In primary school, all I could do was spell. It was devastating to realise that there are no real jobs in spelling, so I had to have a go at actually doing something with the words. I’ve spoken them as an actor and presenter, worked them into stories as a writer and shot them as a filmmaker.
My first gig was acting in theatre while I was at school, training and staging plays at the Q Theatre in Sydney’s West. Meanwhile, I was messing with a camera, shooting horror movie scenes with friends after school and on weekends. I then worked as an actor in 7’s Home and Away while completing my HSC and for the following couple of years. Making two and a half hours of TV a week creates challenges for keeping quality up but it’s a fantastic baptism of fire for a young actor and instils a professional work ethic that I carry with me today.
With the help of others, I worked up an idea for a behind-the-scenes series which sold to ITV in the UK. I wrote and presented the programme and then spent four years working in London presenting travel, adrenaline sports and movie-related stuff (ITV, The Travel Channel, Channel 4 and BBC). At the same time I was learning about filmmaking, writing and researching for TV and covering UK stories for Inside Film magazine.
Since returning to Australia, I have directed a series of short films and completed a degree focussing on Film and English from the University of New England. I’ve also worked as an actor on a couple of films (Dust, Beneath Clouds) with Ivan Sen, a director that I really admire, as well as an interesting SBS mini-series, Remote Area Nurse.
My most recent work melds my interest in social action and filmmaking (see my Change the World page) and writing fiction for kids and teens. Writing fiction is pure storytelling and I think it’s the best job in the world.
My new book series, Mac Slater, Coolhunter 1: The Rules of Cool, published by Random House, launches at the Byron Bay Writer’s Festival in July. Go behind the scenes and also check out the Mac Slater, Coolhunter book trailer: www.macslater.com.au
Here are a few links to some of my friends:
* Charlton Hill (a brilliant singer-songwriter)
* Tempany Deckert (my friend and co-writer on an upcoming novel)
* Stir Crazy (Very Good Noodles)
Stuff I like
Travelling, writing, hanging with my family, New York City, spicy food, making movies, reading, playing tennis, smoothies, listening to Phoenix, U2, Michael Franti, Run-DMC, riding my bike, the beach, sleeping, discovering a new city, getting lost in a story, the idea of going to space, living simply, Ben and Jerry’s NY Super Fudge Chunk
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