THE INSIDE WORD
JOSH WANTS TO FND THE NEXT STAR
“Time to be a Movie Star” is an intriguing title. For Josh Lacy it is a way of being a point of difference for Top Tier Actors Studio which he operates with his partner r Bridgette e Armstrong (pictured) in Bur- leigh Heads.
“It’ s the only y course of f its kind giving actors of all levels the opportunity to train for eight weeks in preparation for shooting a short film,” he explained.
“Some of the best people in the business – top-notch crew, script writers and coaches – will work with them giving them invaluable training and experience in a professional, on-set environment. Then to add to that there will be a red carpet movie premiere at HOTA with interviews, movie paraphernalia and an awards ceremony at the conclusion. They get to watch the finished product on the big screen with friends, family and fans and receive a movie credit with a show reel to further their careers.”
Josh, a Gold Coaster to the sand between his toes, came to acting via an arts scholarship at Miami State High School.
“I was kind of forced into it at first but I quickly fell in love with the craft and started getting small roles in some of the big movies and TV shows as a teenager. Seeing actors work gave me the drive to chase the dream.”
Part of that journey was a move to Sydney but he quickly ran out of money and ended up sleeping on the streets.
“That forced me to come home, where oddly enough I booked a great role a few weeks later. Last year I got my big break with an Indie film shot in Brisbane called ‘Street’. It was well received critically and with audiences, picking up a lot of awards and press at multiple film festivals including ‘Best Leading Actor at the New Jersey film awards and the London monthly international film festival.”
For Josh and Bridgette creating Top Tier was their way of having a business in an area they love and also nurturing and training the next generation of talented young performers. A star could be born.
SARA INSPIRED BY FAMILY TRADITION
SARA Fagan is a proud young woman. Proud of her Aboriginal heritage but also proud to be the recipient of a Margaret Douglas Medical Indigenous Scholarship (pictured) to study at Bond University. She is yet another example of the lifechanging effects of the fundraising at the annual Bond University Indigenous Gala.
“I always wanted to be a surgeon and was studying to be a paramedic with plans to pay for my medical l degree when I started work. . Dad, mum and d my extended d family around d my home town n of Yarrabah h near Cairns s work in health. . I grew up p around it and that h t inspired me to go in that direction. My paramedic studies have changed my focus because the field I now want to enter is trauma surgery. The problem solving aspect and making an immediate difference to a patient is what I love.”
Nearing the end of her first year at Bond, Sara has another four years of study ahead of her.
“This year has gone so quickly especially as it is the first time I have been away from home. That has made me focus more but luckily Mum and Dad have moved to Brisbane which is great g so I can see them t more. My family f and heritage t is very important to me and I was so proud wear a dress to the gala created by my aunty, Simone Arnol, who collaborated with Yarrabah artist Philomena Yeatman. The traditional pattern relates to ‘medicine water’ which is very apt and also.” As Sara knows, her scholarship has changed her life but it is just one of many lives to have been transformed and she intends to make the most of her opportunity.
NO TIME FOR SLEEP FOR CASEY
IT has been some week for Gold Coast based singer Casey Barnes. Firstly he was nominated for an ARIA for his album ‘Light It Up’. The announcement came through while he was touring in America as support act for part the current ‘Home Free’ tour working its way around America.
That commitment finished he has jetted home but only to jump onto another plane and head over to Western Australia. To- night he e will be ap- pearing at t the Man- durah Country Music Festival and then n on Sunday make a guest appearance on the Channel 7 Telethon in Perth. When that’s all done he can hopefully catch up on some sleep.
RENÉ TO KICK GOALS IN LONDON
RENÉ Le Feuvre has always been one to push himself. Originally he came here after being recruited by the Gold Coast Suns from his North Queensland home. However music was always his first love and he shot to prominence on The Voice in 2018.
Covid put a brake on his musical dreams and aspirations but this year he has redoubled his efforts working on an album and performing at various locations around the city.
“I can’t imagine doing anything else now and the response since things opened up again has been great. I’m booked to play at the GC500 next weekend and there have been b so many private gigs.”
While his career is going well,
Rene R has d decided id to take a giant leap and move to London early next year.
“I need more opportunity and to take that risk. If I don’t do it now I may never go. There are only a few people I know over there so I am really backing myself although I’m not sure how I’ll handle the cold,” he laughed.
“The beauty of London for me is Europe is so close so the plan is to perform wherever possible, gain experience and improve as a writer and performer. I’ve been working with some really great people and my songs are getting better although I am my harshest critic. My music is constantly changing but there are some great tracks I’ve already recorded. Music releases are different now, it’s all based on logarithms, so the plan is to release a different track every six weeks or so.”
You’ll never know unless you have a go.