From Yarragon to Hollywood

by Nicholas Duck

If you've been to the cinemas recently, chances are you might have seen a local face making a Hollywood debut.

Yarragon's Ethan Bearsley-Smith has graced screens across the world after making his acting debut in the new film Insidious: Out of the Further.
The supernatural horror flick is the sixth in the long-running Insidious franchise and sees Ethan playing the role of a nervous patient at the dentist in an introductory scene for the main protagonist, played by Amelia Eve.
Despite being a relatively minor role, the chance to take part in a bona fide franchise film has left him keen for more.
"I'm very glad to have gotten a part that big because I might have just been an extra who's blurry and you can't even see them but I was in focus, it was just me and the main character in the scene," he said.
"I'm very happy for this to be my first one because even if it's a small role it's a real Hollywood movie."
After winning the part thanks to a self taped audition, filming took place roughly 12 months ago in Essendon.
Ethan ultimately spent the better part of a day on set, even getting his own trailer.
He said while he was waiting to shoot he was feeling very much like his character - nervous.
"I was a bit scared to go on. Waiting when everyone else was filming I was really nervous, I thought I won't even have to act anymore. It helped me," he said.
"When I got there and met everyone they were really understanding. Everyone was really nice."
After he was finished the director announced him to the whole room, telling them it was Ethan's first ever role, which led to a round of applause.
While it's his first professional part on camera, Ethan has had a love for performing from a young age. A member of the Warragul Youth Theatre, much of his life has been spent on and around stages.
He's also familiar with being on camera, having spent his childhood creating homemade films for his YouTube channel.
A keen musician too - with his own Spotify page, no less - Ethan said he had an interest in all kinds of filmmaking processes outside of acting, including writing, directing and composing.
Ethan had the chance to watch the film surrounded by friends and family who were delighted to see him on the big screen - even if some weren't horror fans.
"It was trippy because you're used to seeing big A list Hollywood celebrities on that screen at the Warragul cinema, the fact that I've been on that is mind blowing to me."
He will now continue to pursue his passions, having now had a taste of the big time and loved it.
"I want to keep going with film but I know that's a hard industry to make a living out of. I want to keep acting into the future, hopefully getting bigger and bigger roles."