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Shakespeare Republic launches next week!
It’s been all systems go over the past couple of months, but I’m certainly not complaining! Firstly, my feature documentary, A Life Unexpected, continues filming with shoots in Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast, interviewing more Sporting luminaries for the film. I’ve also managed to fit two more acting gigs into the mix, both for the ABC, which were such fun and I’m really looking forward to seeing them go to air (both later this year) and the big news this week is that my passion project, Shakespeare Republic had it’s official launch on Tuesday and Episode 1 featuring Alan Fletcher airs next Wednesday at 11am! The trailer for the…
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New website, Shakespeare and Alan Fletcher (among other things)
It has been a while since I’ve posted an update here, but it’s been for the very good reason that I’ve been so busy with my various projects – and some acting gigs thrown in for good measure! Firstly – welcome to the new look SallyMcLean.com. They say a change is as good as a holiday, and a change in look was long overdue, so here we are. Sections of the website are still being added to, but the basic structure is pretty much done. I’m finding it’s akin to getting used to a new haircut, but it has been a lot of fun going through all my photos and…
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Howard Fine, A Life Unexpected and ABC TV
Things have been busy as usual for Sally over the past few months. On the acting front, she has been filming a recurring Guest role for a new ABC/BBC TV comedy series to be released later this year, as well as working again with the wonderful Los Angeles-based, Howard Fine (pictured below – on the right – with Sally and HFAS full-time course alumni, Shane Savage) at the Howard Fine Acting Studio (Australia). Sally had the great pleasure of working with fellow actor and scene partner, Mike Smith, as a participant at the Howard Fine Masterclass in July, and continues her study with the Studio with ongoing Scene Study, firstly with Howard and then Karen Ludwig. On the writing and…
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The Rehearsal Room – evolving the process
Last week I wrote about my experiences working with the Howard Fine Acting Studio in Australia and this week I’d like to acknowledge the other influence on my life as an actor here in Melbourne – Richard Sarell at The Rehearsal Room. I met Richard back in 2005 when an actor friend suggested I look into the classes he was running to get me back into the swing of acting training. I hadn’t taken ongoing acting classes since graduating from the Actors’ Institute, London in 1997, and although I had done the odd workshop, I was still looking for a teacher in Melbourne that I could relate to and who…
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Working with the Masters – Howard Fine Acting Studio, Australia
The last few months of 2012 was a busy time. I had been cast in two films “V for Vienetta” and “Raymond Taylor’s Earnest Adventures in Love” in a supporting and lead role respectively, had the privilege once again to be a Juror for the AACTA Awards, was organizing the Investors’ Launch for my documentary “A Life Unexpected” with my brilliant Executive Producer, Bobby Galinsky and fellow Producer Melanie Brunt and was also accepted as a participant in the Howard Fine & David Coury Masterclass here in Melbourne. To say my schedule was slightly insane would be an understatement! But I wouldn’t have missed being a part of any of…
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New Showreel!
Collection of clips from Sally McLean’s recent screen acting work. The reel includes clips from “Killing Time”, “V for Vienetta”, “Evie Wants A Baby”, “Lowdown”, “The Bazura Project”, “Why Must The Show Go On?” and “Light Bringer” with actors such as David Wenham, John Brumpton, Adam Zwar and Paul Dawber. Music by Kevin MacLeod. Edited by Incognita Enterprises. For full information about Sally McLean, visit sallymclean.com.
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“V for Vienetta”, “Raymond Taylor’s Earnest Adventures in Love”, AACTA Awards, Howard Fine and more!
Been a while since the last update! Here’s what you missed … The latter half of 2012 got very busy for Sally with two film lead roles: “Lynette” in Micha Couell’s V for Vienetta, alongside John Brumpton, Bruce Kerr, Don Bridges & Susan Turner and playing the romantic interest of “Sylvie” in Jemma van Loenen’sRaymond Taylor’s Earnest Adventures in Love alongside Sarah Hallam and Benedict Kazlauskas. That same period also saw her undertaking further study with the fabulous Howard Fine, participating in the Howard Fine & David Coury Four Day Masterclass (always a pleasure and a joy), once again undertaking duties as a Juror for the AACTA Awards (formerly AFI Awards) and…
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Offspring and Evie Wants a Baby … I’m seeing a sort of theme here …
As per our last update, Sally was appearing on ABC Television in the semi-regular role of “Lee’s Mum” in The Bazura Project, directing and producing her first major docudrama A Life Unexpected: The Franz Stampfl Story(yes, it’s been re-titled) and waiting for the greenlight for a couple of acting gigs. So, what’s happened since then? Sally has played “Astra” in Evie Wants A Baby (see above photo) for Lollapalooza Films, ooh-ed and ahh-ed over bargins for the recent series of K-Mart commercials, played a Journalist for Offspring (Channel 10) and is currently giving her Shakespeare brain another workout with Banyai Theatre. She is also still producing and directing her first major docudrama (the next donation round…
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Hello Europe and “The Bazura Project”
2011 turned out to be a great year, with some fabulous acting roles for Sally, but also providing her with the opportunity of donning her director’s cap again for the first time in five years. As per our last update, Sally was appearing on ABC2 in the semi-regular role of “Lee’s Mum” in “The Bazura Project” when the call came through – the money had been raised via donations to enable her to start filming her docudrama project “A Life Unexpected: The Franz Stampfl Story“! Within a few short weeks, Sally, along with her Director of Photography, Tim Egan and Gaffer/Sound Op., Saraj Alkemade were winging their way to Europe to…
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“The Rogues Gallery” meets “The Bazura Project” or Web TV meets ABCTV
2011 has been a busy one for Sally so far – starting with the Summer Season of “The Comedy of Errors” as Dowsabel with the Australian Shakespeare Company in the Royal Botanic Gardens until March, then straight into researching for the documentary “Franz Stampfl: The Man Behind the Miracle Mile“, followed by filming and performing live in “The Ken & Barbie Killers” for The Rogues Gallery (an Incognita Enterprises/ Cinema Viscera co-production) in June. She then played the semi-regular role of “Lee’s Mum” (or “Mrs Zachariah” – not sure yet how she’ll be credited) for the new ABC2 comedy series “The Bazura Project” (which airs on September 29th) and is now in pre-production for the aforementioned Franz…
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Back on AFI jury duty – and loving it!
Well, 2010 finished off with a bang! Sally again accepted the invitation to be a Juror for the 2010 AFI Awards, juggling watching and assessing nearly every Australian feature film released over the past 12 months with her rehearsal and performance commitments with the Australian Shakespeare Company’s The Comedy Of Errors (now running as the ASC’s 2010/2011 Shakespeare Under the Stars season at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne! Plug, plug!). The AFI Awards night itself was a blast, with a slick awards ceremony presentation at The Regent Theatre and fun after party at the Regent Theatre Ballroom. Sally attended with her partner, Billy Smedley (both pictured left at the After Party on the night) and was…
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Sally returns to Australian Shakespeare Company to reprise role in “The Comedy Of Errors” in 2011
It’s been a busy year, capped off with Sally’s return to the Australian Shakespeare Company, reprising her role as “Dowsabel” in Comedy of Errors at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne (as pictured left) for the ASC’s “Shakespeare Under The Stars” season. Yes, she gets to don that fat suit for another run, playing the “mad mountain of flesh” for another season! The show opens on December 21, 2010 and runs until March 12, 2011. Tickets available via Ticketmaster on 136 100 or book online here. “Brilliant – literally – it glitters, it’s gold! Very funny.” – 3MBS “This miracle of a show is stylish, vibrant and often uproariously funny.” – Herald Sun
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Sally rejoins The Australian Shakespeare Company
No, Sally hasn’t suddenly put on a LOT of weight, she is currently appearing as “Dowsabel” in the Australian Shakespeare Company’s Comedy of Errors at the Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne (as pictured left). Described as “a mad mountain of flesh”, the amazing costume (built by Karla Erenbots) means she certainly fits the description! As Sally says in her other blog “It’s been a joy to work with such a brilliant group of actors who not only “get” Shakespeare but are so great to share a stage with … Glenn Elston’s direction proves yet again that the ASC’s greatest strength is being true to the Bard, at the same time making him accessible and relevant to…