Conservatorium graduates reunite for fly-on-the-wall web series
Published:21 August 2018
Sean Miguel Perez plays The Agent alongside other former students from CQUni's Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music, Lauren Hamilton Neill and Matt Laird.
Busy As Usual: The Web Series made it to the winners' list during the recent Web Series Festival, in the Budget Under $1000 category.
The fly-on-the-wall look at what goes on inside a talent agent's office has also been selected for this September's inaugural New Jersey Web Fest and has been nominated for the Michael J. Ajakwe 'Don’t Wait, Create' Award (honouring this pioneer of web festivals).
Busy As Usual has been a labour of love and showcase for CQUniversity Music Theatre graduate Sean Miguel Perez, who serves as director, writer, producer, casting agent and co-editor, as well as acting in the core role of The Agent.
Sean, who is also a talent agent and actor in real life, is supported by a talented cast, including other former students of CQUni's Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music, Lauren Hamilton Neill and Matt Laird.
"One day in the office, I had a quiet moment, which is rare, and came across a web series that was about an actor auditioning," Sean says.
"It was a simple set up with the actor as the star, a guest every episode, with a reader playing a casting director. I thought to myself, why couldn’t I write something as simple as this?” So I did. In 10 minutes, I had a full two-minute episode ready for review. Over the next two months and a few re-writes, I had the whole series written.
"I wanted to produce short and entertaining content that people could watch on mobile as they wait in line for the bus or in the shops - something short, sharp and funny that will keep someone entertained long enough while they’re on the go.
"I feel it’s also important to write Australian content to support the Australian entertainment industry. Writing Australian work and showing Aussie talent will allow the world to see what we can do, what we can produce and also show local producers that we can create world-class entertainment.
"I am very fortunate to have a wonderful network full of talented actors. Being a Talent Agent myself, I was able to turn to my clients who I believe fitted such roles perfectly and I know a number of actors from acting class that I was able to offer roles to or ask for self tapes."
Sean says there are plans for a second season, depending on how season 1 is received by audiences, both nationally and internationally.