INTERVIEW WITH ACTOR JOSS MCWILLIAM

Today I have the immense pleasure of welcoming a very special guest, actor Joss McWilliam, to CINEMATIC REVELATIONS for an interview. Joss has acted in several motion pictures over the years such as THE EMPTY BEACH, THE COOLANGATTA GOLD [my review of the film can be found here] THE SUICIDE THEORY, and MAGDALA ROSE. In this interview Joss will be discussing his part in THE COOLANGATTA GOLD, acting, television, and role as an acting coach.

Welcome to CINEMATIC REVELATIONS Joss!

Athan: When did you first realize that you wanted to be an actor?

Joss: Thanks Athan. I did a bit of acting at school in a number of plays and quite liked it. Then bits and pieces at university. I tried out for NIDA in 1979 and could have got in, but for an all-night drinking session the night before my final audition. I was pretty young and wild and frankly not committed to the idea yet. I travelled overseas and saw some amazing theatre in Stratford and London. During a performance of Duet for One, starring Frances De La Tour, I was so enraged with the actor playing opposite her that I began to stand, to argue with him. Quickly sitting, I couldn’t believe that I had fallen for an imaginary situation. Mind you, it was great acting. That night, I decided that that was what I wanted to do.

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Athan: Where did you study acting?

Joss: On my return to Australia in 1981, I tried out for NIDA and didn’t last the morning. I then spent two weeks at the Ensemble but did not like it at all, so I dropped out and ended up studying privately with an actor called Brian Syron. This was two nights a week in Woollahra. He had studied with Stella Adler so it was in that tradition. When I started working, I feel like I threw a lot of what he taught me away, but at least he taught me to think like an actor. I feel like most of what I have learned has been on the job and I have had the good fortune to work with and learn from some extraordinary actors and directors.

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Athan: Your performance as Steve in THE COOLANGATTA GOLD was the linchpin for all the action in the movie, a young man of many shades, and moods, who was psychologically complex, and thoroughly compelling. What it is that drew you to the part of Steve?

Joss: In my second year with Bryan, I was spotted by Rae Davidson, a casting director at Forcast and asked to audition for The Coolangatta Gold. It was simply a chance to start climbing the greasy pole, an opportunity to start working. After I landed the job, I suppose I found parallels between the character and myself and drew on them for the role. I have always joked that I started at the top and have been working my way down ever since.

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Athan: THE COOLANGATTA GOLD had a prolific cast with yourself, Nick Tate, Robyn Nevin, and Colin Friels as the movie’s central focus, the Lucas family. What was it like working with these performers?

Joss: I had a wonderful time working with Colin and I had the sense he was looking after me. Instinctively, I was drawn to his personality and way of working. There are things that we joked about on that set that still amuse me now. He once gave me Hamlet’s speech to the players at the back of a Grips truck. The perfect acting lesson. I still think of him as my acting brother. Nick was fine, but from a different acting school than the one I was interested in and Robyn, for whatever reason, didn’t speak to me once for the two weeks we were on set. Go figure.

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Athan: THE COOLANGATTA GOLD was about an iron man endurance marathon, with many scenes of training, and the eponymous marathon race itself depicted in the movie. In preparation for the film, did you undertake a training regime, and what was your experience of this?

Joss: When I got the role, I wasn’t that fit, so I spent the next 3-6 months preparing. The week consisted of running many kilometres every second morning alternating with weight sessions on alternate days with the Manly Sea Eagles conditioner. I would swim 50 laps every second day and learn to surf ski on the alternate days. Then every evening I would learn Karate with Paul Starling for two hours. Exhausting. It was difficult at first, but I learned the transformative power of hard exercise and I became incredibly fit.

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Athan: In THE COOLANGATTA GOLD, Steve also attends karate classes, under the instructor of real-life karate master Paul Starling, who played his close friend and confidant. Did you also train in martial arts specifically for the movie, or was this something of which you had prior experience?

Joss: I trained with Paul in Sydney, specifically for the movie. I had no prior experience and since the film have never used those skills again.

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Athan: THE COOLANGATTA GOLD was directed by Igor Auzins, who also helmed the motion pictures HIGH ROLLING IN A RED CORVETTE, and WE OF THE NEVER NEVER. What was it like being directed by Mr Auzins in THE COOLANGATTA GOLD?

Joss: The Coolangatta Gold was my first job and I honestly expected to get more direction than what I got. I have since discovered that most directors just expect you to know what you’re doing. The best directors are collaborative and will work with you to improve performance.

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Athan: Aside from your film work you have appeared in many Australian television shows over the years, from series such as Winners, The Flying Doctors, The Adventures of Skippy, and more recently in The Strip, and Home and Away. From your perspective, what are some of the most striking differences between film, and television production?

Joss: Both film and television at their best re all about storytelling. The most striking difference is the time given to tell the story. You have more time on a film set and there is more care taken on the shot and the content. Quality television is like film these days anyway.

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Athan: You have been an acting coach for over a decade at Angel Studios, which is a professional recording studio in Brisbane, Queensland. What it is that led you to this, and what provides the most satisfaction in seeing students thrive in their aspirations?

Joss: I have been teaching off and on for twenty years. Because acting is a precarious profession financially, I’m sure I took it up to make extra money. There is something satisfying in seeing students grasp the idea that you are trying to get across. I enjoy watching their confidence grow and it is extremely satisfying to see some, as I did, go on to have professional careers. As I was taught, so have I gone on to teach.

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Athan: Do you have any upcoming projects of which you would like to tell readers?

Joss: I did a fantastic show last year called Boy Swallows Universe. There is a chance that it may tour next year nationally. Other than that, I have nothing coming up. This may change overnight, but if it doesn’t and I never worked again, I have no regrets. It is 40 years since I auditioned for The Coolangatta Gold and I have worked on many great projects since then with some wonderful people and have travelled all over Australia.

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Thank you so much for your time today Joss, and for the insight you have provided into the art of acting, THE COOLANGATTA GOLD, cinema, television, and acting coaching. It has been wonderful having you on CINEMATIC REVELATIONS. You are welcome to return whenever you wish.

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Joss McWilliam links

+Joss McWilliam IMDb Actor Page

+THE COOLANGATTA GOLD movie IMDb page

THE COOLANGATTA GOLD (1984)

Title: THE COOLANGATTA GOLD (Alternate title: THE GOLD AND THE GLORY)

Year of Release: 1984

Director: Igor Auzins

Genre: Drama, Sport, Romance

Synopsis: Two brothers aim to compete in The Coolangatta Gold iron man race to appease their father, but he only supports the aspirations of his eldest son in this, causing a rift with his younger son.

Within a film history context: Films with a father-son conflict at their core have been in existence in cinema history since the sound era, with several notable examples. One of the first documented was F.W. Murnau's CITY GIRL (1930). In this movie, a woman marries a farmer, but has to face many difficult situations in her new life. Adding to her issues is the fact that her father-in-law refuses to accept her, this causing a wedge not only in her marriage but also, between father and son. With the exotic FIESTA (1947), directed by Richard Thorpe, a young man does not want to follow in his father's footsteps as a matador, this causing dissension between them, and complicating his sister's life in the process. Mervyn LeRoy's ANY NUMBER CAN PLAY (1949), featured Clark Gable as a casino proprietor whose activities impact not only upon his wife but also, his son, who disagrees with his father's business dealings. CONFIDENTIALLY CONNIE (1953), directed by Edward Buzzell, was of a more comic persuasion. It focused upon a college professor and his wife, and his father with whom he is at odds over the family ranch, where he does not wish to return. 

Edward Dmytryk's BROKEN LANCE (1954) followed a crusty ranch owner, and his four sons. Conflict emerges from how he treats the three older sons of his first marriage, and the very different, close relationship he shares with the youngest son from his second marriage. Western THE HALLIDAY BRAND (1957), directed by Joseph H. Lewis, concentrated upon the wrought relationship between a son and his father, who was an unorthodox sheriff who tried his best to control the lives of him and his siblings, his one son the only person able to take him on. An aristocratic take on matters was offered by Terence Young's MAYERLING (1968). An Austrian prince has a hostile relationship with his father, due in part to the patriarch's insistence on maintaining the status quo of the social order, his son holding more contemporary beliefs in 1880s Austria. Devious doings were the order of the day in THE HORROR OF FRANKENSTEIN (1970), directed by Jimmy Sangster. An utterly odious young man has a falling out with his father over his anatomy experiments, and subsequently kills him, continuing his mission to construct a body, which causes no end of grief. THE COOLANGATTA GOLD was a movie where the father-son conflict was one of the main drivers of action in the narrative.

The father-son difficulties were largely based upon the father's insecurities in THE COOLANGATTA GOLD, and how he came second in a surfing marathon in 1960. The father sees his younger son as the weak link in the family, as he is more motivated toward artistic pursuits such as being a rock band promoter, rather than an athlete. The son sees life in a less competitive manner, just wanting to do what he does, without the burden of being the best. He is constantly berated and belittled by the father, who sees the older son, and brother, as the child who will fulfill his dream of winning the surfing marathon. There are, in effect, elements of the stage father in this movie, which is far removed from the other portrayals, with fathers and sons not connecting for one reason or another.

FIESTA and CONFIDENTIALLY CONNIE had sons who did not want to continue in the life goals of their respective fathers, but THE COOLANGATTA GOLD stood out as the younger son actually wanted the love and esteem of his father, and tried to please him, but could not achieve this. The father could never see the younger son for who he was, and what he wanted out of life. In THE COOLANGATTA GOLD, it was always about what the father wanted for his sons, but not what they wanted for themselves. There was a tragic undertone to the movie where two family members could never see eye to eye, with feelings of resentment expertly depicted. It could be said that Steve in THE COOLANGATTA GOLD was similar to the son in THE HALLIDAY BRAND who tried to break away from his father's influence and carve his own identity. The use of the love interest in THE COOLANGATTA GOLD is also something which diverts from other movies with a father-son conflict.

In CITY GIRL, the father-in-law causes his new daughter-in-law many precarious moments, and, in turn, his son with the treatment of his wife. The wife in ANY NUMBER CAN PLAY is neglected by the husband for his work, and in MAYERLING, the prince has an affair with another woman to take his mind away from his loveless marriage. In THE COOLANGATTA GOLD, matters are much more subtle, and muted in tone. There is none of the melodrama which marked the other movies, but Steve and Kerri meld together in a natural way, real life and emotions making an impact on them. A backwards and forwards momentum marks their union, with Steve's personal, and professional difficulties highlighted, and Kerri's ballet obligations the issues. In addition, Steve's father views his attraction to Kerri as humorous, which is another deviation from the above movies, and view of male-female relationships, and prospective father-in-law. Steve's father does not even exchange a word with his son's love, even though he sees his son speaking with her on the beach, and at the hospital. For these reasons, offering a meaty view of father-son conflict, THE COOLANGATTA GOLD is one of the most extensive on the topic.

Overview: Igor Auzins is an Australian director who has helmed three motion pictures, being more active on television in episodic series, and telemovies. His first movie, HIGH ROLLING (1977), was a rollicking action film about the adventures of two carnival workers, with Joseph Bottoms in the lead role. Mr Auzins' second movie, WE OF THE NEVER NEVER (1982), was an historical story set in early 1900s Australia which had a warm critical reception at the time of its release. It also received a number of awards and nominations in various departments. THE COOLANGATTA GOLD was Igor Auzins' last movie, and one of his most-recognized cinematic efforts.

With THE COOLANGATTA GOLD, Igor Auzins has crafted a strong film which makes a definite impression on the emotions. Taking a deceptively simple narrative line by exploring a family, and how a father wants his eldest son to win an ironman race, effectively casting his younger son aside in the process, it keeps the spectator involved with the various viewpoints, and character desires and needs that are expressed. While there are some fiery moments, these are not forced, and come from the characters with a basis in honesty. The movie itself plays out in a naturalistic manner, eschewing obvious melodrama that can sometimes be jarring. This is one of the merits of THE COOLANGATTA GOLD, being that it is never over the top in its execution. Although the film has certain assets, it does, unfortunately, have downsides which take it down a few notches.

The first half of the movie does establish what is taking place, where, how, and why, but one wishes some sections could have been abbreviated. Several examples come to mind. The sequence where it is revealed that Steve aspires to be a rock band promoter, with the band playing a song in the background, while valuable as insight into his ambitions, is overlong. The song played also is not memorable in any way, especially when compared to a later song in the roof garden scene played by the band. The roof garden scene itself also takes too long to unravel, but the movie makes up for this with Adam's predicament, and the fallout from this. In addition, the later love scene between Steve and Kerri was a tacky 1980s segment that did absolutely nothing to further the story. As with the previously mentioned scenes, it was presumably included to be fashionable for its time, but all seem dated in retrospect. Thankfully, the second half of the movie picks up steam, and the various confrontations and character interactions are closer in proximity, making for a better film. The ending of the film is excellent, where all the pieces come together in a cohesive whole. In looking at the movie as a whole, certain things can be said about THE COOLANGATTA GOLD. It is a stirring film which deserves a higher reputation than what it has had in the past for the affecting experience it delivers to the viewer.

Acting: THE COOLANGATTA GOLD boasts fine performances from its cast which bolster its impact. In the lead role of Steve Lucas, a young man seeking to attain his father's love, but finding this an impossible task, Joss McWilliam is excellent. An actor for whom this was his debut role, he makes Steve a person of many edges, with passion, humor, anger, and sensitivity recalling the volatility James Dean displayed in his parts. As Joe, his father, and the thorn in Steve's side, Nick Tate shows why he is one of Australia's best actors. A performer adept at playing all sides of the emotional spectrum, his Joe could have been a caricature in other hands, but he manages to make him understandable and even sympathetic, despite Joe's treatment of his son. Colin Friels, as the favourite son of Joe, Adam, makes him a strong, but often silent figure in the movie. An actor who instinctively knows how to use his face and eyes, saying much in a non-verbal manner, Mr Friels is another attraction in the picture. His dance scene with Josephine Smulders' Kerri shows him an ace on the floor with his moves. Three other actors contribute great acting in the movie.

As Robyn, wife of Joe, and mother of Steve and Adam, Robyn Nevin is well-cast in a small role which she nevertheless makes the most of in the limited time she has onscreen. An actress who always brings conviction to her parts, making her characters believable to the core, she gives another viewpoint to the film, taking some attention away from the largely all-male perspective displayed. The ballerina who captures Steve's heart is given subtle treatment by Josephine Smulders. A ballerina in real-life for whom this was her only screen role, she is well-matched with Joss McWilliam, her serene and thoughtful nature a nice contrast to Steve's excitability and nerviness. The last actor of note in the film is Paul Starling as Steve's karate instructor. In real-life Mr Starling is a martial artist and karate master, and in the movie brings notes of authority and determination to his role as Steve's instructor, and closest confidant.

Soundtrack: What is most striking about musical accompaniment in THE COOLANGATTA GOLD is Bill Conti's rousing score. It is alternately quiet, passionate, spirited, and suits the story of people striving for the best they can achieve. Additionally, it provided the film with a sense of wonder and grandeur that the visuals many times lack, making up for this considerably. Aside from this, the movie has several rock and pop tunes which do not make an impression on the senses, the best of all these being 'Fraction Too Much Friction', performed by Wilbur Wilde. It functions not only in a pleasant manner, but also as a diegetic comment on the lives of its characters, particularly brothers Steve and Adam in this part of the movie. 

Mise-en-scene: What appears onscreen for viewers in THE COOLANAGATTA GOLD is one of its most problematic aspects. On the one hand, cinematography by Keith Wagstaff is crisp and clear, especially beautiful during the scenes on the beach such as the iron man race, taking advantage of the sun-drenched locations. On the other hand, the locations chosen for the movie, such as the Lucas family home and its surroundings, are unattractive, and do nothing for the film. It could be said that the family home is reflective of its characters, but visually is a liability. This, though, is symptomatic of many Australian films over the years, being how unappealing locations are spotlighted, possibly to create an image of realism, but they offer nothing but an eyesore to viewers. There is also the tendency to plunge the movie into darkness at times, such as the roof garden scene, the car park sequence, and, the private areas of the Lucas family home. Having more agreeable locales would have given the film a boost that the sets and places it utilized just do not possess. In the case of THE COOLANGATTA GOLD, these are not the best backdrop for its excellent cast, failing to serve them properly.

Notable Acting Performances: Joss McWilliam, Nick Tate, Colin Friels, Robyn Nevin, Josephine Smulders, Paul Starling.

Suitability for young viewers: Parental discretion advised. Infrequent coarse language, brief male nudity, brief female nudity, adult themes.

Overall Grade: B

Link: IMDB Page

Trailer