Happy New Year to our students, their families, our staff and associates
Have a fun, creative and successful 2017!
To open the first newsletter of the year, some wise words from actors Vuyo Dabula and Sir Ben Kingsley, with a tag line from Renaissance Man Leonardo Da Vinci…
“All sorts of magic happens when you believe in yourself” South Africa actor Vuyo Dabula
“I say to directors: On the first take I’ll give you a lot. On the second, I’ll give you less. And on the third, I’ll give you even less. And I guarantee you choose the third take every time.” British actor Sir Ben Kingsley
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” – Leonardo Da Vinci
It’s been a positive start to the year already with both the children’s and the adult film acting master classes fully booked and ready to go.
With Term 1 classes commencing from Tuesday 31 January – and with only a few positions still available – it’s shaping up to be a very busy and creative year.
Durban Beach Rescue
While holidaying in South Africa for a month over the semester break with my eldest son and his family, I was fortunate enough to have an inside look at the production of the second series of Durban Beach Rescue which my son Brennan’s film company are producing. The series is funded by an American cable network and due to the outstanding results Brennan and his team achieved with series 2, they have been hired to produce the third series. Before then though, lies the huge task of assembling the episodes for series 2, with Brennan as the senior editor on his company’s post-production team.
Brennan supervising a rough cut assembly at the beachfront production office
With Durban Beach Rescue director (and fellow Aussie) Eddy Edwards (left) at the production wrap party for crew and lifeguards on Saturday 7 January
While on the subject of my son’s film company, his acclaimed series Diamond River Hunters screened on SABC while I was in Africa and will hopefully screen on either the ABC or SBS network in the not-to-distant future. It’s well worth a look.
Diamond River Hunters promo video
Student News
Well done to Bobby Babin whose acting career is shifting into overdrive with roles all over the shop in TV series, feature films, and high profile TVCs. Keep up the impressive work Bobby!
Bobby (looking like a young Cliff Robertson) in a screen grab from the series Behind Mansion Walls in which he plays the role of James Sullivan
Meanwhile Laundry Lane Productions have again hired alumni Meredith Cox for a new corporate video production. This is the third time the local production company have booked Meredith in the past year. Well done Coxie! You’re doing us proud.
Meredith at the inaugural SF3 Film Festival in 2015
At the Cinema
There’s nothing like a trip to the cinema and the big screen Dolby surround sound experience. Reviewed below are two outstanding summer releases for the discerning older teen and adult viewers…
Hell or High Water (USA: 2016) Directed by David Mackenzie. Starring Jeff Bridges, Chris Pine and Ben Foster.
A gritty modern day western about two brothers and their efforts to save the family ranch against all odds, and at any cost. Outstanding performances from the talented cast with Bridges playing the crusty varmint Texas Ranger Marcus Hamilton to perfection. The ending will have you pondering the future outcome for both of the principal characters.
Hacksaw Ridge (USA: 2016) Directed by Mel Gibson. Starring Andrew Garfield, Vince Vaughn, and Aussie actors Hugo Weaving, Sam Worthington and Rachel Griffiths.
Director Gibson is in fine form here and his interpretation of the book of the same name is flawless in execution. Desmond Doss (Garfield) a pacifist, is the only pacifist to be awarded the Medal of Honour for outstanding courage on the battlefield without firing a single shot, saving the lives of 75 soldiers during the brutal Pacific Island campaign on Okinawa during the bloodiest battle of WW2.
Class Scene DVDs
If you would like an edited DVD (or USB) of your past terms on-camera scenes then see me in class or email me and I will organize it for you. Class scene DVDs/USBs are a beneficial learning tool for improving your performance skills via further home study.