[press release from PAC Scriptlab]
Many of the directors, writers and actors who have undertaken screen training with the long running Perth Actors’ Collective (PAC) Screen Workshops in Perth have recently celebrated big triumphs.
Scooping six awards at the annual AFI awards in Melbourne was Elissa Down and Jimmy Jack’s (the Exploder) feature film "The Black Balloon." It won Best Film and Best Direction, Best Original Screenplay, Best Editing, Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress.
”PAC Screen Workshops are a great way to meet like-minded film practitioners who are just as passionate as you are about making films,” says Elissa Down.
I met Jimmy (co-writer of The Black Balloon) in a Romance and Seduction themed series of PAC Screen Workshop 2. It was the beginning of that collaboration. These workshops are invaluable for honing your skills.”
The film Jerrycan also scored favourably, awarded the Best Short Fiction Film at the Australian Film Institute Awards by PAC Screen Workshop graduate director Julius Avery. It has also been selected in competition for the Sundance Film Festival 09 in the US, making the rare double achievement for a film to be selected for both the Cannes and Sundance Film Festivals.
“Along with our directors and writers, PAC Screen Workshop actors have also been doing us proud with many current participants auditioning and receiving callbacks and offers for NIDA and WAAPA – leading national acting schools,” says PAC co-ordinator Annie Murtagh-Monks.
Claire Van der Boom, a PAC graduate actor who went on to study at NIDA has recently completed a role in Steven Speilberg’s “Pacific” and has appeared in the feature “The Square” and the TV series “Rush”.
“Actors should continually desire to hone their skills,” says Claire.
“PAC Screen Workshops were ideal in helping me look at the craft from different angles and reminded me to keep the fun alive.”
With a number of Perth PAC graduates beginning to firmly establish themselves within the film industry, WA is fast becoming home to some of this country’s brightest stars.
“Western Australia is a wonderful breeding ground for talented creative artists,” says Annie.
Let’s hope we see all these motivated and passionate young people return to work at times in the film & TV industry here in the future.”