ZIEKE MIRABITO writes from Hollywood
“After years of great triple threat training in Australia and numerous development tours to the USA as a kid, I am finally here in LA at 17 after finishing my HSC.
LA is fast and relentless full of hope and disappointment but there is always something going and there is always opportunity if you are willing to pursue. But you’ve got to make the most of it. Here they bulk up casting directors (CDs) at acting schools and you get to do mock auditions for up to 4 CDs at a time. They give invaluable feedback and you never know when you will be in front of them for a real audition.
I have a great manager here in the US who already has me doing at least one audition a week. Last few weeks have been mind blowing going for 3 auditions each week and getting 3 call backs for a role in ‘Grown ups 2’. My 4th call back for this movie was an interview with Adam Sandler and Katy Perry! I am still waiting to hear the outcome, but even if I don’t land the role, I have met some amazing people and am now under the radar of a new and famous director, Dennis Dugan and CD Roger Mussenden.
Networking is really important here and there is a great club called Australians In Film that runs regular screenings of movies where Aussies have been involved, with Q&A sessions and a reception. You realise after a few of these just how many Australians have been involved in the latest films coming out of US. Through these networking events, I have met Mel Gibson, Nicole Kidman, Aaron Eckhart, Clive Owen and Jessie Spencer, just to name a few!!
Having a good network of friends here is great and family always like an excuse to visit. What’s really cool is two of my mates from school, The McDonald College School of Performing arts in Nth Strathfield are flatting here with me, Phil Ta pursing musical theatre and Tom Jordan pursuing his already fantastic career in singing and song writing.
My first job in the States was a voiceover role in a feature film, ‘Santa Buddies’ but they dropped my character as they went into production!! From that, I definitely learnt not to take anything here for granted and to make the most of every opportunity, as you never know where it will take you. I am keeping up my voiceover work and am continually doing short courses to learn from the pros.
So all up, so far I have done a few commercials, a short film, scored a guest star role in a Disney show and had a Disney screen test.”
You can take a listen to Zieke’s voice demo on this website, and we can arrange a recording studio hook-up from L.A. if you’d like to have Zieke record for your next project.
