FROM THE UK, PLEASE WELCOME ACTOR

OWEN  DICKEY

1                   Please tell us a little bit about your background.

               A:  I am the youngest of 9 children - I’ve always been active and adventurous; star sign Libra and have always had a strong sense justice - that is, good morals. I tend to examine an argument from both sides before making up my mind about an issue. There are too many sheep in this world who just go along with something because it’s the popular thing to do.

2                   You are an actor.  Have you always wanted to be in the entertainment industry?

                           A:      No, I’m what you would call a late bloomer. The truth is I never really knew what I wanted to do. After school I was successively unemployed or had dead end jobs. I first got interested in screenwriting, then directing, but real life always kept getting in the way and I was in my late 30s before stepping in front of the camera as an extra.

3                   What have you acted in?

                           A:         Films: 'Your Highness', 'Killing Bono', 'Keith Lemon'; the movie,

'Christopher & His Kind', and the short film, 'Betrayal'. 
                                       TV Series: 'Game of Thrones', 'Hidden', 'In the Line of Duty'.

                                       Theatre:  'The Wake', 'The Jeremy Byle Christmas Show', 'Inherit the Wind', 'The Christmas Present',  'A Cup of Chai Tea', 'The Chronicles of Lannin' and a comedy based on Macbeth!

4                   Have you worked with any celebrities?

                           A:         'Working with' may be too strong a term but I have appeared with and been in the same scene as James Franco, Danny McBride, Natalie Portman, Sean Bean, Lena Headey, Charles Dance, Ben Barnes, Robert Sheehan, Keith Lemon, Kelly Brook, Matt Smith, Imogen Poots and Philip Glenister.

5                   Are you professionally managed or do you represent yourself?

                          A:    I represent myself at the moment, but am hoping to get an agent soon.

6                   Are any members of your family or relations in ‘showbiz’?

                           A:      No, none whatsoever.

7                   What and/or who are your inspirations?

                           A:         As regards acting quite a few actors have inspired me - such as Anthony Hopkins, Gary Oldman, Daniel Day-Lewis, Gerard Butler and your fellow Australian, Hugh Jackman has been a big inspiration to me. In interviews I’ve seen, he seems to have a very similar mindset to my own. Also, my acting coach, Dean Carey, (another Australian), has inspired me to deliver the best performances I can.

8                   Have you ever been bullied?

                           A:       Yes, in my first couple of years at High School. I was small, thin and wore glasses and a little over-awed by big school.  I was what bullies love - an easy target. In my third year I started to get more confident and after one particular incident nobody bothered me any more.

9                   Whether you have been bullied or not, do you feel the governments and schools worldwide are doing enough to combat this problem?

                           A:      I think it’s regarded as just a natural part of growing up and isn't taken as seriously as it should be.

10             What more do you feel they could be doing to either decrease bullying hugely or eliminate it completely?

                         A:        I don’t think governments can legislate the problem away, really it’s down to school’s showing a zero tolerance, for instance by immediate suspension leading to expulsion. Though, if suspension came with a Government fine on the parents that would probably do a lot of good. Parents have an important part to play, if children are brought up with a good moral compass, they are much less likely to become bullies.

11             What is next in the pipeline for Owen Dickey?

                        A:         I have a play coming up at the end of the month and have been looking at directing and acting in the Agatha Christie play, ‘And Then There Were None’, I also want to write a low-budget feature film this year and hopefully get to audition for some interesting roles.

12             Do you have a message you would like to impart to the world?

                       A:        Stay true to yourself, don’t try to be something you’re not, treat other people as you would wish to be treated and don’t be a sheep!

INTRODUCING ANOTHER INSPIRATIONAL YOUNG IRISH MODEL AND ACTOR - 

SHARON BRIDGEMAN

1  Please tell us a little bit about your background:

    A:    I’m 19 years old. I live in Dublin in Ireland. I have four sisters and one brother - I’m the youngest. I have studied for many years in The Gaiety School of Acting. I have graduated from the performance year in acting recently.

2  You are an actor and model.  Have you always wanted to be in entertainment or did you want to be something else as you were growing up?

   A:    I have always wanted to be an entertainer since I was very young. I love being on stage or in front of the camera. I was very quiet and shy in front of people before I started acting. Acting made me a lot more confident.


3  Is anyone else in your family or any relations in ‘showbiz’?

     A:  My aunty was an actor and she appeared in many movies as an actor/extra.

4  Have you had formal training in both skills?

Top of Form 1

        A:   I have five years' acting experience in The Gaiety School Of Acting. I have taken youth theatre classes and have been in the performance year in The Gaiety School Of Acting. I have preformed in a numerous amount of plays in The Gaiety. I have acted in a production in Trinity college in Dublin recently. I have acted on camera and been a voice over for a production in Trinity College. I also have taken stage combat classes and dance classes. I have recently been in an advert for ITT to raise awareness for domestic violence towards men. I  have also started modelling this year. My first photo shoot will be next month in Dublin.


5    Are you professionally managed or do you represent yourself?

A:  I represent myself.


6   What do you do in your spare time?

    A:      In my spare time I go out with my lovely boyfriend Aaron. I play games on Xbox like Minecraft.  I shop online. I love styling my hair.  I'm a big fan of nail art designs. I also love drawing.

7    What and/or who are your inspirations?

          A:    One of my inspirations is Reese Witherspoon - another would be Emma Stone. I think they are both very inspiring people because they stand up for what they believe in and are both amazing actresses.

8    Have you ever been bullied?

  A:  Yes I have been bullied. I was bullied all the way through secondary school by a number of people. I was bullied verbally and emotionally by this group of boys for five years.

9   Whether you have been bullied or not, do you feel the governments and schools around the world are doing enough to try to combat this problem?

        A:  I don’t think schools and the government are doing a lot to stop bullying. I think the people who bully others should get in serious trouble with the law for bullying others, so there would be real consequences for people who bully others.

10   What more do you feel the above could do to try to either decrease bullying hugely or eliminate it completely?

    A:  I think there should be more awareness about bullying and how it affects people emotionally and mentally. I think there should be talks in schools about bullying and why it is wrong. There should be flyers and tv adverts about it also. There should also be serious consequences for people who bully others.

11    What is on the agenda for 2014 for you?

    A:     For 2014 I have lots of things lined up. I will be getting an agent and doing lots more performing on stage and in other fields of acting and I am also starting modelling.

12    Do you have a special message you would like to share with the world?

    A:    Be yourself and follow your dreams. You will succeed if you believe you can.

13   Do you have anything further you would like to add?

   A:     Be yourself and always stand up for what you believe in.

Do you have any professional links you would like included with this interview?

               Starnow

PLEASE MEET ANOTHER MULTI-TALENTED YOUNG ENTERTAINER - 

ROYA The DESTROYA

1                   Please tell us a little bit about your background.

                A:   Throughout the years, I have participated in many fitness related activities, some being cheerleading (stunt and poms), break dancing, indoor soccer, circus, rhythmic and artistic gymnastics. Dance and movement is in my blood, flesh and bones! I wouldn't be abe to stop even if I wanted to.

2              Have you always wanted to be in entertainment or did you want to be something else when younger?

    A:  Always!  Although I have tried a different path; school, study at University, graduate with an Architectural Engineering Degree, completing post-graduate studies in project management but somehow I just keep getting drawn back to my ultimate true passion! Even to this day, I have always wanted to be a professional performer and showcase my abilities to the world! Maybe even run away with the circus...

3                   Are any of your family members or relatives in ‘showbiz’?

     A:   Not that I know of - although my little 5 year old cutie pie of a cousin does ballet performances, does that count? haha Everyone else is missing out! I always drag them out to come watch. I'm very lucky to have a supportive family :P

4                   You are a model, actor and dancer.  Are you formally trained in all these?

    A:  No, mainly do dancing and performing.  I would love to break the stereotype of beautiful actors and models looking for a specific way.  I believe happy people are the most beautiful people.  I'd like to see a fashion show incorporating people with and without disabilities.  Also I am always up for trying new, different and similar avenues.  You never know where an opportunity can lead you.

5                   What have you acted in, TV and/or stage?

     A:  I wasn't acting but I have been on Channel 10:   'The Project', 'Totally Wild', AFL Grand Final footyskit on Channel 9 and a a gymnastics victoria doco on SBS.


6                   What have you danced in? 

        A:  Supported the RunLikeCrazy Marathon, Australia Day Voyages Concert at Federation Square, performance for International Day of People with Disability, Knox Festival, music clip for 'Kingswood's 'Sucker Punch', benefit performance at the Palace Hotel, Order of Melbourne and detention centres, performed on stage at the Her Majesty's Theatre (the largest theatre I have performed in), Melbourne fringe festival performances as well as entering local, interstate and international break dancing competitions and more!

7                     What sort of dancing do you do?

      A:    Break dancing, crutch dancing and acrobatic handstand movements!

8                  What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

     A:   Spending time with my friends and family (including the puppy!)

9                   Have you ever been bullied?

    A:  Looking back now, I can see it being considered as bullying although I never considered it as bullying at the time.

10                 Whether you have been bullied or not, do you feel that the governments and schools around the world are doing enough to try to combat this problem?

    A:   We are lucky here in Australia to have many policies and procedures including health professionals available but I believe more can always be done.

11                   What more do you feel the above could do to try to either decrease this act hugely or eliminate it altogether?

        A:  I don't believe it can ever be eliminated. To a degree, I believe it can help shape people become stronger human beings. However I do believe it can be addressed at a more personal level as well as the formal process.

12                On a personal level, is there anything you would like to do to help with the fight against bullying?

      A:   Generally support people that are putting in the extra effort in making bullying more aware to the world such as this blog!

13                   Are you professionally managed or do you represent yourself?

      A:   Me, myself and I!

14                   What is on the agenda for 2014?

    A:  - Developing my business; 'Destroya Training'!
I offer personal training services here, from strength and conditioning body weight sessions, to learning how to do handstands the best way with technique. I incorporate all my past experiences in sports, fitness and movements with my gymnastics coaching accreditation and make workout plans suitable to people's goals and needs.

Please like my 'Destroya Training' page: 

www.facebook.com/destroyatraining

- I would also love to perform as much as I can, wherever I can and inspire everywhere possible!  Obviously, Cirque Du Soleil 
would be the ultimate jackpot!

15                  Do you have a special message you would like to share with the world?

      A:  Having a positive outlook on life, commitment, and self motivation are keys to making whatever you want to achieve happen. Just keep going, keep moving forward no matter what tries to pull you back and give it all you got!

16                   Is there anything further you would like to add?

       A:    School in general is a struggle for many people but know there is SO much more to look forward to once you finish.

17                   Do you have any professional links you would like to have included?

Yes please!

My website: www.theroya.com
My facebook page: www.facebook.com/roya.the.destroya
My business page: www.facebook.com/destroyatraining
My YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/rooyyyaaaa
My Instagram: www.instagram.com/the_roya

Thank you so much for this opportunity. What you do is awesome! I wish you the best in achieving success and reducing bullying for everyone.

PLEASE WELCOME YOUNG ENGLISH ACTOR - ANOTHER VICTIM OF BULLYING WHO HAS NEVER TOLD HER STORY BEFORE

TANYA  DUNFORD

1           Please tell us a little bit about your background.

                 A:            I am 24 years old; I graduated East 15 Acting School in 2013 with a First Class Honours degree in World Performance. I grew up in a small city called Peterborough, which is located in Cambridgeshire, England. I have a very supportive family and great group of friends, who all play a massive part in the reason I am following my dream. I try to live life with a smile on my face and I love to make people laugh - you could say I was the class clown.

2                   You are an actor and have been in film & stage crew.  Have you always aspired to be in the entertainment industry or did you want to do something else when younger?

            A:              I have always aspired to be in entertainment. I have been acting since I was 5 years old, I played Tom Baker’s 'Doctor Who' in an adaptation of 'Sleeping Beauty'.  Obviously it wasn’t the role of a life time as I mainly ran out on stage with a coat and scarf that were too big for me, but it gave me a feeling that I can’t really describe and ever since I have loved to act.

As well as acting I have also worked backstage in amateur productions and professional productions since I was about 13 and I would say I have an equal love for both on stage and backstage work.

3                   As an actor, have you had any professional training?

                 A:     Yeah, I had the great opportunity to study a BA (Hons) World Performance at East 15 Acting School 2010-2013. Where I was able to study not just traditional acting styles and techniques but I had the opportunity to study many different acting styles from around the World such as Balinese Character Dance, Indian Dance, Brazilian Playground Theatre and many more. I couldn’t believe it when I opened the letter of acceptance - it seemed unreal that I had been given a chance to study at a CDS Drama School.

4                   Are you professionally managed or do you represent yourself?

                  A:        Currently I am representing myself.

5                   Have you acted alongside any ‘big’ names?
  

                 A:        I haven’t acted with any big names, but I have worked backstage for a couple.

6                   Who and/or what are your inspirations?

                 A:        My inspiration, I would say, is just to be able to live comfortably off an acting career and not have to have a second job to pay the rent. I know most people reading this would properly be thinking “Oh yeah don’t want to be famous?”…well I am not going to lie - if the opportunity ever came round I wouldn’t say no, but I am not in this industry to be known - I am in it cause I love it.

As for my inspirations, there are many actors/ actresses that I adore such as Tom Hanks, Jonny Depp, Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, etc but my main inspiration is Julie Walters, and this may sound corny but if I could be half the actress she is I would be over the moon!

7                   Is anyone else in your family or relations in ‘showbiz’?
  

                  A:       Not professionally let’s say. My Great Uncle used to direct a ‘Gang Show’ every year, which I was a member of for around 7 years. Then there’s my Granny who is a Wardrobe Mistress at an Amateur Dramatic Society, which myself, my Mum, and my Sister have helped out in.

8             Where do you see your career in ten years’ time?

                  A:        This is always a question I find hard to answer - I would love to say established, comfortable and on the right path. But you never know what might happen…actually, no, let’s be positive - I will be established, comfortable and on the right path!

9              Have you ever been bullied?

                A:          Now this is question I knew would be hard for me to answer as I have never spoken about it before. The quick answer is - yes - I wish it wasn’t but sadly it is true. However I was not bullied by the conventional “secondary school kids”.   I think I kind of skipped getting picked on by choosing to be the class clown, cause, well, how can they make fun of you if you’re making fun of yourself? Although when I was in year 6, so around 10/11 years old because I misheard something a dinner lady said, she decided to come into my class room after lunch, offer me a red card in shape of some underwear (we had red cards as a form of discipline), and say, and I quote: “Tanya this is because you are pants, you will always be pants and never amount to anything”, and that has always stuck with me which is why I always doubt myself.

The people I was mainly bullied by, however, were complete strangers, which is why I think I have never spoken about it because I was ashamed. I have been bullied verbally and physically all because of my size, people shouting odd comments down the street, out the car windows. I am over weight - yeah, I know - I don’t need reminding. And when I say physically bullied I was never beaten up, (although I have been kicked a couple of times) instead I have been spat at, from behind and in the face on a few occasions and I have had an ice cold bucket of water chucked over me from someone’s bathroom window, with the following words “That’s to help you cool down fatty”, which was right near the back gate of school, allowing me to hear for the next few weeks murmurs at school of people saying “that’s the bucket girl”. There are many other accounts, but I won’t go into them now.

10                        Whether you have been bullied or not, do you feel the governments and schools around the world are doing enough to try to combat this problem?

                  A:        Personally no. The way my school dealt with it was ‘if you weren’t in school, or all participants weren’t in school uniform then it is nothing to do with us’.

11                     What more do you feel the above could do to try to either decrease this problem hugely, or eliminate it altogether?

                  A:        This is something which is quite difficult to answer. Probably to have someone you can talk to, someone who won’t make you feel ashamed of asking for help, someone who won’t fob you off with a sorry excuse of why it is nothing to do with them.

12                        Is there anything, on a personal level, that you would like to do to help in this fight?

                  A:        I would love to help fight bullying; I wouldn’t know what to do, or where to start. Apart from asking people to keep an eye out for it, don’t ignore it, if you see someone you don’t know being bullied an encouraging word from someone else can make all the difference.

13             What is in the pipeline for Tanya Dunford for 2014?

                 A:          I have quite a bit of storytelling in the pipeline for this year, and I have an idea for an event that is brewing.

14              Do you have a message you would like to impart to the world?

                  A:       Hard work always pays off, but don’t forget to take a little time to relax with family and friends.

15              Is there anything further you would like to add?

                  A:      Not that I can think of, apart from thank you for reading, and sorry if I bored you.

16                     Would you please add any and all professional links you would like included here?

Website: http://tanyadunford89.weebly.com

Spotlight View Pin: 9251-0191-4725

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TanyaDunford1989