When I was 14 I enrolled myself into an acting course then proceeded to get private acting lessons through an acting coach. I studied drama through high school and I dabbled into acting on and off for over 10 years. After a hiatus in the acting world; life events brought me back to my passion; acting. It was something I couldn’t live without. I felt most complete when I am doing it, surrounded by it and inside the industry.
In 2016 my commitment to the craft found me graduating from the Howard Fine Acting Studio in Melbourne, and I have been pursuing my career as a professionally trained actor ever since. As a professional actor, I’m also the founder and facilitator of TAG – The Actors and Artist Group. A networking group that holds regular free networking events with guest speakers
indieactivity: Did you study acting?
Maryanne: In 2016, I graduated from the Howard Fine Acting Studio, in Melbourne Australia. Their full time program, taught me discipline and consistency in technique and training. It covered, Voice work, Alexander technique, Scene study, Singing and Speech for Actors, Screen Technique and working with Australian industry professionals as well as American Acting Faculty. I was also excited to have worked with Howard Fine again, earlier last year, when he returned to Melbourne, for his Masterclass intensive.
indieactivity: What acting technique do you use?
Maryanne: I wouldn’t say I have a set “technique” or style of acting that I use. I do act as authentic as possible to the imagined circumstances. I try to see what the character is going through so that it may live organically in me.
indieactivity: You are experienced, how much work: creative, energy or focus do you put into your scenes?
Maryanne: I always put a lot of energy into researching the character through the script. I also focus on being open creatively during rehearsals to find new things, and then trust when it’s go time, that all the discoveries are there, alive and new.
indieactivity: You have worked on: Full Disclosure, Judith Lucy’s Spiritual Journey, Killing Time, Offspring, and Neighbours. How has each show impacted your work as an actor and your career?
Maryanne: Apart from “Full Disclosure” and “Frozen Butterflies” the other roles were featured roles, where I did not have dialogue. However, I still have my full energy, and focus in each of the roles. Getting to play different characters was great. Being able to explore roles from a nurse, to a sister of a murder victim. “Frozen Butterflies” was an Independent feature that I worked on, prior to having training. I enjoyed the learning process, from research, to rehearsal, to shooting on set.
indieactivity: How does the work you do on a show, say “Killing Time” compare to “Frozen Butterflies”?
Maryanne: In the TV Show “Killing Time” I played a character based on a real life person. ‘Demetria Halvagis’ was the sister of a woman who was brutally murdered. It was one scene that we shot, of her family facing her killer in court. It was harrowing imagining just exact what that poor family went through.
The independent film “Frozen Butterflies” saw me playing a fictional character: a best friend of a girl who struggled with a drug abuse issues of abandonment. Both characters saw me, researching issues I’d had no first hand experience with and through rehearsals (during Frozen Butterflies) we discovered what worked to tell the story.
indieactivity: Let’s take “Full Disclosure”. How did you prepare for such a role?
Maryanne: “Full Disclosure” has been one of the most funnest projects I’ve worked on. Being a part of the creation and producing team; it’s been a liberating experience, that has seen each of us add our personality, to each character. It is Nancy’s brain child, and we have been able to support her vision, while doing what we love and also do best.
indieactivity: When you shot “Full Disclosure”, how do you create that character into a person?
Maryanne: ‘Bridget’ has been fun to create and play. I love looking within myself, and into my life to see where I can relate. A lot of the stories in “Full Disclosure” have been based on actual events, or friends we have had… “we all have that one friend or two…” right? There are elements of Bridget, that I don’t have to dig too far, to bring out of me! When I find Bridget in situations that I’ve never been in; rather than judge her circumstances, I always ask myself “What would make me do that?” And go from there. We are storytellers after all!
indieactivity: How do you stay fresh on the production set of Full Disclosure?
Maryanne: We worked very hard on this series shooting all our footage in just 6 days. We would often work into the early morning on each set and keep up electric energy was tough. However working with such an amazing cast that became family made it pretty easy. In between takes we would joke, laugh and dance and keep each other spirits up. (I had my little funny dance that I would so constantly on set, which would always keep my energy levels going) Then as soon as it was “Rolling” we’d all focus on the task at hand and what we were all there to do.
indieactivity: Describe a memorable character you played?
Maryanne: Bridget has definitely been my most memorable character to play. Episode 2 “Bottoms Up” had Bridget peeing in the street after a night of drinking – which is something I have never done! But rather than judging that, I looked at the fact that this happens, and I’ve known of gorgeous, glamorous girls often doing embarrassing things, when they’re drunk! Once again, I looked within me, and asked myself, “Ok you’ve never done this but what would make me do that?” And let that inspire the moment! The series is most definitely “uncensored” and may or may not be based on actual events! Stories that have happened to us or someone we know!
indieactivity: Explain one creative choice you took on set of Full Disclosure?
Maryanne: We had a lot of freedom, on set, to tell the characters stories. A lot of the creative choices came from the familiar situations we had been in along with our characters
indieactivity: What do you want most from a director?
Maryanne: I want a Director who knows how to communicate their vision with an actor. It’s not always easy, (actors and directors speak different languages) to achieve the same result, but it is magical when it all comes together and works.
indieactivity: What actors do you long to work with?
Maryanne: This is a tricky one. There are so many incredible actors I would love to work with and learn from. However every actor who is open, authentic, flexible and committed is always a pleasure to work with.
indieactivity: What advice would you give to actors?
Maryanne: Always believe in your dream. Always listen to that voice inside of you that knows who you are and what you’ve been put on this planet to do. And always be a nice person along the way; “The A** you kick today, maybe the A** you need to Kiss tomorrow”
indieactivity: Briefly write about your career?
Maryanne: I am an Actor, Producer, Director, Casting Assistant, Networker and Creator. Acting is my passion and priority, I love to enhance that, by understating and experiencing all facets of the industry.
I began talking acting classes at just six months of age and haven’t stopped since! At 14, I began my love and process of the acting. In 2015, I committed to my craft and career, auditioning for the Full Time Acting program at the Howard Fine Acting Studio in Australia. Graduating in 2016, and since I have been in half a dozen TVCs and campaigns, short films, and recently the 2017 Web Series “Full Disclosure” playing the lovable “Bridget”.
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