“Moemaka News and Media Interview with Sumon Aye” Translation

What kind of an Entertainer is Sumon Aye?

· Sumon Aye is a multilingual Australian Actress, Casting Director, Producer, Talent, Model, Writer, Event Host, Playwright and Voice-over artist. She was born in Yangon, Myanmar. She lives in Australia with her family.

Q&As

Q: Sumon, could you please tell us the sort of work you’ve done so far in the industry in a few words?

· I’ve appeared in and worked on a number of films, online advertisements, TV commercials, educational programs and other entertainment projects made by Australian film makers and production companies here in Australia.

Q: What are the current projects you’ve been working on?

· I’m currently working on a number of entertainment projects including three feature films which will be shot and are being shot in Australia.

· One of the feature films that I will be in is called “Natural Injustice”, a thriller drama about a father who comes to grips with dealing with the loss of his son in a tragedy. I will be playing a character in this movie and it will be directed by Warren Coulton (www.azwazfilms.com/).

· Another feature film that I am currently working on is called “Control”, a supernatural romance. It is to be directed by Steve Herczeg and tells the story of a ghost boy who falls in love with a human girl after losing touch with the world for many years.

· This year, I have also produced and starred in an episode which is part of the feature film “Tales Past the Midnight Hour” which contains 6 horror stories that will scare you to the bone. This episode will be directed by Warren Coulton.

Q: What is a Casting Director? (Sumon is also a Casting Director in the Canberra film industry.)

· This job basically involves arranging and opening casting calls for films to find the most suitable actors and actresses that fit in best with the characters in the script, running auditions, discussing the candidates with the director/producers, short listing and selecting the right people to play the characters.

Q: What are your educational qualifications?

· I have a Bachelor degree in Advertising/Marketing.

Q: We see you have been in and worked on Australian films. Have you ever thought about doing the same thing in the Myanmar (Burmese) film and media industry at some stage?

· I really enjoy working with the film mob in Australia and I would be equally honoured to get opportunities to work in the Myanmar media and entertainment industry to shoot TV commercials, music videos or films at some stage in Myanmar (Burma). I also have dreams to bring my own film production team from overseas to shoot a film or a documentary or something to Myanmar in the next few years.

Q: Do you also do some humanitarian work?

· I have been using both my personal savings and income earned from my acting/film work to do some charity work in Myanmar (Burma). I look after the welfare of elderly people and disadvantaged families who are struggling. I take pride in our Myanmar hospitality, social values and beautiful heritage, and would like to urge all the successful Myanmar people from all parts of the world and able world citizens to do whatever they can to help the unfortunate souls in our country. Let’s not forget that there are still poor people out there who are yet to be discovered and it is our role to try finding them and provide any support we can give them.

Q: Could you please tell us about your family, who your parents and family members are, what they do and your childhood?

· I’m a Burmese-born Australian and I was brought up under Buddhist values. My Dad U Aye is a retired Myanmar (Burmese) Ambassador to Australia, Canada, Vietnam and Switzerland, and my mom Nini Win used to serve at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Myanmar. My Uncle (Father’s elder brother) is Dr U Myint who is the current Myanmar President U Thein Sein’s Chief Presidential Advisor. My parents, my three aunts and my nanny who babysat me when I was young are people who give me the reason to live. My priority is to work hard so that I can look after them and give them a comfortable life. I also remain close to my other relatives and friends back home.

Q: How many languages can you speak?

· I speak Burmese, English, basic French and limited German, and have lived around the world for the first 16 years of my life. There are no entertainers in our family except for my uncle Dr U Myint who is a talented guitarist and a good friend of the iconic Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. I think they usually have a good time together with his music whenever she hosts her social events.

Q: Since when did you develop an interest in showbiz?

· I first felt a strong urge to get into showbiz when I was 8 years old but my parents and relatives encouraged me to get a university degree and secure a fulltime job elsewhere before pursuing my dreams. I took their advice onboard so I didn’t get into showbiz until 2012. I have been writing stories, poems and storyboards since 5 years old.

Q: What sort of advice do you wish to offer to the newbies who are interested in showbiz?

Don’t rush into things. Take time to learn the craft carefully through various means. Try and build credit and sufficient experience in your present country before aiming for international recognition, get involved in any film project no matter how small or big they are, accept both paid and unpaid acting work to get experience, be humble no matter how successful you become, respect everyone and appreciate them for the diverse range of skills they have, don’t see others as competitors but instead see them as team members and work together – not against each other as there will always be something good around the corner for everyone. One important advice is: never forget the people who have helped you throughout the journey and always honour and cherish them for all the wonderful things they’ve done for you.