Julia Savage talks 12-day filming schedule on new Aussie miniseries Mix Tape
Aussie actress Julia Savage is just 18 years old, but already she has marked more than a decade in the industry.
The teenager has a Best Actress AACTA nomination under her belt for her incredible performance in the 2022 psychological drama Blaze, and has starred opposite leading Australian actors Simon Baker and Guy Pearce.
Savage will now appear alongside fellow AACTA nominee Teresa Palmer and British actor Jim Sturgess in the upcoming four-part Aussie miniseries Mix Tape, which premieres on BINGE on June 12.
And even though she began acting at seven years old, starring on hits such as The Clearing and Mr Inbetween, the young star doesn't take any of it for granted and is always ready to give it her all.
Julia Savage stars in the upcoming Binge Original Series Mix Tape. Picture: LisaThe 18-year-old has been in the acting industry since she was seven years old. Picture:'Every time I'm on a set and I'm lucky enough to be invited to come on, I'm so grateful,' she told news.com.au from the Sydney set.
'I've been very lucky to grow up in an environment surrounded by adults who are validating me in my craft and following creative physics pursuits and my passions. But sets are my favourite place in the world. It's something I'm very lucky to be able to do at the level and with the people that I do.'
In Mix Tape, Palmer and Sturgess play former 80s high-school sweethearts Alison and Daniel who are now living in Sydney and Sheffield, respectively, but reconnect in the modern world through songs from their shared past.
Stream Mix Tape on BINGE from June 12, available on Hubbl.
The cast of Mix Tape (from left to right) Ben Lawson, Julia Savage, Teresa Palmer, Jim Sturgess, Chika Ikogwe and Jacqueline McKenzie filmed for 12 days in Sydney and the Southern Highlands. Photo credit BINGE
Savage plays Alison's daughter Stella, who triggers her memories about Daniel. And when a chance encounter brings the former flames together after 20 years, they are forced to confront their past.
Savage and Palmer filmed intensely for 12 days in Sydney and the NSW Southern Highlands before production on the Lucy Gaffy-directed film moved to Dublin, Ireland.
The filming schedule was intense, but Savage was ready to do the hard work on the miniseries, which is based on the critically acclaimed novel of the same name by Jane Sanderson.
Filming of the flashback scenes then took place in Dublin with Rory Walton-Smith and Florence Hunt playing the younger versions of Palmer and Sturgess' characters. Photo: Binge
'It has been a whirlwind, but it's been amazing. I just take it one day at a time every day and do the best I can do,' Savage said. 'I think in an industry where the projects you create can't go forward without every single person giving their 100 per cent, it's so important to remember that this really is the most collaborative kind of art you can make and it's the most labour-intensive art you can make.
'I think remembering that and remembering that everyone here is doing a job and they're all here to make art and make something beautiful.'
Sturgess and Palmer play high school sweethearts Daniel and Alison who reconnect through songs from their past. Picture: Binge
Young Alison (Hunt) and Daniel (Walton-Smith) fall in love as teenagers before life takes them in different directions. Picture: Supplied
Naturally, Palmer – a soon to be mum-of-five – took Savage under her wing on set and the young star can't sing her praises enough.
'Teresa is one of the most beautiful people inside and out. She's really a ray of sunshine. She always makes me laugh on set,' Savage said.
'In terms of having to play mother-daughter, it's always felt very easy with Theresa. It's never felt there was anything forced and there was always just this amazing sense of trust between us and I'm really grateful to have had that.'
Savage puts on an incredible performance as Palmer's troubled daughter Stella in the miniseries. Picture: Binge
Palmer's Alison is triggered by Stella's circumstances and grows nostalgic of her life with Daniel. Picture: Binge
And it's not just Palmer who has given Savage some sage advice on set. The rising star says Simon Baker was a great father-figure three years ago when they filmed Blaze, where she played a young girl who, after witnessing a violent event summons an imaginary dragon to help her process her trauma.
'When I worked with him on Blaze, he was very nurturing as my father,' she said. 'I've learned a lot of amazing things from the actors I've worked with. They've given me lots of life lessons, especially to do with my craft. I really take with me things like pause, take your time and to not think about what's going on around me and just do what I'm here to do.'
Savage and Simon Baker in the 2022 film Blaze, which earned her a Best Actress nomination at the AACTAs. Picture: Causeway films
'It's been very validating, especially in an industry where I'm usually the youngest person on set, to have older actors trusting me and trusting what I'm doing and helping me to do the work.'
Despite her success at such a young age, Savage says she has faced her fair share of criticism. But she drowns out the noise by surrounding herself with the right people.
'I'm younger, so there's obviously a little bit of scepticism regarding whether I'm happy doing what I'm doing,' she said. 'I can attest to the fact that I definitely love this job, but it's definitely something that you learn to deal with.
'But everyone's been super supportive. It's amazing to have such a strong foundation of support, be it on crew, be it your family, be it your friends. It's a very valuable thing to have.'
Mix Tape premieres Thursday, June 12 at 8:30pm on BINGE, available on Hubbl and watch On Demand on Foxtel
Originally published as Rising star Julia Savage talks 'whirlwind' 12-day filming schedule on new Aussie miniseries Mix Tape
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
2 hours ago
- News.com.au
‘Get real, mate': Aussie comedian shuts down plane request
Aussie comedian Tom Cashman has revealed the moment he shut down a fellow passenger when they asked to switch seats on a plane. The Taskmaster Australia co-host was on the second leg of his journey between Singapore and London when he was approached by a passenger who had a request to make. In a video posted to TikTok, the 35-year-old revealed, 'I was boarding a flight and I was taking my seat when the guy asked me very nicely... He asked a favour, 'Can I switch seats with you so I can sit with my fiance?'' Cashman said the man who had requested the seat change was sitting to the left of him, across the aisle. To Cashman's right was the man's fiancé. 'He said, 'Feel free to say no'. 'I felt very free to say no.' Cashman showed a picture of the seat that he had paid $180 extra for, saying that it was a 'seat sent from God' due to the amount of legroom it offered. He pointed out that another passenger was putting his stuff, including a pillow, in his designated legroom, but he didn't 'even give a s**t' because he had so much excess space. 'This is unbelievable, I've never seen anything like it. It's better than business class.' 'It's disheartening being a comedy performer, on the way to a comedy festival who finds themselves knowing for a fact that they will never elicit a laugh as true and as guttural as the one they did in a man's face on the trip over. 'Because is this guy kidding? 'Get real, mate.' The comedian also admitted that while the passenger had asked very politely, he was also annoyed for another reason. 'What also p**sed me off about this guy, is first of all, he's in a relationship,' he said. 'He's got a fiancé. Congratulations to the beautiful couple. 'I don't have a fiancé so he's rubbing my face in that. 'Not only that, but he wasn't even tall,' Cashman added. 'He was way less tall than I am. Basically this guy is asking for something he doesn't need to enjoy something in front of me that I don't have. 'It'd be like if I found out an old guy on the flight and asked to borrow his cane and then used the cane to scroll YouTube shorts. 'I can't begrudge the man though. 'He's done me a big favour, because now when people ask me if I've seen Happy Gilmore 2, I get it. I say, yes I have, and in my opinion, it's best enjoyed 30,000 feet in the air, feet outstretched, flanked by two furious fiancés. The video has racked up over 650,000 views, with more than 53,000 likes. Many people online agreed with Cashman's decision to veto the request. 'He definitely planned that. Glad you said no' 'He has a whole life ahead of him with his fiance, you had limited time with this perfect seat. The nerve.' '100% they didn't book that seat because of the price, booked the two they did, and hoped they could just get the switch done when they asked,' 'I don't think I could stop myself from laughing at that request.' 'I will NEVER swap seats on a plane again. You wanna sit with your child/partner/family? Idk maybe book seats together.'
News.com.au
3 hours ago
- News.com.au
Huge US chain set to open in Australia next month
It's official, another American chain is set to break into the Australian market — and if you've watched any US-based family films in the last decade, you'll be familiar with this one. Chuck E. Cheese, which first opened its doors in 1977 in San Jose, California, was one of the first dining establishments where kids could overindulge in pizza, games and marvel at animatronics. Now, there are more than 570 locations around the world — and Australia is set to get its first store next month. Chuck E. Cheese will open its doors in Joondalup, in Perth's north, on September 6. The family-centric dining establishment is being brought to Australia by Royale Hospitality Group, who also franchises Milky Lane and Planet Royale, in partnership with CEC Entertainment Inc. The venue, which is 1,622sqm, boasts of an Adventure Zone, which features a massive multi-story indoor playground that is set to have a six-metre interactive rock climbing wall, a ball pit with inflatable boats, a spider climb, a Ninja Warrior-style obstacle course and a giant spiral slide. There is also a Game Zone boasting of more than 100 arcade games, and VIP party rooms. Meanwhile, the fast food giant's menu will have items such as wings, salads, fruit and veggie platters, unicorn churros, Dippin Dots — and, of course, Chuck E. Cheese's signature pizza. understands that while Chuck E. Cheese is beloved glovally, the experience has been tailored to Australia. 'Everything from the menu to the entertainment offering reflects Aussie tastes, culture, and expectations. It's not a carbon copy of the U.S. - this is a fresh, fun, and uniquely Australian version of Chuck E. Cheese, designed with local families in mind,' a spokesperson told It was decided now was the time due to a 'real gap' in the market, particularly when ti comes to inclusive family spaces. Social media users are already abuzz with the news, after content creator @iamadibb spotted a sign for the venue while driving. 'I had to pull over to show you this. What the f*** is that? A f***ing Chuck E. Cheese in Perth,' he said. He initially expressed his hesitation, asking why so many American businesses were opening in Australia, but said he was excited to try it 'for science'. Fellow social media users were quick to share their response, with many referencing the growing number of American chains cropping up in Australia. In the last 12 months alone, Wendy's, Wingstop and Auntie Anne's have all opened their doors on Australia's East Coast. 'Wendy's (the actual burger and not ice-cream) is in Queensland, Taco Bell and now this,' one social media user said. Another said: 'I only want Raising Canes, Olive Garden and Starbucks and maybe just Wingstop.' 'God help us, we are being colonised,' another added. One commented: 'Perth gets nothing but they get a Chuck E. Cheese??' 'Close to it too dayum, hopefully opens before I go back to Melbourne,' another added. One said: 'HAHAHAHA yessss the people need to go for science!' The venue will be open seven days a week, and serving food until 10pm. To celebrate the opening, one Western Australia child will win Unlimited Adventure Play for One Year. Entries close on September 18. A spokesperson from the brand revealed that currently, the focus is solely on making Perth's launch a success — and then opportunities for growth will be explored.
News.com.au
4 hours ago
- News.com.au
The Sydney party that men weren't allowed into
On Saturday night while the city was smashed by rain, many women relaxed at home, cooked up some dinner, caught up with friends or tucked their children into bed. But, in a different corner of Sydney, thousands gathered armed with sparkles and unicorn doof sticks. Centennial Park's Hordern Pavilion was flooded with mothers and wives, bosses and CEOs, from all different walks of life. But they all had one thing in common; they were women and they came to party. The Disco Club is Australia's biggest women's only disco and is run by Brisbane-born and raised best friends and podcasters, Lise Carlaw, 46, and Sarah Wills, 45, who describe the experience as 'everything you miss about clubbing and nothing you don't.' With tickets sitting around the $100 mark, disco-goers get a complimentary welcome drink, three hours of uninterrupted partying, food trucks and access to multiple on-site bars. In this economy, you'd be lucky to hit a club and spend under $200 for the drinks, entry, Ubers and late-night feeds – so, bargain! Best friends Lise and Sarah, who also host the popular 'Lise and Sarah' podcast, first created the idea for their women's only space in 2022. The pair 'hired a room at a bowls club in Brisbane, borrowed a speaker, shared a microphone, and pressed play on music they love to 80 women.' The mothers met in their 30s and after discovering their 'extraordinary chemistry and genuine friendship,' the rest was history. As a 23-year-old I was definitely outside of the core demographic for Disco Club revellers, with most appearing to sit around the 40-year age. But that didn't bother me for one minute, and why would it? Led by my mum (a child of the 70s), who was keen to bring her retired feral party girl out, and my slightly mortified 20-year-old sister – we entered the event hall where the sea of sequins stretched further than the eye could see. Everywhere you look are women of all different ages dressed head-to-toe in sparkles – some who haven't been on the dancefloor for decades – laughing and partying with the same girlfriends they've had for 20 years. The dancefloor was pumping by the 7pm start time, with hits by Britney, Whitney, Madonna and Dolly riling up the crowd. When Lise and Sarah asked the crowd their ages, screams of women in their 40s and 50s filled the space, solidifying who was at the core of the club. The pair then asked the crowd who will be the 'sweatiest feral rat girl of them all' and spoiler, it might have been me after clocking 17,000 steps on the dance floor. The night that followed was three hours of intense singing and dancing to everyone's favourite 80s, 90s and 2000s classics, accompanied by lasers, confetti canons and onstage fireworks. It was an electric space where women could chuck their handbags in the middle of the floor, leave their drink while they went to the bathroom and occupy all the space they wanted.
