Beneath Hill 60 - DVD's/Awards/International Release

DOMESTIC RELEASE

The cinema-run is now complete in Australia, after 8 weeks in the top ten at the box office.

Avalon Cinema (above) on Sydney's northern beaches was one of the last cinemas in Australia to still hold the film after weeks, which is a long run for a local film. They have to make way for the AVATAR's and the ROBIN HOOD's.

INTERNATIONAL

INTANDEM our International Sales agent, based in London, has been working the film very well. They started at the Berlin film festival in Feb with a short promo from the still unfinished film. In May they took the finished film to Cannes where it was seen in two main cinema screenings by their main buyers (those able to make it to Cannes through the smoke of the Iceland Volcano).

Since Cannes INTANDEM have been back in London following up the contacts made in the those markets.

Bill Leimbach at Cannes Film Festival, 2010

Segi Segilola, Development Executive at INTANDEM shows off their add in VARIETY magazine for the Premiere Screening.

Bill meets producer Judith Hunt of THE KID, from another INTANDEM hit, called THE KID

EP Ross Thomas, Australian Ambassador to France, David Ritchie and EP Greg Rains share some laughs with Producer Bill Leimbach at Cannes.

Jeremy Sims and David Roach also had a great reception for the film in Hollywood, in June, as they presented it to many American buyers in attendance at an invited event called AUSTRALIANS IN FILM.

In attendance in Hollywood, Brendan, Jeremy, David, Bill Leimbach's sister Barabara, living in California and David Roach.

The result of all these contacts have created the following sales:

UK MOMENTUM

GERMANY ASCOT

ELITE SCANDINAVIA (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland) CCV

POLAND VISION

CZECH AQS

MIDDLE EAST FALCON

FRANCE CTV

JAPAN NIKKATSU

America and Canada are still pending and of course are very big markets. Stephen Spielberg saw a 35 mm print of the movie in the privacy of his own theatre and has been helpful to spread the word there. We have learned that Americans aren't as interested in WW1 as they are in WW2 so the hope of a theatrical presentation there is thin. But a good strong DVD run there could sell many thousands of units. We are working on attracting the best company for that exercise.

AIRLINES

We have sold it to QANTAS and VIRGIN and another company in California is dealing with other global airlines

TV

DVD sales have a window of opportunity of at least a year before it can go to TV. It remains to be seen which of the TV networks in Australia will buy the film. That is the realm of Transmission and Paramount our domestic distributors. The International TV rights belong to those companies mentioned above who have licensed the film in that territory.

DVD Release

Beneath Hill 60 will be out on Blu Ray and DVD in all entertainment stores nationwide from August 19th. International DVD is the domain of each country who has licensed the film in that territory, so watch out for it in your country. If you want more info about its availability in your country, you can email any of the above named companies.

The DVD will include bonus footage such as a talk with Director Jeremy Hartley Sims and a 40 minute 'making of' feature with footage throughout the production of the film when it was shot in Townsville, North Queenslands.

There will also be Special DVD, a two disc set to include the 90 minute Television Special made for HISTORY CHANNEL by Bill Leimbach and Jonathan King, in 2005 to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the end of World War I on November 11th 1918. This film is called WINNING WORLD WAR 1: LETTERS FROM THE WESTERN FRONT and will fill in many of the gaps in our knowledge of Australia's participation in WW1.

The IF Awards

Voting for the Australian IF Magazine Awards has begun and you can go onto the website (link below) to vote for Beneath Hill 60, for nomination in five different categories, for their Awards Ceremony, held later this year.

http://www.ifawards.com.au/rating/film/beneath-hill-60

ARTICLES

Here are just two of the dozens of great articles written during the course of our film run.

Hopefully we will see a few more now that the DVD run is soon upon us.

(David Roach - Writer/Producer) had a great one in his local Wollongong Press and Gyton Grantley (Actor) had many appear in the Townsville papers.

Beneath Hill 60 Press

Beneath Hill 60 is getting a lot of press nation wide. Here are a few articles on some of the stars of the film, if you've missed out.

                        

Left - Harrison Gilbertson (Frank Tiffin)

Mark Coles Smith (Billy Bacon) - Right

Here is a link on Movie Juice's youtube channel. Where they did a cover story on Beneath Hill 60, aswell as interviews from the stars at the World Premiere in Sydney.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NX3Ot20ook

Also, catch the Beautiful Bella Heathcote (right) who played Marjorie Waddell in the film. Watch her interview with Matt Young from Central Magazine about what it's like playing a female role in a WW1 Film.

Here's the link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vG383Ug3fj4

Townsville Premiere

Townsville scrubbed up very well with the Premiere for Beneath Hill 60 at Birch Carroll & Coyle  Cinemas. The Town went all out with a Hollywood Bang!

The Producers, Directors and Cast rocked up in style, driven in vintage cars from the Townsville Veteran Vintage and Historic Motor Club.

The Salvation Army Riverside Brass Band performed for the Premiere to greet everyone on the red carpet.

                                 

LtoR Stars of the film Brendan Cowell (Oliver Woodward) and Gyton Grantley (Norm Morris)

The Actors and Stars of the Film were swarmed by the media frenzy...

 and Director Jeremy Sims starred in the bright lights.

Check out the Video that the Townsville Bulletin made of the night's activities. Here's the link:

http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/NewsVids.html?vid=News%2Fred-carpet.f4v&title=Beneath%20Hill%2060%20red%20carpet%20premiere

The Film is now out in public screening at 161 cinemas nationwide. There are articles, interviews and pictures about the film everywhere and even the occasional cartoon.

This one courtesy of Townsville Bulletin.

Here's the article in the local press about the book selling like hotcakes.

Beneath Hill 60 World Premiere

Last Thursday night, on the 8th of April, Event Cinemas in George street Sydney rolled out the red carpet for the world premiere of Beneath Hill 60. 

Once reached the carpet you were greeted by two soldiers to solute you down the carpet, dressed the in historical delicate ww1 uniform used from the film (thanks to costume designer Ian Sparkes), with decor from the set.

Press were excited, flashes of light were constantly on a roll and there was great excitement in the air. The Cast and Crew looked sharp and glamourous in their frocks and suits.

With an introduction from Bill Leimbach, David Roach and Jeremy Hartley Sims to start off the night ahead, the film began and was well enjoyed by everyone there. 

With Constant praise to everyone who worked on the film, a great love for the story and the production, excitement buzzed through to the after party at the Art House Hotel on Pitt Street. 

The night went on with mingling, smiles and drinks. Great company, great film. 

 The BH60 cast and crew

Overall the night was a tremendous success. Well Done everyone, we are all so proud.

  

(LtoR)Leading man, Brendan Cowell and Leading lady, Bella Heathcote

  (LtoR) Gyton Grantley and Harrison Gilbertson

  

Beneath Hill 60 Crew

We had up to 150 cast and crew at Townsville during the filming. 

Since filming they have all dispersed of course, back to their film making homes. 

Some to Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast and as far away as Perth.

We hope they all have places to go for cast and crew screenings scheduled over the coming two weeks, with the build up to National Release on April 15th.

Contact Kirsty in our office if you've been left out for any reason.

She's on Facebook or kirsty@beneathhill60.com.au

Will Davies Book Launch

On Monday 22nd of March, Random House and  Historian Writer Will Davies launched the book "Beneath Hill 60" at the beautiful location of 'Tony Bilson's ONE Wine Bar' in the Rocks, Sydney.

The night was a huge success with  great food, wine, lovely company and a great vibe and buzz about the Book and the soon to be released film.

Here is a photo of Author Will Davies with Publisher Meredith Curnow enjoying the evening.

We also had a visit from the lovely Virginia Gordon (President of the 'Sydney Film Festival'). Here is her and Will having a lovely time at the launch.

The BENEATH HILL 6O Official website by Paramount has gone live. Click the following Link

http://www.beneathhill60movie.com.au

to check out the site where you can download the 1st chapter of the book. Check out the cast and actor bios and also see the Gallery, with stunning shots done by our Stills photographer Wendy McDougall. 

Sound Mix complete

These are the last standing members of our glorious Sound Mix Gang - L to R Alicia Slusarski, Sound editor; Sound Designer Liam Egan; Sound assistant Michelle Child and the indefatigable Sound Mixer, Robert Sullivan. They are all part of a 10 person team that have slaved for four months - at SOUND FIRM, Sydney - to ensure the Sound Track is ready to meet out National Release date of April 15th. The Final Mix of Effects, Dialogue ad Mus

ic was completed on March 5th 2010. 

Also lets not forget the rest of the team Dialogue Editor Tony Murtagh, ADR Editor Leah Katz, Assistant Sound Editor Jennifer Sochackyj and to Bruce Emery for all his wheelin and deelin at SOUND FIRM.

Champagne glasses clinked to them all. Love your work guys, WELDONE!

We'd also like to mention the great help back in pre-production days of the 'Poole Family' (above). They suppplied the acreage on the outskirts of Townsville at Kelso, which became the trenches for the film. We are looking forward to seeing them and many other supporters of the film at the Townsville Premiere April 14th..

Actors Debut

Three of our tunnelling soldiers will have their feature film debuts with BENEATH HILL 60, when it is released this April 15th. We wish them all the success they deserve and thank them for such a great effort.

'Billy Bacon' played by Mark Cole Smith

Mark is a Broome based indigenous performer. He has a certificate in Aboriginal Theatre from WAAPA and

 a Bachelor in Indigenous Studies.  He made his acting debut in 2003 in the children’s series OCEAN STAR, shot on location in Boome for BBH.  Mark has done extensive theatre work for the Barking Gecko Theatre Company in Broome, touring WA invarious productions.  His TV credits include guest roles in BLUE HEELERS (Southern Star) and DIRT GAME (ABC) as well as the supporting role of Billie in series 1 and 2 of THE CIRCUIT for SBS TV.

Billy 'Streaky' Bacon

Billy Bacon, or Streaky as his comrades 

affectionately call him, is a

 young Aboriginal tunneller, who has a bit 

of mining experience and 

wants to head over to Europe and go to battle.

'Walter Sneddon' played by Alex Thompson

Alex Thompson is a graduate of The Drama Company and also attended Newtown Performing Arts high school. Alex was selected to participate in the Acting for Film intensive at the New York Film Academy. Having performed in various theatre productions, BENEATH HILL 60 is Alex’s first film.

Walter Sneddon

At 18-years-old, fresh-faced Walter Sneddon is one of the youngest in the section, and he craves adventure.  His father finds out that he’s signed up, and not wanting him to go to the frontlines alone, signs up the following day.  Walter is still a child, he’s very naïve, he says the wrong thing in situations, and is not very tactful. But he’s a sweet kid, and everyone likes him. He scares very easily, and is easily upset, so will take it to heart if someone says something harsh to him. 

Ginger 'Mick' O'Donnell played by Martin Thomas

Martin Thomas has appeared in many theatre productions and has appeared in numerous TVCs for major brands. While studying Acting for Stage and Screen at Charles Sturt University, Martin starred in a number of CSU TV shows. BENEATH HILL 60 is Martin’s feature debut.

Ginger 'Mick' O'Donnell  

Ginger comes from a large, poor Irish family where he had to struggle to survive.  He‘s a tough kid with a mean streak who tends to attach himself to power.  If the war has taught him anything, it’s that if you

look after the man beside you, he’ll look  after you.

Post Production

Here, at Beneath Hill 60 headquarters we have just wrapped ADR with our actors and now we our talented team over at Sound Firm are now moving onto the process of the Final Mix.

This means that all elements are to be equalized, balanced in volume and to be set. This includes sections on editing sound with picture, dialogue, sound effects eg .creating noises of giant explosions, music editing and adding subtle sounds that enrich the language and feeling of the film.

Also this week Jeremy Sims (Director), Bill Leimbach (Producer) and David Roach (Writer / Co-Producer) headed down to Melbourne to work with the amazing music composer, Cezary Skubiszewski and Melbourne Symphony Orchestra for the recording of the final music score to BENEATH HILL 60.

The official Beneath Hill 60 trailer has been launched and you can see the posters all around Australian cinemas near you. You can watch the trailer by clicking the link,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYOpCJCl5L4

You can also catch the trailer in cinemas, which is being shown in front of the films 'Up in the air' and 'Nine'.

We also have a 'Beneath Hill 60' youtube channel up and running. Visit http://www.youtube.com/user/beneathhill60 

to see some behind the scenes footage of the film and interviews with our talented Production crew.

Keep an eye out on the book 'Beneath Hill 60' written by historian Will Davies, which is due to hit bookshops all around Australia on March 1st.

Sound Mix and Music

The picture of the film has been locked off in the editing rooms at Cutting Edge and delivered over to Soundfirm next door for the sound mix.

We've brought back some of the actors to record ADR (Additional Dialogue Recording) - a process in which the actors re-record dropped dialogue or lines affected by sound issues on set,  as well as recording voice-overs.

 Jeremy Sims (our Director) believes the Music to be one of his favourite parts of film making.  In his first feature film (Last Train to Freo), he selected and pieced together all the music himself, but wanted to create a more 'epic' feel for Beneath Hill 60, using Music on a larger scale, with an original orchestral score.  He feels the music will play an integral part in creating drama and wants it to  have a massive presence in the film. We are thrilled to have reknowned composer, Cezary Skubiszewski on board to write the original score, to be recorded by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Cezary will work closely with our Sound Designer, Liam Egan - combining sound Design with the Sound Effects recorded on set (by Sound Recordist Mark Cornish), to create a rich sound palette. 

Cezary has composed and arranged many well known works - you will probably recognise some

 of them!

Check them out on Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D21EHpWVKXQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mv5U0W8FDDk&feature=related

Also, we have begun drafting the poster art. The poster will go up around the place from Australia Day (January 26th), ready for the anticipated release of the film on ANZAC Day 2010.

Historian Will Davies, has finished writing the book of the Film, to be released in conjunction with the movie release. Here's the draft of the cover Art.