Join leading local and international casting experts, such as VP of Casting for CBS Paramount TV, Matt Skrobalak, at Equity’s unique and intensive casting workshop this November. Hothouse will take place over two and a half intensive days from Friday 21 to Sunday 23 November at at Fox Studios, Moore Park, Sydney, supported by Screen Australia and AFTRS. The aim is to make Australian actors as competitive as possible when they audition. Keep reading for full details.

As our market grows and becomes even more international and with US investment increasingly interested in Australian productions as a result of the Producer Rebate, there will be further opportunities for Australian actors.  They need to be at their most competitive and have the skills to take advantage of these opportunities. 

When a performer goes overseas and goes for castings, it is a very different experience and they have to be prepared for the hard hitting and business like atmosphere. If you have ever wanted to try your luck in LA or just improve your audition techniques for Australia then this is the workshop for you.

Hothouse is a major initiative by Equity to give members an opportunity to develop the skills and confidence to tackle the US casting experience head on.  These skills will also be translated into improving opportunities for the Australian market.

WHY DO THIS

Australian performers have made Australia proud. Our actors have talent and expertise and they have demonstrated this on a national and international level.   However, talent is not enough.  The performer needs audition and casting skills to ensure they get their opportunity to shine.

The Equity Foundation runs a national programme of events which continues to grow and is increasingly respected.  The response to our events is always overwhelming. There is a constant desire by the Foundation to learn and improve upon what we deliver to performers.

The duration, intensity and specific employment focus of the Casting Hothouse takes Equity’s professional program to a new level.  It is an ambitious and exciting development, and part of Equity’s commitment to ensuring that Australian performers get every opportunity to excel.

HOW IT WILL WORK

Two US casting directors plus Australian casting directors will take the workshop. They will issue scripts, film mock auditions, look at reading techniques, provide feedback and give the participants the skills to handle the pressure and get them through the whole experience unscarred.

80 performers will be allocated into four groups of 20.  They will work with the casting directors over a two and a half day period.  The classes will be divided into modules (cold reading/prepared reading et al) and the four groups of 20 performers will move between the different modules over the two and a half days.  All the delegates will meet regularly for follow up discussion and question time.

The intensity and length of the classes will ensure that the training and skills development is hard wired into them and their audition and casting skills become instinctive.

Hothouse will commence on Friday 21 November from 12.00 pm to 5.30 pm with drinks to follow.  Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 November will commence at 9.30 am and finish at 5.30 pm with drinks again on Saturday night.  Coffee, tea and light snacks will be provided but delegates will be responsible for their own lunch. AFTRS is based at Fox Studios, Moore Park, Sydney, NSW.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

The Casting Hothouse is open to all financial members of Equity and there is no fee to attend.

It is a national initiative so members from all states are encouraged to submit an application.

You will need to send your name, all contact details and a recent biography/CV and photo to Alexandra Jones at alex.jones@alliance.org.au by close of business Friday 31 October 2008.

Successful applicants will be chosen by ballot.  The application page is attached.

This is a big investment from Equity with major support from Screen Australia and AFTRS so only members who are able to fully commit to the two and a half days should apply. The agenda of the two and a half days has been carefully designed to ensure 80 members get maximum exposure to all opportunities so attending for only part of the time is not possible.  

Interstate members will receive a contribution to flight costs and Equity will be encouraging NSW members to offer accommodation to their interstate colleagues for the duration of the Hothouse.
                                                       
                                                            
APPLICATION -  EQUITY’S CASTING HOTHOUSE

21 to 23 November 2008
Australian Film, Television and Radio School
Moore Park, Sydney   NSW   1321

NAME:               

ADDRESS:

TELEPHONE:
Home:
Business:
Mobile:

EMAIL:   

EQUITY NUMBER:

BIO and Recent Photo:
Please send attached

Applications are to be sent to

Alexandra Jones
Equity Foundation
Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance
By email:  alex.jones@alliance.org.au
By Fax:   02/9333 0933
By Post:  P.O. Box 723 Strawberry Hills,  NSW   2012

There is no fee for this workshop but applicants need to be able to commit to the two and half days of the workshop.

The deadline for this application is close of business Friday 31 October 2008.