May 2010 Archives
Lately there's been a flurry of activity on Facebook from a group known as 'Scene 12: Actors On Call'. Are they like the Ghostbusters? When I've got an acting emergency are these the guys to call? I caught up with Marcelle Weber, the motivated mastermind behind the project, to find out more.
LS: What is Scene 12?
MW: It's a not for profit organization that aims to create opportunities for actors and showcase their talents. At the moment we have a group of 12 actors preparing to travel to Los Angeles next year and meet with agents, studio execs and filmmakers to see if they have what it takes to make it. Scene 12 is part training program, part promotional opportunity and part documentary production.
LS: Sounds like a fairly ambitious project for someone who started acting less than 2 years ago.
MW: I guess so. But I'm a pretty enthusiastic guy. When I first started acting I was lucky enough to meet Luc Vecchio. Luc took me along to a few networking events, introduced me to people, really took me under his wing. I'd always want to help people promote what they were doing but after a while Luc warned me to slow down before I got burnt out. He suggested focusing my attention on a smaller group of people. So Scene 12 was born.
LS: Why 12 actors?
MW: I felt that 12 actors could really encapsulate the different journeys people go on when they're developing their craft. I really want up and coming actors to be able to watch the DVDs and pick the characteristics they most identify with, so that they are better able to use our journey as part of their own development. Also, we're hoping to put on a few shows and with 12 actors, you can make sure there's always someone right for the part. Besides, the number 12 has always been lucky for me!
LS: So you're also making a DVD and putting on shows?
MW: Yes. Scene 12: Actors on Call will be a documentary. The film follows the 12 actors as they undergo extensive training to hone their skills. It's not just acting training either, they'll learn how to network and market themselves, skills that are essential tools for actors to get work and maintain a career. Part of their acting training will involve putting on shows - some theatre productions and some special surprises. We're not doing things in a traditional manner at Scene 12! In addition, we offer promotional and marketing support to any productions that cast our actors.
LS: You must be busy.
MW: I'm a passionate person and I really enjoy helping people. We've also had really great support from people like Ali Roberts, who let us use her studio, Luc Vecchio who is assisting us with training and VIP Restaurant in Northbridge - our new home and the location for some of our performances. Also, acting can be lonely - I really wanted to build a community of supportive, talented people.
LS: How did these 12 actors get chosen?
MW: I noticed at networking functions that some actors had filmmakers coming up to them congratulating them on recent work, but when it came around to casting, most filmmakers cast the actors they've previously worked with. It was frustrating to see some really talented people not even given a chance. For me, acting is about taking charge of your career and promoting yourself to potential employers and collaborators. I went around, saw a lot of shows, watched a lot of films and came up with this list of 12 based on their talent and their diversity. I really wanted a mix of really experienced actors and people that hadn't been acting for that long. I think we've got a really interesting mix of personalities.
Scene 12 actors are Chloe Flockart, John McPherson, Cathy Prastides, Josh Crane, Katilin Mary Hall, Timothy Styles, Kira Caine, Keira May, Marcelle Weber, Leoni Leaver, Tony Minchin and Zalia Joi.
You can find out more about Scene 12 on their website, Facebook or follow them on Twitter.
LS: What is Scene 12?
MW: It's a not for profit organization that aims to create opportunities for actors and showcase their talents. At the moment we have a group of 12 actors preparing to travel to Los Angeles next year and meet with agents, studio execs and filmmakers to see if they have what it takes to make it. Scene 12 is part training program, part promotional opportunity and part documentary production.
LS: Sounds like a fairly ambitious project for someone who started acting less than 2 years ago.
MW: I guess so. But I'm a pretty enthusiastic guy. When I first started acting I was lucky enough to meet Luc Vecchio. Luc took me along to a few networking events, introduced me to people, really took me under his wing. I'd always want to help people promote what they were doing but after a while Luc warned me to slow down before I got burnt out. He suggested focusing my attention on a smaller group of people. So Scene 12 was born.
LS: Why 12 actors?
MW: I felt that 12 actors could really encapsulate the different journeys people go on when they're developing their craft. I really want up and coming actors to be able to watch the DVDs and pick the characteristics they most identify with, so that they are better able to use our journey as part of their own development. Also, we're hoping to put on a few shows and with 12 actors, you can make sure there's always someone right for the part. Besides, the number 12 has always been lucky for me!
LS: So you're also making a DVD and putting on shows?
MW: Yes. Scene 12: Actors on Call will be a documentary. The film follows the 12 actors as they undergo extensive training to hone their skills. It's not just acting training either, they'll learn how to network and market themselves, skills that are essential tools for actors to get work and maintain a career. Part of their acting training will involve putting on shows - some theatre productions and some special surprises. We're not doing things in a traditional manner at Scene 12! In addition, we offer promotional and marketing support to any productions that cast our actors.
LS: You must be busy.
MW: I'm a passionate person and I really enjoy helping people. We've also had really great support from people like Ali Roberts, who let us use her studio, Luc Vecchio who is assisting us with training and VIP Restaurant in Northbridge - our new home and the location for some of our performances. Also, acting can be lonely - I really wanted to build a community of supportive, talented people.
LS: How did these 12 actors get chosen?
MW: I noticed at networking functions that some actors had filmmakers coming up to them congratulating them on recent work, but when it came around to casting, most filmmakers cast the actors they've previously worked with. It was frustrating to see some really talented people not even given a chance. For me, acting is about taking charge of your career and promoting yourself to potential employers and collaborators. I went around, saw a lot of shows, watched a lot of films and came up with this list of 12 based on their talent and their diversity. I really wanted a mix of really experienced actors and people that hadn't been acting for that long. I think we've got a really interesting mix of personalities.
Scene 12 actors are Chloe Flockart, John McPherson, Cathy Prastides, Josh Crane, Katilin Mary Hall, Timothy Styles, Kira Caine, Keira May, Marcelle Weber, Leoni Leaver, Tony Minchin and Zalia Joi.
You can find out more about Scene 12 on their website, Facebook or follow them on Twitter.
