A dash of crime!
Participate FA's course manager, Dana Newell, is set to appear on the Crime Channel at the end of August, playing the role a victim strangled by a cable tie in a crime documentary.
“The Body In The Sports Bag” explores the disappearance and brutal murder of Sydney teenager, Lyndsay Van Blanken. The feature includes re-enactments, interviews with homocide detectives, and accounts from her family. Dana, who plays the victim of an attack, described her experience as great fun and a good learning experience. However, she states that it was a little upsetting during playing the role knowing that this poor girl actually went through this experience for real, and died as a result of it. Dana says it was a little freaky.
“They [the crew] made the actors feel comfortable, especially when I had the cable tie around my neck. It was a little scary, (especially when I actually strangled myself), but knowing the crew were there i ncase anything did go wrong, was comforting,” said Dana.
Having gained experience whilst being on the set of Participate FA's 2006 production, “Battle Therapy”, Dana was able to understand the different departments and what they were going through, something which the team she worked with appreciated. “I knew what to expect from the crew, and what they expected from me as an actor,” said Dana.
So the big question is, what's the most difficult part of playing dead?
“Dieing for three hours in a cold and dark room, and having to scream and kick and punch my attacker off me for three hours was very vocally and physically strenuous,” said Dana. “But it was also my favourite part of the shoot!”
