To sum Harveys’ work up in one breath isn’t easy but here we go: Actor/Writer/Director/Producer - Harvey Zielinski, is a two-time Heath Ledger Scholarship finalist and a Casting Guild of Australia Rising Star Award recipient.
His career to date involves:
Catherine Hardwicke’s (Twilight) sci-fi series Don’t Look Deeper, where he plays series lead Abel.
Love Me (for Warner Bros., starring Bojana Novakovic and Hugo Weaving),
Spreadsheet(Paramount+, starring Katherine Parkinson),
Why Are You Like This (ABC/Netflix)
Get Krack!n (ABC).
In Theatre: stage credits include Malthouse Theatre Company’s production Because the Night (Matt Lutton).
Harvey’s first audiobook narration for Craig Silvey’s (Jasper Jones) Honeybee earned him a 2021 ABIA Audiobook of the Year nomination.
And that’s not even the half of it!
Harvey recently wrapped on the Amazon Original comedy series Deadloch, and generously gave us his some of his time whilst abroad pitching his feature.
I’m thrilled Harvey could share a little more insight into what becoming a ‘slashie’ has all been like.
“ I do wish that representation - I’m thinking particularly of gender diverse representation, was more complex and multidimensional .”
- Harvey Zielinski
Welcome Harvey!
What is something you’re glad is becoming more mainstream?
I mean I’m super glad that the industry is prioritising diversity, of course.
But, I do wish that representation - I’m thinking particularly of gender diverse representation, was more complex and multidimensional.
I’d also like to see more stories where TGNC identity is not a plot point or a defining character feature whatsoever, stories where that person just exists in the world like all of the other characters, with their own flaws, strengths, dreams.
What/who inspired you to go down this path?
I started acting at eight years old. My parents put me in classes as a confidence building thing and pretty much from day one I decided this was going to be the focus of my entire existence! haha. I felt expressive and alive in a way I hadn’t felt before.
Suddenly it was a really good thing to be full of feeling, playfulness was a deliberate practice and goal, truly connecting with and deeply reading other humans was vital. I loved all of the principles and it was so unbelievably joyous to me.
Fostering this dream is no easy task. Were your parents on board?
My parents have always been really supportive. My mum’s an author and an artist so she kind of has to be lol. But seriously, my parents really value art and really believe in pursuing whatever makes you tick and for that I’m really grateful.
How did you decide to combat creating this space in this often confronting environment ?
I loved drama school. I thought it was wild that I got to spend all day every day for three years just trying to become a better actor; rolling around on the floor being an echidna and stuff. Ludicrous.
I think any discussions around ‘type’ and ‘cast-ability’ always made me uncomfortable because it’s hard to have those chats without inadvertently re-enforcing what’s narrow, reductive and outdated on our screens. I tried to tell myself to just focus on becoming the best, most motivated actor I could be.
That got you to finding your voice, developing your artistry and setting dreams beyond our boarders, but you still had to go through many firsts…
Do you remember your first audition?
I think my first audition was for a musical when I was around eight. This is excruciatingly embarrassing, but I did Miss Trunchbull’s monologue from Matilda and sung Vanessa Amorosi’s ‘Shine.’ What a treat for the panel!
Are there any specific routines you still have / adopted for audition prep?
I have my way of breaking down scripts but I’m also flexible in it, different jobs require different approaches. I love the Script Rehearser App for learning sides!
After no doubt several auditions, do you remember booking your first role?
I remember booking my first role after attending The National Theatre.
The day after my end of year showcase I auditioned for Taylor Mac’s Hir at Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre, and when they called me to tell me I’d booked it I ran around my living room screaming with my partner. I absolutely loved that play and team and it’s still one of my fondest acting memories .
Which is a character that stands out as a character you’ve loved getting to live as ?
I absolutely loved playing Abel in Catherine Hardwicke’s sci-fi series Don’t Look Deeper. Aside from getting to work alongside absolute legends and masters ( incl. Helena Howard (The Wilds) , Don Cheadle (Avengers) Emily Mortimer Mary Poppins Returns) . It was so exciting to play a hitman. He was tortured, complex, ruthless, funny. There was a lot of meat to that role. I have a soft spot for bad guys.
Now - you’ve just wrapped ‘Deadloch’. Tell us about working on this production and what we can look forward to in 2023 ?
I’m not sure what I can say about Deadloch yet other than this is a whip-smart, subversive, truly hilarious show that I’m overwhelmingly proud to be a part of! The Kate’s ( Kate McCartney and Kate McLennan) are really changing the face of Australian TV. We need this show and I can’t wait for you all to see it in 2023.
Harvey’s debut feature ‘Sweet Milk Lake’ has been supported by the VicScreen/Arenamedia/SBS ‘Originate’ initiative, Screen Australia, Imagine Impact (the brainchild of Ron Howard and Brian Grazer) and the Australian Broadcasting Commission. In September 2022 ‘Sweet Milk Lake’ was one of 42 feature film projects to take part in the 17th Ontari Creates International Financing Forum (TIFF).
Harvey will be directing, writing acting in and producing ‘Sweet Milk Lake’ (alongside Producer Rosie Lourde) .
You realise ‘Sweet Milk Lake’ has officially made you a *shlashie*
How’d the decision to do the lot (Writer/Director/Producer) come about?
I started writing ‘Sweet Milk Lake’ in 2020, because I can’t ever stop working haha and finally I had the time to really write in a dedicated way.
I definitely wrote it always knowing I’d play Jake, but the decision for me to direct is relatively recent. I was encouraged in it by my team and because this is such a deeply personal story that both needs a gender diverse director and very much utilises my own brand of humour it just made sense.
I’ve directed theatre, I coach actors and I’ve always wanted to move into directing film. It’s just been a matter of finding the right timing. Particularly after shooting our proof of concept, I am so excited to step into directing SML.
Pitching a film to U.S market isn’t as rosie as some may imagine.
What would you tell to others who are also taking their story to an international market?
I think my biggest advice is probably just to back yourself and know your worth. You have to be your biggest advocate and fan.
I’d also say - you need to find your people instead of trying to please everybody. Find people who are on your wavelength ideologically and creatively who you admire and deeply trust.
“Don’t be afraid to ask for things, to reach out! The worst that will happen is you’ll be told no.” - Harvey Zielinski
For real now, in your career to date - has there ever been a time you wanted to throw in the towel ? What did you do to keep moving forward ?
I’ve definitely had countless moments like this. Ultimately what has kept me going is that I always turn rejection into more fuel. I’ll take a day, feel my feelings and then somehow it turns into more fire.
Harvey, what’s the big dream ?
The big dream! Hmmm. I want to keep making films and tv shows and acting in them. Acting will always be my first love. Ultimately, I want to be a consistently working, internationally renowned actor who constantly has the opportunity to wrestle with challenging, meaty material that frightens me.
Thank you Harvey for sharing the world you are creating with us.
Beyond thrilled you’ve taken the time and cannot wait to see ‘Sweet Milk Lake’ on our screens.
That’s the Wrap On Harvey, folks! Keep up with his latest on Instagram . Coming up for Harvey:
Director’s Attachment for The Newsreader S2 (Emma Freeman, Werner Films for the ABC)
Play commissioned by Malthouse Theatre in Melbourne.
In November/December 2022, Harvey will be playing Chris in the Angus Cameron play Cavemxn, directed by Bronwen Coleman for Anthropocene Theatre.