8 Week Program I Mondays OPEN PROGRAM I  7pm - 9pm I Commencing 27th of October, 2014.         8 Week Program I Tuesdays INVITATION ONLY I  7pm - 9pm I Commencing 28th of October, 2014.

Conducted by Australian Film & Television icon Simone Buchanan, as well as invited industry guests, the TEXT to SCREEN-TEST Program has been meticulously shaped to guide and encourage students to work on their specific areas of weakness when SCREEN TESTING FOR DRAMA & COMEDY (from Children's Television through to Prime Time).  Simone 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 last term, they have another opportunity to work in this on-going manner with Simone, who is increasingly familiar with them and the areas in which they need to develop further. Continuing across the two terms with Simone 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 does welcome actors to the program who did not participate last term 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 Series Producer, Maries Davies. Marie has been a producer for the ABC, Studio Three and The Disney Channel as well as a Series Producer for Totally Wild. We are also delighted to welcome Scott Major to this program. Scott is best known for his work on Home & Away; Heartbreak High, Always Greener & Neighbours. A versatile actor and now-director on Neighbours, Scott will be joining us in-studio in week four. As a part of this program also, we will be bringing in Andrew Morley for a special Q&A session. Andrew is a graduate of Film & Television Studio International and in 2011, played the lead role of Brandon in Lightening Point. Andrew currently plays Spencer Harrington on Channel 7 drama Home & Away.

Simone Buchanan is best known for her stunning portrayal of Lizzy Curtis on internationally acclaimed feature film Shame starring alongside Debra-Lee Furness. But it was her years on Sitcom Hey Dad that hold the fondest of memories in the hearts of most Australians when she played wacky Debbie Kelly. After many years of stage work Simone returned to our screens in various roles on almost every Australian television drama including McLeod's Daughters, Blue Heelers, Water Rats, All Saints, G.P, Push, A Country Practic, Sons and Daughters, The Flying Doctors, A Good Thing Going, Secret Valley, Pacific Drive, and award winning feature film My Brilliant Career (Directed by Gillian Armstrong).  Simone’s more recent fans would know her as Samantha Fitzgerald on Neighbours, a role she has been enjoying playing for many years. She also completed filming on the much anticipated Australian feature film Patrick, starring Rachael Griffiths, and guest starred on hit ABC Comedy Upper Middle Bogan.  Simone is a semi-regular guest host on Network Ten's popular morning talk-back show Studio 10.

Marie Davies has been working in Television & Radio for over thirteen years as a Producer & Director.  Starting in 2000, Marie worked for half a decade as Producer & Director for the Disney Channel Australia, working as Series Producer in the AMTV Breakfast Show as well as a field and studio producer for Studio Disney. After leaving the Disney Channel, Marie joined the team at Network Ten, producing their highly successful family entertainment program, Totally Wild. Marie is currently Series Producer for the ABC, namely Studio 3 where she participates in all casting for the show. Marie also runs her own production company, Stormwater Productions.  Marie will be taking actors through their paces in a simulated screen test session, where actors will be able to showcase their work in a one-one-one intimate and personal environment.

In 2010 after being discovered by Craig McMahon (McMahon Management) & beginning his training at Film & Television Studio International, Andrew successfully landed the lead role of Brandon in Lightning Point and relocated to the Gold Coast to commence filming for seven months. Once completing on the series Andrew dabbled in the USA market for a short period of time and secured a management deal with one of the largest firms in Los Angeles. Upon returning home to Melbourne, Andrew continued his training at the Film & Television Studio International until he auditioned and went on to win the role of Spencer in Australia’s number one soap Home & Away. Andrew will stop by at the Film & Television Studio International for a Q&A throughout the term.

Scott's acting début was playing Murray on Home & Away in the 1990s. He joined the Neighbours cast for a brief period in 1993 as the original Darren Stark and then was a part of the Heartbreak High cast as Peter Rivers from 1994–1995. In 1998 Scott appeared in All Saints - Season 2. In 1999 he was cast in the Aussie film Envy (titled as The New Girlfriend in the United States). Two years later he featured in the iconic film adaptation of He Died With A Felafel In His Hand.  Scott also played the part of Tom Morgan in the Australian drama, Always Greener, which was shown on the Seven Network between 2001 and 2003. He also wrote, produced, directed and starred in his own play called Both Sides of the Bar at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.  Scott then went on to guest star in the BBC soap Doctors and the second series of Love Soup, a BBC comedy starring Tamsin Greig.  He has since returned to Australia after spending two years in the UK. He resides in Melbourne and began appearing in Neighbours from July 2008 as Lucas Fitzgerald. In 2013 Scott left the show to persue his passion for Directing. He is now part of the directing team on Neighbours.

WEEKS 1 & 2:

From the first class; students will be performing their assigned scenes to camera in a simulated screen test environment for evaluation by Simone. From your live performance she will gage your strengths and weaknesses and offer direct and constructive feedback on the spot. Playback of all work will be offered.

WEEK 3:

As a result of the feedback given and scene analysis completed in Weeks 1 & 2; students will be once again working through a simulated screen test, where they will be offered one rehearsal and two final scene performances. This will mimic a real screen testing environment and challenge the actor to deliver a solid performance within only a few takes, as often required. At each stage Simone will be supporting you with more detailed direction. The emphasis here will be on how well you are listening and taking direction.

WEEK 4:

Neighbours Director Scott Major will be joining us this week and new scenes and partners will be assigned to work with; moving forward, as of Week 4. As a company, you will playback all directed and completed work while constructive feedback will again be given for the advantage of the entire company to consider and take notes on (this will exclude the initial evaluation recording). The key focus for these weeks will be working on the elements needed to unblock you as an artist. In a high pressure environment such as a screen test or working on a fast turn-around television show like Neighbours, it is imperative that actors have the creative freedom within themselves, which allows them to alter their performance and take on feedback, as offered initially by the casting director and/or director whether in the casting process or on set. Scott will take students through a series of practical on screen exercises that he has found helpful, leading to scoring the role and ultimately working as an actor on a professional shoot.

WEEKS 5, 6 & 7:

Prior to Weeks 5, 6 & 7; students will be assigned additional scenes. This will be your time to collaborate with your trainer and find that perfect screen testing scene. We will provide a large genre of scenes from various television dramas and feature films to choose from. Simone will conduct a vigorous and highly focused rehearsal workshop over these weeks preparing students for a screentest with invited industry guests.

WEEK 8 (SCREEN TESTING SESSION):

This will be your week to shine in front of invited industry guest Marie Davies (National Television Series Producer for the ABC).

The screen testing session will be facilitated by our staff at Film & Television Studio International. Our special guest will welcome your show reel, headshot and resume submissions. Your work will also be offered to our guest for all future casting purposes. Film & Television Studio International will also make your casting work available on DVD as a part of the program.

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