Finding a niche in arts
GM owes her success in the arts to an education in Horowhenua
Former St Joseph’s and Waiopehu College student Briar Franks has made it big in the global entertainment industry. At just 26 she has been appointed General Manager of a new Australian branch of a leading London performing arts academy, Associated Studios.
“I am thrilled to be able to continue in a role much closer to home,” she said. A trained dancer and graduate from Victoria University with a degree in arts and English, she gave up her dream of being a dancer in favour of roles in production.
She got a real taste for the production side of theatre while doing an internship at Disney World in Florida five years ago.
“It was my gap year from university in which I really discovered the entertainment industry and found I loved it,” she said.
After graduation the following year she spent six months back home in Levin doing odd jobs while looking for her dream job in entertainment. She found that with StarNow, a global casting platform for entertainers.
“I started in an entry level job but after nine months became an account manager, dealing with a lot of Australian clients,” she said. A year into that job she was asked to move to the London office.
Within a year she had moved to Associated Studios and working as an operations manager.
“I was keen to be involved more in education,” she said. She started work for Associated Studios in January, but as her UK visa is about to end, other job options were required and the academy wasn’t about to let her go.
“My boss, Leontine Hass, has spent time living and working in Australia and both of us have extensive networks in the industry there. So she came up with the idea to start a Melbourne branch for our academy. When dealing with Australian clients in the past I met a lot of choreographers, and agents, so I do not start from scratch.”
Briar will initially be the only employee in Australia.
“We will be applying the same business model we have in London, so everything is organised and it is a model I am familiar with. Eventually there will be more staff.” Briar is expecting to be home in December and January and moves to Melbourne in February.
Associated Studios Australia offers a foundation course for those without training and a more intensive course to help refine skills.
“They also have the option to spend an additional four months in London and will get a chance to present themselves to agents,” said Briar.
In Australia Associated Studios will focus on musical theatre and opera, where acting and dance elements are strong, said Briar.
Briar said she owes much to her levin education.
“Waiopehu teacher support was amazing. They set me up for this new role. They went above and beyond to accommodate and nurture my talents.”
She said there was plenty of talent in Levin and the wider Horowhenua and hopes to tap into that resource. She intends to hold auditions in New Zealand for courses.
Applications open on August 20. See associatedstudios.co.uk/ musical-theatre-australia/
‘Waiopehu teacher support was amazing. They set me up for this new role. They went above and beyond to accommodate and nurture my talents. ’