To kick off the current newsletter some words of wisdom from one of the greats, and from one of the great acting teachers
During Term 3 we’ve been focusing on enhancing creative and informative physical business.
The creative use of voice and body in tandem is vital, as the audience can only “get you” with two of their senses – they can see you and they can hear you. Having a free and expressive instrument allows the actor to honestly communicate his or her intent in a natural and unaffected way, thereby avoiding the need to “act.”
When you consider that a large part of human communication is physical not verbal (looks, gestures, facial expression, body language) then, as an acting student, you realize that you must be aware of what you are doing in tandem with what you are saying.
Some valuable lessons have been learnt this term, and to the credit of the students, put to constructive use.
Well done. Keep those creative juices flowing.
Term Dates
Term 3 classes complete week ending Saturday 19 September.
Term 4 classes commence from Tuesday 6 October, following the two week Spring semester break.
SF3 Film Festival
Thanks to the hard work of SF3 organisers Angela Blake and Ali Crew, the inaugural Smart Phone Flick Fest (held at the Chauvel Cinema, Paddington on Friday 28 August) was an outstanding success. SF3 attracted 500 entries from around the world, with three Australian films making it into the final ten.
Angela and Ali did an outstanding job of running and organising the festival and a fun and entertaining night was had by the large crowd in attendance.
The Screen Actors Workshop is one of the festival sponsors, and we are looking forward to continuing our relationship with this dynamic and groundbreaking event.
Presenting the Best Actor award to Steve McGrath for his energetic solo performance in The LSD Man. Yeah, I know. Trippy. But it actually stands for The Last Song and Dance Man.
Screen Actors Workshop director Alan Nurthen and the school’s coordinator Vera Polianskaia with SF3 directors Ali Crew and Angela Blake.
Vera and Alan with the sponsors banner.
Screen Actors Workshop staff member Meredith Cox highlights our logo.
Video interview for the SF3 archives.
It was an honour also to be one of the judges at the inaugural SF3, and to welcome fellow 24/7 Film Festival judge, cinematographer Piet DeVries, into the fold as judge of the Best Cinematography award.
It was a hard task judging ten very creative, dramatic, often funny and emotionally powerful short films. But also a very rewarding experience.
As I joked in my SF3 archive recording, “It’s kind of like Woodstock. In ten years time, everyone here can say: I was there!”
24/7 Youth Film Festival
The screening of the 10 finalist films in this year’s 24/7 Youth Film Festival will be held in the Grand Cinema at the Warriewood Cinema complex on Sunday 27 September.
The school, and the four local councils, along with numerous other film related businesses are sponsors of 24/7. As mentioned above, we also supply judging expertise for the event.
Tickets for the awards night will be on sale at the Grand Cinema door, so roll up, have a fun night at the movies, support local youth and catch 10 really good short films – all for the mere entry fee of $2-00.
Now that’s what I call value for money!
Term 4 Master Class
Next up on the Master Program is Loving The You You’re In with Hollywood coach Kai Paynter.
Master Class tutor Kai Paynter
Kai’s workshop debunks the myths around diversity and offers a real life perspective on the market today. How to work with it – not against it – and still remain your authentic self. A highly instructive course for those intent on developing their branding for the Australian and US markets.
Kai’s course is suitable for both teen and adult students and runs on Sunday 8 November from 10 am to 4 pm. Course fee is $195-00, with only 8 positions available.
Hard copy course flyers will be distributed in class at the beginning of Term 4 and emailed to those on our mailing list.
Student News
Former teen and young adult student Jemma Eggins has achieved her dreams of success in New York with a leading role in the stage musical of Woody Allen’s Bullets Over Broadway. Jemma (working under the stage name of Jemma Jane) plays the role of Olive Neal.
After its New York season at the 42nd Street Theatre, the musical will tour nationally around the USA.
Jemma (right) in dress-up fun modeWell done Jemma. The training you’ve received both in Sydney and New York has helped to prepare you for the rigors of singing, dancing and performing in high energy, high-end musical theatre. Very well done, indeed.
Advanced student Logan Webster has once again proved that a proactive approach to your career – along with a lot of hard work – does indeed pay dividends. Logan’s first feature film, Lead Me Astray in which plays the antagonist Alpha, is slated for release later this month.
Lead Me Astray Promotional Poster
While Lead Me Astray was in post production, Logan began filming his second feature, an as-yet-untitled comedy horror film. Fellow classmate Mona Bagherpour also worked on the film as Ist AD and, like Logan, played a role in the film. The pair even managed to rope me in to play a small cameo as a homicide detective – payback Logan insists for all the times he’s been cast as a cop in class workshop scenes!
Well done Logan and Mona. Creating your own opportunities is the key to success in any career.
Logan Webster as Alpha in the film Lead Me Astray
TV Series on DVD
Sons of Anarchy (USA: 2008 – 2014) Devised by Kurt Sutter. Starring Charlie Hunnam, Ron Perlman, Katey Sagal.
Sons of Anarchy is the story of a vicious Northern California motorcycle gang. Loosely based on Shakespeare’s Hamlet, with young prince Jax (Hunnam) influenced by his dead father, John (the “Ghost”) and his vision for the club. Jax is thwarted at every turn in his efforts to make the club legit by his step-father (the evil king) Clay (Perlman) and his mother, the scheming queen and club matriarch, Gemma (Sagal.) Great storytelling from creator and show runner Kurt Sutter (who also plays Otto in the series.)
Will young Jax survive the machinations of reshaping the club in his father’s vision? Will the gavel and the club president’s patch ultimately corrupt him like it did his father and step-father? Who will he have to kill or betray along the way? And will he even live to tell the tale? Only The Reaper knows.
Another great television series to add to your watch list!
Class Scene DVDs
If you would like an edited copy of your past terms scenes on DVD then see me in class or email me and I will organize it for you. Class scene DVDs are $50-00 per term’s scenes, or the same price for a compilation of your favourite 5 scenes from current and previous terms.
Classic class scene featuring Trevor Shipton, Victor Polansky and Paul Millett
Class scene DVDs are a proactive means of improving your technique and performance via further home study.
Term 3 has been a very creative term for our students and I look forward to working with you all again when classes return in early October.
Have a fun two week semester break.
Alan Nurthen (Director)