Screen Fraser Coast Announces Major Acting and Filmmaking Intensives to Build Local Industry Talent
Screen Fraser Coast (SFC) is set to launch two major practical training events this May, designed to build local talent both in front of and behind the camera.
Aspiring actors and filmmakers are invited to participate in a 1-Day Casting Workshop on Saturday, May 2nd, followed by a 3-Day Film Intensive Workshop from May 8th to 10th. These events are part of a broader campaign to provide authentic industry experience to youth and local actors, offering a critical first step toward a career in film.
The 3-Day Film Intensive, facilitated by the award-winning Sunshine Coast production company Pluggas, will guide 15 students through the complete process of making a short film. Under the guidance of professional trainers, participants will step into real crew roles, utilising professional cinema cameras, lighting, and sound gear. Following the hands-on shoot, the footage will be taken by Pluggas for professional post-production, leaving students with a completed high-quality film for their showreels and CVs.
“We are building a production-ready talent pool to service major productions filming on the Fraser Coast,” said Amy Friesen Co-chair of Screen Fraser Coast. “This is more than a standard workshop; it’s a film credit that gives participants the opportunity to learn from award-winning mentors using real industry gear”.
For those looking to step in front of the lens, the 1-Day Casting Workshop offers a direct pathway from the classroom to the casting room. The intensive morning session is designed to elevate performance and build confidence, diving deep into essential skills including character development, cold reading mastery, and on-camera technique.
The casting workshop will be facilitated by Leigh Parker, an actor, acting coach, and the founder of Leigh Parker Acting Studio, which has been training actors on the Sunshine Coast for almost seven years. With screen credits including Wild, Supernatural, Castle, and The Open House, Parker is passionate about helping actors move beyond “acting” and into performances that are truly authentic and alive. His teaching encourages play, spontaneity, and emotional honesty, creating an environment where actors can explore freely while developing the craft and confidence needed to work on professional film and television sets.
Following the morning training, the afternoon is dedicated to live auditions. Actors will have the opportunity to audition directly for the casting team to secure key roles in the custom-written short film being produced during the 3-Day Intensive.
“Screen Fraser Coast is a diverse group of industry professionals, community builders, and visionaries with a common goal of building a sustainable film industry on the Fraser Coast,” said Co-Chair Samantha Gould. “By creating workshops, events, and industry networking, we seek to foster a healthier ecosystem for the Fraser Coast film community at large”.
Event Details:
1-Day Casting Workshop
- Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026
- Time: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm AEST
- Location: Urangan Community Wellness Centre – The Tree House, Botanical Gardens, 62-105 Elizabeth St, Urangan
- Cost: $50.00
- Facilitator: Leigh Parker
- Requirements: Please come prepared with a current headshot and resume.
3-Day Film Intensive Workshop
- Dates: Friday, May 8 – Sunday, May 10, 2026
- Time: Friday 5:30 pm – Sunday 5:00 pm AEST
- Location: The Neighbourhood Hive, 184 Boat Harbour Dr, Pialba
- Cost: $300.00 (Availability is strictly limited to 15 spots)
- Facilitator: Pluggastps://www.screenfrasercoast.com.au/events/
These events are possible thanks to the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) is partnership between the Queensland Government and Fraser Coast Regional Council.
