Two days before shooting was due to begin on The Inside Story, the lead actor pulled out. “We had a pretty desperate situation,” says director Robert Sutherland.
Andrew Curry, from Neighbours, had been initially interested in the part, but had never auditioned. “We’d been playing phone tag for about six weeks,” explains Robert. “I rang him and said ‘can you make a screen test – in half an hour?’”
Andrew was on his way to an entirely different shoot when the call came through. “I rang them and told them I’d be late,” he says with a laugh. Robert picks up the story. “On the spot he was perfect for the role,” Robert says. “The lead actress Kate Oliver and Andrew had great chemistry and they knew how to mix comedy and drama. They just clicked.”
Andrew says he must have been feeling confident that day. “At the audition I did something that I’ve never done – I asked them whether I’d got the part,” Andrew recalls. “They said they’d have to think about it. But as I walked out to my car I heard a shout that they’d decided to hire me!”
The film also features veteran actor Charles “Bud” Tingwell, lending credence to the theory that all Australian features are legally required to include either Bud Tingwell or Bill Hunter. Bud filmed his scenes a few months after completing work on Innocence. “Robert just asked me to be in it,” he says of his involvement, “He sent me the script and I loved it because it was so interesting.” Unusually for such a high profile actor, Bud agreed to appear in the film for deferred payment.
“He actually shot it at his parents’ house in Melbourne,” says Bud. “It was a very efficient shoot with some very good actors.” However, Bud warns the film requires a certain standard of alertness on the part of the audience. “You’ve got to concentrate on it because it plays with time and memory and you’re never entirely certain where things fit,” he says.
“It’s a terrific piece of work with some great, subtle special effects,” Bud says. Bud Tingwell’s next role is the Richard Attenborough part in the computer game version of Jurassic Park. Bud says the fact Steven Spielberg decided to have the spin off made in Melbourne is testament to the strength of the local industry. “Melbourne is out Hollywood-ing Hollywood!” he says with a laugh.
And if Robert Sutherland has his way, it certainly will. Robert says the special effects in The Inside Story are on par with Hollywood features. The film spent most of the past two years in post production, 12 months of which were spent concentrating solely on special effects. “This film has the most special effects of any 100% Australian film,” he said, “not that that’s so important!” Robert says the film is very much in the style of the Twilight Zone. “It’s an unusual mix of supernatural thriller and contemporary romance,” he says. The Inside Story won the Australian Writers Guild for Best Screenplay in 2000.