Typically when people are bored they tend to watch TV, read a book or take up a hobby like knitting or gardening. Sometimes they set out to learn a language, a musical instrument or a sport. Some might even book a holiday. But in Castlemaine, some like to do things a little differently…..
When local secondary teacher, John Roebuck, and his friends were discussing ideas about how to take their minds off work, they settled on creating a shot-by-shot remake of Steven Spielberg’s 1993 blockbuster Jurassic Park.
With the exception of the gum trees and a few homemade paper mâché dinosaurs, the redux of the cult classic has all the action and excitement of the original, with the addition of familiar faces and places.
“A lot of people think I’m obsessed with Jurassic Park but I never have been,” John told the Express.
“I just started doing this because it felt like it was in equal parts; difficult and people just love the movie.”
Initially, the film was intended to be just a ‘whatever job’ but as more and more people became involved (150+) and the expertise and equipment quality increased, the remake started getting better and better.
With countless hours of shooting in various locations across the shire, filming by Kristian Bruce and his brilliant camera, the addition of an authentic Jurassic Park Jeep (provided by Bendigo resident Cody Butler), and a random connection to a VFX guy from Texas, the quality of the film skyrocketed.
Since filming began, John has moved schools and he and his wife Ella (who features in the film) have co-written and published two children’s books (and are in the process of publishing a third), got pregnant and had a baby (Marlow) who is now almost two.
“When your newborn child is the third hardest part of your life, you know something’s amiss,” John said.
“If I knew Marlow and the book deal were coming I wouldn’t have started the film. I care a lot more about Marlow and the books than I do about Jurassic Park, but it seems to elicit a viscerally positive response in people.
“People just love Jurassic Park and there’s something so insanely dumb and pointless about it that makes it really appealing,” he said.
“As an adult, you’re so flooded by obligations, life’s full of taxes, cleaning your house and changing nappies and going to work, that for people when they hear about someone making Jurassic Park they’re like, ‘f**k yeah!’
“There’s literally no point to what we’re doing. I haven’t gained any purpose or meaning from doing this. I’ve learnt nothing.”
So, what’s next for John?
“Nothing. Sitting on the couch playing video games and playing with my Marlow,” John said.
“I think I’ve learnt my lesson – focus on internal contentment more than external solutions to existential anxiety.”
Watch prehistory in the remaking at the Theatre Royal from this Friday, April 11 to Sunday, April 13. Tickets are selling fast!
Local cast members include: Ian Flavell – Dr Alan Grant, Jen O’Donnell – Dr Elsie Sadler, Pete Bevin – Dr Ian Malcolm, Paul Britton – John Hammon, Orvokki Britton – Lex, Charlie Sanderson-Eales – Tim, Ella Mulvey – Dennis Nedry, Lewis Mulvey – Gennaro, Jane Sanderson – Arnold, Edwin Lavery – Wu, John Roebuck – Muldoon, Gus Read-Hill – Harding, Sanjay Fernandes – Rostagno, Marcus Maloney – Dodgson/Paleontologist, Stanley Maloney Kearns – Kid at Dig Site, Sam Baker – ‘Man’, Tom Powell – Enthusiastic Amber Miner, Tom Martin – Mr DNA, Basil (the dog) – Goat/Cow, Marcus Lefebure – Richard Kiley and Amos Reynolds as the Costa Rican Waiter.
Ella, as Dennis Nedry, filming a scene at the Glenluce Springs that required her husband, John, to throw mud in her face. 
L-R: Cody Butler (who provided the vehicles) Kristian Bruce (cameraman), John Roebuck (producer) and Ella Mulvey (playing Dennis Nedry).
