Over the past 25 years, Screenwise has helped hone the skills of Aussie actors like Chris Hemsworth and Yvonne Strahovski. Founder Denise Roberts explains how smart travel has opened doors for her business and students – in Hollywood and beyond.
Australian TV viewers fell in love with Denise Roberts during her long-running role in the ABC drama G.P. “But I actually started as a theatre actor,” she says. “And in the early days, I knew nothing about being on set and on camera.” That was her cue to start Screenwise, a film and TV school that equips actors for screen work. Over 25 years, it has evolved to include Australia’s only government-accredited, full-time Advanced Diploma in Screen Acting, as well as short courses and corporate training. Roberts and her general manager (and Screenwise alumnus) Talia Noon explain how frequent travel has helped them get the school’s name up in lights.
"Travel was essential to establish our credibility in the industry”
“I’ve been working for over 40 years as an actor, producer, director and writer,” says Roberts. “I know what actors should expect from agents and casting directors – and vice versa – so I’m very passionate about technical training. We’ve always flown a lot, domestically and internationally, to be at industry events, festivals and workshops. To build our credibility as a school, we had to network with influential people in the industry. Our trips even helped get quite a few of our graduates US representation. We joined Qantas Business Rewards to maximise the Qantas Points we earn on flights, which saves us money on future travel.”
Tip: Your travellers earn an exclusive bonus of 250 Qantas Points per booking†, when they fly for work, on top of the points and Status Credits they already earn.#
“Cost-effective travel means we can be there when it matters”
“We started going to Los Angeles regularly, sponsoring events like G’Day USA, and our presence in LA took Screenwise to the next level as a school,” says Noon. “We give students the skills to book work in Australia and nail the auditions they do via Zoom for jobs in the US. We’re now a Level 3 Qantas Business Rewards member, which means we access bigger savings and earn more points on flights, which we reinvest for future flights and for upgrades on long-haul trips. Key staff are set up as stored travellers in our Qantas Business Rewards Account so we can book flights and accommodation with ease and be there at the last minute for a student’s big audition or opening night.”
Tip: With over 1,300 destinations across Australia and the world, the Qantas network is built to get you and your travellers wherever you need to be.
“Like technology, our business is always evolving”
“I go to the US often because we need to stay up-to-date with production trends,” says Roberts. “Continuous improvement is a requirement for us as a registered training organisation. For example, the industry is moving away from green-screen backgrounds; we have to be across that. We’ve also been developing Screenwise Corporate, which assists with presentation skills. We’re expanding locally and overseas – and we know Qantas and the oneworld network will get us where we need to be.”
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Important Information
* A business must be a Qantas Business Rewards Member to earn Qantas Points for the business. A one-off joining fee of $89.50 applies, is inclusive of any applicable GST and may be varied by Qantas from time to time, without notice, in its absolute discretion. Membership and Qantas Points for business are offered under the Qantas Business Rewards Terms and Conditions and earning thresholds apply.
† You must be a Qantas Frequent Flyer to earn Qantas Points. A joining fee may apply. Membership and points are subject to the Qantas Frequent Flyer program terms and conditions. Qantas Frequent Flyers will earn 250 Qantas Points per eligible flight booking where a Qantas Business Rewards Member's ABN and the traveller's Qantas Frequent Flyer membership number are quoted at the time of booking. An eligible booking must include a domestic or international flight with a Qantas 'QF' flight number on the ticket that is purchased in Australia; has a ticket number commencing with '081'; and is booked and travelled for business on or after the date the business registers for Qantas Business Rewards. Points will be credited to the Frequent Flyers account within 6 weeks from the date of travel. Points cannot be withdrawn from members' account once credited if the booking is changed or cancelled. No retrospective claims can be made for this offer.
# You must be a Qantas Frequent Flyer member to earn Qantas Points. A joining fee may apply. Membership and Qantas Points are subject to the Qantas Frequent Flyer program Terms and Conditions. Qantas Points and Status Credits (where applicable) are earned on eligible flights with a Qantas or applicable oneworld® Alliance Airline or Airline Partner flight number on your ticket. Qantas Points and Status Credits may not be earned on some fare types and booking classes. See terms and conditions and the Airline Earning Tables for details on the conditions for the applicable airline.
~ Savings are available exclusively to Qantas Business Rewards Members on the base fare of selected fares only and do not apply to taxes, fees and carrier charges. Availability is limited. Member Deals are subject to the Qantas Business Rewards Terms and Conditions.
^^ Classic Upgrade Rewards are available on Classic Flight Rewards in Economy and Premium Economy and eligible paid and confirmed Qantas domestic and international flights, with a QF flight number on your ticket and from time to time on codeshare flights operated by another carrier that have a Qantas (QF) flight number on your ticket. Classic Upgrade Rewards are subject to capacity controls and availability is limited, and some flights may not have any Classic Upgrade Rewards confirmed. Classic Upgrade Rewards are not available from all fare types. See tables for details.
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