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DURING seven full-on days, a Gayndah family’s working cattle property was transformed into a TV production site.
Cilla Slack, the woman behind Blue Gum Farm TV, has now produced the second season of her successful series.
The kids’ show, which is made for children between six-months to six-year olds, is designed to educate youngsters about where their food comes from while showcasing farming practices in Australia.
However, as a trained performer Cilla uses lots of humour, catchy tunes and dancing to create her entertaining segments.
As the Wide Bay and Burnett region warmly embraced the first season of the show, Cilla embraced them for this season and about 19 local kids were on camera during the shoot, singing and dancing up a storm.
“It was one of the hardest things I have ever had to coordinate,” Cilla joked.
She said the local talent were excellent on-screen companions and she believed there were lots of proud parents within the district now.
The whole second season was shot across only seven days to minimise costs and travelling time for the southern film crew that travelled to the property.
Cilla had worked out a hefty schedule leading up to the filming and said her family, who run the property alongside with their sawmill business, embraced her plan.
“I almost had a roster for them as well. So I had to tell dad we needed a mob of weaners in the yards by this time, and when I needed the milking cow,” she said.
This year Cilla’s horse, Charlie, had a staring role.
However past experiences with expensive camera gear, lighting and a busy film crew taught her that sometimes the average mustering horse finds this type of equipment as frightening.
“I learnt during filming of the first season that when it’s all pointed at them they can find it scary,” she said.
“So I was feeling nervous about it and horses feed off your energy, so our stockman Pete was walking past and I asked him to go and ride Charlie for me, so he was settled down by the time it was his turn.”
Cilla returned to her country roots a few years ago after living in Sydney
where she worked as a performer.
Blue Gum Farm TV also has a live show on tour, and Cilla has a packed schedule lined up for the upcoming school holiday season. The dream would be to see her TV show on a national broadcasting slot, so all Aussie kids grew up with an appreciation of who produced their food.
“It’s slowly but surely getting recognition,” she said.
“My biggest following is in this south-eastern corner, so I have a long way to go before I hit the big time.”
Visit www.bluegumfarmtv.com.au to find out more.