When talking to a diverse group of primary school children on a prac during university, they revealed that they wanted to be on television but didn’t see anyone who looked like themselves on screen. I blurted at that time, “Well if I can get on a television show, like Play School, then you can achieve your dreams too.” One thing about me is that once I commit to something, I have to follow through.

Soon after, I sold everything I owned in Perth and moved to Sydney. I called the ABC every week, only to hear from them that they only auditioned NIDA graduates and famous actors. That made me think outside the box, so I wrote my own Play School episode, filmed it and sent it in. I called every week for months until they watched my video. They then sent me a Play School script that I had to learn, leading me to audition at ABC studios in Gore Hill in the late 90’s. I was knocked back because I looked young, and was told to get life experiences before coming back for a second chance. I remembered the producer saying that even Benita Collings (long time Playschool presenter) had to audition twice.

So I traveled overseas and built up my acting resume. I came back a few years later, auditioned again and finally got the role. I enjoyed my time from 1997 - 1999 (inclusive) acting alongside Jemima, Big Ted and Humpty - they were my favourites.

I’ve always had a good imagination at school and excelled in literature, creative writing (English) and art. I remember a teacher saying that he always got a laugh reading my stories. I enjoyed reading them out loud to my classmates too. These experiences gave me the courage and confidence to write stories and submit them to publishers. I even self published “Thank You Fairy Joy” and had a small book launch at Barnes and Noble in New York.

I scored high marks in drama too, and my drama teachers would always say that I had good comic timing, which gave me the confidence to pursue acting. I enjoy making people laugh, so much so that I had a brief stint in New York Comedy club doing stand up. I didn’t realise how hard it was - after doing a few shows I quit, because I felt like I had died 6 ft under with embarrassment.

With art, my high school art teacher said that I had a distinct naive and entertaining style, so I’ve  always pursued art as a side job. Back when I was living in New York, I was able to get my art accepted by Paint Box Gallery on Ninth Avenue. 

“Get a life, Alright” is about a young, unemployed actor who gets a lucky break whilst delivering flowers on the set of Get a Life (music T.V. show) and falls for the leading actress. This causes friction and jealousy between him and the leading guy, as well as at home with his brother. This film has 80’s & 90’s style music videos which were a large part of my childhood when I was growing up.

All my films are sparked by either a negative moment in my life, individuals who have hurt or disappointed me, or an unresolved situation which I then resolve in my film. I find the process of writing, creating and producing the films very therapeutic.

For example, the lead writes a letter towards the end of the film, that is actually a part of a letter that I wrote to myself when I hit rock bottom. I kept it in my diary, and it was cathartic to use this in my film.

I love writing, casting and working with a great team of people - Lara Cross (sound recordist / designer), Michael Giglio (1st AD), Valentina Iastrovoba (set designer), Linda Ung (cinematographer) and Stephen Wong (stills photographer). They are my core team who I love and know my working style.

What I don’t enjoy is organizing deliverables for a network / streamer as there’s a lot of formats and lots of paperwork to deliver, which I find tedious.

In 2013 I only received one diverse entry for the 1st Joy House Film Festival. Now in our 10th year, I’d say we receive at least 40 percent diverse content (where either the filmmaker/ writer/ director/ actor is from a diverse background). I also think since Crazy Rich Asians in 2018 and the #Oscarssowhite movement, there has definitely been quotas and more representation on screen leading to more Asians in TV commercials, Asians on film and streamers.

I love the Netflix series, “Beef” with Ali Wong and Steven Yuen, and I think the film, “Everything Everywhere All at Once” was also a milestone in the film industry for change.