A 16-YEAR-OLD Tamworth student has had her dreams of becoming a costume designer reinforced after serving as an extra on the set of Angelina Jolie’s new movie, Unbroken.
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Oxley High pupil Michelle Nugent jumped at the chance to apply to be an extra, in order to get a rare insight into how feature films are made.
Ms Jolie, who, together with about 70 cast and crew members, has been staying in the Powerhouse in Tamworth, finished her final day of shooting in Werris Creek yesterday.
The historic Werris Creek Railway Station was the setting for most of the filming before the sets were packed up and the production prepared to leave town.
The day did not go completely to plan for the Hollywood superstar, with shooting stopped while a sun-scorched lawn outside a house was painted green and new takes were ordered of a scene after a car was spotted driving on the “wrong” side of the road.
Ms Nugent arrived at Werris Creek at 4.15am to be fitted in her 1940s costume before having her hair and make-up done and taking up her position in a railway carriage.
“On the set it was buzzing – things were happening all the time and it was very professional,” she said.
“I was in a pretend family with a mum, a sister and a brother and we just had to smile and talk to each other and wave out the window occasionally.”
During a break in filming Ms Nugent was fortunate enough to be able to exchange a few words with Ms Jolie, who she described as having “a natural aura” about her.
“We were walking and noticed her coming towards us. I said ‘How you going?’ and she was really nice and down to earth,” she said.
Ms Nugent, who has just completed Year 10 at Oxley High, said the experience had inspired her to pursue her dreams of working in the movie industry.
“I just wanted to know about the movie industry, because I’m really into all the fashion styling and costuming and all the clothes from that era are so nice. I was really inspired by how efficient and just how professional it all was,” she said.