It is a total trifecta of creative cool.
Mike O'Meally + Spike Jonze + Girl Skateboards. All three couched together under the wonder of Where the Wild Things Are.
Mike O'Meally carved his craft as a photographer shooting the world of skateboarders. He is also loved and admired for his crisp, beautifully lit portraiture and travel shots. Born in Sydney, Mike now lives and works in Los Angeles as a senior photographer for Transworld Skateboarding, returning to Australia often en route to other international skating or shooting destinations.
In December 2006 O'Meally was invited to join the set of Where The Wild Things Are for one week, to capture Spike Jonze at his most playful and enchanted. The results being a captivating series of stills which are now in turn being exhibited in both Melbourne and Sydney.
The signed prints are going to be sold for $1000 each along with seven exclusive 'Where The Wild Things Are' Board Graphic Series signed by Girl Skateboards team at $250. All proceeds from sales of prints & skateboards go to the Children's Leukaemia & Cancer Research Foundation (Inc).
The entire Girl Skateboards team will be appearing at the opening of this exhibition, which makes this not only a chance to own an incredible piece of film history, but also a chance to donate to a fantastic charity and a worthy cause.
Mike took time out especially for The Vine to talk about the project.
How did you come to be guest photographer on the set of Where the Wild Things Are?
MIKE O'MEALLY: I happened to be in Australia at the time of the last week of shooting, and my wife's room mate at the time was 1st assistant director to Mr Spike Jonez, who I also know from the skateboard world. So I just asked around and Eddie Thorne who was the 1st AD mentioned it to Spike that I was interested and it just followed on from there
How did shooting Wild Things compare to shooting skate things?
MIKE O'MEALLY: Its very different in that the main focus is getting the movie made, not the stills. Where as in skating, there is more of a direct relationship between the photographer and the skater. You are basically a 3rd wheel on a movie set, and on a skate shoot you are driving the bus.
What were some of the funniest more surprising things that happened on set?
MIKE O'MEALLY: Well a surprising thing that happened was seeing a wild Emu running down the beach in high wind in Portland. It was doing about 50-60kmh, down the beach. A funny thing that I liked to see was just Spike's general playful demeanor on set, whether it be wrestling Lance Accord the DP in between shots, or Spike strapping on a SteadyCam rig and then rolling around in the sand with a $150,000 movie camera, he is always never taking things too seriously.
Having been on set and experiencing the action from the other side of the camera - what was it like seeing the film later?
MIKE O'MEALLY: It was great seeing the film later, remembering all the different locations, and at the time of shooting I had no real idea of the story line, so it was interesting to see all of that come together.
What was it like working next to Spike Jonez? What were some cool things that you learnt from him on this project?
MIKE O'MEALLY: I think patience was the most striking characteristic, and composure under obviously huge amounts of stress. Also the ability not to take things too seriously was some thing I really admired and appreciated about him.
What can you tell us about the charity component of this project?
MIKE O'MEALLY: All funds raised from the sale of the prints and skateboards will go to The Children's Leukaemia and Cancer Research Foundation (Inc.). I chose them because the film is such a great kids story and the book too, and I think its a great cause. I am not a parent myself yet, but I have lots of friends with kids and they all encouraged me to follow this path. And its just great to raise money for something thats a lot bigger than just the film or the money made from it.
What else have you got planned for 2010? What other projects are you looking forward to?
MIKE O'MEALLY: I have some travel plans to South America and Israel, and possibly Cuba, and just to continue working in skateboarding and other projects, such as starting a family for myself.
SYDNEY
Level 3
16-28 Foster Street
Surry Hills
Opening Night Sunday 21 February 2010, 6-9 pm
Exhibition runs from 20 February to 21 February 2010
MELBOURNE
Lamington Drive
89 George St
Fitzroy
Opening Night Thursday 25 February 2010, 6-9 pm
Exhibition runs from 26 February to 13 March 2010