Act, Sing, Laugh: Hollywood Immersion

I feel very grateful and blessed to have, in February this year, been part of the Hollywood Immersive - Acting Immersive program in Los Angeles, which was a tremendously inspiring, enjoyable and rewarding experience. In this life-changing acting intensive, beautifully and brilliantly coordinated by Lilly Dawson and Adam Rotenberg, almost every morning of the 8 day program, the alarm would ring at around 6.20, alerting us to the fact that the crisp mountain air of Griffith Park and the Hollywood Hills awaited us.

Training rigorously in acting and expression with some of the best teachers one could find, four days in a row at the world-renowned Beverly Hills Playhouse, truly felt like heaven. And relaxing at 2am in the outdoor spa at the Villa where we resided (after a quick splash in the cool pool), subsequent to performing a wonderfully comedic scene at the phenomenal Skylight Theatre in L.A., were some of the highlights of a night and trip I believe I will never forget!

Stemming from this, my roommate, friend and wonderful cinematographer for the Hollywood Immersive program, Joshua Hoareau from Cine Studios, subsequently edited together for me my 2018 Acting Showreel: 

Feeling further uplifted and enlightened by the entire 'Immersive' experience, I subsequently composed some of my best dance footage in this 2018 Dance Demo reel:

What a ride!

Antonio

"Act, Sing, Laugh!" - composing for a new era

The ‘Magdalene’ musical – composing for a new era

The process of composing and scoring the music for the upcoming original musical, ‘Magdalene: A WANTON SAINT’ is one that I believe will forever remain in my heart.  This journey of composing 6 of the 12 songs in the musical, guided by the musical’s writer, dear friend and world-renowned artist, playwright and director John Lee Joo For, was one which began in late 2016 and was accompanied by the scoring expertise and wonderful music of Keith Ng (my fellow musical director), who composed the other 6 songs in the musical.  Comprising songs which range from powerful and, at times, dramatic ballads, to lively and fast-paced numbers, which reflect the dynamic and varied nature of the theatre production as a whole, this musical is one in which I also look forward to performing in October 2017.

The two ladies sharing the lead role of Mary Magdalene, as well as the two sharing the role of Magdalene’s sister, Martha, have been particularly inspiring to practice alongside.  Rehearsal for this musical, which depicts the trials and triumphs of the great saint, Mary Magdalene, began in late March this year and concomitantly, playing the role of Jesus of Nazareth is one which for me, has and will require a great deal of reflection, humility and preparation.  Moreover, the very positive response of the cast to the music which has been composed and the rehearsal process as a whole (including gesture and choreography) has been especially uplifting and has further facilitated the embracing of a wonderful and fun work ethic by the cast and John Smith, the director of ‘Magdalene: A WANTON SAINT’.

- Antonio Rullez ©2017

"Act, Sing, Laugh" The Light & Love!

Here at "Love Those Classic Movies!!!" we are pleased to announce the multi-talented  singer,songwriter, dancer, actor, and more; Antonio Rullez is back in 2017! This Aussie star is part of our family for the second consecutive year as a writer for his own acclaimed column entitled: "Act, Sing, Laugh." We know you are as happy to hear this news and will see many terrific columns which will allow you to get to know Antonio better while he brings us behind the scenes and special interviews and many more exclusives.

It is time for all to sit down and get ready to ready Antonio's seventh column which relates to; Light & Love! Now here is the introduction written by Antonio along with two original poems, cheers!

Introduction:

 

This poetry duo was realized quite recently, both poems having been written at a quiet time late at night. The poems resonate an allegiance to and inspiration from the divine, arising from my theological interest and Christian faith. I hope that you can, in some way, connect with the themes and vibe of the poetry.

"The Light"

How this day passes

From one to the next,

Hopefully leading

To what we need best.

We believe this truth

Of time yet unseen.

The faith and the love,

His light will still beam.

(c)Antonio Rullez 2016

"His Love"

His love that rises feeds the soul,

Frees the spirit and the mind,

An enlightened journey no longer hidden,

No longer bound, not blind.

Oh the rush of thought and iniquity That had wildly ensued,

Is gently whittled away by humble prayer,

Good will and good news!

(c)Antonio Rullez 2017

 

 

"Act, Sing, Laugh" My Showreel Experiences!

Antonio Rullez – Showreel Experiences

After having composed, over a four year period, the majority of the music for

the original musical “Man of Assisi”, taking on the lead role of St Francis in

most of the performances of the 2013 production was, in many ways,

something entirely different. Parts of my opening night for these

performances feature in both my “Singing and Playing keys” and “Acting”

showreels, but seem only partially to represent the degree of preparation,

emotionally, spiritually, physically and performance-wise overall, required for

this production. It was, in respect of both the rehearsal and performance

process, one of the most rigorous yet rewarding experiences of my career and

life.

Moreover, playing the lead role of Agent Ferrara in the La Trobe University,

Melbourne (Australia) short film “Single Woman Seeks Good Robot” (2011)

was, similarly, though in a filmic context, a delightful time, both in terms of

making the movie and the comradery established between fellow cast and crew

members and the director. This film, shown as part of “Short Flicks” at the

ACMI Cinema (Federation Square, Melbourne), features significantly in my

“Acting” showreel and, on the whole, is one which was well-made and

wonderfully directed and performed.

My time (extending to the present) with the Victorian Ballet School

(Melbourne, Australia) is largely demonstrated, at least performance-wise, in

my “Dance” showreel, which presents extracts from a number of dance and

theatrical performances, of varying styles, between 2009 and 2011. I found

2009 to be a particularly challenging year with respect to dance and, especially

earlier in the year, had noted that it took a considerable amount of time for

certain aspects of my dancing technique to “click into gear”, so to speak.

However, as “concert-time” drew nearer, things started to flow a lot more and

the difficulties that I had faced ultimately held me in good stead for the years

of rehearsals, performances and great times ahead.

 

 

Showreel Links

Acting showreel: http://youtu.be/2nIEC4KTysM

Singing and Playing keys showreel: http://youtu.be/CJJJkSHAsBU

Dance showreel: http://youtu.be/wNMVgZ8PCmE

© Antonio Rullez 2016

"Act, Sing, Laugh" Background, Experiences and Mentors

Having met my now long-time friend, mentor and singing teacher Antonio Maria Lancuba in late 2000, I would not have imagined that some of my vocal practices and knowledge would, from that point on, have changed so dramatically and largely for the better!  After training intensely with Antonio, Voice Specialist and Director of AML Golden Voice Studios (Melbourne, Australia) for extensive periods between 2000 and 2008, I truly came to understand and then began to teach others, the beautiful art of natural, open-throated and physiologically-free, singing.  I was and am so grateful for Antonio’s training and brilliance and for his friendship and guidance, both vocally and personally.

In this context, my meeting, in early 2009, with world-renowned artist, playwright, actor and director John Lee Joo For was not without great temporal and practical significance.  I met John one night through a mutual friend and, as if divinely ordained, John asked me if I had ever composed music for a musical.  I replied that I had composed many songs, but not as yet, for a musical.  Lo and behold, after weekly group training with John in drama, theatre and physical acting for about 7 months, followed by a number of acting and singing workshops, and John presenting me, in 2009, with the script of the eventually entitled “Man of Assisi” (a musical about St Francis and St Clare), in September 2013, the “Man of Assisi” musical was born onstage in 5 action-packed shows!  This was a theatre production that ultimately took the best part of 4 and a half years to be realised, and for which I was very honoured and humbled to be the principal composer, co-director, musical director and co-choreographer and to play the lead role of St Francis in 3 of the 5 shows.

Concomitantly, my journey in January-February 2013, at the heart of the European winter, to a place just below the heart of France, was particularly pertinent in my development personally as an actor and performer.  Our wonderful French lecturer and mentor of this and a number other French subjects, Raphaël Trantoul, having been a theatre actor and performer himself, beautifully and effectively guided myself and the 15 other young male and female students, through the process of preparing for and then performing, a theatre production (in French!) and advantageously, emphasised the importance of working individually and as a team.  This was primarily represented by Raphaël’s numerous and somewhat humorous exercises, which sometimes involved, in rehearsals, the students acting as a “school of fish”.  Later on in my theatre studies at university, my lecturer Dr Rob Conkie, in a Shakespearian context and, in theatre and drama more broadly, further accentuated the significance of working as an ensemble and “feeding off” each other’s lines, gestures, energy and movement and, in addition, as also highlighted by actor and lecturer Tom Considine, the importance of connecting with particular and relatable life moments.

By Antonio Rullez (c)2016

"Act, Sing, Laugh" one has to ENJOY LIFE!

|  Column: "Act, Sing, Laugh"  |  Special Guest Columnist: Antonio Rullez  |

Our own actor, singer/songwriter, dancer Antonio Rullez is sharing some of his great personal passion for the art of poetry. Antonio is taking us into a three part series of his column with a fantastic journey of poetry that he penned and truly adores. The first two entitled; "Times" & "Why The Heart" and now we are featuring the third and final  being; "Life!" These showcase Antonio's gift that expands vastly in the performing arts field. Let's continue the enjoyment of Antonio's poetry in his own words, enjoy!

We are happy to say there are MANY MORE articles that Antonio will be writing for his column. Keep an eye out for the next where he will give us incite into his acting career, behind the scenes, red carpet events, and much more, so stay tuned!

Context

Partly following on from some of the sentiments of my poems, “Why The Heart?” and “Times”, this poem seeks to investigate life overall, as well as some of the more mysterious and subtle aspects of our lives and development as individuals and collectively.

 

Life!

Life is amazing yet can be full of cares

Life bleeds and gives tears of joy

Life leads yet some paths remain unknown

As if time stood still and you’re fully grown

Unrequited, love and other elements

Stagnation, hurt, procrastination but guts…

It will come to pass in the right way

When the courage invested finally illuminates the day!

© 2012 by Antonio Rullez

"Act, Sing, Laugh" Poem of the HEART!

Our own actor, singer/songwriter, dancer Antonio Rullez is sharing some of his great personal passion for the art of poetry. Antonio is taking us into a three part series of his column with a fantastic journey of poetry that he penned and truly adores. The first entitled; "Times" and now we are featuring the second being; "Why The Heart?" The last and final in the poetic series from Antonio is entitled "Life!" These showcase Antonio's gift that expands vastly in the performing arts field. Let's continue the enjoyment of Antonio's poetry in his own words, enjoy!

Context

This poem was written in 2011, at a time when I was studying my Bachelor of Arts (Theatre/Drama major) at University (2010-2015).  The poem represents thoughts and feelings that I had during this time with respect to a special girl at university that I was becoming very fond of.  Nonetheless, as especially reflected by the final 6 lines of the poem, I tried to remain fairly calm and hopeful about it all and look at the overall picture too.

Why the Heart?

You make my heart rise,

It beats twice as fast!

A love without condition

To be left in the dark?

Daunting as it lingers

Yet with someone else you lie

My heart can’t consider it now,

Quietly between myself and I

The first look, the first time

It’s never enough

The months pass swiftly

Friendship builds on emotion and touch

A sleight of hand perhaps

Took away something I might have seen

Though all in good time,

It still can resolve if meant to be

Why does the heart even ponder?

Is it a sin to worry so much?

Ease the mind but keep open the possibility

Of unveiling that diamond in the rough.

© 2011 by Antonio Rullez