Meet the Winton dogs that stole their scene

[Boronia]

This ABC drama is excellent,  Deborah Mailman is so talented and here's a story about the dogs

 

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-20/dogs-steal-scene-in-total-control-during-filing-in-winton/11618384

Meet the Winton dogs that stole their scene in ABC drama series Total Control premiere

ABC Western Qld

By Damien Larkins and Oliver Wykeham

Posted about 11 hours ago

 

Photo: Winton local Steven Elliott was cast as an extra, but after meeting him the producers wrote him a much larger role. (ABC TV)

 

These outback Queensland dogs are probably the only characters in Australia that could steal a scene from star Deborah Mailman.

Key Points:

• Sheep dogs steal the scene in ABC drama Total Control
• Originally cast as extras, were given larger role when producers saw them
• Owner Steven Elliott says they would return for a second season

 

The Australian border collies captured hearts in the debut episode of the ABC drama series Total Control.

The scene sees their Winton owner Steven Elliot offer Ms Mailman's character a puppy, to distract her from telling him to take his medication.

The well-trained canines jumped on her ute as she tried to drive away.

Mr Elliot was originally cast as just an extra in the Blackfella Films production.

The directors saw something special in him and the dogs and wrote them all a bigger role in the show.

"They all slotted in and done their little bit," Mr Elliott said.

"They were working really good and really enjoyed it."

 

Photo: You can find Steven in his backyard, making cattle brands or training his sheep dogs. (ABC Western Qld: Ollie Wykeham)

 

From rodeo riding to a wheelchair

The 42-year-old partly severed his spinal cord when he fell from a horse in a rodeo in 2003.

Nowadays you will find him scooting in his wheelchair around the backyard of his Winton home.

It is there he crafts hand-made branding irons and trains his beloved dogs.

 

Photo: Steven has a sheep pen in his backyard he uses to train his dogs. (ABC Western Qld: Ollie Wykeham)

 

It was a long day filming on set, but the dogs took to it like ducks to water.

"They sort of got sick of it by the finish," Mr Elliott said.

"One fell asleep underneath the car at one part."

Scores of the Winton locals were cast as extras in the production and the larger role came as a surprise to Mr Elliott.

"We were thrown in the deep end there a little bit," he said.

"They said 'we're going to do something next week', then they turned up that afternoon and gave me a piece of paper," he said.

"They said 'this is what you've got to say and we're going to start at half past six in the morning' and out we went."

Leaving their mark

With a quick whistle and a flick of his hand, the dogs are quick to respond to Mr Elliott's every command.

"They all really enjoyed it, all the film crew and everyone, they all love the dogs," he said.

"They were enjoying the extra pats."

 

Photo: Steven's dogs are so well trained, they will wait for his command to eat. (ABC Western Qld: Ollie Wykeham)

 

Mr Elliot is hopeful for an even bigger role with Ms Mailman if there is a season two.

"We kinda clicked after a little bit and got on real good too," he said.

"It was pretty fun to work with her."

Mr Elliott thinks the dogs left an impression in more ways than one.

"I think the dogs ended up making a bit of a mark on the camera stand at one point," he said with a laugh.

You can watch Total Control on ABC TV and on iView.

 

Photo: Dog Wiggles and his pack left their mark on the crew and their equipment. (ABC Western Qld: Damien Larkins)

 

 

 

 

[Little Gifts]

What a gorgeous story!

[persephone]

Sounds like it would have been fun