The sets were truly incredible and everyday was like a new adventure because you would walk into a sound stage and you would have this giant waterfall and these cliffs - it was just beautiful.
So I feel very lucky. Some of the green stuff is so hilarious to actually shoot - there was this one bit where I’m going down in a harness and I’m supposed to be in this amazing big cave and it’s just a green screen with all the crew standing around just two feet off the ground.
- Sanctum is very loosely based on writer and producer Andrew Wright's caving expedition that went wrong so how helpful was it having him on set?
Having someone on set all the time was a luxury, especially for Richard Roxburgh who played my father - he is supposed to be the cave diving expert so he could always refer to Andrew. And it’s always the little things like how they might tie a rope, or set up their ropes - just little idiosyncrasies that you would only have if you were an expert.
- Alister Grierson directed the movie so how did you find him as a director?
Alister has an incredible vision while he was under a lot of pressure on the shoot I think he created a beautiful looking film.
- Obviously there is all this action and all this excitement in the movie but the film is also about this difficult father and son relationship so how difficult was it to find that balance amongst all that action to keep it a very real story?
Yeah that was so important as it was such a core to a film, if you fail at that then you lose the audience, that was something that we were always trying to keep in check, especially Richard and I, finding those right beats and keeping it as genuine as possible so that audiences could relate to that relationship.
- How did you find working with Richard Roxburgh?
Oh it was a pleasure and a joy (laughs). He is a hilarious man and so talented every take he would give you something fresh so you were always on your toes. He really is an amazing actor and it was just such a pleasure to work with him.
- You made your name in soap Home and Away so how have you found the transition from TV into movies?
I have loved the transition thus far it’s nice - especially coming of Home and Away where the turn around is so fast - it’s amazing to be able to take you time and find the parts to a scene to you normally wouldn’t have time to because of the rush.
- And how has your TV work help as you have made the move into movies?
Home and Away is like training because you learn so much so fast as you get thrown into the deep. You learn what works and what doesn’t as an actor, constantly learning different lines, working with different directors, seeing how other actors tick.
I think it’s the best training and I feel so fortunate to have had than and I’m so fond of my time in Home and Away and it‘s definitely built a foundation.
- Sanctum is your first real bigger budget type movie so how did you feel stepping into this type of project?
It was a little intimidating (laughs) especially when James Cameron’s name is attached to it and knowing that he watching everything that you are doing.
- You are living out in LA Now so how are you finding it out there?
It’s good (laughs). It’s a funny little town and there are lots of funny characatures that you meet on a day to day basis. But it’s good and it’s growing on me - it’s just a different world.
- Finally what's next for you?
I have two projects that I’m about to start work and on and they should be fun I’m really excited. One is more of a drama while the other is a psychological drama/thriller.
Sanctum is out on DVD and Blu-Ray now
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw