ACTING UP NEWSLETTER - APRIL 2006
Welcome to the Acting Up Drama Workshops Newsletter for April 2006
- Update from Acting Up Creative Director, Sally McLean
- Report on recent workshops
- Upcoming workshop information
Well, things have been rather hectic in the
past few weeks, due mainly to a docu/drama I’m currently
producing/directing for broadcast both here and in the UK. Things
are still under wraps until the weeks leading up to broadcast,
but I’ve been back and forth to Sydney a couple of times
with more travel expected after June for filming. This means
that we haven’t scheduled any workshops beyond July 1 this
year, as I have no idea what my schedule is going to look like
from July to September, but I know it’s going to be busy!
There will be some time spent in the UK mid-year as well, so
I’m not sure when the workshops will be back on a fully
regular basis, however, it’s likely to be around late September.
I will keep you all posted and try to fit in the odd workshop
between everything else going on.
On the wider industry front, things seem to be on the upswing with two new television series currently auditioning in Melbourne and a new children’s series, along with two ABC mini-series and of course, the American pilot season has just finished.
For those working professionally in the industry, this has meant a busy round of auditioning, which is always a good experience for keeping your skills sharp and honed.
While many are saying that the casting agents are only looking at “name” actors at the moment, which is partially true, I also came across a lot of actors in audition waiting rooms who are still building their CV’s and gaining experience, which means that while “name” actors may be getting the roles, the casting people are still seeing those actors who are yet to become a “name” and so aren’t as “blinkered” as some might say.
Also, once these series go into production, they will be looking for actors to take the guest roles and bit parts, so now is a great time to sharpen your skills and expand your network of contacts. What do I mean by that? Make sure you’re using this downtime well and building your skillset and network of industry contacts, so you’re ready for the work to come!!
And on that note, I’ll finish here. Until next time, keep dreaming, keep taking action on your dreams and I look forward to seeing you at one of our workshops during the coming months.
The Business of Auditioning with Jo Rippon
The March 18 workshop was a great success with a full class and good work done by all. Melbourne Casting Director, Jo Rippon (responsible for casting the actors on Scooter Secret Agent, Fergus McPhail, Wicked Science, Pirate Islands, Backberner, My Brother Jack, The Games, Thunderstone I II & III, Ocean Girl IV, Ocean Girl I & II, Frontline (Pilot), Kelly I & II, Parts Of A Horse and The Wogboy (Extras)) was lovely to work with, really supportive and informative, spending quite a bit of time with the students before the audition process in the afternoon, answering questions and putting everyone at ease.
Jo was also very impressed with the standard achieved in such a short time (the students only had the morning to work on their audition scenes with Sally before “auditioning” for Jo in the afternoon), and really enjoyed her time with them.
Her practical advice about the audition process was invaluable - giving a strong insight into the process from the “behind the camera” perspective and working with each student individually, giving each a lot of individual attention and feedback.
Jo is currently casting a new children’s television series and requested that all the students forward their CV’s and photos to her for her files, which was a great bonus for all those who attended.
Jo enjoyed working with the students so much that she has offered to return to Acting Up to take a second workshop, for those students who missed out this time around. Stay tuned for information as to when this will be …
We thank Jo for all her wonderful work with the students on the day.
You’ll find comments from the students HERE and photos from the workshop at HERE.
Our next Business of Auditioning Workshop will take place on July 1, 2006 with Melbourne Casting Director, Dina Mann (responsible for casting the actors on Widower, CrashBurn, Japanese Story, Mallboy, Waiting At The Royal, Head On, The Missing, Crackers and Road To Nhill, amongst many others).
The Basics of Acting
We ran The Basics of Acting workshop again in March over two weeknights – Tuesday 21 and Thursday 23 March.
Interestingly, all our students came from Melbourne for this workshop, surviving the Commonwealth Games traffic conditions and driving the 67 kms required, two nights in the same week.
All the students worked really hard over the two nights, were a joy to work with and created some great moments in their scene work, which was put on tape for them to refer back to.
You’ll find photos from the workshop HERE
The Basics of Acting students weren’t the only ones who made the trip from Melbourne to do the workshops – at least three quarters of the students in The Business of Auditioning also drove down from Melbourne or beyond – and navigated the Games Lanes, road closures and distance to do so.
That sort of dedication and enthusiasm will stand them in very good stead for their future careers and shows a great commitment to their craft.
The few local students we had also showed great dedication – all learning their lines and doing their homework before the class – all in all we had a great group of students over the two workshops and Sally looks forward to working with all of them again in the future.
We commend all the students for their hard work and commitment - and wish them all the best with their future work and careers.
To those who attended the workshops: don’t forget - Keep listening, keep learning, don’t give up and be that 5%!
We have five workshops booked over the next month. The Business of Auditioning with Dina Mann is still being worked out, but details will be available by the end of April.
Mastering
the Monologue
Date: Wednesday 26 & Thursday 27 April, 2006
Times: 7pm to 10pm
Cost: $120 Full/$90 Conc. ($50 deposit required at time of booking)
Deposits to be paid by: Friday, 21 April 2006
Details: CLICK HERE
Working
With Text
Date: Saturday, 29 April 2006
Times: 10am to 4pm
Cost: $120 Full/$90 Conc. ($50 deposit required at time of booking)
Deposits to be paid by: Monday, 24 April 2006
Details: CLICK HERE
The Basics
of Acting
Date: Wednesday 3 & Thursday 4 May, 2006
Times: 7pm to 10pm
Cost: $120 Full/$90 Conc. ($50 deposit required at time of booking)
Deposits to be paid by: Friday, 28 April, 2006
Details: CLICK HERE
Playing
The Bard (Shakespeare In Action)
Date: Wednesday 10 & Thursday 11 May, 2006
Times: 7pm to 10pm
Cost: $120 Full/$90 Conc. ($50 deposit required at time of booking)
Deposits to be paid by: Friday, 5 May, 2006
Details: CLICK HERE
So You
Want To Be In A Soap?
Date: Saturday, 13 May, 2006
Times: 10am to 4pm
Cost: $120 Full/$90 Conc. ($50 deposit required at time of booking)
Deposits to be paid by: Monday, 8 May, 2006
Details: CLICK HERE
Bookings for all workshops: 0410 798 514 or email us
And that’s it from me. I hope you all had a lovely Easter, whether you celebrate it or not, and that all is well in your world.
I look forward to catching up with you over the next few months.
Until next time ...
Sally McLean
Creative Director
Salmac Productions &
Incogntia Enterprises
http://www.salmac.com/
http://www.salmac.com/incognita
--------------------------------------------
Hon. Patron: Sir Nigel
Hawthorne
--------------------------------------------
Acting Up
Contact Info:
Mobile: 0410 798 514
| Email: actingup (at)
salmac.com
Web: www.salmac.com/masterclasses