Article - Torres News - January 2007
This is actually an article about Aaron Fa'Aoso, but it has mention of a new mini-series William is filming at the moment.
Health worker to stardom
Former Bamaga health worker turned actor/writer/director/award nominee in the space of less than two years Aaron Fa’Aoso has defied all the doubts and fears such a quantum leap would be expected to generate.
“It’s surreal,” he said.
Although a relative novice in the world of acting and films, Aaron has enough work to keep him busy until well into 2008, a rare achievement in an industry where being out of work is the norm.
Aaron has just completed shooting “Sharpeye”, a short-film shot in Bamaga in recent weeks, which he wrote and directed.
When interviewed by the Torres News, Aaron was imaging and adding the final touches to Sharpeye, based on the Torres Strait/N.P.A. Charlie Company.
“I wanted to retain the title Sarpeye, but I was told to add the ‘h’ by those in the industry.”
It runs for just five minutes, but Aaron says it seems to be of a much-longer duration. “It’s all action and just seems to be much longer.”
The movie will be shown in May as part of the Message Stick Film Festival, and then aired on SBS some time after that along with the 12 other short films from the festival.
This is debut film as a writer/director.
“It’s just surreal from being a health worker in Bamaga to moving to Sydney in February, 2005, to being in the middle of the film industry. Things have been so busy, I haven’t had a chance to think about everything where this has taken me. I have enough work until March, 2008.
“But it wasn’t always easy. The first six months were pretty tough; you’ve got to be committed.”
But that is behind him and Aaron’s star continues to rise when he plays the lead role in the six-part mini-series, Major Crimes.
Shooting starts on January 16 in Sydney, with Aaron playing the role of Detective Sonny Koa, an Islander detective. His partner will be Det. Zane Malik, a Muslim detective.
“It’s full on mini-series, with plenty of drama, action and delving into all the social and political issues. There will racial issues as well involving criminals with ethnic backgrounds, and some of the scripts will involve Redfern, China Town and Cabramatta, all hot spots for social issues. The scripts don’t pull any punches and have really racial overtones.”
Aaron will resume his acting association with Susie Porter from R.A.N., and who went on to win the AFI award for best actress in a mini-series. Another well-known co-star is William McInnes in the role of Sgt Crowley.
Despite his extraordinary success, Aaron says he still misses home (Bamaga).
Born in Cairns, Aaron’s family all come from Bamaga, and a relative was among the first group of Saibai settlers to move to Bamaga in 1947.
“All my family are there; it was hard to leave and I want to get back there and to the Torres Strait.”
Aaron has vision well beyond his current plans.
“The big picture is to write and direct our own stories from the Torres Strait as seen through our eyes – those of the people. It’s far more important to tell it from our perspective.”
Eventually, he wants to move into mainstream movies, and not be seen “as a director of only Indigenous movies It’s been unreal meeting and being involved with the number of people I’ve met, the support I’ve received and the projects I’m involved in.”
Aaron believes Australia and the world is looking for “more magnificent stories” from the Torres Strait.
His projects also include T.I. Taxi series, a comedy sitcom, again involving Penny Chapman and Charles Passi;
A touring Theatre Production, Back Home; A Feature Film, A national tour; and
“Heaps of other things”.
“And I want to get my own projects off the ground as well.”
Aaron expressed his sincere thanks for the support of the Bamaga and Seisia Councils.
“I would like to thank the following people and organisation for without your contribution and support Sharpeye would not of been possible Royal Australian Army (head office Canberra), 51st Battalion FNQR Cairns, 51st Battalion FNQR Thursday Island, Bamaga Island Council, Seisia Island Council, Sgt Robert Poi Poi, Sgt Edmund Ober, Sgt William Fauid, Sgt Wilky Pearson.
CHARLIE COMPANY: Cpl Penny Sanimo, Pte Chris Jawai, Pte Dane Wasiu, Pte Penny Sanimo, Pte Ian Adidi, Pte Torres Nadredre, Pte Peni Nadredre.
Aka Dorothy Jawai, Athe Jonathon Yusia, Athe Jefferson Mundie, Athe Sam Ober, Athe Timacoy Ober, Athe Rupenny.Aka Patty Wasiu, Uncle Clifford Wasiu, Uncle Jeffery Aniba, Uncle Vincent Babia, Aunty Joanne Poi Poi, Bala Clint Seden
Bamaga traffic controllers, Seisia traffic contollers, Seisia hire car, Seisia camp grounds, Bamaga Resort.
Film Depo, BoBB crew, Kath Shelper, Bala Murry Lui, Australian Film Commission Indigenous unit, SBSi, Cerole Sklan, Sally Riley
Qld Police Servce ( Bamaga), Ian Jones, Leah Purcell, Helen Pankhurst , Penny Chapman, teachers and students at Bamaga High School.
“If I have forgotton anyone I sincerely apologise.
“And to my people of the NPA and Torres Strait, past and present, who have always been and continue to be a great source of inspiration to me keoyma esso.”
Health worker to stardom
Former Bamaga health worker turned actor/writer/director/award nominee in the space of less than two years Aaron Fa’Aoso has defied all the doubts and fears such a quantum leap would be expected to generate.
“It’s surreal,” he said.
Although a relative novice in the world of acting and films, Aaron has enough work to keep him busy until well into 2008, a rare achievement in an industry where being out of work is the norm.
Aaron has just completed shooting “Sharpeye”, a short-film shot in Bamaga in recent weeks, which he wrote and directed.
When interviewed by the Torres News, Aaron was imaging and adding the final touches to Sharpeye, based on the Torres Strait/N.P.A. Charlie Company.
“I wanted to retain the title Sarpeye, but I was told to add the ‘h’ by those in the industry.”
It runs for just five minutes, but Aaron says it seems to be of a much-longer duration. “It’s all action and just seems to be much longer.”
The movie will be shown in May as part of the Message Stick Film Festival, and then aired on SBS some time after that along with the 12 other short films from the festival.
This is debut film as a writer/director.
“It’s just surreal from being a health worker in Bamaga to moving to Sydney in February, 2005, to being in the middle of the film industry. Things have been so busy, I haven’t had a chance to think about everything where this has taken me. I have enough work until March, 2008.
“But it wasn’t always easy. The first six months were pretty tough; you’ve got to be committed.”
But that is behind him and Aaron’s star continues to rise when he plays the lead role in the six-part mini-series, Major Crimes.
Shooting starts on January 16 in Sydney, with Aaron playing the role of Detective Sonny Koa, an Islander detective. His partner will be Det. Zane Malik, a Muslim detective.
“It’s full on mini-series, with plenty of drama, action and delving into all the social and political issues. There will racial issues as well involving criminals with ethnic backgrounds, and some of the scripts will involve Redfern, China Town and Cabramatta, all hot spots for social issues. The scripts don’t pull any punches and have really racial overtones.”
Aaron will resume his acting association with Susie Porter from R.A.N., and who went on to win the AFI award for best actress in a mini-series. Another well-known co-star is William McInnes in the role of Sgt Crowley.
Despite his extraordinary success, Aaron says he still misses home (Bamaga).
Born in Cairns, Aaron’s family all come from Bamaga, and a relative was among the first group of Saibai settlers to move to Bamaga in 1947.
“All my family are there; it was hard to leave and I want to get back there and to the Torres Strait.”
Aaron has vision well beyond his current plans.
“The big picture is to write and direct our own stories from the Torres Strait as seen through our eyes – those of the people. It’s far more important to tell it from our perspective.”
Eventually, he wants to move into mainstream movies, and not be seen “as a director of only Indigenous movies It’s been unreal meeting and being involved with the number of people I’ve met, the support I’ve received and the projects I’m involved in.”
Aaron believes Australia and the world is looking for “more magnificent stories” from the Torres Strait.
His projects also include T.I. Taxi series, a comedy sitcom, again involving Penny Chapman and Charles Passi;
A touring Theatre Production, Back Home; A Feature Film, A national tour; and
“Heaps of other things”.
“And I want to get my own projects off the ground as well.”
Aaron expressed his sincere thanks for the support of the Bamaga and Seisia Councils.
“I would like to thank the following people and organisation for without your contribution and support Sharpeye would not of been possible Royal Australian Army (head office Canberra), 51st Battalion FNQR Cairns, 51st Battalion FNQR Thursday Island, Bamaga Island Council, Seisia Island Council, Sgt Robert Poi Poi, Sgt Edmund Ober, Sgt William Fauid, Sgt Wilky Pearson.
CHARLIE COMPANY: Cpl Penny Sanimo, Pte Chris Jawai, Pte Dane Wasiu, Pte Penny Sanimo, Pte Ian Adidi, Pte Torres Nadredre, Pte Peni Nadredre.
Aka Dorothy Jawai, Athe Jonathon Yusia, Athe Jefferson Mundie, Athe Sam Ober, Athe Timacoy Ober, Athe Rupenny.Aka Patty Wasiu, Uncle Clifford Wasiu, Uncle Jeffery Aniba, Uncle Vincent Babia, Aunty Joanne Poi Poi, Bala Clint Seden
Bamaga traffic controllers, Seisia traffic contollers, Seisia hire car, Seisia camp grounds, Bamaga Resort.
Film Depo, BoBB crew, Kath Shelper, Bala Murry Lui, Australian Film Commission Indigenous unit, SBSi, Cerole Sklan, Sally Riley
Qld Police Servce ( Bamaga), Ian Jones, Leah Purcell, Helen Pankhurst , Penny Chapman, teachers and students at Bamaga High School.
“If I have forgotton anyone I sincerely apologise.
“And to my people of the NPA and Torres Strait, past and present, who have always been and continue to be a great source of inspiration to me keoyma esso.”
posted by WilliamWatch at 8:04 PM
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