www.austinmacdonald.com

Austin's Blog Summer 2010

Another year gone, grade 9 was not as easy as I thought it would be! “
Just found out I booked a role on a feature film called Jesus Henry Christ. It is being produced by Lisa and Julia Roberts same ones who I did Kit Kittredge with. Dennis Lee is directing and I am playing a bully again named Brian!! Lol It is currently being filmed here in Toronto
“Living in Your Car” is now airing on TMN/HBO Friday nights, I play Scott. It stars John Ralston, Colin Cunningham, Ingrid Kavelaars and tons more amazing actors. It’s produced by the Nightingale Company www.thenightingalecompany.com I had a chance to work with one of my favorite directors Bruce McDonald as well as Paul Fox and David Steinberg. Keeping fingers crossed we get picked up for another season.
All year I have been collecting backpacks for an organization called Blessings in a back pack. We had a battle of the bands event at the Tattoo Rock Parlor to help get the message out. Angela and I were able to get up and say a few words about how great the program is. I have been working really hard at finding schools and community centers to help out as well. Cayley Pozza from West 49 was able to get her gang to round up some backpacks to donate. Catherine from Billabong Canada delivered another box of back packs, which makes 2 big donations from her!!! A big thank you to you all.
Below is an article from the local newspaper.
http://www.mississauga.com/community/community/article/159709
You will find the” Blessings in a back pack” website here
www.blessingsinabackpack.ca
I went out to LA in April for The Young Artists Awards. I was nominated for an award and also was asked to present the “biggy award” of the night. I had an awesome time; I went with my “cuz” Aj Saudin and my TV sister Cassidi Hoag. I went out to The Saddle Ranch for dinner with Jordan, Joey, Dawson, Cassidi, and lots of others we had a great time, oh also had the chance to hang out with one of my best friends Aria Wallace, who just moved to Nashville with her family to record her CD!
The awards were great saw Lei brothers, Hunter, Ty, Brandon, Shemar, Andy and so many more. There are pics on my FB fan page. Lots of great video and pics on a lot of other websites.
I had several chances to hang out with and see my friends who are in the band SoundSpeed. They played the Opera House the other day and were awesome; they get better every time they play. Make sure you goggle them and take a sec to listen. Keep up the great work.

Here are a few things I have been up to this past season :
Little Mosque on the Prairie”, (season IV). I had a small recurring role as Zack Whitman, a school newspaper reporter. It airs on CBC. www.cbc.ca/littlemosque
I did the West 49 photo shoot for a holiday campaign. Here is a link with a few pics from it http://content.yudu.com/A1ior2/W49-Holiday-09/resources/index.htm?referrerUr
Work on the Ron James on his TV series and got to do a little improve as it is filmed in front of a live audience. It aired New Years day. I think you can catch all the episodes of it on the CBC website.
I also scored a role in a pilot for a new teen series called “Haunters” produced by Sinking Ship Productions .They will be shopping it around to see if it gets picked up. It is about a group of teens who are ghost hunters.
I went to the Degrassi goes Hollywood Premier with one of my best friends Aj Saudin. Lots of fun!!Then there was the premier of the newly issued Disney “Snow White” movie. Was awesome got to see all the “Disney kids” I have worked with. Cast’s from, Camp Rock 2, Latest Buzz, Degrassi, Life with Derek, Roxy Hunter, Aaron Stone, Connor Undercover and many more.
You can see new videos on my you tube page Miraus. You can also get daily up to date pictures and stories on my Facebook fan page. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Austin-MacDonald/28428854382
I had fun with Rita Zekas who writes for the Toronto Star. She did a bit on me in the Star choosing school clothes for fall. www.thestar.com/article/686385 Thank you West 49 and Billabong for all your help!! The clothes are amazing.
In between all this I am continuing my Martial Arts, doing voice lessons with Ian Garratt and working with Lewis Baumander my acting coach.
Auzzy

The word philanthropist is a big one, with a very important meaning, but it is one that can honestly be applied to Austin.
Austin is a young man who has grown up in a warm, close knit family in a pleasant suburban neighborhood, with nothing lacking.
Through his career in the film industry he has been exposed to parts of cities and towns not quite so pleasant. Here, he began to realize that not everyone has a warm bed and food on the table.
An avid reader and follower of current events and environmental issues, he has developed an interest in giving his time to organizations which help those less fortunate than him.
From an early age he has been involved in a caliper program for Sick Kids, a very successful anti-bullying campaign and some selected charity fashion shows.
He is presently very involved with a program called Blessings in a Backpack. This is a program that collects new or gently used backpacks and with financial donations they are filled with nutritious food for the weekend. It guarantees that the kids have food over the weekend. Each child is given their own bag which they pick up Friday after school and return Monday morning.

Austin is a warm and friendly young man and will go out of his way to take time to smile and chat to a lady pushing a doll in a stroller, on a Toronto street. He has no issues with and does not judge, those that are “unique” or suffer with mental health problems.
We have not seen the last of Austin’s giving nature

Website

http://www.teenstarsonline.com/austin_macdonald.html

http://www.teenidols4you.com/gallery/957/austin_macdonald.html

http://ca.youtube.com/user/miraus

http://www.myspace.com/auzzy2715

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Austin-MacDonald/28428854382

Highlights and Events

"Kit Kittredge Red Carpet Premier Newyork"

"Austin on the Rick Mercer Report CBC

"Contact Music.com"

"Teens Stars On Line"

"Teen Idols for you"

"Expo Say Celebrity News and photos"

Los Angeles Interview "One on One"

Latest Commercials

"Sirius Radio Commercial"

XSD Martial Arts Demo
Click on image for video

"Canadian Cheese Commercial"

"Ford Flex 1 Commercial"

"Ford Flex 2 Commercial"

"Ford Flex 3 Commercial"

Awards

Biography

Austin Macdonald: Born July,17,1995

When Austin was four he started doing print photography for advertising.
Following in his sister Miranda Jade’s footsteps, led to him becoming involved in work in several commercials and some movie making roles.
Austin found he really enjoyed the experiences and has started broadening his horizons by taking stage drama, private coaching, camera work, dance and voice lessons.
He is a very outgoing, humorous and a friendly individual and has also managed to stay grounded in between it all. He is a quick learner and takes direction very well. He enjoys video games, reading, skateboarding, Krav Maga self defence and baseball among other things.
Austin is also a member of the ACTRA organization.
His ambition is to play a future James Bond and land a big Hollywood role someday. He is very excited now that he has his Austrian citizenship and passport. This means he can work and travel in Europe without Visa’s etc…
The light sprinkling of freckles on Austin MacDonald's face along with the big
azure blue eyes and various different looks has established him a picture perfect candidate for television and movies.

This 14-year-old has the distinction of acting in a string of commercials for some top
brands in the country: You know him as the perky boy gorging on Kellogg's Tony
Turboz breakfast cereal, the traumatized kid in the public service announcement
against bullying, the smiling boy in the Dempster’s bread commercial or from several TV series and feature films. Austin made his debut in the acting field 4 years ago and has accomplished a lot.
His natural charm, his big blue eyes and his ability to take direction well are
what make him popular among the crew.
Some stints take an hour of shooting while others last several days, but through it
all, he has learned that there are no shortcuts in life, especially when you have to

straddle two identities, one as a student with demanding school work and the
other as a busy actor.
Austin’s Parents said his success does not grant him any special
privileges at home or in school. He has chores like everyone else.

"Auditions are always after school," He's a member of ACTRA, so there are a
lot of rules, but it is for his safety. If he has to miss any school they provide him with a tutor. He has a lot of support from his teacher and the admin at his school. They will give him his work ahead of time so that we can work either at home or during the in-between time on the sets with a tutor.
His parents enrolled him in "The Acting Studio" in Meadowvale and soon after he received
coaching from actor Dean Armstrong and Michael Caruana. He now is working with Shawn Lawrence from Dean Armstrong’s Studio. “I am still working on the having to cry on cue thing!”
The downside of a successful acting career can sometimes lead to the discomfort of battling extreme
weather conditions while on an outdoor shoot. Recently, while filming a commercial for
Kia cars, Austin and his make-believe family had to be outdoors for hours wearing fall
clothing while the temperature that day dipped several degrees below zero. Or being chased through the forest at 2 am for Roxy Hunter. Can’t forget getting your arm eaten off by a monster in Jack Brooks or having a can of paint poured over your head.
A demanding career does not stop Austin from enjoying sports, hanging out with kids
from the neighborhood, watching action movies and getting used to all the
attention he gets from strangers who recognize him from his work.
"I am just a normal kid," he said.
Austin continues his career and has expanded into movies and other areas hopefully to learn all facets of the industry. Austin’s agent Sandra Gillis from "Premier Artists" has helped excel Austin’s career. Sandra has gone above and beyond in helping Austin achieve his goals of becoming a successful actor. She is not only an agent but a friend . In the end Austin really enjoys his work and always looks forward in the future taking it day by day.

Please feel free to learn more about Austin and the community on our web site.

Allan MacDonald
Web Production/Design/Print/Video

Helen MacDonald
Photographer/Promotions

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