THE WORLD’S GONE MADISON Ask an average year nine high school student where they see themselves in the future and most wouldn’t offer any prospects beyond next weekend’s plans. Ask Padua student Madison Daniel, and she’ll not only tell you that she knows exactly where she hopes her life will take her, but that she is already taking steps toward her fulfilling her aspirations. “I am 100% certain that I want to be acting. I want to do television and film, I want to keep writing my songs - be a singer, songwriter, composer – the whole artist thing.” Madison Daniel is anything but vague about her career prospects. At 15 years of age, Daniel lives by what she calls, ‘MISA’ -Modeling/Music, Instruments, Singing, Acting- demanding facets of the extremely competitive entertainment industry. This year has been a particularly productive one for the homegrown Mornington starlet, highlights including guest appearances on the much loved Aussie television drama, Neighbours and the charming new comedy Winners and Losers, as well as writing and recording her own music, which she hopes to release on iTunes before the new year rolls around. Daniel has been actively performing for years, traveling to Hollywood by herself at the tender age of 13 to further her acting skills, and regularly attending master classes at the Australian Film and Television Academy (TAFTA). Learning the ropes of the industry over time, she notes that whilst utilising the services of an agent is an important part of establishing herself as a professional, it is wholly up to the individual to take the extra steps toward securing employment in the highly competitive field that is television. “A lot of people believe that if you get an agent you’ll suddenly be offered a whole lot of auditions, but it’s really not like that. You kind of have to be your own agent as well – meet directors and get to know them – only then will they contact your agent because you have met them in person and you’re on their radar. It’s your responsibility to get out there and network, show them who you are face to face.” Indeed, it’s highly unlikely that Madison Daniel would have secured a re-appearing guest spot on Neighbours had she not been willing to be confident, approachable and proactive in her approach to acting. “I had some screen tests in front of the casting director for Neighbours. First it was a monologue, the next time it was a two-person handout and then suddenly I got an audition.” While personal drive is certainly integral to the budding entertainer’s success, Daniel declares her family’s support is essential to her career, wholly supporting her choice to pursue a career in performance.
SUMMER 2012
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Don’t forget... “A lot of kids face pressure from their parents, but my parents support me as much as I need.” With so much on her plate, it would be easy to assume that Daniel might be placing her academic studies on the backburner, however the Padua student modestly assures that she keeps quite ahead with her schoolwork. While her two most recent television roles have seen her portray a somewhat bossy schoolgirl clad by minions, Daniel hopes to broaden her repertoire of characters in the future. Catching a glimpse of the American industry on her previous acting-focused trip, Daniel hopes to maximise her opportunities as an actress by returning to the states after completing her VCE studies.
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“I think any good actor or actress should be versatile. Work comes along randomly and I’ll keep pushing for new things.” Indeed, with Madison Daniel’s gumption it’s not so hard to imagine the multi-skilled performer’s name in lights one day. MATILDA HEGGIE Like Mornington Life Magazine on Facebook for weekly reader offers
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