Siblings set their own screen tests Liz Bell liz@mpnews.com.au BROTHER and sister filmmakers Stephany and Julian Avila want to pitch their Mornington Peninsula-based mockumentary/comedy web series to film industry heavyweights and further develop the series. The Avilas, actors from Mount Eliza and Frankston South, have worked on many films and pilots together and have just finished a pilot episode for a national screen competition being run by Screen Forever and Tik Tok. Stephany Avila, who has been acting since she was four, and has featured in Australian television programs, said her and her brother Julian’s series Aussie Spirit revolved around Australian ghosts and the households they haunt. The siblings have spent years working on pilots and productions together but admit the Got a Minute? competition was a challenge, as each entry must have 10 one-minute episodes. Ms Avila said the competition’s format highlighted the power and potential of short-form content and was a way for filmmakers to build on their storytelling skills. The 31-year-old mother of two, who writes, produces and coordinates the siblings’ filming productions and runs her film and television acting studio on the peninsula, began her career as a child actor in Australian television programs Neighbours and Holly’s Heroes, and films including Crimes of the Heart and I Love You Too. She said acting backgrounds helped her and Julian “see dialogue and plot” and understand what was realistic and what captured the audience. Mr Avila is also a 26-year-old actor and filmmaker, and together the pair share a passion for the screen industry and a desire to build on their
Production still: Brother and sister ilmmakers Stephany and Julian Avila (bottom right) on set with the cast and crew of Aussie Spirit, back row, Harry Stringer (Sean), Matt Sellars (boom), Tass Tokatlidis (Gary) and Liam Matthews (Josh); bottom, Tim Lee (Pete). Picture: Supplied screen careers. “This symbiosis we have as siblings also lets us create films that hope to evoke emotion and inspire those that happen to watch,” he said. “It is so important for filmmakers and actors as well to produce their own content and enter these into competitions. Your stories and your creativity are yours, why not share it with the world?"
Ms Avila said the key to producing films was to be “organised, ask for advice from industry professionals, trust your creativity and put your work out there for the public to see”. Finalists in the competition get the chance to fly to Queensland and pitch their concept to a panel of film industry professionals, with the winner receiving $25,000 to help in the production of their 10 part web series.
Backing for cinemas THREE Mornington Peninsula cinemas will share in $130,000 of federal government money to support the recovery of the arts and entertainment sector after three years of COVID-related disruptions to operations. Peninsula Cinemas Rosebud and Sorrento, as well as the Dromana 3 Drive-in, received between $35,000 and $60,000 each under the second round of the $20 million Supporting Cinemas’ Retention Endurance and Enhancement of Neighbourhoods (SCREEN) fund. Dromana 3 Drive-In owner Paul Whitaker said the drive-in had weathered the “perfect storm” of difficult times and was grateful for the support. “COVID-19 has seen us under mandatory lockdowns of more than 300 nights then, during the periods when we were able to operate, increased demand along with staff shortages,” he said. “The SCREEN fund grant will help to secure the business into the future, employing more staff (when available), upgrading technology and long-awaited repairs to infrastructure. “The association with Screen Australia through the SCREEN fund will make the presentation of many more Australian Made movies a reality.” Mr Whitaker said he believed 2022 was going to be a great year for the cinemas, with restrictions over and his drive-in’s 60th anniversary fast approaching. He said there would be a community celebration on 21 December to mark the occasion. Flinders MP Greg Hunt said the money would allow independent cinema owners to keep their projectors rolling COVID-safely. “Local independent cinemas are key parts of our community, bringing friends, family and partners together for so many years,” he said. “Local places like the Dromana 3 Drive-In and Peninsula Cinemas have a history of entertaining locals for decades and it’s important that they haven’t been left behind in the COVID-19 pandemic.”
VICTORIAN MARITIME CENTRE Sydney has one, Fremantle has one,.. and a little known fact, the Mornington Peninsula has one too! We are talking about an Oberon class submarine, and ours was the last one built in the world! Now state authorities want to cut her up! Otama needs your help. The boat must be preserved for future generations to enjoy. Our
boat
was
launched
The and
commissioned by HRH The Princess Royal, who came to Hastings to see her boat in 2003. Visit the Victorian Maritime Centre and see Otama.
team
from
the
Victorian
Maritime Centre are working to bring the former Port Phillip Bay pilot cutter the majestic Wyuna back home: now laying on anchor in Bell Bay Tasmania, waiting for a berth to become available in Victoria. This historic vessel needs to come back home. Wyuna is destined to be a project to assist in the wellbeing of our veterans and a school camp for kids.
The Victorian Maritime Centre Museum Open weekends from 10am till 3pm Tours by appointment 220 The Esplanade, Crib Point Info 0476 109 223 info@maritimecentre.com.au www.maritimecentre.com.au
Southern Peninsula News
2 March 2022
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