Arlo the koala proves a natural in front of the camera and earns a $50k paycheck
Arlo the koala earned a $50,000 paycheck for his breakthrough role in a new NRMA Insurance TV commercial to air on Sunday.
NSW
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MOVE over Chris Hemsworth, hold the line Margot Robbie — there’s a new Aussie screen star who’s raking in the big bucks.
Arlo the koala earned a $50,000 paycheck for his breakthrough role in a new NRMA Insurance TV commercial to air on Sunday.
The 18th-month-old joey accepted his payment in the form of 12,000 gumtrees, to be planted across koala habitats in NSW and Queensland.
Arlo’s handler — and now talent manager — Jarrod Schenk from Wildlife HQ Zoo said the koala was a natural in front of the camera.
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“Arlo was a real stand out. So relaxed, calm and patient, even with all the production crew around” Mr Schenk said.
“He had to sit in a washing basket inside a trailer, that was connected to a bike. Not many koalas could stay still for that long, but for Arlo it was easy.”
Arlo and his siblings Jemima and Mango all feature in the latest NRMA Insurance campaign that aims to protect the homes of koalas — gum trees.
The $50,000 will go towards Conservation Volunteers Australia, an organisation that actively restores and maintains koala habitats around the country.
Koalas require 20 hours of sleep each day, the production crew had to make the most of limited filming time.
“We shot the ad over four days. Arlo would do 15 minutes of filming and need a few hours of sleep,” said Mr Schenk. “We took a big bouquet of fresh gum leaves everywhere on set, so that kept all them going.”
He expects great interest in Arlo after the advertisement airs. “We’ll keep taking bookings for jobs with a positive conservation message. Koalas are facing extinction and this will help spread awareness about the issue.”
Originally published as Arlo the koala proves a natural in front of the camera and earns a $50k paycheck
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