that temperatures reaching over 40 degrees and put yourself on a small, slippery, smelly Foreign Fishing Vessel and you get what it’s like on an average day in the Australian Navy. We had to put ourselves in those same conditions from time to time and it wasn’t easy. It required all of us to take the advice of the experts we had on hand and follow their advice to the letter.

5. What will you treasure most from your time working on Sea Patrol (a) from a professional perspective, and (b) personally?

We all walk away from Sea Patrol with a greater network of friends. I believe Sea Patrol worked as a show because the audience could feel the closeness that this crew of sailors – this ‘family’ – had for each other. That wasn’t faked and that is the thing I will treasure most from my experience on SP.

6. How would you like Sea Patrol to be remembered?

As the show that won Kristian Schmid his first Academy Award for best actor in an Australian drama.

Categories: Interviews

2011 Exclusive Final Interview with Conrad Coleby (Dutchy)

1. What was the funniest experience you had while filming Sea Patrol?

It’s very hard to pick a funny moment to single out as they’ve happened quite regularly on this show! But I’d have to say it was the day we had to apprehend a character played by Diarmid Heidenreich amongst a soggy tidal flat. It was during the filming of season five and we were hauling him, cuffed, up the beach to take him back to Hammersley and about three of us got completely bogged in the soft mud. It was as if we’d all gotten stuck on human fly paper. All we could do is cry out for help; we physically couldn’t move. The tears were streaming on that one.

2. What was the scariest experience you had while filming Sea Patrol?

I guess the only scary moments I’ve had are after-thoughts in my own head about situations in which some of the action sequences or stunts could have gone horribly wrong. There was one relatively simple sequence, for instance, in which I was unconscious and had to be rescued from the water and then hauled up into one of the RHIBS. At the front of the RHIB on the apex of the hull there is a small steel loop that allows the boat crews to attach cables for when the boat is securely stowed on top of the ship. When the RHIB motored in to rescue me – unbeknownst to me at the time – that steel loop came within millimetres of my head. Had it connected, it would have surely split my head open like a watermelon and I would have been cactus. It’s moments like these you consider afterwards and they do send shivers up your spine.

3. How did you feel when you found out that Series 5 was going to be the last?

It wasn’t so much of a shock for me, since I was aware of the expense of the show and also the relevant tax rulings for television series once they go beyond a fifth series. Of course I was hoping things would continue despite this, but I thought it unlikely so I guess I was already prepared. Still, it is disappointing and I will miss everybody and I hope to work with them again on another project very shortly.

4. What was your greatest personal challenge during filming Sea Patrol? How did you meet or overcome this?

The greatest challenge for me on Sea Patrol has just been dealing with a higher level of complexity in my scene work and coping with the lightning pace of our shooting schedule. The difference between how I cope now and how I felt at the beginning of Series 4 is like night versus day and it has been an extremely rewarding experience for me as an actor. Without a care in the world I can now confidently board a boat, go into a fight scene/gun battle and then directly into a three-minute dialogue-heavy scene with little rehearsal, three cameras rolling and all in one shot. So I’m thankful for all the skills I’ve acquired whilst on Sea Patrol.

5. What will you treasure most from your time working on Sea Patrol (a) from a professional perspective, and (b) personally?

It’s been a real privilege to work with a cast and crew who are at the top of their game professionally and on a personal level I will always cherish and remember the laughter and generosity of the people who are a part of Sea Patrol. It has felt like a family to me. I will miss them all.

6. How would you like Sea Patrol to be remembered?

I only hope that we’ve done the Navy justice by representing them as real people who perform an extremely tough job on behalf of the Australian people. Despite the harsh realities of what they have to deal with from time to time, I’ve found Navy to be a people of great heart, kindness and humility and I hope this has been reflected in our work on Sea Patrol.

Categories: Interviews

2011 Exclusive Final Interview with Nikolai Nikolaeff (2Dads)

1. What was the funniest experience you had while filming Sea Patrol?

There really are too many to recant. Every day I am amazed by how much we laugh during the shoot and yet still somehow are able to get the job done. A specific experience that comes to mind though, is trying to be serious when wearing absolutely nothing and having the whole crew making an array of nude innuendos all day. It was for a scene where I wake up naked after having my drink spiked at a toga party.

2. What was the scariest experience you had while filming Sea Patrol?

Being naked on set in front of our crew! A close second would be during Season 3 when we were travelling home through a massive swell on a Navy RHIB in the dark whilst a storm brewed around us. Lightning strikes could be seen on the horizon near us. Very surreal.

3. How did you feel when you found out that Series 5 was going to be the last?

Bitter sweet. This has been the best job I’ve ever had and so it was sad to hear it was coming to an end. Having said that, I’m eternally optimistic and so I have been looking forward to life after this show ever since I heard we were ending.

4. What was your greatest personal challenge during filming Sea Patrol? How did you meet or overcome this?

A challenge for me was to come into such a large-scale and fast-paced show as Sea Patrol at the beginning of Season 3. The tight-knit cast embraced me and helped me get up to speed but this show requires you to think fast and in many ways make decisions without running them past the traditional avenues (i.e. speak to the director or director of photography etc.). When you are out on the water and they yell action and you haven’t really been told when the shot is going to end or where the cameras are, etc., there is pressure to be at the top of your game and make it work. That is why this has been the best experience I have ever had. We’ve got the perfect combination of expensive sets and locations, and the highest calibre of actors and crew all thrown together into a creative melting pot – with a $90 million warship thrown in for good measure! Then we are given freedom and support to tell the story the best way possible, including improvising shots and dialogue sometimes to create that magic on screen that you just can’t fake.

My challenge was to ‘get in on the act’ and make sure I’m firing on all cylinders every day and ready to respond to the multitude of challenges that were thrown my way. All that whilst trying to not get overwhelmed about how much fun we were constantly having on set.

5. What will you treasure most from your time working on Sea Patrol (a) from a professional perspective, and (b) personally?

The thing I will treasure the most will be the knowledge that you can make a huge show with the most emotional storylines, trying filming conditions (on water, in jungles, 13 episodes at once, 6 months of filming continuously) in a manner that never loses sight of what’s important: people. Never before have I worked with a group of people who care for one another as much as on Sea Patrol. I will also take away the lessons I have learned by working with some of Australia’s most talented actors.

6. How would you like Sea Patrol to be remembered?

I think I would like Sea Patrol to be remembered as a small testament to the men and women who protect our country day and night, both domestically and abroad. Sea Patrol is not just about the Navy in my mind. My friend, who is in the Army and served in Iraq, told me his unit requested Sea Patrol to watch whilst on deployment. He said the show, in some strange way, made him realise what he was protecting and fighting for: our country and the people within it. Sea Patrol is more than explosions and boats – it’s about the bonds we forge – and I hope that is what’s remembered.

Categories: Interviews

2011 Exclusive Final Interview with John Batchelor (Charge)

1. What was the funniest experience you had while filming Sea Patrol?

This year’s funniest experience was doing more boardings in four days than I’d done in the previous four years. On one of the boardings the RHIB almost went on its side because of the swell. Some might think that’s scary, but for us adrenaline junkies it was good fun!

2. What was the scariest experience you had while filming Sea Patrol?

It’s hard to draw the line between scary and fun, but I’ve never dived head-first into water before and never from any height. This year I did it twice – from about 7 or 8 foot, I think. The second time I had to jump/dive over iron bars; if I hit the bars I would break my knees. That was scary to think about, but when I was in mid-air heading to the water, the smile on my face was ten feet wide.

3. How did you feel when you found out that Series 5 was going to be the last?

Sad at first. I love Aussie drama and I hate to see one leave the screens that is so popular with the viewers and not be replaced with another show straight away. I think Hal and Di have done so much for Australian TV though and I’m sure they, like us, are proud of what we’ve all achieved in 5 years.

4. What was your greatest personal challenge during filming Sea Patrol? How did you meet or overcome this?

There have been many challenges over the five years. Psychologically speaking, I like being in control of what I’m doing and this show has helped me lose that control – which can be a good thing for an actor. Physically, diving into the ocean off a moving Patrol Boat over steel bars at thigh-height was massive. I just held my breath and did it.

5. What will you treasure most from your time working on Sea Patrol (a) from a professional perspective, and (b) personally?

(a) I’ll treasure my relationship with Russell Bacon and his camera team. They are all amazing people with so much patience and skill. They help me every day with little offers of advice to better my performance.

(b) Personally I will treasure the fact that I got to share this with my family. My son has had every birthday of his life in Mission Beach. I hope he’ll be okay when he turns 5 and we’re not there.

6. How would you like Sea Patrol to be remembered?

I would love Sea Patrol to be remembered as the show that kick-started Australia’s need for money to be spent on local content. Before Sea Patrol hit the screens there was very little local production on TV. There was a lot of reality TV, which doesn’t cost a lot compared to drama or comedy. When Sea Patrol came along, with its multi-million dollar budget, I think it kicked up the idea that not only should we be watching local stories but it wouldn’t be a bad idea to spend some money on them. After Sea Patrol hit the screens, there has been an abundance of local TV. Before there was a dearth. It may have just been good timing, or, as I believe, a timely reminder to take care of our own.

Categories: Interviews

Exclusive Interview with Hal and Di (18 May 2011)

1. How do you feel about the coverage of “Sea Patrol: Damage Control” in recent articles?

We’d always like more coverage and needless to say, we’d always prefer positive coverage. But…… Life ain’t like that. There’s tremendous competition from over 100 channels, all vying for attention from the media. The result is journalists/publications shrink their commentary (to make room for more variety) and tend to focus on just what the journalist/editors believe their readers want. The big impact stuff – not the crucial detail. So TV Week focusses on soap – no surprise there.

2. This season we have seen historical character relationships re-emerge, resulting in some seemingly out of character reactions or incongruous progressions for our long-standing favourites. Should fans be concerned?

Life would be very boring if it was straightforward. And of course in life everything changes all the time. To survive our characters have to roll with the punches and deal with the cards that life deals them. This makes for good drama. But no – the fans should not be concerned they should just enjoy the journey. Just wait and see.

3. Maxine can be seen as a role model for female sailors aspiring to achieve leadership positions in what is still predominantly a man’s world. Do you think upcoming storylines will change this?

No. Maxine is a terrific character who is played by a terrific actor (Tammy MacIntosh). Everyone has multiple sides to their character – public/private/interior/exterior. Tammy manages the challenge of juggling the need to reveal with the need to hide or protect. The fact that her character can manage all this at the same time as being a good and professional leader is, we think, makes for a worthwhile role model.

4. Many people are interested to know why Ryan returned? Was it due to fan reaction, or just to suit a bigger storyline?

It’s true to say that the impact that prior familial relationships have on present and future generations, has been a subject of drama for literally thousands of years. No man is truly an island as is demonstrated by Arnold Schwarzenegger’s astonishing confirmation of the reasons his 25 year marriage ended. In families amazing ‘stuff’ happens. The continuance of the Ryan character arose as a result of the number of people who commented on how he looked so much like a young Mike. So, as storytellers, we thought – what if!!!

5. Mike and Kate have been on-again and off-again for a couple of years now. What do you say to fans who may be tiring of the see-sawing and just want a resolution – one way or another? Will there be any sort of resolution to this relationship by the end of Season 5?

Will there will be a resolution – yes! Will it be easy? No.

6. What can you say to fans to allay fears that “Sea Patrol” is descending into soapie territory?

As storytellers we face pressure from every direction. There are those that just want bang bang boom – nothing else. Against those that want character. We try to achieve a balance between those two extremes. Some in the media say ‘no sex equals boring’, or respectful Navy style conversation (Yes Sir, No Mam) equals wooden dialogue. Some push for more sizzle. Some compare our action scenes to American movies and say – fail! What to do? Try and invest the material with truthfulness and reliability. For that you really have to look at the whole episode, not just focus on the promo highlights or magazine headlines. Of the 50-60 scenes we shoot per episode, there would be no more than 10% devoted to continuing character storylines (which we’re guessing is what you call soap). 90% is about a day in the life of HMAS Hammersley. That’s the big picture.

7. The terrorism throughline has essentially been absent from the last couple of episodes. How much further is this explored? Will it mean more action for the Hammersley?

The network insists we try to achieve twin goals. Firstly to make a stand alone story for every episode so that any ‘new’ viewer can enjoy without having seen anything before. Secondly to tell an engaging continuing story that hooks people into coming back each week. So of course these two requests collide. Of course we also need a multi episode connecting storyline to qualify as a mini series. That’s why the so called ‘terrorism’ storyline plays out over 13 episodes But it may not feature in every episode as we don’t want to alienate new viewers. So – yes – there’s heaps more action to come.

8. What more can you share about the remainder of the series?

Just like boats at sea, our characters bounce around a lot. Sometimes colliding, sometimes just missing each other. Meanwhile big events are unfolding – so there’s storm clouds on the horizon and lots of squalls in between.

One thing to remember. The network chose to put the show in a very competitive slot, which has resulted in lower ratings than in our previous timeslot. That’s not a comment on the quality of the show, it’s just the result of intense competition. It’s warfare out there in television land. Our ratings actually increased last night, so fingers crossed they keep doing so for the next episodes.

Categories: Interviews

2011 Exclusive Final Interview with Matthew Holmes (Swain)

1. What was the funniest experience you had while filming Sea Patrol?

At the end of the day it will be a myriad of memories of doing endless Bridge scenes and having Stenlake and Schmid entertaining all with out-take improvisations. If only they were caught on tape…

2. What was the scariest experience you had while filming Sea Patrol?

The fight scenes are always pretty terrifying. Not for your own safety, but more the responsibility of having to ensure the safety of the other actors and trying to make the fight look believable. That always scares me.

3. How did you feel when you found out that Series 5 was going to be the last?

At first it was a sad realisation that it was coming to an end. But if we had been told at the start that we would get five series, we would’ve been ecstatic.

4. What will you treasure most from your time working on Sea Patrol (a) from a professional perspective, and (b) personally?

(a) Professionally – The opportunity to work consistently with such a talented crew and cast is probably a once in a lifetime experience. What I have garnered from this will hopefully set a platform to go from in the future.

(b) Personally – The friendships that have been formed over 5 years are some of the strongest I have. And although the show is ending, those friendships will go on.

5. How would you like Sea Patrol to be remembered?

I guess my perspective is as an actor. When the first series began, there was barely any Australian dramas on TV. Certainly no new ones! Over the five years we have seen the Australian voice become more prevalent. We have also seen the Australian pubic demand more Aussie drama on their TV screens. In some way it feels like Sea Patrol was a catalyst for this movement.

It was also a bold move on behalf of the producers to create such a visually ‘big’ show. Big budgets, big seas, big boats. I believe this show has raised the expectations of the Aussie audience. No longer are big production values the sole domain of American TV shows!

Categories: Interviews