Wild about film starsPakenham Hills Primary School children are excited at the prospect of having a

By Paul Dunlop
WATCH out for the wild things.
A movie version of a muchloved children’s book is being filmed around the district.
A tight veil of secrecy has been placed on the shooting of Maurice Sendack’s classic Where the Wild Things Are but cast and crew are expected to be in the area for several more days at least.
Filming took place at a number of locations last week including Gilwell Park near Gembrook and around Pakenham Upper.
The brush with Hollywood has created a buzz around the district, with many local contractors involved in providing infrastructure for the production.
Local shops and accommodation outlets are also reaping the benefits of the likely big screen blockbuster.
The movie is being directed by Spike Jonze and produced by Tom Hanks and Maurice Sendak.
Stars include Catherine Keener, Benicio Del Toro, Forest Whitaker and Michelle Williams.
Beau Trease from the Pakenham Upper service station said a few of the actors had been regular customers over the past several days.
“I haven’t seen Tom Hanks but Catherine Keener has come in nearly every day to buy water and things. They’ve all been really friendly and have a chat.”
Staff at Gembrook’s Ranges Hotel said residents were aware the movie was happening but cast and crew were rarely seen around town.
“It’s a pretty tight ship,” one worker said.
Brilynbrook Country Accommodation manager Lynette Petrie said their twoself contained units had been booked out by two young children who were acting on the film and their chaperone.
“I have been giving them their privacy so I don’t know too much at this stage,” Ms Petrie said.
She said their guests left the Gembrook units early in the morning and returned late at night after filming all day.
“The chaperone is a school teacher who teaches the kids during the day when they are not working,” Ms Petrie said.
Gembrook Supermarket attendant Amanda Collins said there was a buzz around town that had been generating a few whispers between customers.
“There have been a lot of new faces through the supermarket but I couldn’t say for sure that they are from the film,” Ms Collins said.
She said someone had bought two crates of milk last week that she believed was for people working on the children’s movie.
The movie is pencilled in for release in mid2008 and is expected to combine live action and computer generated images with a likely G rating.