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The Screen Actors Workshop NOVEMBER 2011 NEWSLETTER

The Screen Actors Workshop

www.screenactorsworkshop.com.au

NOVEMBER 2011 NEWSLETTER

To all Students, Parents and Associates,

It’s been a busy few weeks since Term 4 commenced and to keep up with all of the news we are issuing a mid-term newsletter.

January 2012 Film Acting Techniques Master Class

The popular Film Acting Techniques master class has been running for 23 years now and has given hundreds of the school’s students the knowledge and skills to unleash a dynamic and compelling screen performance. For dates, times and further details please refer to the attached course flyer.

New Tutors

The staff and I would like to welcome two new tutors to the school.

Actor Salvatore Coco (Home and Away; Boot Men; Underbelly 3) will be tutoring the Screen Acting Intensive over two consecutive Sundays from 1 to 5pm on November 27 and December 4. The screen intensive is designed to take the aspiring actor’s on-camera skills to the next level, detailing what is expected of an actor when working in film and television production. In this hands-on master class you will learn the skills that real actors use. There are currently two positions still available in Salvatore’s course, so be quick!

Voice development coach Elena Kalinina is the school’s new Voice and Articulation tutor.

Elena has been teaching voice and articulation for 29 years and her unique method has produced profound results. Elena will also be tutoring a Russian Accents master class at the school. Over the past two weekends Elena sat in on Bill Pepper’s American Accents and Dialects master class to see how well the students were expressing themselves and to get a feel for the school’s culture and teaching style.  Elena noticed the same thing that I have over the years – too many students don’t know how to speak properly; either due to stiffness in the jaw and tongue area or constriction of the throat. Elena will be running a new Voice and Articulation class early 2012. Her course is a must if you are not articulating correctly (and that would include 95% of the students I’ve worked with over the years!) Learning how to use your voice correctly and confidently will make you far more effective as an actor. And a good speaking voice is a sure fire way to gain the attention of those who matter in this highly competitive industry.

 

Screen Actors Workshop Mentoring Program

After numerous requests from students and graduates the school has established a Student Advisory and Mentoring program. Utilising the school’s contacts and our tutors extensive industry experience the new program is a 24/7 information, mentoring and advisory service for current and former students and graduates working professionally – or aiming at working professionally – within the film and television industry both at home and overseas.

What does the program offer? The service offers ongoing support and career advice via phone and email, along with face-to-face scene rehearsal for screen tests and film and television roles for a monthly subscription fee of $25.

What else does the program offer? Preference for paid acting work offered to the school from independent producers, directors and production companies, along with first preference for in-house produced corporate and training films, music clips, show reels and any other available opportunities. In fact anything we can do to help move your career forward, from compiling industry standard resumes and picking the best head shot, to discounts on show reels and demo scenes.

Is the program good value for money? A $25 monthly subscription is extremely good value, especially when you consider that private one-on-one acting tuition rates start at $75 per hour.

But to get your money’s worth, you obviously need to use the service, so the program is not for those who aren’t actively chasing work.

Student News

Advanced teen students Rebecca Carbone and Aris Varvarian have successfully auditioned and been accepted into the prestigious Atlantic Theatre Company 3 week full time program in L.A. for January 2012. The rigorous entry conditions and serious competition for a place in the course didn’t faze Rebecca or Aris. In fact, I received a call from the coordinator of the program early this week praising both of the teens for their acting skills and attitude. Aris was accepted into and completed the demanding course last year too, so I’m sure he’ll be a good source of information for Rebecca before they fly to L.A. Congratulations and good luck to you both with this golden opportunity!

 

Advanced adult students James Bolger and Jodie Lea Campbell have just wrapped a Subscribe-HR shoot via the school’s contacts. The corporate product promo will be screened online and the producers are hoping the promo will go viral.

 

Intermediate adult student Brandon Vear scored his first paying job via the school on a demo scene supporting Melbourne actor Ashley Jeffrey. The scene we shot for Ashley was for an online audition for Barrett Casting for the role of a policeman.

Former student and New Yorker Brady Kirchberg returned to America a few years ago where he founded the Red Wheelbarrow Theatre Company. The company performed three highly successful off-Broadway productions and are now producing their second film. The various scenes Brady has sent me links to from the films are exceptionally well-acted with state of the art production values. The sky’s the limit for you now Brady!

 

Jodie Lea Campbell is back in the news again, this time for her role of Russian International Peacekeeper Gina Lednyak in the Danger Alliance online commercial promoting a new gaming app. The new app is in the same genre as the game Worms and is used on iPhones, iPods and Macs. The new app has received rave reviews and the online promo will hopefully increase Jodie’s growing acting profile. With only 7 days notice before she had to play the role of a Russian speaking character, Jodie said the techniques she learned in the American Accents and Dialects master class from tutor Bill Pepper really paid off when it came to learning the difficult Russian accent in such a short amount of time. Jodie said the technique she applied from Bill’s classes “helps to break down the sounds and allows you to work out what goes where.” The firearms skills Jodie learned in tutor Tony Garland’s armoury master class also came in handy as her character had to fire a rocket launcher. Along with some of the other women who have completed the armoury course over the past few years, Jodie fell in love with a pump action shotgun – her favourite weapon during the master class. She now informs me she wants a rocket launcher! Look out! Both producer Dous Rahman and director Andy Fernandez praised Jodie’s performance on the Danger Alliance shoot. Perhaps you should have hit them up for the rocket launcher when they were heaping praise on you Jodie. You never know your luck, eh?

 

Sabeena Manalis‘s career has taken another leap forward with the role of “Sabeena,” Frankie’s wild little cousin in the SBS-TV satirical comedy series, Housos.  Actor/producer/director Paul Fenech’s Housos – like his Fat Pizza series – is definitely not for the faint hearted; but if you’re not easily offended by drug use, foul language, sex scenes and madcap antics and you like your comedy rough and ready, then you’ll get a laugh from Housos.

 

Class Scene DVDs

If you would like an edited copy of your class scenes on DVD then see me in class and I’ll arrange it for you. Class scene DVDs are $40 per term’s work (4 scenes beginner/Intermediate level and 5 scenes advanced level) Any extra scenes shot where you have doubled up to fill in for someone  away during a filming class can also be added to the DVD for an extra editing fee.

Compilations of 4 or 5 of your favourite scenes from previous and current term’s work are also $40 per DVD.

 

Well that’s all the news for now. More to come in the December newsletter.

 

Alan Nurthen

Director

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The Screen Actors Workshop OCTOBER 2011 NEWSLETTER

The Screen Actors Workshop

www.screenactorsworkshop.com.au

OCTOBER 2011 NEWSLETTER

To All Students, Parents and Associates,

 

As we head toward summer and the end of another year I’d like to remind you to jot down the date for the Studio Christmas Party on Saturday December 10: 7-30 till 11- 30pm. It’s been a big year for the school and the Christmas party is the perfect opportunity to unwind and reflect on our students achievements during 2011 and to speculate on the possibilities for 2012. During the evening we’ll be screening camera footage from 2011 classes along with edited scenes highlighting some of the year’s most outstanding work. There’s be plenty of tasty snacks and interesting people to meet and all students, family and friends are welcome.

 

Term 4 Master Class Program

Bill Pepper‘s American Accents and Dialects master class will run over three x four hour sessions from 12 noon to 4pm on Saturday November 5, Saturday November 12 and Sunday November 13. Mastering the standard American accent is a must for Australian actors as there is work to be had on offshore US productions filming in Sydney and on The Gold Coast. You can’t fake the accent and close enough isn’t good enough when auditioning for small roles in local US productions. Bill’s course will supply the tools and the vocal skills you need to develop an authentic  American accent and thereby maximise your credibility at casting sessions.

(See attached course flier for further details)

 

Peter Phelps Screen Acting Intensive will run over two x four hour sessions from 1 to 5pm on

Sunday November 27 and Sunday December 4. Don’t miss the opportunity to work with one of Australia’s most popular actors in this dynamic master class where you will learn the acting techniques that real actors use on a day-by-day basis, thereby enabling you to fast track your skills to the next level.

(See attached course flier for further details)

January 2012 Film Acting Techniques Master Class

The popular and challenging Film Acting Techniques master class will be held over the weekend of the 14th and 15th of January, 2012 with pre-production on Tuesday January 10, from 7-30 to 9-30pm. Course fliers will be distributed late November.

24/7 Youth Film Festival Awards Presentation

The 2011 24/7 Youth Film Festival Screening and Presentation night was held on Sunday September 18 at the Warriewood Cinema complex. The event was a huge success with 450 people in attendance and a fun night was had by all attendees and special guests. Award-winning actor and Screen Actors Workshop master class tutor Peter Phelps was the master of ceremonies for the evening and, as one of the judging panel and the screen acting tutor for this year’s event, I presented the Emerging Actor and Best Actor awards to the winners. The young film makers (aged 14 to 24)  tackled some interesting themes and subjects with their films. This year’s winners Pat Feary and Rhys Bennett are the only team to have entered every year since the competition began nine years ago. Pat and Rhys won Best Film (judges and audience choice) for their hilarious film Monkey on My Back, about a guy plagued by his persistent on-screen narrator. The lads also picked up awards for Best Script and Best Actor (Rhys Bennett.) Pat and Rhys also won the Best Film award last year for their dark comedy None Before One, a spoof on current affairs-style interviews. The two young men are certainly on a roll and have their sights set on Tropfest 2012. Mayors Jean Hay (Manly) and Michael Regan (Warringah) voiced their support and ongoing commitment to the competition and I’m looking forward to working with them again next year.

Student News

Graduate Agoes Soedjarwo appears as Chinese Opium kingpin Chow Fat in Episode 13 of Wild Boys, screening Sunday November 27 on Channel 7. Agoes, Indonesian by birth, committed himself completely to the audition for the cameo role and with help from his wife Julie, he dressed from head to toe as a 19th Century Chinese gangster, proving that if you look and act the part, you’ll win it.

Advanced adult student Sam Smith is currently working on Baz Luhrmann‘s remake of The Great Gatsby as stand-in for actor Tobey Maguire. Gatsby is currently in production at Fox Studios in Sydney. Sam’s role as stand-in requires him to fill in for Maguire for lighting and camera set ups and to perform in preliminary rehearsals, after which the star emerges from his trailer and takes over the limelight. The job is a golden opportunity for Sam as it gives him access to performers of the calibre of Maguire and star Leonardo DeCaprio. Sam said it’s been a real education working on a big budget Hollywood funded film, not only for the contacts he’s making but for the behind the scenes machinations of cast and crew and the application of high-end camera support equipment and lighting set ups. Sam’s budding career is certainly on the up and up! Congratulations mate.

Former students Frank Stead and Bobby Babin can be seen strutting their stuff in the online film Waiting, in which Frank plays a town sheriff circa 1929. Waiting is beautifully shot and edited and the period is captured with stark realism – plus the shoot-out scene is as good as it gets. Frank’s American accent is seamless thanks to the skills he gained in Bill Pepper’s American Accents and Dialects master class and which he has been perfecting since. There’s no question about fellow actor Bobby Babin’s accent though as he is an American. Good work fellas.

Extra Curricular Studies

There are five new articles posted on the school’s site in The Acting Blog. With 29 articles now posted in the Blog, you have a wealth of information at your fingertips covering everything from how to find a reputable agent to sustaining a long-term career. It could ostensibly cost you thousands of dollars and many years of study and experience to learn the important lessons contained within the posted articles, so take advantage of the free info and happy reading.

Class Scene DVDs

If you would like an edited copy of your on-camera scenes from Term 3 – or from previous term’s work – then see me in class or email me with your order and I’ll put a DVD together for you. Class scene DVDs are $40-00 per term’s work or the same price for a compilation of 4 or 5 of your favourite scenes.

The staff and I are refreshed and raring to go again after the two week semester break and we look forward to working with you again this term.

 

Alan Nurthen

Director

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The Screen Actors Workshop September 2011 Newsletter

The Screen Actors Workshop

www.screenactorsworkshop.com.au

SEPTEMBER 2011 NEWSLETTER

 

To all Students, Parents and Associates,

As Term 3 comes to an end, I’m happy to report that students across all levels of study are responding well to the challenges of the curriculum. The Advanced Teens in particular have turned in consistent and creative work on-camera with the new additions to the class this term proving themselves more than capable via their inspired and passionate screen performances.

Term Dates: Term 3 ends on Saturday September 24, and Term 4 commences on Tuesday October 11, after the two week spring semester break.

It would be appreciated if ongoing students returning for Term 4 classes confirm and secure their position with a $50 fees deposit.

24/7 Youth Film Festival: As mentioned in the July newsletter, the school was invited to partner this year’s 24/7 Youth Film Festival. A collaborative project between Manly, Mosman, Warringah and Pittwater councils, the 24/7 Film Festival is one of Australia’s leading youth festivals, challenging young people to make a short film up to a maximum of 7 minutes duration within a set 24 hour period. No mean feat when you consider the amount of work involved!

Our partnership deal with this year’s festival was to provide a free 10 week term of classes to the winner of the Best Actor Award and to host four free courses for the 24/7 Youth Film Festival participants. The courses were held at the school during August with various industry professionals (including myself) tutoring the festival entrants. The courses were run over four separate sessions over a three week period and covered acting for camera, cinematography, directing, and scriptwriting. After completion of the workshops, the participants (aged between 12 and 24 years of age) then have 24 hours to write, shoot and edit their short film. Screening of the ten finalists films and the awards  presentation will be held at Warriewood United Cinema on Sunday September 18 - with a whopping $15,000 worth of prizes to be presented to the winners on the night.

Award-winning actor and Screen Actors Workshop master class tutor Peter Phelps will be the  Master of Ceremonies at this year’s awards night. Along with supplying the studio as the venue for the four master classes (and tutoring the screen acting component) I was also roped in as one of the judges for the event. The festival celebrates its ten year anniversary next year and has in the interim proved to be not only a creative outlet for local youth but also an insight into local youth culture. The finalist films feature a wide range of subject matter and highlight a wealth of up-and-coming talent here on the Northern Beaches.

Facebook Fan Page: Thanks to the students who have joined the Screen Actors Workshop Brookvale Facebook Fan Page and added a “Like!” to the page. Our internet marketing team have been putting a lot of time and effort into the page and your participation in the process is much appreciated.

Film Acting Techniques Master Class Review: The July Film Acting Techniques master class produced the short dramatic film, Smirk. The final result was impressive and the cast turned in strong performances. Congratulations to Tony Dreise, Sam Smith, Candace Wise, James Bolger, Vera Polianskaia and Victor Poliansky for a job well done. The Film Acting Techniques master class has a different structure every time it is held and because of that, some of our students have completed the intensive course 3 or 4 times already. The course is a lot of fun and a big learning curve as the master class expands upon what is taught in class each week and drops the participating students deep into the film acting process, thereby giving them a broad insight into the process from both sides of the camera. The course will run again in January 2012 and course fliers will be distributed mid-Term 4.

Spring Master Class Program: Tentative master classes for Term 4 include Peter Phelps Screen Acting Intensive and Bill Pepper’s American Accents and Dialects. We may also run the Armoury for Actors course again during Term 4 as there have been numerous enquiries and interest shown for Armourer/Tutor Tony Garland’s seriously fun, hands-on master class. Course fliers for the above mentioned courses will be distributed once dates, times and tutor availability have been confirmed.

Student News: Indonesian actor and graduate Agoes Soedjarwo (The Phantom; The Year of Living Dangerously; The Island of Dr Moreau; Balibo) will soon commence filming the role of a mad Japanese restaurant owner in the black comedy feature film, Another Bloody Wedding. Keep an eye out for Agoes as well in the new Seven Network series, Wild Boys. The series, about Australian bush rangers in the 1860s, premiered on Sunday September 4. In Wild Boys, Agoes plays Chinese opium kingpin Chow Fat. Agoes easy-going friendly nature belies many of the characters he has played over the years, including the potentially murderous Indonesian army sergeant who threatens Mel Gibson’s character in the climactic scene of Peter Weir’s The Year of Living Dangerously; and the brutal Indonesian army captain in the 2008 film Balibo, which details the true story of the senseless murder of five Australian journalists by the invading Indonesian army in East Timor in October 1975 – and the complete lack of intervention or interest in the seeking of justice by every Australian federal government since the incident occurred three and a half decades ago. Powerful stuff and a film every Australian should see.

It was good to watch former advanced student Bobby Babin walking the dog and strutting his stuff in the Sun Herald Mary Poppins CD give away TVC promotion for the August 21 edition of the newspaper.

Although our students are not as well represented in the new period drama Underbelly Razor - as compared to Underbelly 3, which featured many of our students and graduates playing everything from small  cameos to lead roles – the school is still well represented in Razor, while behind the scenes, Screen Actors Workshop Armoury for Actors master class tutor Tony Garland is the armourer on the series. It was also a blast to hear some of my favourite musicians on the soundtrack, namely Newcastle outfit Mojo Ju Ju and the Snake Oil Merchants and Melbourne blues, jazz and swing  maestro C.W. Stoneking.

Many people have found it puzzling that the producers of Underbelly Razor went to such painstaking lengths to recreate Sydney in the 1920s and 30s and yet neglected to use a sound track exclusively from that period – which produced some amazing jazz and swing – opting instead for modern day music for the score. It was a bit disconcerting to hear a night club singer belting out the Mental as Anything tune “The Nips are Getting Bigger” from 1979; however Mojo Ju Ju and C.W. Stoneking’s retro jazzy swing perfectly fits the era, and if you aren’t familiar with the above mentioned artists music, you’d be none the wiser that it wasn’t recorded in the 1930s. A little more  research on the music score would have added greater authenticity to the series I believe, although having said that, I have to give the producers the thumbs up for utilising some brilliant though relatively obscure Australian music.

Extra Curricular Studies: There are ten new acting related blogs on the school’s web site which will give you a heads up on important screen technique. You can access the posted articles in The Acting Blog via the menu on the right hand side of each page on the school’s site. Happy reading and don’t be shy about making a comment on any of the articles as we appreciate your invaluable feedback.

Class Scene DVDs: If you would like an edited copy of your past term’s on-camera scenes for further home study then see me in class and I will organise it for you. Class scene DVDs are $40 per term’s work, or the same price for a 4 to 5 scene compilation of your favourite scenes from previous terms workshops.

The staff and I look forward to working with you again next term while continuing our commitment to provide the best possible on-camera actor training for our students.

 

Alan Nurthen

Director

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The Screen Actors Workshop July 2011 Newsletter

The Screen Actors Workshop

www.screenactorsworkshop.com.au

JULY 2011 NEWSLETTER

To all Students, Parents and Associates,

Classes return over the next two weeks from July 19, and the staff and I would like to welcome back our ongoing students and extend a warm welcome to the new students commencing classes with us this term. We’re looking forward to another fun, challenging and productive 10 weeks of classes.

After winning the Outstanding Educational Service award at the 2010 Northern Beaches Local Business Awards, the school was a finalist contender again in the 2011 event.

Although we didn’t win again this year, we were thrilled to be one of the finalists and we look forward to competing again in 2012. Thanks to all of the students who voted for the school again this year. Your support is greatly appreciated.

24/7 Youth Film Festival: The Screen Actors Workshop has been invited to partner the 24/7 Youth Film Festival for the 2011 event. The school will be producing the opening introductory video and running a series of acting and production workshops for the competing film makers.

The 24/7 Film Festival is one of Australia’s leading youth festivals. A collaborative project between Mosman, Manly, Warringah and Pittwater councils, the festival challenges young people to make a 7 minute short film over 24 hours. A number of our teen students have competed in the festival in the past and if any of our current teen students are keen to make a short film, or to act in one, there is a free info night on Tuesday 2 August from 6-30 to 8-30 pm at the Star of the Sea Theatre, corner of Collingwwod Street and Iluka Avenue, Stella Maris College, Manly.

For more information contact Suzi Pawley on 9970 1152.

Facebook Fan Page: Next time you are on Facebook please take a couple of minutes to visit the Screen Actors Workshop Brookvale page and add a “Like!” Facebook has become a valuable business marketing and branding tool and the more friends we have the more powerful our profile. Please help the cause and give us a “thumbs up!” next time you visit the site. Your help will be greatly appreciated.

Screen Actors Workshop Video Production Unit: The school’s video production unit has been producing script to screen productions since the late 1980s. The diverse range of programs include internationally broadcast documentaries (Funnel Webs; Boomers and Slackers); corporate video productions for clients as diverse as MYOB, The Queensland Department of Primary Industries and National Disability Services; award-winning short films; and music videos for a variety of artists including Dub Congress, Pico, and Lee Kernaghan’s guitarist Lawrie Minson (Golden Guitar winner 1997 Tamworth Music Festival: Best Instrumental Video Clip.)

Our team produce highly affective videos with proven results to suit every budget. So if you – or someone you know – are looking to promote a new product, a new business, a singer or a band then contact us at www.screenactorsworkshop.com.au/professional video production services

Film Acting Techniques Master Class Review: The Film Acting Techniques master class held over the weekend of July 16 and 17 produced an intense short film titled Smirk. This particular master class has a different structure every time it is held, with the participating students facing different conditions and challenges during each course. The Film Acting Techniques master class expands upon what is taught in class each week and drops the participating students deep into the film acting process, thereby allowing the students to gain a broader insight into the process from both sides of the camera. Some of our students have participated in this unique master class 3 or 4 times. The student cast for the July acting course were Tony Dreise, Sam Smith, Candace Wise and James Bolger, along with graduate Victor Poliansky and the school’s coordinator Vera Polianskaia. I’m looking forward to editing the film and assessing the results with the cast.

Student News: After an impressive 30 second piece to camera in the Queensland Flood Clean Up Gas Safety TVC last month (see June Newsletter) advanced adult student Sam Smith appears to be on a roll. Last weekend Sam performed in a new Samsung TVC which is due to air shortly.

For the up and coming and mid-range actor small roles in feature films and television drama are their bread and butter. However lead and ongoing support roles in TV drama along with speaking parts in television commercials are where the real money is for actors. Television commercials are, by nature, high rotation, and therefore great exposure for any actor – not only to the general viewing public but as vital exposure to the industry movers and shakers who can influence an actor’s career path. So well done Sam and hopefully it’s on to bigger and better opportunities for you!

 

Extra Curricular Study Guides: Some runners up to the staff’s favourite 35 films list (see June Newsletter)

Ace Ventura Pet Detective (USA 1994: Director Tom Shadyac, Starring Jim Carrey, Courtney Cox,  Sean Young) Early Carrey at his comedic best. The encounter with the great white shark in the fish tank is hilarious and worth the price of admission alone.

The Usual Suspects (USA 1995: Director Bryan Singer, Starring Kevin Spacey, Gabriel Byrne, Chazz Palminteri) The thinking person’s mystery film.

Heat (USA 1995: Director Michael Mann, Starring Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Val Kilmer)

Great LA crime saga with De Niro and Pacino facing off against each other in style.

The Man with Two Brains (USA 1993: Director Carl Reiner, Starring Steve Martin, Kathleen Turner, David Warner) One of Martin’s funniest films. Value packed adult slapstick comedy.

Angel Heart (USA 1987: Director Alan Parker, Starrting Mickey Rourke, Robert De Niro, Lisa Bonet) An interesting thriller set in New Orleans with De Niro playing Louis Cyphre (Lucifer) with  menacing relish.

Mr. Majestic (USA 1974: Director Richard Fleischer, Starring Charles Bronson, Linda Crystal, Al Lettieri) One of Bronson’s best shoot ‘em up films. Mafia associate Lettieri was one of Hollywood’s scariest tough guy actor’s, notorious for intimidating other actors on set with his attitude and tough demeanour. Worth a look if you’re in the mood for a good action flick.

Lantana (Australia 2001: Director Ray Lawrence, Starring Anthony LaPaglia, Kerry Armstrong, Geoffrey Rush, Barbara Hershey, Vince Colosimo, Peter Phelps, Rachael Blake) Lantana won 7 AFI awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (LaPaglia) and Best Actress (Armstrong)

Classic Australian cinema.

Class Scene DVDs: If you would like an edited copy of your on-camera scenes from last term then see me in class and I’ll organise it for you. Class scenes DVDs are $40-00 per term’s work, or the same price for a 4 or 5 scene compilation of your favourite scenes.

I look forward to seeing you this week and to working with you this term.

 

Alan Nurthen

Director

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The Screen Actors Workshop June 2011 Newsletter

To all Students, Parents and Associates,

 

As Term 2 comes to a close we are happy to report that a very high learning outcome across all teen and adult classes has been achieved over the past 10 weeks. Thank you to our students for their application and dedication to screen acting in their respective classes.

The DVCPRO broadcast edit suite (thanks to our new equipment sponsor SBS TV)  is performing to expectation and we’ve now cleared the large backlog of editing which built up while we were sourcing and setting up the new machines.

The staff and I would like to welcome casting director Kari Harris (Chopper, The Interview, MI2) to the teaching staff. Kari’s Audition Process/Screen Test master class was held last weekend – June 18 and 19 – with an enthusiastic group of intermediate and advanced-level students. Kari proved to be a phenomenal tutor, nurturing and empowering the students while teaching them every aspect of the screen test process. Educational gold for participating students Jodie Campbell, Rebecca Carbone, Emma-Jane MacKinnon-Lee and Jasmina Savic.

Term Dates: Term 2 ends on Saturday July 2. Term 3 classes return week commencing Monday July 18, after the two week winter semester break.

 

Class Fee Deposits: It would be greatly appreciated if all students returning for Term 3 classes secure their nominated class position with a $50 deposit.

2011 Small Business Awards Finals: The school has been named a finalist in this year’s Northern Beaches Local Small Business Awards. Last year was the first time the Screen Actors Workshop entered the awards and not only did we make the finals first time around but we won the 2010 Outstanding Education Service award. The 2011 awards ceremony will be held on July 5. We’ll let you know how we fare this year in the July newsletter.

 

Film Acting Techniques Master Class: The popular Film Acting Techniques master class will be held again over the last week of the July semester break. See attached course flier for full details

The previous master class in January produced the short film Fright Night, which recently screened on TVS giving television audience exposure to the four advanced students in the cast: Rendall Wagner, Melinda Jackson, Sam Smith and James Bolger.

 

Student News: Congratulations to advanced adult student Sam Smith for his commanding performance in the 30 second Queensland Flood Clean Up Gas Safety Public Service television commercial. Sam sent me a link to the TVC and then posted a link on the Thursday Advanced Adult Class Face Book page. Sam’s fellow classmates were suitably impressed by his performance – a strong authoritative delivery with excellent camera technique. Well done Sam!

Speaking of Face Book, the Screen Actors Workshop Fan Page needs your assistance. We are soon to delete the old Group Page and it would be appreciated if you join the new Fan Page as a friend and add a “Like!” to the page, as we have linked it to the school’s web site for added exposure.

 

Screen Actors Workshop Favourite 35 Films of the Modern Screen Acting Era (1954 – 2011)

Below are some of the teaching staff’s all time favourite films of the modern era. These films cover a wide range of genres and are a valuable extra-curricular study guide.

On the Waterfront (USA 1954: Director Elia Kazan; Starring Marlon Brando, Karl Malden, Lee J Cobb)

Some like it Hot (USA 1959: Director Billy Wilder; Starring Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis)

Psycho (USA 1960: Director Alfred Hitchcock; Starring Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh)

The Godfather (USA 1972: Director Francis Ford Coppola; Starring Marlon Brando, Al Pacino)

News Front (Australia 1978: Director Phillip Noyce; Starring Bill Hunter, Wendy Hughes, Bryan Brown)

Play Misty for Me (USA 1971: Director Clint Eastwood; Starring Clint Eastwood, Donna Mills)

China Town (USA 1974: Director Roman Polanski; Starring Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, John Huston)

Mad Max 2 (Australia 1981: Director George Miller; Starring Mel Gibson, Virginia Hay, Bruce Spence)

Alien (USA 1979: Director Ridley Scott; Starring Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt)

Sexy Beast (UK/Spain 2000: Director Jonathan Glazer; Starring Ray Winstone, Ben Kingsley, Amanda

Redman, Ian McShane)

Catch 22 (USA 1970: Director Mike Nichols; Starring Alan Arkin, Orson Welles, Art Garfunkel, Richard

Benjamin, Jon Voight, Martin Balsam)

Good Night and Good Luck (USA 2005: Director George Clooney; Starring David Strathairn,

Jeff  Daniels, George Clooney)

Blade Runner (USA 1982: Director Ridley Scott; Starring Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer)

Fitzcarraldo (Germany 1982: Director Werner Herzog; Starring Klaus Kinski, Claudia Cardinale)

Mulholland Drive (USA 2001: Director David Lynch; Starring Naomi Watts, Laura Elena Harring)

Mystic River (USA 2003: Director Clint Eastwood; Starring Sean Penn, Kevin Bacon, Tim Robbins)

Cosi (Australia 1996: Director Mark Joffe; Starring Ben Mendelsohn, Toni Collette, Rachel Griffiths)

Dead Calm (Australia 1989: Director Phillip Noyce; Starring Sam Neill, Billy Zane, Nicole Kidman)

Chopper (Australia 2000: Director Andrew Dominick; Starring Eric Bana, David Field, Dan Wyllie)

Buffalo Soldiers (USA 2001: Director Gregor Jordan; Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Ed Harris, Scott Glenn)

Two Hands (Australia 1999: Director Gregor Jordan; Starring Heath Ledger, Bryan Brown, David Field)

Good Morning Vietnam (USA 1987: Director Barry Levinson; Starring Robin Williams, Forest

Whitaker)

The Shawshank Redemption (USA 1994: Director Frank Darabont; Starring Morgan Freeman, Tim

Robbins, Bob Gunton)

The Kings Speech (UK 2010: Director Tom Hooper; Starring Colin Firth, Helena Bonham Carter,

Geoffrey Rush, Derek Jacobi)

Body Heat (USA 1981: Director Lawrence Kasdan: Starring William Hurt, Kathleen Turner, Richard

Crenna, Ted Danson)

The Crying Game (UK 1992: Director Neil Jordan; Starring Stephen Rea, Forest Whitaker, Jaye Davidson)

Invictus (USA/South Africa 2009: Director Clint Eastwood; Starring Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon)

Winter’s Bone (USA 2010: Director Debra Granick; Starring Jennifer Lawrence, John Hawkes)

The Talented Mr Ripley (USA 1999: Director Anthony Minghella; Starring Matt Damon, Gwyneth

Paltrow, Jude Law)

The French Connection (USA 1970: Director William Friedkin; Starring Gene Hackman, Fernando Rey,

Roy Scheider)

Mephisto (Germany 1981: Director Istvan Szabo; Starring Klaus Maria Brandauer, Krystyna Janda)

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (Italy/Spain 1966: Director Sergio Leone; Starring Clint Eastwood,

Eli Wallach, Lee Van Cleef)

Das Boot/The Boat (Germany 1981: Director Wolfgang Petersen; Starring Jurgen Prochnow, Herbert

Gronemeyer, Uwe Ochsenknecht)

A Beautiful Mind (USA 2001: Director Ron Howard; Starring Russell Crowe, Ed Harris, Jennifer

Connelly)

Anatomy of a Murder (USA 1959: Director Otto Preminger; Starring James Stewart, George C Scott,

Lee Remick, Ben Gazzara)

 

 

Class Scene DVDs: If you would like an edited copy of your on-camera scenes from Term 2, a previous term’s work, or a compilation of your 4 or 5 best scenes, then see me in class and I’ll organise it for you. Class scene DVDs are $40 per term’s work, or the same price for a 4 or 5 scene compilation.

 

 

The staff and I look forward to working with you next term and we wish you a safe and happy winter semester break.

Alan Nurthen

Director

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The Screen Actors Workshop May 2011 Newsletter

 

To all Students, Parents and Associates,

Classes return from Tuesday April 26. Although the 26th is the Anzac Day public holiday, classes are running on that date as the school doesn’t observe public holidays during term.

The staff and I would like to extend a warm welcome to the new students commencing with us, and to welcome back our established Intermediate and Advanced level students for another 10 week term of on-camera workshops.

The standard of work last term was impressive to say the least and I’m really looking forward to working with the new and established students this term.

Autumn Master Class Program: Next up is the Audition Process master class.

Dates and times have yet to be confirmed as we are currently meeting with casting agent Kari Harris (Sascha Huckstepp’s replacement) to establish suitable dates.

Once confirmed, master class course fliers will be distributed to all students.

We are also hoping to run the Armoury master class again this term: Only two more students are needed to fill the course, so if you are interested let me know and we’ll organise a date for the full day course with armourer Tony Garland and the Botany Pistol Club.

The Film Acting Techniques master class will run again in the middle of the July semester break. The course consists of pre-production and casting on Tuesday July 5 from 7 to 9-30pm; production over the weekend of Saturday July 9 and Sunday July 10 from 10-30am to 7pm. Once the film is edited, there will be a screening and assessment session to complete the course. Course fliers will be distributed mid-Term 2.

Extra Curricular Study Guides: There have been a few new books released lately on the subject of screen acting. Once I’ve ploughed my way through them I’ll recommend the ones worth reading. In the meantime, check out the Blog page on our web site as there are ten informative articles on screen related subjects. These articles cover a lot of ground and are well worth reading.

Also if you haven’t read Eric Morris’ excellent book “No Acting Please” then do yourself a favour and check it out. It’s available on Amazon for a very reasonable price.

Student News: Abby Holz returned last week from a short stint in L.A. with her agent Gina Stoj. Abby attended some workshops and made valuable contacts with Hollywood agents, directors and casting agents in preparation for her return next year when she will do the rounds auditioning for the US television pilot season. Best of luck with it Abby!

Recently our students and graduates were all over Underbelly 3, playing a variety of roles from 50 worders, Frank Stead as the Police Minister and Sabina Manalis as one of Ibrahim’s girlfriends, to more substantial roles, Ronnie Masoud as one of the bad guys, Robert Carlton as put upon Kings Cross detective Neville “Scully” Scullion and Series 3 lead, Dieter Brummer as corrupt detective turned whistleblower Terry Hagan.

Rob Carlton is currently appearing in the two-part ABC TV drama series Paper Giants: The Birth of Cleo playing a young Kerry Packer. Set against the backdrop of the dramatic downfall of the Whitlam government, the recreation of Sydney in the early 1970s is incredibly accurate. The brilliant art direction and set design is backed up with memorable stock footage of the time – the 1973 completion of the Sydney Opera House, the overthrow of the Whitlam government, the introduction of colour television in 1974 and snippets from the 1970s TV news.

Rob did a fine job playing Packer. He had his demeanour, severe sense of humour, mannerisms and his walk down pat. I met Kerry Packer a few times back in the late 60s and early 70s when I worked for his father Frank as an apprentice graphic artist.

Both were formidable, powerful and intimidating men; so more than most, having briefly known them both, I was prepared to be critical of Rob’s performance. However, he won me over within minutes of first appearing on screen; as did Asher Keddie as Ita Buttrose. The working relationship between the two strong willed protagonists was well detailed and both actors captured the subtle nuances of the relationship in great detail.

 

New Digital Edit Suite: After months of searching for two good used DVCPRO video recorders to replace our old S-VHS units, I finally scored the machines I was looking for from SBS. After familiarising my self with the new digital recorders, the edit suite is up and running again and I’m beginning to catch up on the backlog of editing. These new machines will give the school many years of faithful service, until we can afford to upgrade to later models. The difference in picture quality is considerable and once we replace the school’s analogue camera with a DVCPRO 25 camera, the picture resolution will be full broadcast from camera to final cut.

Class Scene DVDs: If you would like an edited copy of your past terms, previous terms, or a compilation of your best work, then see me in class and I will organise it for you. Class scene DVDs are $40-00 per term’s work, or the same price for a four or five scene compilation.

The staff and I look forward to another fun, creative and productive term of classes as we celebrate the school’s 23rd year of service to the Australian film and television industry and to the local community.

 

Alan Nurthen

Director

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