Jason Harris
Amelia Conway is an experienced actress, model, and presenter who hails from Sydney, Australia. She has trained at multiple schools locally and internationally, including NIDA, TAFTA, Sydney Actors Collective, The Scene on Screen, Marcus Graham and Margie Haber LA, ACE Studios LA. Amelia’s acting style is to truly immerse herself in the truth and reality of the present moment.
Modelling has been a staple in Amelia’s career for the past 15 years, she has been in several magazine covers such as LITA Magazine -swimsuit edition, SYD Photos, and StarCentral magazine. She has also appeared in multiple online boutiques (such as Showpo, White Runway, Samira’s Closet), and has done countless runway shows, such as Australian Bridal Fashion Week. Furthermore, she has also appeared and/or presented in many TVCs (KFC, ActewAGL, Dream Sheets) and online advertisements (The Fable, Content Snare, AI Films, Havianas).
StarCentral Magazine recently caught up with Amelia to discuss her journey in the entertainment industry and here’s what went down:
Can you tell us more about yourself? How did you get started in the entertainment industry?
I started out as a model, so that made me very comfortable in front of the camera. I’ve done modelling for over 10 years now. That eventually evolved into acting about 4 years ago, and it’s something that I feel I have taken to like a fish to water. I just kept learning and auditioning and to my great surprise landing parts. So I figured that it’s something that I could really have a good crack at. Now I’ve been acting full-time for the past 3 years, and I am so glad I chose to quit my day job of graphic design and follow this passion. I felt an intuitive gut instinctive inside me every day I was at the graphic design job, telling me ‘YOURE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE, YOU’RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE DOING THIS’. And every time I’m on set and acting, I feel right at home. It feels right.
What do you like most about acting?
I like how the only thing I need is my mind and my body. All the tools are within. Like a metaphor for life.
What are your weak points when it comes to acting? How do you try to improve them?
I don’t think in terms of weak and strong, good and bad, there is just each moment and it is what it is. If every moment is approached with presence and truth then the rest will follow. Meditation and yoga are key tools of the actor. To know our mind and be connected to our bodies is the best training we could ever have.
What have you learned from the directors that you have worked with throughout your career?
I have learned that every director has a different style of directing, and it is my job to adapt to that. Some are loose and free and will let you do what you want. Others are more specific down to the specific actions and tone of voice. It is the actors’ job to adapt to each director’s style.
What are some of the difficulties of the acting business?
So many actors, not enough work!
What’s challenging about bringing a script to life?
Honestly, that’s more the director’s problem, things like sets/locations, costumes, music, camera angles, etc. For the actor, the acting IS life. So there isn’t a trouble to bring it to life, at least not for myself. I enjoy reading the script, rehearsing, talking to the director and the other actors to all work together to have a common mind so that we are all working towards the same goal.
What do you do when you’re not filming?
Usually auditioning and going to castings or doing self-tapes at home. And then also lots of yoga, editing my own film projects, and reading!
What has been the most memorable experience of your career so far?
Just the fact that I get to do it and that it feels so natural and like home to me. And I’m so thankful every day that I don’t have to be sitting at a desk in an office.
Who have been the most interesting people you’ve met so far?
Every person I have met has been interesting. I don’t feel the need to rank people in terms of ‘interestingness’. There is something to learn from everyone you meet.
If someone is going to make your life into a movie, who would play you?
Well, me of course!
What are your future plans? Inside your career or out of it.
To keep on working, learning, and meeting people in the local film industry and abroad. To keep auditioning, making films, and delve ever deeper into all that is filmmaking and acting.
The ‘LIGHTNING FAST’ Round:
1. Last good movie I’ve seen: Pieces of a Woman.
2. What do you consider beautiful and why? The sky, it’s always a different painting every day.
3. What haven’t you done yet that you wish you could? I have done mostly everything I’ve wanted to, but I suppose a bit more overseas travel would be nice once the COVID restrictions ease. Oh and be in a film that is shown in Australian cinemas!
4. Complete this sentence: “If I had no fear, I’d…” I don’t live by fear, so I’m already doing all the things I want to do.
5. What is the one “flaw” you wouldn’t change about yourself? I don’t think I have any ‘flaws’ as such, as there is no reason to speak negatively of oneself. I wouldn’t change anything, other than to keep myself as healthy, strong, and peaceful as I can be. Otherwise, I accept myself exactly as I am.
Jason Harris
rhoda
