Free The Work launches first Female Directors Masterclass for 2020 in Sydney on March 21
Free The Work Australia (formerly Free The Bid) returns next month to Fox Studios Sydney on March 21 with a specially curated female directors masterclass that includes a creative business session to guide directors on how to best manage their careers. The masterclass also includes a workshop to help performance directors get the best out of their actors along with a session on how to master aerial drone technology.
With a focus on achieving creative business longevity, half-day workshop ‘Directors’ Survival Guide: How To Run A Successful Business As A Director’ introduces audiences to Monica Davidson, founder of Creative Plus Business Group. The organisation educates creative people and small to medium arts organisations on advancing their business skills. This includes holistic business advice to freelance directors, mentoring, education, online support, resources and strategic business modelling and planning.
Named one of Westpac’s 100 Women of Influence for her work in the creative industries, in 2019 Davidson was awarded the inaugural Creative Trailblazer Award at the QUT Creative Enterprise Australia awards as recognition for an individual who creates enterprises and opportunities and who advocates, mentors, donates, educates and advises within Australia’s creative economy. She will also provide four-hour personal advisory sessions to NSW-based masterclass participants (through her Business Connect Program).
Titled ‘TVC: From the Actor’s POV’, on the day a workshop will be led by award winning actor/director Alyson Standen (Adore, The House of Bond and The Hiding) and respected Australian actors Megan Drury (The School and Manny Lewis) and John Batchelor (Red Dog and The Whistleblower). During the session, attendees will examine topics including casting and call backs, rehearsals, the challenges of being on set from an actor’s point of view, along with techniques directors have used to assist actors on TVC and film sets. The workshop also gives directors the chance to work with actors on a TVC casting performance using a number of scripts.
HeliGuy TV founder Guy Alexander and VFX specialist Jeff Gaunt will also take to the stage to front a workshop demonstration on how filmmakers can get the most out of drone technology. As leaders in drone innovation and aerial cinematography, HeliGuy TV has worked on recent feature films including True History of The Kelly Gang (2019), Monster Problems (2019), Peter Rabbit (2018), Dora The Explorer (2019) and Mortal Kombat (2020). In his workshop, Gaunt will cover topics including drone types, camera builds, types of shots, VFX plates, aerial lighting with drones and orientation control system along with a basic guide to regulations.
Says Jasmin Tarasin, Free The Work Australia ambassador and film director: “I feel this workshop is one of the best yet. There is much diverse ground to cover in our upcoming event and we hope that our female directors get to unpack a whole host of valuable and practical lessons… from working better with actors, through to managing their finances with ease and gaining a better understanding of drone technology and its many functions.
“By pursuing masterclass topics that have been working to make me a better director, Free The Work in Australia has already increased opportunities for many upcoming Australian female directors, resulting in full time careers. Along with our mentor program, the masterclasses have been a success for many of our members and attendees.”
To secure your position contact Jasmin Tarasin on: jasmin@photoplay.co.
Free The Work Event Details:
What: Female Directors Masterclass
Where: Fox Studios, Moore Park Sydney
When: 10am – 6pm, March 21st 2020
Workshop Fee: $250.00