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Behind the scenes on Mystic

Behind the scenes filming Mystic

Photographer: Matt Klitscher / © Libertine Pictures Limited and Slim Film + Television Limited 2020

Get the inside scoop from the star and the horse master of hit TV show, Mystic

Do you love the new horsey TV show Mystic? Well, we’ve got some exclusive behind the scenes info straight form the horse’s mouth! Star of the show Macey Chipping, who plays main character Issie Browne, shared loads of awesome stories with us about filming in New Zealand, and Horse Master Greg told us how horses are trained to star in films and TV. They gave us so much exciting info, that we’ve got some extra questions and answers to share with you!

Macey

What made you want to audition for the part of Issie?

I was sent the script before my audition and it was so well-written that I instantly fell in love. Plus, knowing there would be horses involved and that I would get to fly out to New Zealand sounded amazing! I never thought I’d be lucky enough to land the part and do all that cool stuff, but then I did! Forming bonds with the horses and learning to care for them is something I’ll treasure forever.

Did you have a fave horse from filming?

I really liked Treacle who was Caroline’s horse in the show – I feel like he was the cast and crew’s favourite! I loved my horses, too, though. There was Cash – the more chilled out one who I rode and had the most scenes with, and Sox who did all the stunts which I found so cool.

How did you find filming after the pandemic had started?

We’d filmed up to episode eight before we were stopped due to Covid-19 and I flew back to the UK. Then I went back in August to continue filming the last five episodes. Luckily, nothing really changed apart from extra hygiene and social distancing, and thankfully I didn’t lose the bonds I’d formed with the cast or forget any of my riding training!

Behind the scenes filming Mystic

How did you find quarantining when you landed in New Zealand?

Our producer dropped me off a gift basket full of puzzles, bath bombs, face masks and food to help keep me entertained, which was really kind of her. I watched loads of TV and films and was even allowed to go to the hotel gym!

What was your typical routine while you were on set?

We’d wake up at a ridiculous hour, usually five or six o’clock in the morning. Then we’d drive to whatever location we were filming at that day, grab some breakfast, go to hair and makeup and go through the scripts, before jumping straight into filming. Sometimes we’d get to have a ride on the horses between filming. The whole cast would go out riding together so, as much as it was hard work, it was a bit like a mini-holiday, too!

Have you read the Pony Club Secrets books?

Yes! Before my audition I did research for the role and read a few of the books. Even though I was 16 when I auditioned and the books are for children, I really enjoyed them! I was hooked because there was so much drama. My two closest friends are really into horses and grew up reading the Pony Club Secrets books, so they were very excited when I told them I’d got the role!

Greg

What kind of training do the horses need to do to prepare them for stunts?

Once we get the scripts we break down the scenes the horses are in and pinpoint the things we need to work on. Often there’s lots of desensitising to things they might find on set, as well as teaching a particular skill or trick and figuring out what’s the best way to prepare each horse to best tackle what he’s going to need to do. We break things down and perfect the basics, then add the actors/doubles to the mix at the end.

How do you teach them to all do behaviours at the same time (eg episode 6, or the opening sequence of episode 1 where they’re grazing and are then spooked)?

We taught the herd to all run to some scattered feed buckets off-camera and used a whip crack as the cue. We’d set them all grazing and when they needed to spook we’d crack the whip off set and the horses knew that was their cue to gallop off to the food.

Behind the scenes filming Mystic

Where do you source your horses from?

Our horses come from all walks of life. Our company is lucky to be able to breed some of our own that we bring on and train up. We mostly use quarter horses and our training foundation is mostly western so a lot of our horses are sourced from the western industry as young horses and brought on through the film ranks and trained up. They often start out in minor roles and have to work up to the more important cast and hero roles once they prove themselves. We also source a variety of breeds for different looks that are required for different films. 

Were you involved in sourcing the riders and horses at the competition in episode 7? How do you do that?

Yes we were. The production did a casting call for riders and their own horses and then the horse team held a selection day to make sure we had a competent group of riders and horses who would be able to do what we needed them to. They were real team players with the long days on set.

How do you pair horses with actors?

The horses were cast for their roles, just like the actors, and it was up to our horse team to teach the actors how to ride their horse. They definitely all formed great bonds.

How do the horses to cope with the inexperienced riders? Is this something you train them for?

We definitely have an awesome bunch of horses who are all part of the team for their great natures and ability to handle the long days on set and do everything we need them to. The actors spent a lot of time learning to ride before going on set so, by the time we got there, they weren’t so inexperienced. But, yes, our horses are very obliging with what we ask them to do and a lot of time is put into preparing them for this.

Does it take a particular kind of horse to learn the stunt work, eg rearing on command, but also to be gentle enough for a less experienced rider to handle?

It definitely takes a lot of time to teach the liberty and rearing and other tricks and takes a special horse to be able to do what we ask them on set amongst the crew and cameras and actors. There were the scenes of Mystic on the beach where he gallops up to nudge Dora – he has a great nature and is well trained so our Dora double felt safe to trust him not to stand on her. Similarly with the rearing scenes with Blaze and Izzy – it’s takes a special horse to rear or perform on cue the tricks that can be very dangerous but, when asked to stop and interact with actors, they do.

Behind the scenes filming Mystic

If you want to read more about Macey’s experience of riding for the role of Issie, and get the lowdown from Greg on the horses who played Mystic and Blaze, buy the amazing April issue of PONY mag!

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