SCREENING: STUFF! - 7 Shorts by 7 filmmakers....

Quite recently, I've been questioned on whether I'm a "performing artist" or an aspiring "actress". The truth of the matter, I don't know. I dabble in things here and there and see myself as an agent of change and growth. But here's something that probably my parents would slap in the face for.

Last year (mid-June) I got involved in a film production called "Stuff" working with producers Billy Stone Marshall King and Amin Palangi. The short film was written by my film buddy Marie Setiawan and co-directed by her. (This girl paved her way into studying at the International Film School at the moment, but I'm definitely very proud of her).

According to my colleagues, this role builds more range for my acting palette. Most definitely - especially when you'll get to see some errmmmm.... on screen implied action (if that's the word).

So if you are in town (Sydney) do book yourself in to this free screening.

Details are below:
The long anticipated launch of the films produced for STUFF l The Drama of it all screen project is coming up on Thursday 24 March at Parramatta Riverside Theatres.

The premiere of these seven compelling films from seven unique directors in Greater Western Sydney is the culmination of almost a year's work honing their skills in writing, directing and producing.

Where: Lennox Theatre, Riverside Theatres
Date: Thursday March 24
Start: 6.30pm
RSVP: Monday, March 21 to Jackie.Leewai@ice.org.au / 02 9897 5744

The long awaited launch of STUFF l The Drama of it all is coming up on Thursday 24 March at Parramatta Riverside Theatres. The premiere of these seven compelling films from seven different and unique directors from Greater Western Sydney is the culmination of almost a year’s work honing their skills in writing, directing and producing.

Through the workshops and filming process the directors were introduced to the world of dramatic, character-based storytelling with mentoring by acclaimed screen writer and editor Billy Marshall Stoneking and director and writer Amin Palangi.

Marie Setiawan, one of the STUFF participants and the Director of the short film Fairytale, had this to say about her experience:

“As a filmmaker, this whole process has given me a greater insight into how things worked. Though it threw me into the deep-end regarding the directorial role, it’s only made me realise what kind of person I can be, and only made me strive harder to work efficiently and effectively as a filmmaker”

Thank you to Parramatta City Council for providing the funding for this.

FEATURE FILM: Chains

I landed back to Sydney with only a days rest and waking up to the text message from director/ producer Amin Palangi of working title feature film "Chains". This is a Information & Cultural Exchange managed first time feature and has been running since July this year.

The experience on this production is so surreal and what I term as serendipity at its highest level. I'm so grateful to be advised and mentored by people such as Amin and Billy Marshall Stone King in terms of acting on this project.

In terms of acting, well, I still have long to fulfill the proper training for it, however, I do find myself improving from just getting hands on experience and just giving it a go on diverse projects.

Anyhow, back to "Chains". I play the one of the lead characters in the film name "Anna" - a Vietnamese girl who has been dating an Iranian boy for the past 6 months. She faces issues with her mother, who is of a very conservative nature - disapproves.

A very typical story, but if you mixed it with 6 other cultural stories and a magical bus...the outcome will be very interesting.

Amin Palangi hired a full bus out on Wednesday in the city and we (myself, Vanna Seang [DOP]) were all pressed for time to get the right takes.

I myself, looking like a dead cat, had an internal battle against micro-sleeping on set. Yikes!

Maria Tran & actor Hatef Ahankoob

Working title "Chains" Feature Film Shoot

Below are just some of the snaps taken on the set of "Chains" - a feature film managed by Information & Cultural Exchange (ICE), produced by Amin Palangi and Billy Marshall Stone King shot in late June this year.

I play the character of "Anna" - a Australian-Vietnamese girl having to deal with her family's reluctant acceptance of her non-Asian boyfriend "Rez" played actor Hatef Ahankoob.

Amin Palangi, Marie Setiawan & Vanna Seang.