Old Flinderian Natalie Ferris (Flinders Class of 2018) is an actor, singer, dancer, director and producer with close to 40 roles in shows across theatre, film and tv to her name.
Natalie is excited to debut her film, Showstopper, with a red carpet launch party on Saturday, 7 September at the Event Cinemas, Kawana. Tickets are on sale now at https://www.trybooking.com/CUMRM
We asked Natalie to share her study and career journey in this Beyond Flinders profile below.
Natalie, what does life look like now?
Since I left Flinders, I was lucky enough to get into the Queensland Conservatorium at Griffith University in Brisbane to study a Bachelor of Acting. They only accept 18 people each year from a pool of about 600 people who audition, so I feel very lucky that I was chosen to be in the cohort. It was the most fabulous experience. I would do it all over again if I could.
I will always be a performer at heart. But I also knew that I wanted to be in a leadership position and make an impact in the industry, which is why I went on to study my Masters of Screen Production, majoring in Producing. I really enjoyed my Masters; I just graduated a few weeks ago. Throughout that whole process, I've been non-stop involved in performing arts productions. I've produced both theatre and film pieces, and worked on music composition as well. I'm now based on the Sunshine Coast and at a crossroads for my next move.
Tell us about your new film and launch party event!
On Saturday, 7 September I’m hosting a Launch Party Event for my new film, Showstopper, at the Event Cinemas, Kawana. I’d love the Flinders community to come along! (Tickets on sale here ) I began the project as part of my Masters. It’s a 20-minute short film that is a musical. It's a comedy about a Year 12 girl (who I play in the film) and she loses her voice a few days before her big performance. Now, this is catastrophic!
The film features five original songs, which I composed for the story. It is all shot in Brisbane and on the Sunshine Coast. It's a local team of students from the Griffith Film School and also some professionals as well. It's a great cast and it's a great film. And I'm so proud to say it's finally done!
The launch party has an educational spin as it will feature some Brisbane-based actors and producers who are coming to speak about filmmaking and the opportunities in the film industry in Queensland and beyond. So, this would be interesting to anyone who is interested in filmmaking or acting or just wants to see some local art made here on the Sunshine Coast.
Do you have a favourite Flinders moment?
I remember when I first toured Matthew Flinders Anglican College. We were just moving to the Sunshine Coast. I was 12 years old, going into Year 7. I was impressed with the school but I remember that as the doors opened to the Performance Centre, I turned to my parents and said, “This is where I have to go to school. I need to be performing on that stage!” And from there, I joined every choir, every band. I was in every production. If there was a performance-based opportunity - I was there.
Another memorable moment was when we performed the Soiree concert in Year 12. I was Choir Captain and had to announce different pieces in the concert. It was during that concert I realised I had come full circle from first seeing the space at age 12 to being at one of my last performances in the space. I realised I was so grateful for the impact that Flinders had on my life from a music and theatre perspective.
I would not be where I am today if I didn't have the expertise from the staff and from the Music and Drama programs. We are so spoiled at Flinders. The staff are exceptional; they fostered my love for the performing arts. I wholeheartedly believe my success at uni was due to the resources and support I had at Flinders to push me and to tell me: You can do this.
Do you have a role model from Flinders?
I have two Flinders staff members who I regard as role models: Ms Sally McHugh, Acting Director of Music and Mrs Jenny Thomas, Accompanist.
Sally is inspiring as she studied and then she went abroad and made a fabulous career for herself in the United Kingdom as an opera singer. And I think of her bravery as she took that leap. She supported me with great kindness, expertise and support throughout my schooling at Flinders.
My second role model is Jenny Thomas, because she is so humble and talented. And as an accompanist, you're never in the spotlight. But Jenny works so hard and is so diligent, so precise; she is exceptionally talented. I admire how her talent always shines through.
How “easy” was it to decide what to do in life?
Ever since I was really quite little, there was no question; I just love being on stage and in the spotlight. My parents were supportive. They’re not professionally in this field, but they have musical backgrounds. And I think I was lucky to be surrounded by that my whole life.
Where do you go from here?
Throughout university, I've auditioned, performed and worked alongside my study, so I'll continue on that trajectory. I found a real love and enjoyment for teaching as well, and I find it's a rewarding way to give back to the Sunshine Coast community and share the knowledge I've gained.
Securing a role can be a waiting game where you are at the mercy of the industry, which is another reason I studied my Masters, because I want to be on the other side of the table. I like the idea that producers get to make an impact on the film and TV landscape of Australia. They get to decide what content is being created and where the money's going and so much more.
What advice do you have for current students?
I think the best decisions I've made have been based on something that I “love” to do rather than wondering what is the “right” thing to do. No one can prepare you for how unpredictable life is going to be, so if you work really hard and allow yourself to do things that you truly love, I don't think you can go wrong. The hardest part is finding exactly what you were put on this earth to do. And for some people, they won’t know straight away when they leave school.
To read more profiles with our Old Flinderian alumni, visit here.
