She’s been working in the world of show business since she was a child, but Brodie Cornish shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. Aiming high towards achieving her dreams of a Hollywood acting career, Brodie Cornish has been catching the eye of industry professionals in Australia and the USA, but the job doesn’t come without its share of knocks and rejection. Brodie shares her story below:
As a young Australian woman, what has been the motivation behind your acting, Brodie?
B: Growing up, I was mainly a dancer. My dance studio also taught drama and auditioned for local and national ad campaigns. It wasn’t until one of the older girls at the studio booked a role in the Aussie comedy Mental that I realized I could act for the rest of my life. She’s been one of my idols for a long time now, actually. I’ve always felt at ease behind the camera and loved learning new ways to express myself. When I first started acting I loved the excitement, the energy and the flow of the crew and the sets. As I got older, I enjoyed the challenge of making each role unique with my own flare as well as fitting it in with what the director wanted.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
B: Last year as a whole, I think. 2017 was a really good year! I won my first lot of acting awards with my role in Sophie’s Turn, and was acknowledged at the Australian Screen Industry Network Awards which was pretty cool. The awards were peer-nominated so to win an award there was a really exciting moment for me. Also, I graduated from my learners driving permit, so I can drive a car by myself now and I’m loving it!
How do you cope with the stress of auditions and rejection?
B: Oh, that varies day to day! I have a fairly good mindset and I love a good challenge. I thrive on the audition process and actually get more stressed out if there are no auditions in the pipeline. I crave work, which is amazing and terrible all at the same time. I’m constantly doing things towards my goals, but I’m slowly learning how to wind down and relax when needed, too. Not booking a role is one thing actors have very little control over. If your audition is horrible, you can take the blame and learn from it but if you are just not what they are looking for its not your fault! You just have to move on to the next one. I had a contract just about signed and lost the part because the woman playing my red haired mother pulled out and was replaced by an olive skinned, black haired woman. That was never going to work on the big screen!
What do you love most about acting?
B: I really love being able to tell stories that matter. Teal Soldiers was a moving story raising public awareness of ovarian cancer. I have also worked on the One Punch Can Kill campaign and another campaign for Sudden Adult Death Syndrome. I would really like to work on something regarding autism. My brother is autistic and I find it very disheartening when people don’t understand his behavior. I’m creating a series that deals with some of the issues my brother has faced with his diagnosis. I’m excited to see where it goes.
So, whats next on your to-do list?
B: Well, I have been picked up by US management and am jetting off to Los Angeles later this year to meet up with some industry professionals there. When I get back to Australia I’m coming back to film a role on a new series, which I’m beyond thrilled to start!