8 Week Program I Tuesdays BY INVITATION I  7pm - 9pm I Commencing 4th of August, 2015

8 Week Program I Wednesdays OPEN PROGRAM I  7pm - 9pm I Commencing 5th of August, 2015

We are so excited to welcome Southern Star producer Imogen Banks to Film & Television Studio International. Imogen is the creator, writer and producer of multi-award winning television series OFFSPRING; PUBERTY BLUES; PAPER GIANTS: THE BIRTH OF CLEO, and TANGLE, and producer of mini-series GALLIPOLI; PARTY TRICKS; DANGEROUS and THE BEAUTIFUL LIE.
Imogen is one of the most influential figures in the Australian television industry and we are thrilled that she will be joining us as one of our very special guests in term three.

Also joining us as a special guest this term is casting director of Melbourne based casting company Highway Casting, Sarah Alekna.  Sarah's career as a casting director spans over fifteen years, working with leading Melbourne casting companies Cameleon Casting and Mackintosh Casting before opening her own successful casting house this year.

Conducted by one of Australia's most loved actresses Pia Miranda (LOOKING FOR ALIBRANDI; WENTHWORTH; TIME OF OUR LIVES), as well as invited industry guests Imogen Banks (Southern Star) and Sarah Alekna (Highway Casting), the Text to Screen-Test Program has been meticulously shaped to guide and encourage students to work on their specific areas requiring development, whilst bringing forth their strengths when screen-testing for prime time drama.  Pia will work with actors both individually and as a company, assisting students to POP from moment one of an audition. Please see below for a breakdown on what to expect from this fantastic program. Scenes are assigned to students each week (one week prior to their next class) along with an outline on the course content and prep work for each session.

For actors who participated in previous terms, they have another opportunity to work in this ongoing manner with our outstanding trainers & special guests. Continuing across the terms ensures stability in training & rehearsal, and consistency in terms of the guidance & feedback offered, with scenes selected to target specific areas of weakness and strength. The studio also welcomes actors to the program who have not participated in previous terms as they can begin this process, leading to a stronger understanding of the requirements of screen testing.

In the final weeks, students will be able to put their hard work into practice during their one-on-one screen testing session with television producer/creator/writer Imogen Banks, and casting director Sarah Alekna.  This is an incredible opportunity for our actors to meet and greet Imogen, and to showcase their scenes to working professionals who are at the very forefront of the Australian film and television industry. 

***Please note that the Wednesday evening session is open to actors of all levels and experiences.  The Tuesday evening session is for graduates or by invitation only.

Together with her very talented co-creator John Edwards, Imogen Banks has created some of Australia's most loved and celebrated television series inluding OFFSPRING; PUBERTY BLUES and TANGLE.  Imogen is a multi-award winning creator/writer/producer, with OFFSPRING alone garnering eighteen Logie, AFI, and AACTA nominations, winning many including multiple Silver Logies for Asher Keddie, and the Gold in 2013.  For more information on Imogen and her extensive body of work, please read her marie claire interview or LifeStyle interview.

Pia Miranda is one of Australia's most loved actresses, whose career was launched when she was cast in the title role of Josephine Alibrandi in the feature film LOOKING FOR ALIBRANDI. Directed by Kate Woods and based on the best-selling novel by Melina Marchetta; Pia won an AFI Award for her work in 2000. While Pia is currently gracing our screens as Jodie Spiteri on SoHo's flagship drama; WENTWORTH, Pia has and continues to have a fantastic career in the Australian film and television industry. Pia has starred in a multitude of television series, including: NEIGHBOURS; ALL SAINTS; THE SECRET LIFE OF US; BONDI BANQUET and THE TIME OF OUR LIVES as well as feature films GARAGE DAYS; THE DOPPLEGANGERS; THREE BLIND MICE; THE TENDER HOOK; RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW and QUEEN OF THE DAMNED. 

Sarah’s casting career has been significant spanning over fifteen years. Her initial interest in casting was ignited and nurtured at Chameleon Casting in the late nineties and was followed by a prolific seven years as casting director at Mackintosh Casting.  Sarah moved on from Mackintosh Casting to open her own casting company, Highway Casting in South Yarra, Melbourne, and relishes any opportunity to vigorously source new faces and put her own creative stamp on a project.  Recent projects cast by Sarah include: National Television Commercials for FARMERS UNION; SPORTSBET GYM; KOTEX-U; DEVONDALE; NAB; FIAT; WEIGHT WATCHERS; CROWN CASINO; iiNET; ISUZU; TENNIS AUSTRALIA; SOLO; FOSTERS; AUSTRALIAN FRESH; FERNWOOD; REALESTATE.COM.AU and FORD FOCUS to name a few.  Sarah was also the casting diretor of hit ABC Drama TWENTYSOMETHING, starring Hamish Blake.

To enrol, simply book via our website.  It will automatically be sent to enquiries@filmtv.com.au.  We will then process your application. If you send your application form and all placements have been filled we will be in touch to notify you.  If you have any further queries, please don't hesitate to contact us directly on 1800 FILMTV (1800 345 688).

*All applications are processed on a first in first served basis.  Once your placement has been confirmed, you will recieve a full week by week breakdown on what to expect from your program, together with further course materials which are sent to you via email.

Melbourne Studio I 390 Clarendon Street I South Melbourne I VIC 3205 I www.filmtv.com.au