ACTING SEMINAR

Keen to find out more about how to make a living as an actor? Looking to practice your craft both in Australia and overseas? If the answer is yes, and you live in the Sydney area, then we recommend you attend the seminar on Monday, 13th April hosted by Andrew Carlton of Outta The Box in Sydney and Alan Nusbaum of TVI Studios in Los Angeles.

Andrew's presentation will focus on how you can take control of your acting career and optimise your opportunities in Australia and beyond. He has also generously offered AT2 members the chance to attend his presentation for the special discount price of just $20.

Andrew has enjoyed a lengthy and very successful career as a performer and voice over artist in Australia and the U.S. He has joined forces with Alan Nusbaum of TVI Studios in Los Angeles to present this one-off seminar. Alan is a former agent in New York and now specialises in teaching actors the business side of show business in LA and New York.

Andrew Carlton will show you how to dramatically expand your opportunities and increase your income as an actor in Australia. He will give invaluable insights on how to break into the business of:

    . Voiceovers
    . TV Presenting
    . Corporate Theatre
    . US Productions in Australia.

Alan Nusbaum will be giving a talk on how to make the step from Australia into the US Market. His seminar will cover:

    . Working Visas- (THE BIG ONE)
    . Your Marketing Package - (Photos, resumes, Showreels) and what to include to get the response your looking for.
    . Agents - Who to go for, who to avoid.
    . Managers- Are they necessary and how do I know which ones are right for me.
    . Networking- How the system works in LA and NY.
    . Successful Auditioning- How to get training from the same top industry directors and casting directors that can help launch your career.

So here's what you need to know!

Where? Performing Arts Centre, Waverley College, 131 Birrell Street Waverley, NSW, (walking distance from Bondi Junction Station)

When? Monday, 13th April, 7:00pm

How much? $29 ($20 for AT2 Members)

Whether you're a new actor, fully trained or seasoned veteran, this could be the most valuable evening of your career. Seating is strictly limited so don't miss out!

To reserve your place go to www.voicemasteronline.com or you can email Andrew directly at andrew@outtathebox.com.au

Talk one. 7.30pm

Andrew Carlton of Outta The box in Sydney will be giving a talk on how to dramatically expand your opportunities and increase your income as an actor in Australia. He will give invaluable insights on how to break into the business of:

    . Voiceovers
    . TV Presenting
    . Corporate Theatre
    . US Productions in Australia.

Talk two 8.15pm.

Alan Nesbaum of TVI Studios in Los Angeles will be giving a talk on how to make the step from Australia into the US Market. The seminar covers all the "Need To Know Topics" such as:

    . Working Visas- (THE BIG ONE)
    . Your Marketing Package- (Photos, resumes, Showreels) and what they need to include to get the response your looking for.
    . Agents- Who to go for, who to avoid.
    . Managers- Are they necessary and how do I know which ones are right for me.
    . Networking- How the system works in LA and NY.
    . Successful Auditioning- How to get training from the same top industry directors and casting directors that can help launch your career.

Whether you're a new actor, fully trained or seasoned veteran, this could be the most valuable evening of your career.

The evening will be held at the Performing Arts Centre at Waverley College- 131 Birrell Street Waverley. (walking distance from Bondi Junction Station) The price for the night will be $29 but are offering only $20 for any AT2 Members.

Take more control of your future. Click here to reserve a place at this Sydney event or email me directly at andrew@outtathebox.com.au Seating strictly limited.

SONY TROPFEST 2006

Once again, AT2 is gladly supporting Sony Tropfest, the world's largest outdoor short film festival. On Sunday 26 February, the 16 best short film entries for the festival will be screened at outdoor venues around the country as huge audiences flock for a night of free fun and entertainment. Hundreds of aspiring filmmakers will submit a short film in the hope of kick-starting their film making careers. AT2 will help make life easier by making the casting process a breeze.

A proud supporter of last year's festival, AT2 facilitated the casting of over 150 roles for Tropfest entrants. We were blown away by the number of filmmakers keen to source talent through our online casting system. Equally encouraging was the response from AT2 artists who were eager to practice their craft and be part of a Sony Tropfest production.

Last year, Derek Enderby cast his Sony Tropfest entry via AT2 and was surprised by the ease with which he could source talent. "I could not believe how easy it was to cast a film using AT2. All the right people in the one place; pictures, resumes, everything! AT2 is the only way I will cast films in the future."

The response for this year's promotion has been fantastic. In fact, over 50 Sony Tropfest entrants have joined AT2 already! We are more than happy to offer advice and technical support to all Sony Tropfest entrants as they go about assembling the best cast they possibly can. We hope to bring together some of the most promising film makers in the country with the abundance of talented performers on the AT2 database.

Sony Tropfest offers something for everyone, as entries in comedy, drama, suspense, action and animation are granted the largest audiences a short film can receive anywhere in the world. Although films will vary greatly in terms of style, genre and content, they must all include one common element known as the Tropfest Signature Item (TSI), which ensures films are made especially for the festival. It is always interesting to see how film makers incorporate the TSI in their film. This year's TSI is 'Bubble'.

If you are thinking about entering Sony Tropfest with a short film of your own, then check out how AT2 can help.

Sony Tropfest filmmakers will have access to the following services with AT2:

• Free access to the site during the period of Sony Tropfest call for entries period (November 2004 - January 2005)
• Ability to search the database of 20,000+ artists by name, age, gender, skill, location and appearance
• Ability to view artist portfolios, including audio and video reels, resumes and photographs
• The ability to compose a casting brief with details of the production and shoot dates and send it out via the system to all suitable artists personal websites
• The ability to load up scripts for actors to prepare for auditions
• The ability to view artists that have submitted their portfolio in response to above briefs
• Short listing of suitable artists to view at a later date
• Email artist portfolios to any email address, embedding the portfolio in the email rather than attaching documents or photos, reducing mail server attachment problems
• Use of the internal AT2 member messaging system

For more information on all things Trop, please visit http://www.tropfest.com/

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

The TAC recently ran a short film competition, promoted through AT2, called "Make a film. Make a difference". Entrants had to come up with a two-minute short film aimed at reducing the excessive number of young people who are killed on our roads each year.

As a further challenge, entrants were asked to deliver the right message without using the 'shock' method we've seen TAC utilise over the years.

Budding film makers Sam Holst and Christopher Kamen were adjudged the winners. TAC has granted them $20,000 each to produce their films, to be screened in cinemas nationwide from November.

We were delighted to see that Sam cast his winning entry, 'Swing', through the AT2 I-Cast program; a feature we set up to support people like Sam who are looking to kick-start their film making careers.

Sam's short film looks into the past of a number of young people, to the days when they were children, full of hopes and dreams. The aim was to help young people appreciate the preciousness of life as well as the luxury of having so much life ahead.

Ultimately, Sam wants young drivers to understand the tragedy that occurs when people their age are killed in a car accident. He hopes that with this in mind they will take extra care when they next get behind the wheel. "I wanted the script to help young people realise their own mortality" he said.

TAC ran the "Make a film. Make a Difference" competition based on research indicating that drivers aged between 18 and 25 are four times more likely than older drivers to be involved in fatal or serious car accidents.

Here's hoping that Sam's film will help make a difference!

AMERICA’S WATCHING YOU

As part of AT2’s ongoing global strategy, international sales manager Brad Hayden has recently returned from a trip to the United States. Brad’s aim was to demonstrate to U.S casting directors the way in which AT2 can streamline the casting process and to direct them to our thousands of talented Australian and New Zealand based artists.

Having made it to the “land of opportunity”, Brad met with Dino Ladki from the Casting Society of America (CSA). The CSA is the world’s largest organisation representing casting directors. Its members cast film, television and theatre all over America and around the globe.

Dino explained that online casting is not common practice in the United States and that the industry would benefit from an introduction to AT2.

“I think the team at AT2 has thought of virtually everything when it comes to the needs of Casting Directors. Its technology far exceeds that of any U.S. casting site.”

A login and password was set up for CSA members so that they can access the AT2 site. This will provide U.S Casting Directors who are not yet familiar with AT2 the chance to explore Australian and New Zealand based talent. This show of support from the CSA will certainly bolster the presence AT2 has already achieved in the USA through previous promotional visits.

Lisa Freiberger is the former Senior Vice-President for Talent & Casting at CBS, a major U.S television network. Lisa was very pleased that the CSA brought AT2 to her attention.
“Thank you so much for making me aware of this great resource.”

The CSA is also planning to host a seminar for casting directors in Los Angeles aimed at promoting the benefits of online casting. AT2 has been invited to attend, presenting us with another exciting promotional opportunity and an additional way to encourage U.S casting directors to source talent through our system.

The future of AT2 certainly looks promising as we continue to gain a presence abroad. AT2 members will soon be even more accessible for both international and local projects. We will continue promoting the site around the world and will issue you with further updates on our progress.

CRAWFORDS AUSTRALIA REUNION

Crawfords is Australia's most established and respected television production company. It has become synonymous with high quality, locally-produced entertainment for over 50 years.

If you’re one of the hundreds of people who began their career in entertainment with Crawfords, why not come along to the Reunion on July 9?

You may have worked on any number of programs produced by Crawfords such as Homicide, Hunter, Division 4, Matlock, Solo One, The Sullivans, Young Ramsay, Holiday Island, Carson's Law, Bluey, or The Box. But irrespective of the programs you worked on, and the role you played in making them happen, Crawford’s would love to see you at the reunion!

The Crawfords Reunion will be held at Horizon Films (formerly Crawford Senior Films), 44 Pakington Street, St Kilda. This informal get-together will provide a chance to catch up with old friends and reminisce about times passed - so be there!

To register your interest in attending the Crawford’s Reunion please visit www.crawfordproductions.net and click on the picture of the gates.

WHEN OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS

The entertainment industry is very competitive. Sometimes it seems like everyone wants to be involved - your brother wants to be the next George Lucas, your mum’s friend works regularly in theatre and that girl you went to school with is on the new Pizza Hut commercial. So, to make a successful career out of acting takes plenty of hard work and lots of luck! We all know we need to jump at any given opportunity, but where do these opportunities come from? Well, sometimes, just sometimes, they can fall in your lap.

When Melanie Wood signed up with AT2 as a freelance actress, she knew she was taking a positive step towards resurrecting her acting career. What she didn’t know was that signing up during the Melbourne Fringe Festival meant she had entered the draw to win a major prize! As our lucky winner, Melanie was granted a free year’s worth of membership on AT2, a professional photo shoot for her portfolio and some priceless one-on-one time with highly respected Casting Director, Nick Hamon.

“Meeting with Nick was a great experience. I was very nervous because he was the first casting director I have seen since signing up with AT2. I treated it as my first proper audition. Nick gave me some great feedback and a starting point to go forward.”

Melanie wisely turned up to her meeting with a two minute monologue already prepared. Her piece from Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill 2 allowed her to gain some valuable guidance from somebody ‘in the know’.

Nick explained that in an open audition he would normally recommend a piece the actor can deliver in their own accent; and one that they can relate to on a personal level. He said that it’s a good idea to tape a program like Blue Heelers or McLeod's Daughters and rehearse a scene that involves two people. That way, the other part can be played by the Casting Director, or even by a friend the actor brings along to the audition.

Nick also reinforced the importance of ‘getting oneself out there’. After all, it’s hard to find work when nobody knows who you are or what you can do! This point was particularly relevant for Melanie. In recent years her acting career has had to take a back seat to her work in insurance administration. It’s a familiar story – we all need a steady income - but her passion for performing has always been with her, and a recent retrenchment from her job has meant that, at least for the moment, there’s time to pursue her dream.

Fortunately, as an AT2 member, Melanie already has all the information she needs to promote herself on her personal AT2 site. We’ve recommended to her that she send out a ‘pitch’ through AT2 so that she can show off her photos, resume and profile to casting directors around the country.

Up until now, Melanie’s two major credits have been in theatre. Strangely enough though, this warm, likeable young woman has played characters with personalities quite different to her own. Her character in the theatrical production Faith, for example, closed herself off from other people when she discovered her friend had died from a drug overdose. Incredibly, a relative of Melanie’s had suffered the same fate not long beforehand. Melanie’s personal experiences meant the role brought on extra significance and made performing tough. She persisted however and reportedly pulled off a winning performance.

Melanie would love to work in film, with the dream of one day making it to Hollywood. At this stage though, she is simply keen to practice her craft and would welcome any work that comes her way. We wish Melanie all the best with her future acting endeavours.