Gillian Emmett
Gillian Emmett is an actor I’ve known for a while and just recently she done some amazing work,from working with Malcolm McDowell in the film Suing the Devil to being cast as two leads in two Aussie films which will ensure her place as one Australia great new talents. She incredibly talented and a real sweetheart. She’ll go far mark my words. Read on.
Interview with Chris 27/4/10
How did it feel to work on the film “Suing the Devil”?
It felt great! Great people and a great story about the battle between good and evil inside all of us. And of course… two weeks full-time paid acting work on a US film with a star in the lead… I felt very lucky.
It felt great! Great people and a great story about the battle between good and evil inside all of us. And of course… two weeks full-time paid acting work on a US film with a star in the lead… I felt very lucky.
What was it like working with Malcolm McDowell?
Malcolm was amazing. A real pro. I was terribly nervous of course! But he was friendly and really great with the whole cast and crew. I hope to work with him again in the future.
Malcolm was amazing. A real pro. I was terribly nervous of course! But he was friendly and really great with the whole cast and crew. I hope to work with him again in the future.
What do you hope it will do for your career?
Hopefully open doors for me – and it is beginning to do so. I’d like it to lead to larger projects, both here and overseas. I’d like to be part of films and stories that reach people, inspire them, entertain them, make a difference in their life in some way, large or small.
Hopefully open doors for me – and it is beginning to do so. I’d like it to lead to larger projects, both here and overseas. I’d like to be part of films and stories that reach people, inspire them, entertain them, make a difference in their life in some way, large or small.
You’ve been cast as the lead in two upcoming Australian feature films “My Lil Eye” and “Line in the Sand – what are they about?
They are both amazing projects…“My Lil Eye” is an exciting social thriller about our obsession with watching and being watched online… social networking and online video content creation. The project has a ground-breaking cross-platform strategy as a pre-quel to the cinema release and additional content for the audience afterwards. It’s an amazing creative project and it will be one hell of a ride!“Line in the Sand” is a project I fell in love with as soon as I read it… it’s a period piece thriller set in the African desert in WW2… irresistible! We shot a trailer a little while back and its now in the final stages of development. The trailer shoot was intense! We were 4WD-ing in the sand dunes outside Newcastle with minimal crew! It was an amazing, nail biting adventure… and I can’t wait for more!
They are both amazing projects…“My Lil Eye” is an exciting social thriller about our obsession with watching and being watched online… social networking and online video content creation. The project has a ground-breaking cross-platform strategy as a pre-quel to the cinema release and additional content for the audience afterwards. It’s an amazing creative project and it will be one hell of a ride!“Line in the Sand” is a project I fell in love with as soon as I read it… it’s a period piece thriller set in the African desert in WW2… irresistible! We shot a trailer a little while back and its now in the final stages of development. The trailer shoot was intense! We were 4WD-ing in the sand dunes outside Newcastle with minimal crew! It was an amazing, nail biting adventure… and I can’t wait for more!
How did the film Being In Heaven come about?
I got to know the casting director, Marianne Jade from Maura Fay, over a period of about 2 years through workshops and auditions. When this project came up she recommended me to the director and I went in for a meet and greet. Needless to say, it went really well and after that I was cast in the role without auditioning… always a bonus!
I got to know the casting director, Marianne Jade from Maura Fay, over a period of about 2 years through workshops and auditions. When this project came up she recommended me to the director and I went in for a meet and greet. Needless to say, it went really well and after that I was cast in the role without auditioning… always a bonus!
Were you happy how the film turned out?
Yes, I was so pleased. “Being in Heaven” has a strong personal development story and before I moved full-time into film I did a psychology degree so I had a real passion for the project. The project allowed me to combine two loves – acting and psychology!
Yes, I was so pleased. “Being in Heaven” has a strong personal development story and before I moved full-time into film I did a psychology degree so I had a real passion for the project. The project allowed me to combine two loves – acting and psychology!
How has the internet helped with your career? How important is a website?
The internet is absolutely essential to me as an actor. A website, email and social networking tools allow me to connect and keep in contact with other film professionals efficiently, keeping everyone updated with my latest work whether I have an agent or not.
A professional website is vital. It allows me to create an identity that people will remember
and attract the type of work that I am interested in.
The internet is absolutely essential to me as an actor. A website, email and social networking tools allow me to connect and keep in contact with other film professionals efficiently, keeping everyone updated with my latest work whether I have an agent or not.
A professional website is vital. It allows me to create an identity that people will remember
and attract the type of work that I am interested in.
How is film work different to TV work?
TV moves at a much faster pace!
TV moves at a much faster pace!
Do you have plans to direct?
Not right now. My heart belongs to acting!
Not right now. My heart belongs to acting!
How do you prepare for a role?
First of all – read the script! I also do stream of consciousness writing to flesh out the world of the film and connect with how my character feels about things. I research anything I’m not sure of and watch films with similar themes. Read books. Sometime make collages. Find songs that inspire me. Anything that gets me emotionally connected to the piece. And if we’re lucky and time and budget allows… attend rehearsal with the director and other actors on the project, create improvisations, do scene analysis, identify beats, plot a character arc, and block and run the scenes!
First of all – read the script! I also do stream of consciousness writing to flesh out the world of the film and connect with how my character feels about things. I research anything I’m not sure of and watch films with similar themes. Read books. Sometime make collages. Find songs that inspire me. Anything that gets me emotionally connected to the piece. And if we’re lucky and time and budget allows… attend rehearsal with the director and other actors on the project, create improvisations, do scene analysis, identify beats, plot a character arc, and block and run the scenes!
How do you remember lines?
It varies – part rote learning, part osmosis. As I get to know the character and the
circumstance learning lines happens spontaneously.
It varies – part rote learning, part osmosis. As I get to know the character and the
circumstance learning lines happens spontaneously.
What have you got lined up next?
I’m going to LA for the premiere of “Suing the Devil” and will be auditioning and taking meetings while I’m over there. And “My Lil Eye” and “Line in the Sand” are in the late stages of development so I’m looking forward to preparing and shooting those!
I’m going to LA for the premiere of “Suing the Devil” and will be auditioning and taking meetings while I’m over there. And “My Lil Eye” and “Line in the Sand” are in the late stages of development so I’m looking forward to preparing and shooting those!
What’s in your stereo at the moment?
A CD by my amazing singer/songwriter friend Emma aka. “State of Delirium”. You should check her out. Also some well known Australian names – Ben Lee. Missy Higgins. And some internationals – Pink. Alicia Keys. And my old faithful Elvis Presley Classics CD!
A CD by my amazing singer/songwriter friend Emma aka. “State of Delirium”. You should check her out. Also some well known Australian names – Ben Lee. Missy Higgins. And some internationals – Pink. Alicia Keys. And my old faithful Elvis Presley Classics CD!
