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    RED CARPET: From left, Minyip’s Jarvis Mitchell, Harrison Williams, Beulah, and Ryder Hudson, Minyip, on the ‘red carpet’ before a special screening of The Dry in Horsham. The youngsters featured in the movie and were thrilled to rub shoulders with actor Eric Bana.Picture: DYLAN DE JONG
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    The Dry director Robert Conolly, left, with Audrey Moore, centre, who played an extra role in the film. Also pictured, Father Jeremy Moore at a screening of the movie at Horsham Event Cinema last Thursday.
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    Sarah Mattews and Kaycee Bould interview The Dry extras Minyip's Ryder Hudson, centre, Harrison Williams and Jarvis Mitchell, left.

The Dry gives Wimmera actors a taste of the film industry

By SARAH MATTHEWS

Minyip’s Ryder Hudson is considering a film career after appearing alongside internationally renowned actor Eric Bana in major Australian motion picture, The Dry. 

Ryder, 10, walked the ‘red carpet’ at the movie’s world premiere at Horsham Centre Cinema on Thursday night, rubbing shoulders with industry heavyweights including Bana and director-producer-writer Robert Connolly.

Ryder said The Dry was a big step up from his previous acting experience, in a school play.



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He said he was interested in participating in other productions in the future.

“I might want to have a career in acting,” he told The Weekly Advertiser at the premiere.

Ryder played the role of Lachie, the son of single mother Gretchen, a childhood friend of Aaron Falk, portrayed by Bana.

“I felt pretty proud of myself and happy,” Ryder said.

The Dry is based on Jane Harper’s award-winning crime novel of the same name, set in fictional drought-stricken Kiewarra. 

Falk, a federal agent, returns to Kiewarra after more than 20 years to attend the funeral of his childhood friend, Luke Hadler, who allegedly killed his wife and child before taking his own life. 

Minyip’s Jarvis Mitchell, 12, plays Luke’s son Billy, while Harrison Williams, 11, of Beulah, plays ‘Lachie’s friend’.  

Harrison said he loved being part of the film and was excited to participate in Thursday night’s screening.

“I played the little boy,” he said.

“My favourite part was meeting Eric Bana and everyone.”

Jarvis said he never thought he would get to meet Bana and was still deciding whether he would like to pursue further acting roles in the future.

Experience

Ryder’s mother Kristy Davidson said the trio had an amazing experience being involved in the movie. 

“They called for extras and you just had to go to the café and have your photo taken. The boys were the right age for the characters they needed,” she said.

“Obviously I had to take Ryder along to all these filming days. 

“He had about nine days on set – I don’t know how much you see of him in the movie, but he had quite a big role to do. 

“Just to watch from behind the scenes and see it all unfold was really cool and a different experience – something we probably won’t get again out in Minyip.”

Ms Davidson said she thought all three boys would be keen to be involved in another production. 

“It’s a bit devastating that they don’t get to see the movie for another five years, but they were looking forward to coming along tonight,” she said.

The cinema hosted three closed screenings throughout Thursday, with the evening’s red carpet experience a way to thank Wimmera-Mallee cast members.

The Dry director Robert Conolly, left, with Audrey Moore, centre, who played an extra role in the film. Also pictured, Father Jeremy Moore at a screening of the movie at Horsham Event Cinema last Thursday.
The Dry director Robert Conolly, left, with Audrey Moore and her father Jeremy Moore.

Horsham’s Audrey Moore, 2, attended the red carpet with her parents, Paige and Jeremy Moore.

Mrs Moore was filling out some paperwork for her husband to be an extra in the movie when the casting team spotted Audrey. 

“They asked whose baby she was, because they were looking for a baby to be ‘Baby Charlotte’ in the movie,” she said. 

Charlotte is the sole survivor of the Hadler family.  

“Audrey was nine months at the time of filming,” Mrs Moore said. 

“We started the process of signing on and I thought, I’d better get this book read to make sure we’re happy with Audrey being in the movie. 

“Obviously, it’s got some scenes in it that are a little bit tougher to handle.

“We loved the book, so we decided we would go ahead with it.”

Mrs Moore said she and Audrey spent a few days on set.

“It was amazing, just being able to see behind the scenes,” she said.

“Audrey was looked after spectacularly while we were there.

“It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

The Dry opens nationally on January 1. 

RELATED: PHOTOS: The Dry star Eric Bana and director Robert Connelly – ‘We’re beside ourselves’ to be back

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The entire December 16, 2020 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!