It was a challenging third quarter to the year when we delved into screen comedy again. And typical of comedy, the practical results were mixed.
When asked by a fan if he was afraid of dying, an old actor responded from his death bed: “No, my dear. Dying is easy. Comedy’s hard.” Too true!
Difficult as comedy scenes may be though, they help to improve all-important timing, control and discipline.
Good advice from actor Christian Bale and director Jim Jarmusch: covering some of the important aspects of character, response, and empathy detailed in class over the past term.
TERM DATES
Term 3 completes on Saturday 21 September and Term 4 classes commence from Tuesday 8 October, after the two week Spring semester break. The adult extension course returns on Monday 14 October.
SPRING MASTERCLASS PROGRAM
The Film Acting Techniques masterclass is green lighted for the middle weekend of the Spring semester break (Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 September) with pre-production on Tuesday 24 September. If you are looking to take your acting skills to the next level, then this course is a must. Not only will you star in your own short film but you will learn, along with many other tricks of the trade, how to create a truly dynamic screen performance by having the camera work for you – not against you. Two positions are still available on a first-come-first-served basis so be quick! (For further details refer to course flyer attached to newsletter link email or contact the school)
Student sighting .44 magnum revolver during Theory Session
The extremely popular Armoury for Actors masterclass is slated for Sunday 10 November at the Botany Pistol Club with tutor/film armourer Tony Garland. The full day course is strictly limited to a maximum of 8 students and bookings are now open. Book early to avoid disappointment. (For further details refer to course flyer attached to newsletter link email or contact the school)
STUDENT NEWS
Congratulations to Junior students Julia Manias and Natalie Theodore for causing a minor sensation on the Saturday 31 August episode of Australia’s Got Talent. Julia and Natalie knocked it out of the park with their cover of the difficult and gutsy Ike and Tina Turner song, “River Deep Mountain High.” Well done girls and best of luck for the next round!
Tim Page – who last graced our screens as Pat Rafter’s long-suffering manager in the Bonds Flexits TVC – was offered the opportunity of a lifetime. New York casting consultants Telsey+Company asked Tim via his agent to produce a selfie audition scene for a role in the new Will Smith film Focus. Focus is being shot on location in New Orleans and Argentina later this year. Tim enlisted the help of classmate Sam Smith to read the Will Smith role and I shot and edited the audition piece. Tim turned in a solid, energetic performance and he and Sam worked well together. You can’t ask for more, so good luck Tim and fingers crossed!
It was good to see Amber Sherlock (nee Higlett) featured on the cover of the August Peninsula Living magazine. Amber graduated in 1995 and had her heart set on an acting career until she discovered her niche as a presenter and newscaster. Amber is currently one of the Nine Network’s most popular newsreaders and her career continues to grow exponentially.
Advanced adult student Sonya Plummer is scoring a swag of professional work. While appearing in the high-rotation Labour Party Spotlight TVC in the leadup to the Federal Election, Sonya impressed the honchos at the TVSN Network with her first studio modelling job – and has now been hired for 8 more gigs. Well done Sonya!
24/7 YOUTH FILM FESTIVAL
Along with the other judges I’ve now completed the judging sheets for the 10 finalist films selected for this year’s 24/7 Youth Film Festival awards. This is the school’s third year as a sponsor of the event and the quality of filmmaking, acting, and ideas has noticably improved each year. Congratulations to the finalists and good luck at the awards presentation night on Sunday 15 September. I look forward to seeing your films again on the big screen at Warriewood cinema and to meeting the finalists on the night.PIETER DEVRIES CINEMATOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
Head judge at the 24/7 Youth Film Festival is the highly-regarded cinematographer Pieter DeVries. Pieter is currently running another of his informative, hands-on cinematography workshops for aspiring filmmakers.
For further details contact Pieter at www.pieterdevries.com.au
SOUND ADVICE FROM SOME OF LOS ANGELES TOP CASTING DIRECTORS
NEW AND CLASSIC FILMS ON DVD
Hitchcock (2012: USA) Directed by Sacha Gervasi and starring Anthony Hopkins and Helen Mirren. This biographical comedy-drama centers on the relationship between director Alfred Hitchcock and his wife Alma Reville during the making of Psycho in 1959-60, a controversial horror film that became one of the most acclaimed and influential works in the filmmaker’s career. Hopkins and Mirren, as you would expect, turn in passionate and powerful performances. A must-see!
The Intouchables (2011: France) (Subtitles) Directed by Olivier Nakache and starring Francois Cluzet and Omar Sy. In late 2011 The Intouchables became the second biggest box office hit of all time in France, just behind the film Welcome to the Sticks. The film was voted Cultural Event of 2011 in France and earned 8 Ceser Award nominations along with a Best Actor Cesar award for Omar Sy. This film will lift your spirits and have you laughing along at Cluzet and Sy’s madcap antics. The Intouchables is unmissable!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’ll organise it for you. Class scene DVDs are $40-00 per term’s on-camera scenes and are a beneficial means of improving your performance skills via further home study.
Thanks again to all of our students for their encouragement and support.
We have another challenging term of classes lined up for early October, so have an enjoyable Spring semester break, and I look forward to working with you again next term.
Alan Nurthen (Director)