Want to be an Extra? Need Extras in your film? Not sure where to start?

Screen Illawarra is running an Extras Workshop to introduce newcomers to the possibilities of being, or working with, Extras.

Where: Coniston Community Hall beside The Phoenix Theatre

When: 23rd March 10am-2pm (with a 45min lunch break)

Cost: FREE for current Screen Illawarra members. Join now via our website.

Dr Janys Hayes (director) and Karen Cobban (actor) will run an entertaining and informative workshop encouraging those with or without acting skills to enter the professional world of making movies as Extras. With direct information from an experienced Extra; a Casting Consultant; and an Agent, the workshop will be a fun way of meeting others, finding ways to work, and experiencing some beginning acting processes.

Confirmed Guest Speakers include:

Janys Hayes: Dr. Janys Hayes started her career as an actor, working with John Duigan on his films Dimboola and Mouth to Mouth. She has acted for Melbourne Theatre Co., Theatre South, Hunter Valley Theatre Co., Freewheels, Salamanca Theatre, Theatre South and Critical Mass Theatre. She trained at Drama Centre, London under the guidance of Yat Malmgren.
Janys transitioned into training actors and directing. Janys has taught Yat Malmgren’s Character Analysis technique at the National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA), The Victorian College of the Arts (VCA), the Actors’ Centre, Sydney and the University of Wollongong. Janys Hayes' book, The Knowing Body: Yat Malmgren’s Acting Technique, has sold both nationally and internationally.
Janys is particularly interested in the representation of women. She has directed works by Vanessa Badham, Aphra Behn, Elizabeth Coleman, Alma de Groen, Lillian Hellman, Dorothy Hewett, Tobsha Learner, Laura Jackson, and Hannie Rayson as well as Wollongong female playwrights, Delia Fetter and Wendy Richardson. She directed Lola's Keg Night by PP Cranney for Merrigong Theatre Company. Janys is a Life Member of the Australasian Association for Theatre, Drama and Performance Studies (ADSA).
She is on the board of the Phoenix Theatre, Wollongong. Janys is part of the working group for Popular Entertainment for the International Federation of Theatre Research. She is a member of the Asia Pacific Bond of Theatre Directors and has close links with Vietnam, where she has taught acting and produced and directed shows. Janys joined Screen Illawarra and is part of the Education Committee with a desire to see local actors working in the many local, national and international screen productions that now shoot here in the Illawarra.

Karen Cobban: Karen Cobban has been working professionally in film and theatre for over twenty years. She has trained at AADA and The Actor’s Centre, as well as Voiceover at AFTRS.
Karen has appeared as a lead and featured artist in numerous commercials, short films, corporate videos, including a number of television guest roles. She has appeared in numerous theatrical productions; the most recent being Invisible Kaz Productions, which won a People’s Choice award (Short & Sweet Illawarra 2022). Karen won Best Actress for her role as Kylie Metcalfe in Mr & Mrs Metcalfe Enjoy the Music of Elton John by Frank Leggett, directed by Felicity Nichol (Short & Sweet Sydney 2010). She also performed and toured in The Tapstar Show a joint egtc / Shoalhaven Council production (2006-2012), as well as Theatre in a Wheelbarrow productions for the Wollongong Botanic Garden’s Education Unit (2010/2011) and script development workshops and performance reads for Merrigong Theatre Company. Karen also performs as a corporate role-player for a variety of organisations within Australia.
As a playwright, Karen has written a number of plays. These include a number of children’s plays. Other works include 96 Candles, Invisible, Between Two Worlds, along with her current work in progress; Speedbumps, Obstacles and the Odd Greek Tragedy. Karen most recently recorded 96 Candles as a podcast play which is now available on Spotify, Audible and Apple.

Alexander Leal: Since 1995 Alexander Leal has established himself as one of Australia's leading casting directors. Alexander's casting with Faith Martin Casting stretches back decades, casting both national and international films. His own casting company, Infamous Casting specialises in work with South Korea. Alexander has a Bachelor of Creative Arts-Theatre from the University of Wollongong and retains close ties with the Illawarra.

Miriam Spry: Miriam Spry has had 21 years experience as an agent in the Sydney film and television industry and has an established Regional Division looking after projects beyond the big cities and works from the South Coast, NSW. She has built up and maintained a professional reputation with the top Australian casting directors, production companies, tv networks and advertising agencies. Miriam is known for providing ‘above and beyond’ personal service, setting clear expectations and delivering on a promise always with a smile. She has kept iSpry as a commission only agency and continues to work in accordance with Australian Equity & Entertainment Act minimum standards. iSpry has provided talent in the Illawarra region over the years for many TV Shows, Films and commercials including The Correspondent (Feature Film), One Night (Paramount +), Last Days of the Space Age (Disney), Anyone But You (Feature Film), Planet of the Apes (Feature Film), Australian Seafood (TVC) and many more. Miriam is excited to support the growing film and tv industry in the Illawarra area.