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 videos and more of those will be added to the site over time.

As far as what have I been up to? Well …

ACTING GIG UPDATE

Sally gets her Librarian on in Worst Year Of My Life – Again! (ABC)

Going back a few months, I was delighted to be invited to play the recurring guest role of “Miss Giddens” in the fabulous ABC/BBC kids’ show Worst Year Of My Life – Again!, as well as playing a journalist in Channel 10’s Party Tricks and have just finished shooting the role of “Stacey” for the wonderful ABC comedy series, Utopia with one of my favourite directors and actors, Rob Sitch.

PRODUCTION GIG UPDATE

A Life Unexpected: The Man Behind The Miracle Mile

A Life Unexpected Crew, Tim McCormick (Sound), Shaun Herbertson (DOP) and Sally McLean (Director/Producer) set up at the MCG for filming in April

On the production front I am still in the throes of directing and producing the documentary A Life Unexpected: The Man Behind The Miracle Mile, with the most recent round of interviews being shot at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in April and the next round of interviews scheduled for Brisbane and the Gold Coast next week! So things are moving along with that project and we are nearing the finish line (finally!).

Shakespeare Republic

I’m also very excited to announce my latest project as Director/Producer – Shakespeare Republic. This is a new web series featuring Shakespeare and his works, performed by a fantastic line up of Australian talent, including Alan Fletcher (“Dr Karl Kennedy” on Neighbours), Michala Banas (“Amber” on Upper Middle Bogan) and Rowena Hutson (known for her fabulous one-woman shows at the Melbourne and Adelaide Fringe Festivals, among others).

We are in the process of shooting the main series at the moment, but have a selection of behind-the-scenes videos available, which include interviews with the cast in the lead up to shooting their various episodes. I am also in the cast and my wonderful co-Producer is the fabulous Perri Cummings, whom I am so pleased to be working with again! Perri and I are also writing a new web series – also involving Shakespeare – so she and I are both filling up our slates with Bard-related stuff and loving every minute of it!

OTHER NEWS

Kevin Carlin, Alan Fletcher and Sally McLean in a selfie from the Australian Directors' Guild Awards — Kevin Carlin, Alan Fletcher and Sally McLean in a selfie from the Australian Directors’ Guild Awards

I was delighted to be able to attend this year’s Australian Directors’ Guild Awards (ADG Awards), where I got to catch up with numerous wonderful folk, including the fabulous Kevin Carlin (pictured here in a badly taken selfie – done by me, so I can say that – with Alan Fletcher and myself), whom I had the pleasure of being directed by in Killing Time (starring David Wenham).

Kevin is currently editing his new project – the Molly Meldrum mini-series for Channel 7, which I am very excited to see (as it also features another industry buddy, Sam Johnson, in the lead role), which wrapped a few weeks ago. I am hearing really good things about it, so I suggest everyone tunes in when it is released!

And that’s it from me for the moment. Thanks for dropping by and speak anon!

‘Till next time …