Merry Xmas!   And a huge thank you to all who have both participated in, and helped at the Academy this year.

It's been a fantastic year for students with over 60 castings in film and TV projects.  Students are moving further on with their training with Govinda Roser being accepted for NIDA on his first try (Great stuff Govinda!) and Victor Gralak being accepted into the part time program at 16th Street in Melbourne.  

We have many more exciting things ahead with students set to film roles in feature films, and the first ever GLEECLUB AUSTRALIA auditions being held at the studios this March.  Successful auditionees from these programs travel to and train in the U.S. with top casting personnel.   

I am heading off in January to undertake professional development as an actor alongside some of Australia’s finest performers with Hollywood coach to the stars, Ivana Chubbuck. 

I look forward to seeing new and returning students back at the studio from Feb 5^th.

A big thank you to so many people and organisations...many who have given their time and help for free:

• Brett Rogers our generous NIDA grad poster boy!
• Jane Binning from Jane Binning Casting for giving of her time this year.
• Jane Norris from Mullinars Casting Consultants, Melbourne, for giving of her time to hold a Q and A with students around the national and international casting process.
• My brother James Cooper for always being there to create logos, posters, certificates, whatever is needed, whenever, all for a hug and the promise of things to come. 
• Bill Harvey for his super generous and ongoing donation of the Bill Harvey Scholarships.  You’re amazing Bill.
• Michael Thomsen for the tireless giving of his time on web design and support.  None of this would have even been able to start, let alone continue without you
• Jeremy Kewley for his ceaseless energy and interest in students and their future.
• Tom Waugh for his generous technical advice and help and Graham Gates and students from Rosny College.
• Shaun Wilson at Bluehat for always lending a helping hand when needed.  Thanks Shaun!  Yes I owe you.
• And of course Karena, Jane, Evan, Christian, Andrew and Evan at Screen Tasmania for their generous support and encouragement.
• To all local film makers and producers who have auditioned and cast CSA students, we thank you dearly.
• To our Career Course visiting director this year, Lucien Simon, who brought perception and care to his work with students.  All the Career Course students learnt so much from working with you over those two days.  Lucien also filled in for me at short notice when I was ill.  Thanks Lucien!
• Michel James Rowland for his support of CSA and the time and care he has put into the students.
• To Wide Angle Tasmania and film makers Daniel James, Adam Ransley and Roar Film for allowing us to air their work at our 2011 graduation.
• To Vanetta, Terry, Sam and Jacob at Village Cinemas for their incredible and last minute help, and to the wonderful Jonno and Jane at 7HOFM Breakfast with the Stars for their ongoing interest and support.  Plus all media who have taken an interest.
• And to Sean Monro and Ryk Goddard for the long walks and talks which helped formulate the whole idea for the Academy in the first place, including name, concept, initial wording of pitch documents and ongoing encouragement - thanks.
• TO ALL PARENTS AND STUDENTS – YOU’RE WONDERFUL!!!!  Thanks for coming, and well done on all your hard work and achievements throughout the year.

(I genuinely apologise if I’ve missed anyone – but I’ll get you at next graduation!   I’m keeping a list and checking it twice!)

Rest up and enjoy friends and family this summer.

Sara xxx

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And from Mystate:

Here is a little recap from Mystate re: their highly successful Festival this year:The MyState Student Film Festival Awards Event was action packed and it already seems like too long ago. To make you feel like you too walked the red carpet we’ve got a recap video of how the day went down. Take a look:

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 Don’t forget there’s plenty of photos from the event on the MyState Student Film Festival Facebook page - including shots with the Unimanicorn:

http://facebook.com/mystatefilmfestival

 And check out all of the awesome films of 2011 on the website:

http://mystatefilmfestival.com.au/films/2011-films/2011-primary-films