Congratulations to the following London members who have won the Reel Intensive with bjorn b.

Suzy Power www.StarNow.com/suzipower

Scott Chester 'Etienne' www.starnow.co.uk/scottchester1990

The Reel Intensive includes real scripts and real locations, great lighting, crisp sound, directed in a cohesive way so the Actor's story evolves in front of the camera.

For those who missed out but are keen to take part get in touch with bjorn b. for more information b@bjornphotography.com

We have our winners!

www.StarNow.com/michellebourke1

www.StarNow.com/stevensheeran

www.StarNow.com/georgiadaoud

www.StarNow.com/johncunningham

www.StarNow.com/aaronjakubenko

www.StarNow.com/ChristopherBGibson

www.StarNow.com/rowandavie

www.StarNow.com/Vivienne

www.StarNow.com/josephineclark

www.StarNow.com/jamesmiller99


These lucky 10 StarNow members will be heading to a screentest workshop with professional Casting Director Michelle Quin.

- Be confident with yourself and the character you are portraying, consider the character motives and insecurities/securities and use them to your advantage when you perform!

- Before an audition, take a deep breath and remember you're not doing brain surgery - nerves are a massive performance killer!

- Listen actively, you should give the impression that what your character is hearing is purely of that moment. Resist the temptation to be quick with your lines, just to prove you know them, it is a conversation after all.

- Follow the 4 P's ~
Promotion - don't just wait for the phone to ring. Make yourself known to those in the industry. (showreels, website, general auditions, etc)
Preparation - put in the ground work before an audition to ensure every chance for success.
Perseverance - you need a thick skin in this industry! Never take a knock back personally and never give up!
Practice – always fine tune your craft by attending workshops.

- Listen to your director. Listen to the crew. Listen to your fellow actors as they deliver...

Here are this year's Movie Extra Tropfest Finalists:

THE APPLICANT Tim Dean, WA
ANIMAL BEATBOX Damon Gameau, NSW
DEN SISTA GALAXONAUT Alexander George & Tyrone Lindqvist, NSW
A DESPERATE DEED Matt Bird, NSW
A FAMILY AFFAIR Craig Anderson, Melinda Cklamovska & Stevo Petkovic, NSW
FLIGHT Nicholas Verso, VIC
FOCUS Ari Kruger, South Africa
THE MAESTRO Adam Anthony, NSW
MISSING HER Michael Wiesler, VIC
MONKEYS Joel Edgerton, NSW
SILENCER Doug Bayne & David Collins, NSW
THINGS TO DO Dan Jameison & Ana Maria Belo, NSW
TRANSPARENCY Melissa Cowan, NSW
THE UNSPOKEN Jason van Genderen, NSW
Y2GAY Dan Illic & James Pender, NSW

THIS YEAR YOU GET TO PICK ONE OF THE FINALIST FILMS - CLICK HERE TO VIEW AND VOTE FOR ONE MORE FILM.

StarNow: Congratulations on winning Best Actor at the Show Me Shorts festival – how did it feel when they announced you as the winner?
Cameron Rhodes: It was great! I was fairly surprised, as the other nominees were all extremely strong and Brave Donkey has polarised audiences! But the acknowledgement was a thrill!

StarNow: What made you choose the role of Brian in Brave Donkey?
Cameron Rhodes: I felt the role was very challenging but also funny and hopefully moving. The audition went well and I instantly liked Gaysorn, the director. As it panned out, I was offered the part!

StarNow: Can you tell us about yourself? How did you get started in the entertainment industry?
Cameron Rhodes: I did shows at the Hutt Rep and Downstage Youth Theatre in Wellington when I was at school. I was hooked on acting from about 15 and hellbent on going to drama school! I got into Toi Whaakari, The NZ Drama School at 18 (my class included Robyn Malcolm, Kerry Fox, Jed Brophy). After graduating, I worked at Downstage in the company and was in a number of co-op shows at Bats. I then worked at the Mercury and Watershed in Auckland. In the late 90’s I toured NZ with the NZ Actor’s Company. Lately I’ve worked at the ATC, Silo and directed at the Basement and Herald. Through the years also acted on TV shows like, Mercy Peak, Xena, Spies and Lies, and a number of films, including Lord of the Rings and I’m Not Harry Jenson.

StarNow: What are some career highlights you have had so far?
Cameron Rhodes: Playing Cyrano in Theatre At Large’s Cyrano De Bergerac at the Watershed, and then touring to Wellington, Adelaide and Perth. Bottom in NZ Actor’s Co national tour of A Midsummer’s Night Dream from Invercargill to Kaitaia. Acting in Brave Donkey and Harry Jenson on screen.

StarNow: You are obviously a very well rounded actor performing on stage and in front of the camera. Which is your preference?
Cameron Rhodes: I love both! The intensity of film is fantastic, I love the focus of a film set. Theatre is the most actor-intensive of the mediums, and you can’t beat the adrenaline of an opening night!

StarNow: What is your next project? Any new films or plays in the pipeline?
Cameron Rhodes: I’m in a theatre/film hybrid called Carnival of Souls at the Mercury and Civic theatres for the Auckland Festival. We are performing all the lines, music and sound effects live to a 1960’s horror film! Then in Mary Stuart at the ATC, as well as directing a tour of Michael Galvin’s play Station To Station. There are also a couple of film roles in the pipeline.

StarNow: As a graduate of Toi Whakaari – NZ Drama School, what value do you put on training/education versus experience in the acting industry?
Cameron Rhodes: It is possible to just start acting, and many very successful actors have done just that. NZ used to have theatre companies where actors were on contract for up to a year, there were regular classes and you could really learn on the job. Now it is job to job, and you need to seek out classes and further training. I do think there is value in working on the skills of voice, movement and acting craft, and there are more classes and scene groups being established. A drama school gives you the chance to study away from the pressure of getting a job, and you can work out of your comfort zone and have a team of tutors giving you regular feedback. There is a new one year full time course starting in 2012 called The Actors’ Program, based at Tapac, that I am involved in. Michael Hurst, Jennifer Ward Lealand, Sara Wiseman and I are all founders and tutors. A one year course may suit those who don’t necessarily want to train for three years. There is no one way, but I do recommend training if you have the opportunity.

StarNow: How do you think a site like StarNow is useful for actors? Would you recommend actors to use the site?
Cameron Rhodes: Today the internet is an instant way to be seen by casting directors, producers etc. Having your profile on a website like StarNow is an excellent idea. Yes, I would recommend actors to use the site. The more exposure the better!

StarNow: Do you have any tips you would give to other aspiring young actors?
Cameron Rhodes: Stay fit and healthy! You are your instrument, so to speak. Keep working on physical and vocal fitness and flexibility. Go and see plays, movies and read to stimulate your imagination and passion. Watch people. Prepare well for auditions and arrive early! Acting is a fantastic job, where you keep learning and improving through your whole life and career. Go for it!