Rebecca O'Brien
DIRECTOR
DIRECTOR
Over the last ten years I have concentrated solely on directing, working predominately in television. My desire to direct drama has manifest in several short films and also lead me to direct some theatre.
I spent four months in Vancouver working on the set of Battlestar Galactica with director Michael Rymer, inspired by my experience I came back to Australia more determined than ever to pursue my passion.
Most recently I have worked as a producer on Photo Finish for Southern Star Entertainment, segment producer for the ABC’s First Tuesday Book Club, and producing the televised presentation of The Reef, an artist collaboration between Richard Tognetti and the ACO.
After taking time off for maternity leave I am currently working as a freelance director for ABC TV’s Play School. I am also in the process of directing a short film, A Child’s Introduction to the Principles and Mechanics of Flight.
Animation production design
Production Design work...a long time ago....
NOM*D Clothing to Die for.
Director Fashion Film for New Zealand fashion label NOM*D...
Nom*D – Do Not Disturb
Do Not Disturb is a fashion film I created for renowned New Zealand fashion label Nom*D....
Play School
Segment Producer, ABC TV 2014-17 I am currently producing, directing and editing segments for Play School....
One Night Stand
Director, ABC TV 2007. One Night Stand is a documentary I directed in 2007 when Silverchair visited Nowra as part of Triple J's On...
Showreel
Director Drama Showreel 2017...
A Permanent End
A Permanent End is a short film I wrote and directed while at AFTRS...
First Tuesday Book Club
Segment Producer, ABC TV 2012 I spent two years producing and directing segments for First Tuesday Book Club....
Photo Finish
Producer, Southern Star Entertainment 2011 I produced the documentary sections of this photography-based reality show created for...
Move it Mobstyle
Reasearch and Production, Vibe 2011 Move It Mob Style is a youth dance-based health and fitness program which teaches viewers mad...
The Reef
Director ABC TV 2012 I produced the television presentation of the collaboration between Richard Tognetti and the ACO for the ABC...
Battlestar Galactica
Universal / SyFy 2008 I recieved a internship grant from Screen Australia and elected to spend four months as a director's atta...
The Great Dark
Phobia Films, 2005 Written and Directed by Rebecca O'Brien Produced by John L Simpson Funded by the NSWFTO as part of the Young...
THE FILM
‘A Child’s Introduction To The Principles And Mechanics Of Flight’
Toby,6, wakes one morning to an empty house. Scared and alone he takes solace in constructing a model plane for its maiden flight but as the days go by unforeseen circumstances force him to reckon with the power and pain of letting go.
THE CHARACTERS
We are open to finding the right children to play these parts, regardless of sex, so if you are a boy or a girl feel free to send us an audition.
TOBY (Girl or Boy 5-8yrs) is an airplane enthusiast. A sensitive child who loves reading and playing board games. He/she is loyal and kind with a determined streak that can sometimes get him/her in trouble.
BILLY (Girl or Boy 6-8yrs) is a bit of a bully, he/she has had to weather parental neglect and an older sibling who torments them on a daily basis.
TIM (Girl or Boy 6-8yrs) is timid, happy to not make waves, lives in fear of Billy turning on him.
PETE (Girl or Boy 6-8yrs) is funny, a bit of a larrikin, articulate, a bit of a smartarse.
YOUR AUDITION
The audition can be filmed on any phone or any other camera you have available.
Here is the link to the scene we would like you to perform for your audition…Audition Scene
As most of you are very young I have included a link to the entire script for your parents to read here…Link to Script – An Introduction to the Principles and Mechanics of Flight
PLEASE DO NOT post your audition on YouTube, social media or anywhere else! Your audition should only go to us via this Dropbox link.
PLEASE READ THESE HANDY TIPS.
Keep it simple. Make sure there is enough light to clearly see your face. An iphone is fine to use. In a perfect world the camera/phone should be on a tripod for a steady image. If not, make sure the camera is a steady as possible. The shot should be of your head and shoulders with a small amount of space above your head.
Make sure there is enough light to see your face clearly. Record a test to see how it looks and sounds beforehand.
Have someone read the lines of the other character(s) off camera. Please don’t look at the camera! You should look off to the right or left of the lens at the reader.
Learn the lines beforehand and try to pretend the camera isn’t there. As this is film and not theatre it is very important to keep it simple and conversational, don’t make it too ‘big’. It should feel effortless, like a real conversation. We really want to see naturalistic performances, not heightened pantomime style.
And don’t forget to listen to the reader. How does the other person in the scene make you feel? How do they affect you? You don’t need to talk to communicate. We also communicate when we listen.
PLEASE DON’T FORGET TO INCLUDE your NAME, AGE and LOCATION at the beginning or the end of your audition and zoom out so we can see how tall you are 😉
Thank you !
for a short film (2018)
Please get in touch and I will be in contact shortly.
Byron Bay, Australia