A haunting story with passionate performances and real characters that have stayed with me... Naomi Rossdeutscher

A Place Beyond The Pines - Ryan Gosling

After watching Ryan Gosling and director Derek Cianfrance promote 'Blue Valentine' at Cannes a few years back, I was intrigued to see they were doing another film together and really looking forward to experiencing it. The casting of Bradley Cooper, Ryan Gosling, Eva Mendes, Ben Mendelsohn, Rose Byrne and Ray Liotta was also a huge attraction.

...And I wasn't disappointed. I love the independent look and feel of the film, the telling of one story and then moving onto another and finally marrying them together, unveiling the consequences. But it's the passionate performances and real characters that have stayed with me. I particularly enjoyed Ben Mendelsohn, who was exceptional playing a car mechanic, and Ryan Goslings' character left me feeling a haunting loss.

I thought this film was hilarious and man, can they dance ...Naomi

MATT BOMER, CHANNING TATUM, ADAM RODRIGUEZ, JOE MANGANIELLO in Warner Bros. Pictures’ dramatic comedy “MAGIC MIKE,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo by Claudette Barius

Did anyone notice the fabulous Elisabeth Moss was at the closing night film and red carpet for the Sydney Film Festival, with her boyfriend Adam Arkapaw?

I remember seeing her first as the presidents daughter in the West Wing. I've seen the entire West Wing series three times now and I could just keep watching it. How thrilling was the ep. when her character was kidnapped? Wish I'd been on that writing team - even just to watch. And more recently I've enjoyed her playing one of the most interesting characters on Mad Men.

I was blown away by this gritty and intense French film ...Naomi Rossdeutscher

What an extraordinary film POLISSE is, a must see in my book and one of my favourite films screened at the Sydney Film Festival. Now I want to see more of Maïwenn's films

POLISSE

Guest blog by Director of Photography ... PAUL HOWARD

Shoot Day 3 - A 5am start. Central Park is beautiful at this time and today the weather is shaping up to be gorgeous. Our first location is the Delacorte Theatre, a huge outdoor theatre built in 1962 with a seating capacity of 1800. Originally the scene was written as an interior, so we quickly figure out how to make it work as an exterior scene to take advantage of the stunning park backgrounds. As we walk to our location, a massive bicycle race begins, allowing us excellent cut-aways of park life.

Guest blog by Director of Photography ... PAUL HOWARD

With the first day under our belts, a later start and a lighter day is planned for our second shoot day. The sun is shining, filling us with energy and we're back at The Boathouse Cafe, in Central Park, to shoot a few short scenes with HILDY, played by Randwick student Gillian Fahey and CHIP played by American actor Evan Newman.

Guest blog by Director of Photography ... PAUL HOWARD

Day 5 - THE SHOOT: 6am on location outside the Ritz hotel. Cold and dark, full of anticipation for our first shoot day. The students prep the cameras and sound equipment, the director and DOP discuss the particulars for shooting the script without being noticed. The actors arrive and greetings are made. It strikes me how crazy the whole plan is - to shoot a rom-com musical, in New York City, with 10 students, no budget and no permits! Flight to Manhatten - $1700. Cream cheese bagel & coffee - $4. Shooting guerrilla style with Team Randwick in NYC - Priceless!

Guest blog by Director of Photography ... PAUL HOWARD

Day 4 - Begin pre production for our film, BIG APPLE DREAMING - camera & sound equipment is checked & technical rehearsals performed. Our team is organised and energetic, ready to tackle an ambitious shooting schedule.