Classes return from Tuesday 7 October and the staff and I are looking forward to another 10 week term of screen acting classes.
Last term saw some of the best scenes of the year recorded and we’re going to be working hard again this term to maintain the high standard.
To get you in the mood, here are some words of advice about freedom and creativity from artist-singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell…
Film Acting Master Class
The Film Acting master class in November is fully booked with an impressive cast of advanced-level teen and adult students. We have a challenging, timely and groundbreaking script ready to produce and I can’t wait to get stuck into the filming with this dream cast.
Stand by for an update on the completed film in the December newsletter.
Prufrock and Company
Prufrock and Company, the second feature film by writer/director Greg Perano (Etkin) commences principal photography on 4 October. A dozen of the school’s students have signed on for featured extra roles in the production and will be filming over the weekend of 25 and 26 October in The Garden of Stone National Park at Glen Davis. I’ve been cast as Hussar leader Josefa the Intoner with advanced students Paul Millett, Laura Tate and Tony Dreise playing my battlefield generals. It should be a fun and challenging weekend and thanks again to those students who are taking advantage of the opportunity.
Stay tuned for a Prufrock and Company production update in the December newsletter.
24/7 Youth Film Festival
The 11th annual 24/7 Youth Film Festival attracted 23 teams, with 12 teams making it to the grand finals. This year again produced some interesting and creative filmmaking, proving beyond doubt that there is some serious young talent developing in the area.
The Screen Actors Workshop is a proud sponsor of the event, funding the Best Male and Best Female Actor awards.
This year’s Best Male and Best Female Actor awards went to Todd Hodgkins (Invisible Walls) and Claire Stokes (Stew)
Student News
Advanced teen student Jess Grosbard – represented by Roxy’s Mob Talent Management – auditioned during the semester break for the role of Alice in the new TV drama series, My Life. Fingers crossed for a call back Jess!
Fingers crossed too for advanced adult Paul Millett (also represented by Roxy’s Mob) who auditioned for a Hans Smallgoods TVC during the break. Paul said it was first time he had auditioned for a role with the 5 other actors vying for the part in the room. Wisely, Paul hung back and had the advantage of watching the others audition first. Hopefully it paid off!
Former advanced adult student, actor/producer Sam Smith , is currently producing a new short film Banana Boy, which follows on from Sam’s 2013 Tropfest finalist film, Stew (not to be confused with Claire Stokes 24/7 film of the same name.) Banana Boy follows the trials and tribulations of a young Afghani immigrant boy and the trailer for the film is outstanding. Congratulations Sam, I’m looking forward to seeing the finished film.
Films on DVD
Mandela: The Long Walk to Freedom (UK-South Africa: 2013) Directed by Justin Chadwick. Starring Idris Elba, Naomi Harris. Based on South African president Nelson Mandela’s biography of the same name, which cronicles his early life, coming of age, education, and 27 years in prison before becoming President and working to rebuild the country’s once segregated society.Idris Elba (The Wire) is one of my favourite actors and he does a good job of bringing Mandela to life on screen, however I found more warmth and insight into Mandela’s extraordinary character and life in Clint Eastwood’s Invictus, starring Morgan Freeman as Mandela.
I’d recommend watching both films as they cover different periods and events in Mandela’s life and the two films combined provide a detailed insight into one of the 20th Centurys greatest statesmen and world leaders.
Class Scene DVDs
If you would like an edited copy of your past term’s scenes on DVD then see me in class or email me and I will organise it for you. Class scene DVDs are $40.00 per terms on-camera scenes and are a beneficial means of improving your performance and technique via further home study.
Check out this dramatic scene with comic undertones from the Monday Extension class last term, featuring Victor Poliansky, Trevor Shipton and Paul Millett…
To wrap up the October-November newsletter, I’d like to welcome back our ongoing students for another 10 week term of screen acting studies and to extend a warm welcome to the new students commencing classes with us this term.
Alan Nurthen (Director)