Wish in Action: Remy on set for The Artful Dodger
18-year-old Remy’s wish granted on set of Disney+ Australian Original Production.
A life changing wish
Eighteen-year-old Wish kid Remy’s Remy’s wish to go behind the scenes of film and television production and learn the art of directing ambitions wasere turned into reality thanks to a special collaboration between Make-A-Wish Australia and The Walt Disney Company Australia and New Zealand.
Remy was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma at age 15 and had 10 months of chemotherapy. It took her six months to learn how to walk again.
An aspiring filmmaker, Remy told Make-A-Wish her wish was to be on set of a major production and to learn more about directing.
From wish to hopeful director
The wish was granted when The Walt Disney Company invited her to learn about the art of directing onspend a day on the set of Disney+ Australian Original Production, The Artful Dodger Season 2, filming in Sydney.
Remy travelled from Melbourne to Sydney and spent the dayimmersed herself in the world of The Artful Dodger, with interior and exterior on sets built at the historic Callan Park where The Artful Dodger was filming. She arrived in style in a limousine and met cast and crew, learnt about their roles, and took photos with the show’s stars.
Most importantly, Remy got to work alongside and learn from Director Gracie Otto, following her process of setting up and filming a scene.
After shadowing Gracie for most of the day, Remy’s moment to shine came when Gracie handed the reins to Remy, who gaveoffered a directing note to The Artful Dodger star and renowned actor David Thewlis. Remy later shared this moment was her favourite part of the day, especially as Thewlis took on her advice.
Remy’s mum Traci was overjoyed seeing Remy – who is pursuing further studies now studying further in film and cinematography - in her element on set. She said it was fantastic seeing how kind everyone was to Remy.
It was fantastic seeing how kind everyone was to Remy. I think you can’t really put a price on that
Traci, Remy's mum
Unwavering support
Make-A-Wish Australia CEO Sally Bateman said the relationship with The Walt Disney Company had been longstanding.
"Disney’s unwavering support has been instrumental in helping grant life-changing wishes, making an extraordinary difference to critically ill children,” she said.
“We are so grateful for their belief in the power of a wish.”
The Walt Disney Company Australia and New Zealand Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Kylie Watson-Wheeler, said Disney loved Remy’s passion on set for storytelling.
We are grateful for our long-standing collaboration with Make-A-Wish, with Disney involved in granting a wish every hour of every day around the world
Kylie Watson-Wheeler, Senior Vice President and Managing Director
