Dion Healey (second from left) and the cast of 2nd Hand.
Camera IconDion Healey (second from left) and the cast of 2nd Hand. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

2nd Hand: opportunity knocks for Mandurah Curtin Uni undergraduates

Jill BurgessMandurah Coastal Times

But two Curtin University undergraduates are hoping to change all that and have chosen Mandurah in which to set the series.

Local man Dion Healey and Daniel Johnston have started production on 2nd Hand, a dark comedy that follows the day-to-day lives of an unlikely group of neurotic co-workers in what they believe is the worst job in the world: working in an op-shop that often wreaks havoc as it is not always taken seriously by its customers or employees.

The two movie buffs have spent two years developing the series – written by Johnston – and four months assembling a cast of six main characters and four who “are in and out”.

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“We are lucky to have some of Perth’s finest talent in the cast,’’ Healey said.

Johnston has worked in an opshop and the series is based on true stories of encounters with customers.

Healey, who has made short corporate films in the past, said they had hoped to film in a local op-shop but faced difficulties.

Shooting will now take place in a local men’s outfitters, with the store set up as an op-shop for filming and reverting to a store each day during opening hours.

Healey is self-funded and the two men – who also created the show in the hope of bringing more work to Perth for fellow filmmakers and actors – are looking for funding to help with equipment hire, insurance, props, costumes and make-up, catering, venue hire and a social media marketing campaign. They are also looking for donations of clothing to help convert the Pinjarra Road store into a temporary op-shop.

The clothing can be collected from donors and will be donated to op shops when filming finishes.

Healey said they hoped to film one scene in June with the remainder in July.

To support the production, go to www.gofundme.com/2nd-hand-series or keep up to date on the 2nd Hand Facebook page.

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