Jack Irish, Shakespeare Republic and other fun stuff!
Despite my good intentions to update this blog more often, once again nearly four months has gone by. But my excuse is a good one, as I’ve been truly busy on so many fronts, I’ve had no time to share the news! So here goes … JACK IRISH I had an absolute blast on Jack Irish (which shot late last year) and was very much looking forward to seeing the whole series when it began airing last month. And I wasn’t disappointed. Great cast (if I say so myself), great writing, great direction, great tone – loved it! You can still catch the series in full on ABC’s iView until March 31st, and…
The Medea Project, Shakespeare Republic and other reports from the classical world …
November is a busy month! Lots to share with you, so let’s get going … THE MEDEA PROJECT I have been involved in a fantastic theatrical production, The Medea Project, which explores the Greek myth of Medea, using the original classical text with a modern twist. Songs, text, storytelling. The sharing of a tragedy through the eyes of three women. It has been challenging, no question, but working with fantastic cast Kristina Benton and Hannah Gott, under the direction of Perri Cummings has also been a joy. It is a celebration and exploration about women and the trials and tribulations we are still facing today. We open tomorrow (Wednesday, Nov 25) and…
Shakespeare Republic has launched and is in the wild with another acting gig filmed and in the can
Shakespeare Republic has finally fully aired on our YouTube Channel (and Vimeo) and is now doing the film festival rounds. We have some exciting news coming up on that front, to be revealed soon, and some lovely feedback from many quarters both in Australia and overseas. My episode was the last in this first season, and I include it here below for convenience: To see the full series, visit the official website here: http://shakespearerepublic.com/ In other news, I just recently shot a role for the new series of Jack Irish and my episode of Utopia went to air last month, which was a lot of fun. Now, I’m back onto filming…
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…
On this day: Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Franz Stampfl’s birth
Today, November 18th, 2013, marks the 100th anniversary of Franz Stampfl’s birth. To honour the occasion, here is the latest trailer from my documentary project “A Life Unexpected”, which tells the story of Franz Stampfl’s life and career, featuring some of the fascinating people I’ve had the honour of interviewing for the film to date. In addition to Sir Roger Bannister, Sir Christopher Chataway, Ulick O’Connor and members of the Stampfl family, you will also hear from John Landy, Ralph Doubell and Tim Lincoln (son of Merv Lincoln), among others. I am so humbled and grateful for the support this film has already received and so excited to bring more…
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…
“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…
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…
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…
Culture Pigs galore
October 2009 Sally’s current TV commmercial for Home Hardware is currently airing – just look out for the redhead in green with the cute dog with a bandaged head. If you don’t watch TV, you can see the ad here. The edit progresses for Why Must The Show Go On? and the film is now due for launch at the beginning of December. On the writing/producing front – two TV series ideas have now been pitched to networks and three more are in development. And, if that isn’t enough, Sally is also the co-creator of a new Internet TV comedy magazine style show called Culture Pig in which she also plays host, Mirabelle Thwaites-Smythe – first episode…
Writing, presenting and working with animals – it’s all go right now!
Lot’s been happening over the past few months – here’s a quick round up: Latest Film News Filming has finished on Sally’s latest film project, a comedy about the arts scene called Why Must The Show Go On? with Sally in the role of the intense and driven leading lady/Artistic Director – “Madeleine”. The film is currently in post, due for launch in September. In other film-related news, Sally is busy working with Chris Murray for Popcorn Taxi and is in the process of working on several TV and film projects with writing partner, Perri Cummings, including the webisodic “Telling Tales” (working title), in which she will also be playing the role…
“Light Bringer” and “Why Must The Show Go On?” now wrapped
So much has been happening over the past six months! Where to start!?! Latest Film News Sally has been busy working on several film projects, the most fun being the short film “Lightbringer”, where she got to play “Beatrice” (right), a 14 year old girl trapped in a 30+ woman’s body. Sound familiar? Well, add the twist of the girl being Irish, it being set at the turn of the 20th Century in rural Australia and throw in a demon or two and you have a whole other kind of film. Directed by Claire Forgie, shot on 16mm and filled with Jane Austen style dresses and tresses – this film…
Sally McLean: Actor. Writer. Director. Occasional Producer. With a bit of a thing for Shakespeare.
