- SUNDAY NIGHT I 8 Weeks I 7:00pm - 9:00pm I Commencing 4th of August, 2019
Film & Television Studio International is beyond thrilled to welcome back to our studio, NEIGHBOURS Casting Director Thea McLeod from McLeod Casting. NEIGHBOURS was nominated for 5 Logie Awards this year, and is celebrating it's 34th year on-air. It is an Australian icon that has employed so many incredible actors over the years, including many of our very own students. In series regular roles: Ashleigh Brewer; Luke Mitchell; Zima Anderson; Chris Milligan: Taylor Glockner and Andrew Morley; and too many actors in starring guest roles to mention! We currently have four Film & Television Studio International actors on the NEIGHBOURS set. Our very own Artistic Director Craig McMahon got his start as an actor on the show, playing Jack Foster, over 25 years ago! So, it is fair to say that we have had a very long-standing, wonderful relationship with the show. We are also very fortunate to have NEIGHBOURS Directors Scott Major, Simone Buchanan and Kate Kendall part of our training team at the studio, as well as Executive Producer Jason Herbison, who continues to be an incredible advocate for emerging performing artists. We are so thankful to all of the above industry professionals who continue to support our actors at Film & Television Studio International.
Our Text to Screen-Test program has been facilitated by some of Australia's most celebrated actors and directors over the years. Term 3, 2019 is no exception. We are so excited to welcome a new addition to our team this term: the gorgeous KYM VALENTINE. There are very few Australian actors of Kym Valentine’s generation that can boast a whopping 20 years dedicated to one Aussie drama. Of course we are talking about Libby Kennedy, a role that Kym made famous whilst starring on Neighbours. These days, in between auditioning for new roles, Kyms main focus is mentoring the NEXT generation of performers breaking into one of the most demanding and competitive industries in the world. Kym is one of our most recognisable Australian actors; a true Aussie icon of the small screen. We hope you will join us in warmly welcoming her to our studio. Due to popular demand, Neighbours Director & Patron of Film & Television Studio International Simone Buchanan is back for another fantastic term ahead (Tuesday evenings), as well as another new addition to the studio, actress Jane Allsop (Thursday evenings). An incredible line-up of trainers and special guests, to say the least. Text to Screen-Test 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. Simone, Kym and Jane will work with actors both individually and as a company, assisting students to POP from moment one of an audition. Scenes are assigned to students throughout the term block, along with 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.
On the last week of term, students will be able to put their hard work into practice during their screen-testing session with NEIGHBOURS Casting Director Thea McLeod. This is an incredible opportunity for our actors to meet and greet Thea, and to showcase their scenes to working professionals at the very top end of their fields.
NB: Previous industry guests include but are not limited to: Jo Porter (Fremantlemedia Australia Head of Drama), Imogen Banks (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), Jason Herbison (Executive Producer, Neighbours), Amanda Crittenden (Series Producer, Wentworth - Series 1, 2 and 3), Foxtel's Head of Drama, Penny Win (The Kettering Incident, Devil’s Playground and Deadline Gallipoli), and Show Creator/Producer/Director and writer Andrew Prowse (INXS-Never Tear Us Apart; Underbelly Squizzy; Fat Tony; Rush; Farscape; Wildside; The Doctor Blake Mysteries; Heartbreak High; All Saints; McLeod’s Daughters; Ultraman and Monarch Cove); Television Producer Ian Collie (ABC TV Rake, starring Richard Roxburg and US Version of Rake, starring Greg Kinnear; Jack Irish, starring Guy Pearce, Marta Dusseldorp, Aaron Pedersen, Roy Billing, Shane Jacobson, Don Hany and Diana Glenn; The Principal, starring Alex Dimitriades, Aden Young and Mirrah Foulkes; 2013 feature Saving Mr Banks, starring Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson); and Australian film director and producer Tony Rogers, best known for directing the Tropfest and AFI award winning comedy Wilfred (starring Damian Walshe-Howling and Angus Sampson); producers Kristen Souvlis (Lightening Point, H20: Just Add Water) and Todd Fellman (Mental, Bait 3D, A few Best Men); Producer Tracey Robertson (Secrets & Lies, The Stange Calls, SLIDE) and Director Jovita O'Shaughnessy (Neighbours, Wonderland); Television Producer Natalie Lynch (Neighbours); Tony Ayres (Multi award-winning Show Creator/ Show Runner/ Executive Producer/ Writer/ Director and a founding member of Matchbox Pictures), Executive Producer Leigh McGrath (Hoodlum Entertainment); Senior Casting Director of Mullinars Casting, Nathan Lloyd; Jo Martino (Award-winning Prime Time Show Creator and Television Producer); Casting Director Amanda Mitchell (Mitchell Casting, Sydney); and Prime Time Show Creator / Television Producer Judi McCrossin (The Wrong Girl; The Secret Life of Us; The Time of our Lives; The Surgeon; Beaconsfield; Tangle; and Ship to Shore).
