Genuine 1920s office close to home

The Light Between Oceans crew (from left) first assistant director Mariela Comitini, props Josh...
The Light Between Oceans crew (from left) first assistant director Mariela Comitini, props Josh Barraud, boom operator Adnan Taumoepeau, camera department Nigel Nally, director of photography Adam Arkapaw and key grip Jay Munro, set up in Allied Press managing director Sir Julian Smith's office in Stuart St on Saturday. Photo by Gregor Richardson.
Finding a 1920s-style ''spartan office'' turned out to be the hardest location to find for the Hollywood film being shot in Dunedin - until a scout saw Allied Press managing director Sir Julian Smith's office.

What should have been the easiest location to find for the shooting of The Light Between Oceans was the most difficult.

Despite the abundance of historic buildings in Dunedin, most had been refurbished or ''gentrified'', supervising location manager Jared Connon, of Wellington, said.

''It was the last location we found.

''When the scout came in and saw it, he was, like, `Wow, this still looks like it was back in the day'.''

So with the agreement of Sir Julian, on Friday the office was stripped of its minimal modernisation, such as the internal double glazing, furniture and tube lighting and transformedinto the 1920s Sydney office of the Commonwealth Shipping Company.

''Sir Julian has been great. He loves all things yesteryear,'' Mr Connon said.

''We're using some of his cars in the film as well. It's a perfect fit.''

It is into this office the main character, Tom, played by Michael Fassbender, comes to sign up as a lighthouse keeper.

On Saturday, it took more than two hours for the film crew to get the camera equipment needed up to the first floor management suite of the Allied Press building in Stuart St, due to the small size of its lift - it took four men to carry the dolly up - before filming even started.

Sir Julian said he was keen to help the production company and encourage another activity in Dunedin.

He was impressed at the work being done to transform his office, which was built in the 1920s, even if it meant having to move his personal belongings out and work in the boardroom for a day.

''They've made not a bad job of it.

''It's a pity they can't leave it all there.''

The scene was filmed on Saturday before the crew moved out to Port Chalmers to continue filming there.

-rebecca.fox@odt.co.nz

Add a Comment

 

Advertisement