WA Actors Out in Cold
Tue, 16 July 2002, 07:45 amAngelique21 posts in thread
WA Actors Out in Cold
Tue, 16 July 2002, 07:45 amThis has been really bugging me, so I'd like to hear what others think:
There is a feature film to be shot in WA next month which features a couple of big name actors (fair enough - box office and all that) and is, I believe, at least partially funded by Screenwest. However, there are several minor roles which WA actors where auditioned for. A handful of WA guys got roles (congratulations!). However, there were two minor female roles which (after months of waiting with baited breath) I have just found out were given to Eastern States actors. These would be one or two days shoot. I don't know, maybe I'm biased as my "availability was asked" for one of the roles - but knowing the wealth of talent in WA, I find this completely unnecessary (and somewhat insulting). What do you think? Should Actors Equity help local actors have first "dibs" on minor roles in locally funded projects by instituting some policy or other? I mean, we wait long enough for anything to happen here and when it does they'd rather pay Eastern Staters to fly over here! Its time we recognised that some major talent has come from (and still is in WA). Let's see...Judy Davis, Heath Ledger, Marcus Graham, and my old mate, Frances O'Connor (just to name a few)
Thou impertinent fool-born strumpet!
There is a feature film to be shot in WA next month which features a couple of big name actors (fair enough - box office and all that) and is, I believe, at least partially funded by Screenwest. However, there are several minor roles which WA actors where auditioned for. A handful of WA guys got roles (congratulations!). However, there were two minor female roles which (after months of waiting with baited breath) I have just found out were given to Eastern States actors. These would be one or two days shoot. I don't know, maybe I'm biased as my "availability was asked" for one of the roles - but knowing the wealth of talent in WA, I find this completely unnecessary (and somewhat insulting). What do you think? Should Actors Equity help local actors have first "dibs" on minor roles in locally funded projects by instituting some policy or other? I mean, we wait long enough for anything to happen here and when it does they'd rather pay Eastern Staters to fly over here! Its time we recognised that some major talent has come from (and still is in WA). Let's see...Judy Davis, Heath Ledger, Marcus Graham, and my old mate, Frances O'Connor (just to name a few)
Thou impertinent fool-born strumpet!
Re: WA Actors Out in Cold
Tue, 16 July 2002, 11:01 amI don't think anyone begrudges any theatre company casting some Television names to sell tickets, regardless of how big a part they have (i.e. Away with Kerry Armstrong)
But what people are annoyed about is the fact that minor. or supporting roles are cast over east as with this film and with the upcoming Drawer Boy(and, unfortunately, quite a few other productions)
Having Kerry Armstrong in Away was fine but did they need Tempany Deckert as another name attraction. Both were okay int he roles but really if our maoin theatre company dosen't support the industry here then what are we meant to do.
But in their defence, theatre companies are under pressure to get bums on seats and they see this as a way for that to happen and I believe artistically the prefer trained actors, which is their decision and I don't totally agree with. I can name five "untrained" actors here that they should look at.
But...in their defence Black Swan are doing a lot (and looking at more) co productions with local independent companies, are developing new scripts and the quality of BSX'x workshops are of a very high standard.
And yes Black Swan is putting Perth on the map, but not with doing syllabus shows (ie Cosi and Away) but with the excellent Plainsong and Cloudstreet.
But Im sick of the talent drain to Sydney and other places (Canada too) and wish that the parts being castw ere being cast here.
But Black Swan aren't the only company "putting Perth on the Map"
Deckchair have an excellent national profile for new works and devlopmental projects. And anyone who hasen't seen a Deckchair show (or see all of them) should. We have pone of the few puppet theatres in Australia and its now 21 years old and intenationally recognised.
Then there's the company that in the last year had one production in canada, did a remount of another in Mexico (performing to over 100, 000 patrons), had two international artsits in residince and over 500 performances off its shows, and was nominated for the national Helpman Award for excellence in Chilldrens performance. This year they will be employing 20 Wesyt Australian actors to contracts between the periods of three and five months. Not including the 10 actors who regularily run workshops for the company. (Oh and the four Western Australian writers writing scripts per year) Of course i am biased because I work for Barking Gecko but I wouldn't be there if i didn't believe in their product.
As a little aside, prospective actors for next year! I would suggest you at least see one of our shows prior to the audition. In 2003 we will be casting for a smany parts as well. Incisdentally we had 10 new, never worked for Gecko actors working for us this year.
Lastly...would people stop going to the theatre if we stopped having names selling shows, Its all in the family coming over and Pirates of Penzance on its golden jubilee tour? Or would they use their money to see something else?
Anyway got a bit ranty there and all over the place but essentially i agree with the above posts, yes there is the talent here and luckily some companies are looking at it.
Having a lie down now
Dave Ryding
[%sig%]
But what people are annoyed about is the fact that minor. or supporting roles are cast over east as with this film and with the upcoming Drawer Boy(and, unfortunately, quite a few other productions)
Having Kerry Armstrong in Away was fine but did they need Tempany Deckert as another name attraction. Both were okay int he roles but really if our maoin theatre company dosen't support the industry here then what are we meant to do.
But in their defence, theatre companies are under pressure to get bums on seats and they see this as a way for that to happen and I believe artistically the prefer trained actors, which is their decision and I don't totally agree with. I can name five "untrained" actors here that they should look at.
But...in their defence Black Swan are doing a lot (and looking at more) co productions with local independent companies, are developing new scripts and the quality of BSX'x workshops are of a very high standard.
And yes Black Swan is putting Perth on the map, but not with doing syllabus shows (ie Cosi and Away) but with the excellent Plainsong and Cloudstreet.
But Im sick of the talent drain to Sydney and other places (Canada too) and wish that the parts being castw ere being cast here.
But Black Swan aren't the only company "putting Perth on the Map"
Deckchair have an excellent national profile for new works and devlopmental projects. And anyone who hasen't seen a Deckchair show (or see all of them) should. We have pone of the few puppet theatres in Australia and its now 21 years old and intenationally recognised.
Then there's the company that in the last year had one production in canada, did a remount of another in Mexico (performing to over 100, 000 patrons), had two international artsits in residince and over 500 performances off its shows, and was nominated for the national Helpman Award for excellence in Chilldrens performance. This year they will be employing 20 Wesyt Australian actors to contracts between the periods of three and five months. Not including the 10 actors who regularily run workshops for the company. (Oh and the four Western Australian writers writing scripts per year) Of course i am biased because I work for Barking Gecko but I wouldn't be there if i didn't believe in their product.
As a little aside, prospective actors for next year! I would suggest you at least see one of our shows prior to the audition. In 2003 we will be casting for a smany parts as well. Incisdentally we had 10 new, never worked for Gecko actors working for us this year.
Lastly...would people stop going to the theatre if we stopped having names selling shows, Its all in the family coming over and Pirates of Penzance on its golden jubilee tour? Or would they use their money to see something else?
Anyway got a bit ranty there and all over the place but essentially i agree with the above posts, yes there is the talent here and luckily some companies are looking at it.
Having a lie down now
Dave Ryding
[%sig%]
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