June Townsend passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday 30th August 2022. Beloved wife of Bruce. Dearly loved mother and mother in-law of Ross and Meagan, Donna and Mick, Jacqui and David. Cherished Nanna of all her grandchildren. June will be missed by her loving family and many dear friends. LINK
It started with a hashtag, and it’s turned into a juggernaut. The #OscarsSoWhite campaign has put Hollywood in the spotlight. It has led to headlines, talk of boycotts and a plan to change the procedures for Academy membership and Oscar voting.
It came from highlighting a simple fact. For the second year, all the nominees in the acting category at the Academy Awards are white. There are nominations for two films with an African-American focus – the Rocky reboot Creed and the rap biopic Straight Outta Compton – but they’ve gone to a white actor (Sylvester Stallone) and white screenwriters.
Yet for many – including those closely identified with the campaign – the focus is not solely on omission. It’s also about opportunity. The hashtag was started by April Reign, managing editor of a theatre website called BroadwayBlack.com, and this is a point she’s keen to emphasise. (more…)
For those wondering what the minimum artist pay rates are. Here they are. Click here
There are vast amounts of resources at http://www.aliiance.org.au
IF you think Australian TV is dominated by white faces, you’re certainly not alone.
When Samoan actor Jay Laga’aia recently criticised Australian TV for racism and not casting multicultural actors after being cut loose from Channel Seven’s long-running soap Home and Away, the blogosphere, talkback radio and newspaper comment forums went into overdrive. (more…)
USUALLY, at the start of each production the aim is to produce quality. For some reason, that does not always transpire. Here is an alphabetical list of shows – by people who mostly should know better – that failed to hit the mark this year, in our humble opinion. (more…)
THE controversial documentary series Go Back To Where You Came From would need to be ”the new benchmark for SBS content” as the multicultural broadcaster strove to prove it remained relevant, the network’s chief Michael Ebeid said yesterday. (more…)
BOXER Nader Hamdan plans to become ”Australia’s Vinnie Jones” after starting his acting career with a villainous role in SBS’s award-winning drama East West 101.
Hamdan plans to pursue acting full-time when he retires from the sport, most likely next year, and believes his controversial career will boost his chances of landing ”bad guy” roles. Ever the agitator, Hamdan has infuriated authorities and fans with foul-mouthed tirades and trash talk in recent years. His popularity sank after his appearance in the reality show The Contender, where he continually challenged and berated fellow contestants, but he says it has been a deliberate ploy. (more…)
The latest instalment of Underbelly has turned to true-ish crime to spice up the story, writes Nick Galvin.
When it comes to tales of colourful crims and dodgy cops spiced up with plenty of sex, drugs and violence, we can’t, it seems, get enough. At least that’s what the producers of the latest series of Underbelly are counting on. (more…)
Waddah Sari
I am sorry to say that there are casting agents out that blatantly rip off actors. Now don’t get me wrong casting agents are like any other business and need to make a profit to survive. I have no problem with that but it’s the ones (one in particular these days) that offer the “lousiest” rates. In fact the rates they offer teeter on offensive. If I was packing shelves at the local supermarket and needed to take time off to do one of this agents projects it would cost me money.
There are many fine Casting Agencies in Australia, particularly Sydney that are ethical, fair and value their clients. In fact amongst them there are individuals that it’s a privilege to work with.
My gripe is with one particular agent. This agent is not the first and probably not the last to insult actors.
I suggest actors place a higher value on their dignity and say no to these people.
TM
If you are not sure of rates use this link as a guide: Equity Rates Summary
Townsend Management 