Mad Max - On becoming an Imperial Guard.

                            

Being an Imperial Guard on 'Mad Max, beyond Thunderdome' was an experience. I've done some modelling over the years, mainly photographic, also extra work on television and films, and my agent found me a part as an imperial guard, on 'Mad Max, Beyond Thunderdome', this meant having a Mohawk haircut.

we were chosen for height, although the other boys made me feel good because they were taller and bigger than me.

It looks like fun, but it was grueling work in the hot sun, filming took place at the Homebush quarry at the height of summer, with heavy rubber and leather costumes. Tyres were burned for dystopian visuals, not great to deal with,

Well, it was fun to be honest...

I remember one scene where I was on the roof of a building in 'Bartertown' with Tina Turner as explosions were happening, she was terrified and kept squeezing my hand. Her stiletto heeled shoes were interesting, they were very high, but there was a platform from the sole to the heel, which made them much safer. She was a lovely woman.

During filming, the other guards were allowed to take off their masks, which were suffocating, I took mine off, but the director, George Miller, asked me to put it back on; I asked why - and he told me I didn't look enough like a thug... I took it as a compliment and suffered the discomfort of the mask.

I took the headdress off for this picture with my friend (and Bartertown resident), Eugenia, but it was the same as the other guards.

The haircut caused comments on the streets, then, when it had just grown out, I was called back for more filming.

It was an experience among many.