Another Aussie In La

This one is for all the actors out there! And writers!! And directors!!! Basically ANYONE who's thinking of moving to the US and wants to know how to get a visa and/or representation. Our panelists include Kate Raynor of Ranyor and Associates (immigration attorneys) and managers Lital Spitzer of 3 Arts Entertainment & Jeff Golenberg of Silver Linings Entertainment. Kate explains the differences between a Green Card and O1 visa, deal memos, petitioners and the like. Lital and Jeff impart their thoughts on when to come for pilot season, how to pitch to yourself managers and finding the right rep for you. Just when you think there are no more visa questions - there are more visa questions... Typical Aussies. 

Enjoy the easy breezy banter of this Q & A with some of the key creatives on the new Aussie film THE MULE. Our illustrious panel includes writer/director/actor Angus Sampson (Where The Wild Things Are), writer/actor Leigh Whannell (Saw, Insidious), actress Georgina Haig (Once Upon A Time) and actor Chris Pang (Tomorrow When The War Began) - Phew! They talk about finding the right people, Angus' inherent beard growing skills, the subtle art of crafting a fart, how Hugo Weaving legitimizes most things and not having the answers for Noni Hazlehurst. How would you have faired in our audience poll – “who's ever bogged in their pants?”. Be honest now…  

Amongst the pitter-patter of puppy paws, Stephan Elliott takes the time to reminiscence about Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and tells some truths about the current state of the industry. There are no stock answers here. Stephan shares stories of sharing the spoils with Muriel, being on the festival circuit with Tarantino and confronting Grace Jones.  Twenty years later, Priscilla - or as he calls it, 'The Old Bus and Chain' - while firmly cemented in Australian cultural landscape is still finding an audience. Stephan is fairly certain this will be the last hurrah for her... I'm not so sure. There seems to some life in the old girl yet! 

Lenka is the kinda musician that only needs one name. Even in LA, a city of singer-songwriters! She shares stories of her double life - Eastern suburbs mum (or MOM) vs. bodyguards and screaming fans. We discuss discovering the cool side to Los Angeles, getting less mature as one matures, becoming an adjective, working with Alfonso Cuaron - Yeah, you heard that right! - and the perfect Aussie care package. For the record, her's contains Paw Paw ointment, Berroca and Sirena tuna... 

Lucy Fry (Vampire Academy) has had a busy two years! She has gotten to be a vampire princess, a Hollywood starlet, a manipulative high schooler and the troubled, somewhat possessed daughter of Kevin Bacon. We disscuss putting in the extra oomph, being part of the other half on LA public transport, and that little ol' fear of being 'found out'. She also shares her pre-audition routine and the various things she has learnt along her short but prolific journey. She is an utter delight to talk to! But you might have already guessed as much... 

John Orcsik has been in the biz for a long time and boy, does he have some stories to tell. The self confessed raconteur reveals the asking price for a multilingual renaissance man and what it was like to have his Cop shop role written for him. We do a little brushing up on Sydney theatre history and discuss the Australian “No Bullshit” School of acting that the Yanks seem to love soooo much.  After 40 years he’s pretty zen about his career. Even his groundbreaking moment on Number 96 - the first gay kiss on Australian tele! All in a day’s work for John… 

Everything and anything is possible with documentary filmmaker Genevieve Bailey! Gen shares her epic nine year journey of making the award winning I AM ELEVEN, a film about 11 year olds from around the world. From outrunning pesky adults in Morocco, listening to the musings of France's pre-teen philosopher and the learning to surf bathing elephants, Gen has done it all! Let her positivity and passion inspire you too! As she says "Never let not having money stop you from telling stories!" Hear, hear! 

Meet Aussie director Peter Cornwell (The Haunting in Connecticut, Helmlock Grove) who seems to have that horror/action thing down pat. We chat about the importance of jump scares, out Bazing Baz, pitching films about Amish people and his childhood obsession with watching sword fights. He also shares his philosophy on horror as personal development - clearly I’ve been going about life the wrong way! Time to face my fears… or not… 

Anna McGahan (House Husbands, Underbelly:Razor, 100 Bloody Acres) is both wise beyond her years and an easy breezy chatting buddy. She talks about playing the most notorious of Sydney’s prostitutes, her science geekiness and how being busy keeps her inspired. She asks some big questions too… when is a body just a body? How can actors take care of their psychological welfare? And why is it soooooo HOT in LA???   Warning: contains shameless Australians in Film plugs. 

Sitting high in Laurel Canyon amongst the gum trees, in between birds a tweetin' and trucks hooning, conversation with actor and director Warwick Young is free flowing. In town for a whirlwind trip which includes his AFTRS graduate film screening, we talk about his filmmaking process where story is paramount and the director is keeper and defender of it. Here's to making movies that make the world a better place! 

As VP for Scripted Development for Essential Media (Saving Mr. Banks, Rake, Jack Irish) and Australians in Film President, Simonne Overend has some stories and insights to share. Not in the least what it was like meeting Tom Hanks and translations for industry jargon! She talks about the ideal journey from idea to film or tv show, how internships are the best way in and her honest belief that the good stuff will rise to the top. NEWSFLASH - She also announces the judges for the Australians in Film Gateway LA script initiative. With 63 buyers of content in this town (MIND BLOWN), it's no wonder that Aussie properties are hot!

All bets are off in this unguarded interview with actor Josh Saks (Face to Face, Deadline Gallipoli). Josh reveals his irrational fear of shark attacks, his inability to pick up on hints and how LA weather has spoiled him. We talk in depth about his friendship with director, mentor and tennis student Michael Rymer. While he gets me to reveal my current relationship status he is pretty bloody good at dodging the question himself... Though in the end, our advice to American girls - "Do it the Aussie way" and save yourself time and potential heartache. I REALLY hope my Granny isn't listening!!! 

Sarah Doyle - writer/director of Anaconda and You, Me and Her - is taking the pressure off. Starting with looking at the big picture, taking stock in terms of decades not yearly. Not that she need worry too much. After being select as one of eight women to participate in the AFI Directing Workshop for Women, her short film won The Audience Choice Award at the Etheria Film Night. All in 12 months! We chat tangentially about demystifying Hollywood, finding the absurd in the everyday, coming full circle with the Tamarama Rock Surfers and having only Aussie girlfriends. The glass may have started half empty but it ends half full! 

A post Comic-Con Julian Curtis - actor, writer, lead in Hulu's SPOOKED, twitter obsessive - sits down with Another Aussie to ask the big questions. Like 'what is the male version of brunette?' And 'did I get the part 'cos someone pulled out last minute?' Y'know just the stuff we actors think about. He shares his secrets on scamming your way into panels and proves he ain't great with surnames. He also shares his belief that Hollywood is always looking for the next best thing but you gotta choose your stream here, mate. This ain't the multitasking Aussie industry. Your US peers are too good and have been at it for longer! But rest assured that everyone - and we mean EVERYONE - in LA is NUTS! 

Henry Nixon would have never struck me as a person who believes in auspicious dates but there are lots of things about Henry I never woulda guessed! Like him feeling like a pretender when he lead a batallion in THE PACIFIC. Or the joy he got outta fooling MAD MEN showrunner Matthew Weiner. We talk about LA being the great leveller, Kerri Anne doing her research on him and how a career in acting is a bit like a shampoo commercial. Oh, and he's one of the few people who can legitimately use the "ol' phone call from Spielberg routine". 

Jo Long makes sh*t happen - though she would never descibe it that way. But that's what she did as a producer on Rove LA, Hamish & Andy's Gap Year and The Jenny McCarthy Show. We talk about being a jack of all trades vs. being on the one track career path, catfish noodling with Hamish and Andy, googling Harrison Ford, having on the lot Warner Bros. parking for her Pontiac Sunfire and how weird it is to have an agent. We both agree being around funny people is the BEST! 

Susan Prior (Puberty Blues) jumped on The Rover train and found herself in LA via Cannes. And, boy, am I glad! In between tea slurps, we discuss her conscioius decision to focus on TV and film, the beauty and honour of filmmaking, “backing yourself”, working with Guy Pearce, R.Patz and Philip Seymour Hoffman and when to hide the self help books. 'Be yourself, be your best self and work hard' is now my motto! 

Eva Orner is the Oscar and Emmy winning documentary producer and director of Taxi to the Dark Side and The Network. Her new film Bloody UnAustralian will examine Australia's treatment of asylum seekers. Um.... yeah. This is a lady with something to say. Big Stuff is covered. But so is fun stuff - we chat about the dangers of reading online comments, facebook stalking for the greater good, dressing appropriately for the Oscars and befriending the likes of Javier Bardem on Award Season red carpets. 

Cody Fern (War Horse) has just been awarded - no, gifted - the Australians in Film Heath Ledger Scholarship and he couldn't be more chuffed. He shares a little about the whirlwind two weeks - pre and post - and where to from now. Needless to say, it's been an accelerated crash course in all things LA... We compare and contrast art and commerce: the profession that almost was. And his work ethic puts me to shame. All in all, he's ready to make the most of this. And I couldn't be happier for him! 

To say Another Aussie got Sean James Murphy on a good day is an UNDERSTATMENT! Three life things sorted by 11.30am! Relatively new to LA but with heaps of stories to share, Sean takes us through his golden pilot season of 2013 and the not-so golden one for 2014. We discuss the compare and despair trap, the weird notion of "Making It", the desire to contribute cuturally and having awesome parents. He reveals his cynicism. But to be honest, if that is him being cynical - it's awwwwwright by me!