Opportunities, short films and Auditions

Well time seems to be slipping though my fingers lately. Since my last blog I have been for 2 auditions. One was actually held in the Penrith Plaza behind the MacDonalds with my 9 year old daughter holding the camera. The role was highly emotive and I had to cry....not an easy task at 3 in the afternoon with your children off camera eating ice-cream and another looking at you through a mobile phone camera lens. But done none the less. Unfortunately they were looking for someone a little more slutty then I and with blonde hair. Hey if they had of really wanted me I could have vamped up the look and dyed my hair. I am learning to just accept the no and move on. No point in trying to convince someone you are better for a role then they think. it is their vision and if I am not a part of that vision then so be it. Disappointing for my son who was meant to be in it with me.........poor bugger.........

I decided to concentrate on doing a short film. I had some ideas in my head and as my late teens were not the easiest for me (or my entire first 22 years really lol) I was able to draw from some of my experiences. I had quiet a few perks of interest which really encouraged me. My older brother had a peek and asked me to hold on to it. Not that I could really do anything with it at this stage anyway. It has certainly encouraged me to write more. I have done a first draft of another one. I am about to expose my first one to be critiqued, and if all goes well I am hoping to steal a portion of my brothers brain at Christmas to finally begin the screen play on our grandfather. I am expecting to not have it finished for an entire decade soooo starting it now is probably the best option. Lucky my brother is a successfull.....about to be published..........author and I can steal his talent.

In the mean time I have just been watching opportunities walk on by. It has been a little heartbreaking. But my family comes first of course. Timing has been the operative word these days and none of it has been in sink. I have had to turn down 4 auditions and 2 film roles thus far just due to having no one to care for the children (Geoff works 7 days). But never one to give up I am determined to troupe on. Writing.........working on my show reel and playing with head shots.........

Sooo stay tuned to see what I have been up to next.........I am sure it will be BIG!!!
Lea

It was Dark and Stormy Night

So it is the end of yet another project. The play I performed in for Richmond Players ended and we said goodbye. I will really miss the comradory of doing Theatre but I really think if I am to get serious I need to concentrate on what I really want to do.........which is film. Playing Mary Shaw in It was a Dark and Stormy Night was so much fun. But i am not going to do anymore theatre until at least next year.

I have already begun moving on. I have had several opportunities arise. One was a short film role I was successful in being offered. It was for a short film headed for Tropfest new York. Unfortunately I had to turn it down due to my stage commitments. I traveled into the UTS for an audition in a short film to play a Juror, but was notified that they did not have a role to fit my profile. I did not mind, I gained valuable audition experience just by attending. I have been in talks with a lady regarding a project I may be able to act in with my son. It looks very dramatic and I actually find him in a pool of blood.........he finds it very very exciting an wants to know how they are going to make the blood........typical 7 year old boy hahaa. I am hoping to be offered the role but will not count my chickens as yet......

Finally this evening I have accomplished something even I thought was out of my own scope of capability. I wrote my very first short film. I had begun writing it sometime ago and sent it to a friend to see what they thought of it. I got such an amazing response. I told a few more friends about it (not showing anyone else) and have been offered so much in terms of producers and actors etc. And whilst I may be a novice, these people are far from it. I am very excited about and hope I am not toooooo heavily critiqued.....so......watch this space..........

Thanks for the support,
Lea

SES......Role playing for the State Emergency Service

I had a successful audition on Thursday night with the SES. At the time we were told we would be doing 3 elements........an interview, networking and finally we would be videoed role playing as SES recruits having an argument. The idea is that a group of SES recruits were finishing a course and needed to be assessed. We had to act in the 3 elements to create real life situations for them.
We arrived at Rooty Hill RSL around 2pm on Saturday the 26.07.08 for an introduction to the SES. We meet fellow actors and were briefed on the expectations of the following day. Around 6pm we moved to the function room for a 3 course meal. We then moved onto the first round of interviews before finishing for the day.
We arrived at the Rooty Hill RSL before 8:00am on Sunday the 27.07.08. We were immediately fitted into our costume (the SES orange overalls) and briefed on what would follow. We were already given several scenarios as suggestions for our conflict. The role played by my partner Nikki and I was of 2 SES officers.......both with over 10 years service.....we were friends......during a training session we have a falling out and have an argument. During the argument an SES officer enters and tries to moderate and come to a resolution. This is videoed.
After 2 sessions we moved onto more interviews, lunch, and finished the day with networking.
All in all it was an great weekend. We were told we would not receive a cash payment for our time as the State Emergency Service is a non profit organisation. However, the experience alone was worth the weekend. As we finished the day we were presented with thank you gifts. As I drove home in my car I totaled exactly the cost of my time and what I received.

I was gone for a total of 16 hours.
I received:
footage for my show reel (DVD to be posted)
1 pair of Dunlop Volleys
1 SES collectable spoon
1 SES brass drink coaster
1 SES key ring torch
1 SES pen
1 SES fridge magnet
3 fully catered for meals
as well as experience and some industry friends.

I would suggest that I actually did receive payment and it was definitely worth my while.

Insight SBS experience - Beijing Olympics & Human Rights in China

Well, what an interesting night it was. Firstly we missed the turn off and were 20 minutes late. After a quick dash in the rain, a visit to the bathroom and a touch up we were ready to enter the Green Room. A mixture of faces. Some casually dressed, some in suits, a Tibetan Monk, and a handful of people dressed similar to my friend Michele and I. We all seemed to have the same white stickers on our lapels that said 'Focus Group'. I was about to find out what this meant. A couple of big screen TVs were turned on, showing clips regarding the topic on human rights. We had just found a seat when we were asked to file into the studio. We were asked to remove our stickers and pointed out to specific seats (all Focus Group members were seated in the back row). Lisa Forest, Nova Peris, Michelle Engelsman, Marayke Jonkers and a few other VIP guests had already taken their seats. Jenny was chatting with crew. We were told if we had something to add to say during the show to raise our hand and Jenny would reach us........
I will not detail blow by blow the entire show. There was alot of interesting points made and at times the mood was low and Jenny lifted everyone whilst not losing momentum. All in all it was quite fascinating listening to the different views. The gentleman beside me was also part of the Focus Group but seemed to not be able to contain himself. He had his hand up frantically several times until Jenny finally asked him to speak. He seemed very pro China and in my opinion was taken aback by views by others regarding living in China. I listened attentively and believe I did learn a great deal.
However my goal was to be seen and thanks to my chatty neighbour I seemed to be on camera in profile for quite some time. I also received a full head view. Jenny did ask the Focus Group to voice their opinions to the camera after the show, however I could not in all honesty profess to know a great deal on the subject and preferred to have my photo taken with Jenny and I even shook Nova's hand. I would have liked to have had a photo with Marayke.....
So all in all we had a great night, got some exposure for the show reel, visited SBS studios and even learnt a little. Baby steps...that what it was a baby step.........

a morning phone call..........

Well this morning I had a call asking me to be part of the forum on the SBS show "Insight". I, of course said yes. They asked me to bring hubby, however I need a baby sitter hahahaa. It pays $50 each audience member I also managed to squeeze the night off from rehearsal. What a stroke of luck to get out of it as we are going through the entire play now and I was required to be there. However I was given a green light on the provision that I LEARN all my lines.....lucky I know most of them. So I am to bring a friend and we will travel to Artarmon to tape the show Monday night and it will be aired Tuesday night at 7:30 SBS......so tune in!! Now I have to research the topic......Beijing Olympics. Should be interesting............

Actor Studies & Work

I have studied Acting at Lockett Arts Academy, The Q Theatre and Nepean Community College. My first performance was a brief appearance in Small Claims on Channel 10, along side Claudia Karvan and Rebecca Gibney. My first on stage performance was in the musical The Gondoliers. I have also done some backstage prompting for Actors Bill Conn and Lynne McGranger on The Lover at the original Q Theatre. Working with the Director and AFI award winner Fiona Press, even in the smallest capacity, was amazing and inspirational. I moved on to my first 'real' role as Poppy Norton-Taylor in Noises Off, showing me the depth, commitment, and endurance associated with working as a cast. It also offered me the first opportunity to see first hand my capability as an actor. I have since moved on to take my first principal role as Mrs Webb in Our Town. Playing 5 shows and selling out to the last 2. I have taken on a minor role in the up and coming performance of "It was a Dark and Stormy Night" to nurture my career.

Showreel