Lights. Camera. Action!

Lismore local Magnus Dean (also known as DJ Magnus) took his iPhone down to Spinks Park yesterday to see if he could catch a glimpse of his favourite Hollywood star Melissa McCarthy who was filming Netflix comedy 'God’s Favourite Idiot' on location in Lismore.

When Magnus got to the Lismore Transit Centre about 11am, he was told by a yellow coated security guard that he couldn’t walk through the park.

So, Magnus took a walk along Molesworth Street to behind the fire station and discretely pointed his iPhone through slits in the fence at the collection of crew, cranes, cameras and filming equipment in the park.

Magnus came back to the location again at about 4pm and found the Lismore City Bowling Club had been opened and there he took more shots, while some of the film crew smiled at him while they made coffee in a van.

Read more about the shoot: Lismore's roads and park close as Netflix comedy filming begins tomorrow

Photo by Magnus Dean.

His shots were the closest he could get, but they were pretty good – and Magnus was stoked he got so close to his beloved Hollywood star.

“I’m a huge fan of Melissa McCarthy,” Magnus said. “I first became a fan and fell in love with her in 'The Heat', where she starred with Sandra Bullock, I think she’s hilarious and was born to be comedic.

“When I knew she was coming to town I was so excited. I knew there would be security, but I wanted to see if I could get in there to take photos and share my experience with the community.

“I’ve worked on TV shows as an extra before and I saw all the crew were being Covid safe and wearing masks and sweating.”

Melissa McCarthy in a blond wig and brown coat. (Picture courtesy of Media Mode Photo Agency)



Photo by Magnus Dean.

Magnus said he is well known for taking good photos and said it’s because of his eye for photography, as well as his awesome new iPhone.

“I think the fact they are filming here is a great injection into our small town’s economy, bringing tourism and dollars,” he said. “I’ve heard a few negative comment made though - like ‘we can’t house homeless or fix potholes, but we can bring in film crews.

“It’s not all negative and I love being able to share this buzz with Lismore through my photos. You don’t have to be a great fan to appreciate that the filming employs 300 people to be here, working on the project.

“Today, they were filming at the Sherwood Hotel on Molesworth Street. At 10am this morning, the windows were all blacked out and there was police and security out the front.

“I think it’s brilliant marketing for the new hotel, which doesn’t even open until Saturday."

The new Netflix series stars US actors Melissa McCarthy and her husband Ben Falcone and will be filmed in the Northern Rivers this year, over the next few months, with assistance from a $10 million grant from the Federal Government's $540 million Location Incentive program.

(Picture courtesy of Media Mode Photo Agency)

Paparazzi

Lismore resident SJ McKay who owns Media Mode, an entertainment photo agency, has also sent some great paparazzi photos to the Lismore App of the location shoot yesterday, featuring

Melissa McCarthy and her husband Ben Falcone.

Angel in the sky?

Interestingly, The Lismore App journalist Liina Flynn took her Samsung phone to the site and got some far shots. Unfortunately, she wasn't able to capture what she saw on camera before security asked her to move on.

Liina witnessed a person wearing a harness being lifted high into the sky, like he was flying. Perhaps an angel character in the new series?

We will have to wait to find out when 'God’s Favourite Idiot' is finally released.

(Picture courtesy of Media Mode Photo Agency)

(Picture courtesy of Media Mode Photo Agency)

(Picture courtesy of Media Mode Photo Agency)

(Picture courtesy of Media Mode Photo Agency)

(Picture courtesy of Media Mode Photo Agency)

Photo by Liina Flynn.

Photo by Liina Flynn.