Whelan Productions

Specialists in Adventure Media and Logistics

HAPPY FEET

In 1998 Rosy and Howard took their good friend, film producer Bill Miller, to East Antarctica to visit emperor penguin colonies at Auster and Flutter Rookeries. When they set out from Fremantle, Western Australia, they had no idea they were starting a journey that would finish up as part of the team working on one of the most successful animated feature films of all time – directed by George Miller and voiced by the likes of Nicole Kidman, Robin Williams, Elijah Wood, Brittany Murphy, Hugh Jackman and the late Steve Irwin.

Whelan Productions set up the Antarctic logistics and Howard led the filming expedition into the Ross Sea. Rosy used her knowledge of national Antarctic programs and environmental requirements to get the ball rolling, Howard’s photographs inspired George in the early stages of creating the look and feel of the film. Now, for the first time Howard has produced a photographic exhibition of the photographs that helped inspire Happy Feet.

PHOTOGRAPHIC EXPEDITION

From 21 December 2006 until late January 2007, Howard’s exhibition Antarctic Inspiration will be shown at Byron Bay Cinemas to overlap the Boxing Day release of Happy Feet. Session times and cinema location can be found on www.byroncinemas.com.


As well, an expanded version of the exhibition will be shown at Retrospect Galleries, on Byron Street, Byron Bay. Gallery owners Bree Delian and Alberto Sanchez have been pivotal in producing the exhibition. Many of the photographs that appear in the exhibition can be viewed on Retrospect’s website: www.retrospectgalleries.com.

PROMOTION

The media has taken a keen interest in the work that Whelan Productions did on Happy Feet. One of Howard’s interviews for national radio can be heard on www.abc.net.au/rn/sportsfactor under the date 15 December 2006.

A NIGHT WITH HOWARD AND ROSY


If you’re in Byron Bay the evening of 25 January 2007, please drop into Retrospect Gallery for a glass of wine and the chance to ask Howard and Rosy about their work on Happy Feet. Howard will give a slide show and short talk. If you are coming, please ring Bree Delian 02 6680 8825 to book as space will be limited.