Term 1 has seen all classes learning how to quickly and effectively delve deeper and deeper into the role, thereby discovering and adding interesting elements and layers to the character portrayal.
To kick off the current newsletter here’s an observation from one of the greats…
Term Dates
Term 1 completes on Saturday 4 April (Easter Saturday.) As the final teen and adult classes for the term are on Easter Saturday, it is worth noting that the school doesn’t observe public holidays during term. So if you are a Saturday teen or adult student and you will be away over Easter, then you can catch up the final week’s lesson in either the Thursday teens (5 to 7 pm) or the Wednesday evening adult class (7 to 9-30 pm)
Term 2 classes commence from Tuesday 21 April, after the 2 week autumn semester break.
It would be greatly appreciated if all students returning for Term 2 pay a $50.00 deposit to secure a position within their nominated class.
Monday Extension Class
After a two term break, and due to popular demand, the Monday extension class is running again next term.
The extension class creates the opportunity for extra study each week, thereby fast tracking your skills and minimising the time it takes to reach certificate level. The class runs in blocks of 9 week terms and commences Monday 27 April from 7 to 9-30 pm.
The Monday class is also ideal for intermediate-level students wanting to fast track their entry into the Thursday Advanced class. Creative advanced-level students such as Paul Millett, Trevor Shipton, Allira Peters, Mona Bagherpour, Jozsef Kleiner and Ashwai Muo have made this class a regular home over the past two years.
Book the Role Master Class Review
The Book the Role master class with tutor Peter Phelps – held over two separate Sundays due to popular demand – was a hit with the students. Participants learned a great deal about booking roles both in Australia and in Hollywood. The course also covered important on-set technique and performance tips from Peter.
Congratulations to those students who completed the course: Allira Peters, Linda Corbin, Bernice Breckon, Sinclair Bargh, Samantha Picello, Claudia Borsini, Niki McComb, Trevor Shipton, Paul Millett, Lily-Ann Alexander, Mona Bagherpour and Kerry Housea.
Knowledge is power, and the students certainly gained some powerful juice from this course!
A special thanks to Peter for his dedication and wealth of knowledge.
Term 2 Master Class yet to be confirmed. Confirmation and details to follow in two weeks in the APRIL–MAY NEWSLETTER.
Student News
Congratulations to Chloe Boreham for her performance as the female lead in the film Between Me, directed by Kim Farrant. Between Me is an official selection in the New Filmmakers Los Angeles 2015 awards. Very well done Chloe!
Persistence and a pro-active approach has paid dividends for Allira Peters. Allira has been honing her skills in class and via featured extra work on Home and Away and Love Child. She recently played her first speaking part in a short film, and from there, has been booked for a significant role in the indie film, Picture Them Dead.
Not to be outdone, Allira’s classmate Mona Bagherpour has been following a similar career trajectory having recently played a young solicitor in the multi-award winning short film, Misinterpretation. Mona has now been offered an audition for the role of an Iranian refugee in a new television series to be shot overseas.
Fingers crossed Mona and knock ’em dead Allira.
I was approached last week by Laundry Lane Productions to cast 5 actors for roles in a recycling video Laundry Lane are producing for Warringah Council.
Break a leg guys – it should be a fun shoot!
Advanced teen Jess Grosbard recently auditioned for the lead in a Mazda TVC but missed out. However, the director was impressed and booked her for a featured extra role in the commercial. An “almost” win/win situation Jess!
It was good to see Robert Flanagan on screen again playing “one of the boys” in the feature film, Felony. Melissa George played the female lead opposite Joel Edgerton. Felony is a taut Aussie drama and well worth seeing. (See review of Felony in the Films on DVD section of this newsletter)
Meanwhile in New York city, former student and New Yorker Brady Kirchberg is on a serious roll. Returning home in 2007, Brady was instrumental in the establishment of The Wheelbarrow Theatre Company. Wheelbarrow produced some critically acclaimed plays before Brady moved into producing short films. After a couple of standout shorts, Brady has now launched his first feature film, Whiplash.
If you’re in the mood for some live theatre during the upcoming semester break, then check out The Sacred Flame, featuring graduate student Paul Millett (second from right in publicity still below)
More than a classic “whodunit” murder mystery, The Sacred Flame is also a passionate love story.
The Sacred Flame is playing from Friday 10 April to Saturday 18 April. For further information/bookings contact Elanora Players on 9982 7364.
Well done Paul and I’m looking forward to seeing you in your first play.
Films on DVD
Zulu (not to be confused with the 1964 Michael Caine film of the same name) takes full advantage of the majestic scenery of Cape Town where a bleak and violent story unfolds. The new designer drug “Tic” is causing mayhem and murder and a Zulu detective (Whitaker) and his white partner (Bloom) are thrust into the center of the maelstrom in their efforts to find the money men behind the manufacture and distribution of the dangerous new drug.
It’s a risky and daring move to stage an 85 minute film entirely inside a car, with the protagonist making and taking numerous phone calls while driving 200 kilometers from a major construction site he supervises to London. It’s a tough call for any actor to carry a film with a solo performance, but the producer and director had only one choice for the role – Tom Hardy. Hardy is one of very few actors since the legendary Steve McQueen with the ability and the dynamic inner life to pull this off. Without Hardy’s skillful and thoughtful performance the film would never have succeeded or, for that matter, been made at all. It’s a tour de force performance and the trippy visuals reflect and enhance Hardy’s inner thoughts as he drives to London. As a performance piece, Locke is essential viewing for all adult students.
Written and produced by Joel Edgerton, Felony is a taut, entertaining thriller with compelling moral overtones. The performances are first rate and the plot well constructed. Screened in the Special Presentation section at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival, Felony proves that with the right script, and a creative cast and crew, Australian cinema can shine internationally.
Class Scene DVDs
After 8 weeks with no editing, the editor VTR is finally up and running again after an extensive overhaul, repairs and realignment.
Due to the backlog of editing I have prioritized the work. Show reels first, video production clients second, class scene DVDs third, and last but not least, the short film, High Time.
Due to the expense of fixing the editor VTR and the ongoing expenses of running a script to screen facility for our students, the cost of class scene DVDs will increase from $40-00 to $50-00. Show reels edited from in-house material (class scenes) will remain at the same price ($50-00.)
All class scene DVD orders from Term 4, 2014 currently slated for editing will be charged at the old price. Orders from Term 1, 2015 will be charged the new editing fee.
Term 1 has been challenging, highly educational and fun and I look forward to working with you again during Term 2. Have a safe and happy Easter and I look forward to more challenging and creative work next term.
Alan Nurthen (Director)