Rae Johnston

 

I grew up in Werombi, NSW, a small country town with dirt roads and a peaceful lifestyle. From an early age, I grabbed every acting opportunity that came my way, breaking my primary school record of being the lead in every play! Whilst in high school I was actively involved in the Drama department, writing and directing productions as well as starring in them. I represented my school in The Shakespeare Youth Festival in my first year of high school and was selected to attend "Open Minds" - an enrichment program for gifted and talented students in performing arts at the University of Western Sydney - Campbelltown.

After completing my HSC I went on to entry level acting - waiting tables. Whilst taking a break from my studies I became a mum to my now 5 year old son, Seth Tyler, and enjoyed some time with him before deciding to show him you can follow your dreams.

I joined a Sydney extras agency and immediately began picking up work. I was an extra, and occasionally a featured extra on "Home and Away" on a weekly basis and went on to score a small role as a waitress in "The Cooks" for Channel Ten in Sydney. I worked in television and print advertising, featuring in campaigns for Radio Rentals, KFC and Carefree (Johnson & Johnson) to name a few. (Lindsay Rodriguez, who was in the Carefree TVC with me, went on to be an MTV host!.... Congrats, Lindsay!)

But, I soon grew tired of background roles and realised that furthering my training was the only way to go. I enrolled in the Theatre Performance and Practices course at The Eora Centre for Aboriginal Studies, Visual and Performing Arts in Sydney. The Eora Centre is a fantastic TAFE College that gives preference to indigenous students. I enrolled as a non-indigenous student - and left as an indigenous one. Shortly after enrolment I discovered a secret in my family history - my grandfather was an aboriginal man from the Wiradjuri tribe in south western NSW. Eora was the ideal place to learn about a culture I had no idea I was a part of, and the people there welcomed me with open arms, no questions asked. I felt like I was home.

Whilst at Eora I had the opportunity to work with Leah Purcell - amazing award winning actress, author, singer, mentor and now director. "Wandhi" (in post production) by Bungabura Media is a short horror film with a classic storyline - and she chose me to play the role of "Turren", the misfit new girl in the group. I had the amazing experience of, as a student, working on a real set with a full crew, catering, accomodation, being driven to and from the set and recieving wonderful support not only from Leah, one of the most passionate and caring people in the business, but also her partner Bain Stewart who has not stopped supporting me! "Wandhi" was an entirely indigenous production, and it was at this time I battled with my feelings - was I a fraud? And every indigenous person I spoke to told me the same thing - "There aint no half castes, quarter castes, outcasts. You are an aboriginal woman. Be proud of it." So I did. And I am.

During my year at TAFE I also has the experience of training with Cicely Berry, world famous voice coach for The Royal Shakespeare Theatre Company - what an amazing lady! I also performed in short films for the Eora Screen students. In "Games of Innocence", directed by Frank Cain (which was shown on TVS for Eora TV), I played Raelene -the long suffering girlfriend of a gambling addict."The Cooties", a tongue-in-cheek comedy directed by Guy Simon, had me playing Dr Anita Wash, a world renowned expert on the common childhood disease. In a Mike-Leigh style film, "11 Stems" directed by Sarah Spillane for Indigenous Film Services and Eora, I played Tracey - a rough single Mum with a kind heart whose son's father is put to death for drug smuggling overseas.

It was also in this year I started working on voice over productions for the Australian Government with Lee Hubber at I&G Media. Credits and campaigns so far include Water Conservation, BP Opal Fuel, Child Care Rebate, Understanding Money, IR Reforms, Crisis Payments and most recently The Government Health Insurance website.

I ended the year with my first theatre performance since high school. "Black Bethy - The story of Macbeth", directed by Liza Mare Syron was a very different take on a Shakespeare classic. It was set in an underground strip club and lets just say it tested my limits! I must admit to being a little modest so rolling around on stage was a little challenging. But, my hard work paid of and I was awarded the TAFE State Medal for the course.

After the christmas break I started rehearsals on "The Lost Princess", a group devised piece for Short and Sweet in Sydney, the world's largest theatre festival. It was in the style of the Teatre de Los Andes theatre of Bolivia, and was directed by one of it's former members, journalist Violeta Ayala as well as Ella McNeil. I was chosen out of 150 auditionees to be a part of the performance, which was an amazing experience.

Next was "It's my party(and I'll die if I want to)" directed by Ivan J.Sumelj for the Wollongong Workshop Theatre. I played the role of Karen Patterson, the youngest - very much favoured - bitchy daughter in a normal Aussie (read:dysfunctional) family. Still my favourite, and the funniest play I've ever read. Kudos to you, Elizabeth Coleman!

Straight after the party I went up to the Newcastle area to start filming on "Maitland" (release name "Devils Gateway"). Directed by Alexander Herget for Silver Bullet Films, this psychological thriller/horror feature film promises to be something special! I played Jessica Meadows, a young production assistant in an ensemble cast comprising of Vanessa Gray, Michael Piccirilli, Jack Campbell, Paul Moxey and Stephen Mark Adams who play a film crew sent to Maitland Gaol to document hauntings there. The film also features James Caitlin, Rebecca Clay and Eliana Dona. My first feature film, in a lead role, in the very creepy Maitlaind Gaol, the middle of winter...and the most fun I've ever had!

Atlas International, one of Europe's oldest and most respected film distribution companies, has signed worldwide sales agreement with SBF - and is currently representing "Devils Gateway" at festivals worldwide - including The American Film Market (where it attracted alot of positive feedback), Berlin Film Festival, and at G'Day Week in LA, and the European Film Market. Silver Bullet Films will be attending the Cannes Film Festival this May with the completed feature film.

"The Hangman" directed by Brian Sisk for Sydney Film Base was my next project. The story of Harvey (David Poland) - a 1950's gangster, Red (Geraldine Timmons) - a girl from the past and The Waitress (played by me) - in the wrong place at the wrong time. Another death scene to add to my reel! The film was screened at the Chauvel Cinema this February and received a great response.

 In "Tattoo Love" I played Shannon, a young tattoo recipient, opposite Jai Koutrae  Directed by Nick Van Doninck and produced by the team from Dolphin Juice, this short film is a mix of live actors and animation in the form of tattoos. The film is currently in post production.

"Down and Out" came next , playing the lead female role "Lani", a decietful crime boss' girlfriend - also starring Johnny Boxer of "Fat Pizza " fame. The cast and crew were great to work with - even a few of the old Eora mob were involved! The film can be viewed on the MySpace page of Adam Gillespie, the director of this film.

In "Down The Gurgler" I played the lead role,"Martha". Directed by Jason Carter, this very funny comedy was great fun - mudpack, plumber, escort, wedding ring...and a twist.

Next came playing a movie star in a black and white "Old Hollywood" scene for a short film "Colourblind Goldfish" directed by Jared Beekhuyzen. Working with the crew from "Down and Out" again was great. "Colourblind Golfish" was selected for screening at Byron Bay Film Festival this February.

"Down & Out", "Down The Gurgler" and "Colourblind Goldfish" all screened at the Roxy Theatre, Film Australia recently - the night went extemely well and the finished result of all three films was fantastic.

"The Crane", the amazing  Kyas Sherriff's short film for Metro Screen - which was screened at the Chauvel Cinemas in Paddington last December - was my next project. I played the lead "Carolina" who suffers a tragic loss during this powerful and beautiful film.

In "The Ad" - a tropfest film for writer Liz Cooper Smith I played Kimberley, a secretary for an advertising firm with a unique idea. Unfortunately the film was hit with severe production difficulties, and became "I Failed!"

Next was "Brainstorm" produced by the team of  Simon Chapman and  Christopher Collins from Flickapolitan.This film has a clever series of twists, and was alot of fun to film. It was selected to screen at the Newtown Flicks Festival for 2007 and was very well recieved.

In "Naughty", a short film written by Greg Mackenzie, I play Kat - a woman who thinks she just may have met the man of her dreams - but has she? This film is currently in post-production.

And so, after spending all that time since graduating from Eora securing auditions for myself as a freelancer, I signed on with Daniel Lucas of Lucas Management for agency representation. I am looking forward to new and exciting opportunities with the agency.

Sydney band "Town Hall Steps" cast me in their latest film clip which is almost ready to go. The band has toured with Avril Lavigne, Hilary Duff, Simple Plan and 28 Days amongst others, and was the winner of the Australian "Battle of the Bands" competition in 2005."Breathe", the latest single, will be released in early April on radio, Rage, Channel V, MTV US and MTV Australia.

Next came a Lipton Green Tea commercial- directed by fantastic director John Ogden and produced by Plush Films.

I recently completed a voice over for CanTeen Bandanna Day - it will be used for both radio and television commercials for the next three years.

I have just completed filming on an episode for the 8th season of Catalyst on the ABC. I am playing Sally, a young woman with prosopagnosia, or "face-blindness".In the episode I am recreating an interview and scenes from a young woman's ordeal with this condition.

Soon I will be appearing on Sydney television as the better half of a romantic couple in a commercial for Wollongong Tourism, directed by Ken Smart. So keep your eyes peeled! 

LATEST NEWS AND SCREENINGS:

I have been cast in the lead role for a "feature teaser" directed by Luke Polti - "Like Hell" - a very disturbing and original thriller. The film will be shot later in 2007.

NEW TRAILER FOR DEVILS GATEWAY! View it here

Holly Brisley has joined the cast of "Devils Gateway", which  will be attending the Cannes Film Festival Market in May.

Thw film has also been selected to screen at the Dungog Film Festival on 1st June.

In the works are a series of films with Project Greenlight finalist Trevor Wood. "The Chosen One" is the first film in a trilogy that will be remade into a feature length film next year. I will be playing the lead in the feature film.