Student Bios

To get to know the class of 2007 a little better, read on.

Aleksei Vanamois has visual flare, but likes to get all the other senses involved as well, when developing projects. This is what brought him to filmmaking.

Andrew Bettridge can't remember a time when he didn't know who Alfred Hitchcock was. From an early age, he was obsessed with films and their effect on the audience. Andrew has a keen interest and knowledge of all things film.

Ashleigh Cummings was born in Saudi Arabia. She began to take an interest in acting at the age of 12, after being inspired by Leonardo DiCaprio's performance in What's Eating Gilbert Grape? and Dustin Hoffman's in Rainman. Ashleigh studied dancing, singing and acting at Brent Street School of Performing Arts in Sydney, three years before joining Participate. She loves experiencing events and emotions through the characters she brings to life in her acting. Ashleigh hopes to affect people one day, as DiCaprio and Hoffman did her.

Benjamin Richardson grew up in Arcadia, in the Hills District of New South Wales. At 22, he started to write a sitcom. It was at this time he realised that screenwriting was his passion and that he would pursue a career in the film industry. Seven years later, he co-wrote his first screenplay, Green Fire Envy. Ben also co-directed the feature film and acted in the role of Steinar, the sleazy pharmacist. Ben looks forward to starting a production company with Mike Kristin, called Reign Films. They plan to make a short for Tropfest. Ben will also keep studying to better his skills as an actor and director, and hopes to get his original sitcom idea off the ground, among other projects.

From an early age, Catherine Neasbey was passionate about the film industry. She aims to work as a line producer on many future productions. Cat enjoys communicating with the cast and crew, as well as organising the day-to-day running of events.

Chester Ferro began studying graphic design after high school, but was unsure about his future direction. After a few months he decided to work instead. He enjoyed watching music videos growing up and always dreamed of making video clips. Chester developed his love for filmmaking by recording birthday parties and turning the footage into 'works of art'. He also began making random videos with friends, which he posted on the web. Today Chester films weddings, club promotions and other events. He hopes to direct his own feature film in the future.

While Claudine Aad's interest in acting is old, she never had the opportunity to put it to the test until Green Fire Envy. At Participate, Claudine was also involved in the production side of filmmaking for the first time.

Jacqui Murray's first love is acting, but since attending classes at Participate she has found there is so much more involved in filmmaking. She has discovered a new love for directing. Being able to see things from both a production and performance point of view is something that Jacqui enjoys.

James Peniata was born in Sydney, in 1989. He decided to concentrate on acting after finishing five years of drama classes at high school. He joined Sinacori Agencies and scored his first role in a commercial within a month, promoting the MTV Urban Art Awards. James has since worked on over 20 short films in the action, horror and sci-fi genres, and performed in his first feature, Green Fire Envy, at Participate. His dream is to become an accomplished actor and be able to support his family while doing what he loves. James fantasies about buying homes in Tokyo, LA and Sydney.

Jessica Arapi previously studied acting with Fame Talent and also performed for the theatre company. She has five short film credits to her name and has performed on stage in Melbourne. At just 16, Jessica sees Participate as a way to get her foot in the door and go on to achieve big things in the film industry.

Jessica Lytton began acting at high school and thought the performance aspect of filmmaking was what she wanted to pursue. It wasn't until year 9 that she realised directing was her true ambition.

John Clark's lust for film began when he first saw Citizen Kane, at 10 years old. He got his first taste of movie making at 14, filming school events and entering short film competitions. John recently completed his HSC and intends to go on to study at the International Film School Sydney. John was head editor of the Green Fire Envy editing team, which shaped the 1's and 0's captured by the film crew into a thrilling, moving and poignant film. John has a thirst for knowledge about the creative and technical side of filmmaking, and wishes to attain an Orson Wells level of respect in the film community for creating artistic, experimental and expressive films using creative stories and innovating film techniques.

Jose Carillo prides himself on putting everything he has into his emotional performances as an actor.

Kate Grgich is a proud member of the MTV generation, saying music has a huge influence in her life (not surprising, given her father has a music studio at home). She's a filmmaking all-rounder, enjoying work behind the camera and in the editing studio.

Ever since he can remember, Leigh Murray has wanted to be part of something that makes people feel an emotional connection. This desire led him to fall in love with movies and inevitably filmmaking.

Flying in from Montreal, Canada, just to take part in the class of 2007, reveals how serious Magali Gillon is about her film career. Having already filled many roles as casting and production assistants back home, Magali wanted a producer credit on a feature film. Green Fire Envy was inspired by her original idea.

Marnie Huxley was based more than 350 kilometres away from Sydney when she was accepted into the class of 2007, but this did not stop her from travelling every weekend to classes and locations. She loves being put to the test and working in the stressful situations that are part of producing a film. Marnie prides herself on maintaining a happy and helpful manner on set, and will to do whatever it takes to get the job done.

Michael Kristen was born west of Sydney. He enjoyed sports and recreation growing up, which influenced him later in life to get into filmmaking. During high school Michael studied visual arts and photography, with his artworks selected for display at art galleries throughout the Paramatta district. Michael later started his own business as a camera operator and will return to it after Green Fire Envy premieres. He looks forward joining forces with fellow classmate Ben Richardson and using their Participate experience to freelance around the world making films.

Moises Arteaga was born in Chalatenango, in 1985. He moved to Sydney with his family in 1988, after the Salvadoran Civil War, and grew up in Liverpool. During high school Moises enjoyed art, music and drama classes. He joined Participate as a writer, sound engineer and boom operator, and even worked on make-up for Green Fire Envy. Moises looks forward to starting his own recording studio, Industrial Trance, as well as writing and directing his own screenplays.

Morgana Davies is a 14-year-old actor. Green Fire Envy was her first acting experience and she loved what she learnt at Participate. Morgana likes to spend her free time with friends, going to the movies, shopping, taking photographs and going to parties. Participate was like all her favorite things rolled into one. She is extremely interested in a career in the film industry.

Ricardo Rosa believes Participate is the concrete that will cement his future endeavors in the entertainment industry and establish him as a professional film actor. He hopes to combine all his creative outlets eventually.

Ryan Somerfield joined the world of filmmaking in 2003, winning two awards at the inaugural 24/7 Youth Film Festival with his first short film (including People?s Choice Award for Best Film). He has been making films ever since. In 2007, Ryan started his own business as a freelance cinematographer and steadicam operator. He has produced multiple short films and won three national awards.

At 16, Sebastian Kade already had experience as a video editor, creating his own projects. He loves taking individual clips and putting them together to tell a story.

Croatia-born Thomas McQwell prides himself on an eye for detail. He is particularly interested in lighting design, magically creating a mood from an empty space.

Timothy Kho wanted to get as much experience as he could in each department of filmmaking while on the set of his first feature film, Green Fire Envy. His main focus is video editing, as he has had a passion for it for years. Timothy looks forward to making more feature films in the future.

At the age of 21, Thomas Tesoriero discovered a knack for confronting, gritty, creative writing, while recovering in a phsyc ward in Sydney. Tom uses much of his life experience as the inspiration that shapes his thoughts and feelings into creative pieces of art, along with DJing and producing music. After co-writing Green Fire Envy, he took the helm as one of Participate's hard-working producers and used his business skills to help make it all possible. The next 18 months are going to busy for this self-described workaholic, as he starts the early stages of pre-production on his own feature film.

Tracey Maxwell was born in New Zealand and has Maori heritage, but has lived in Australia for most of her life. Tracey's passion for acting has always been strong. Her desire to act become more intense at Participate, while playing the part of Trixie in Green Fire Envy. After experiencing her first film set, she knows that acting is EXACTLY what she wants to do. Tracey will continue to seek opportunities to learn and grow as an actor, whether that is on the job or by taking more classes. She hopes to be recognised as a professional actor one day and dreams of walking alongside the A-listers at a massive Hollywood premiere.

After finishing in the top 2 percent for art in his HSC, Vincent Andriano transferred his creative skill from painting to writing. Vince also enjoys transforming the film set and has a flare for costume design.

Watch the trailers for Green Fire Envy.