Award winning Australian director, Elissa Down

Be a fly on the wall as you listen to Margie talk with director, Elissa Down about her personal story, which was the impetus for writing/directing the award winning film, "The Black Balloon" with Toni Collette, Luke Ford and Rhys Wakefield.  Elissa is an "actor’s director" who helps actors find their way through creating characters. Here she shares Luke Ford’s audition and how he created the character, Charlie, a mute teen with severe autism and ADHD, that was based on her brother. Elissa discusses what she looks for in an actor and the need for messiness. Margie and Elissa agree on the importance of silence and behavior, ending with tips on self-tapes, zoom and in-person auditions.