A zombie pandemic broke loose at LASALLE on Saturday, 11 January 2014, as stars of the hit drama series, The Walking Dead, Andrew Lincoln and Norman Reedus arrived on Singapore shores to help combat the contagious phenomenon – with students from the Faculty of Performing Arts in the thick of the action.
“The team at FOX International Channels were aware of the excellent reputation of LASALLE's BA(Hons) Acting,” said Programme Leader Edith Podesta. “We worked together to create an event where the LASALLE actors could showcase their craft, while learning from the two highly esteemed professional actors from The Walking Dead."
At The Walking Dead Live, students decked out as zombies battled against Andrew and Norman in a series of challenges as the actors showed off their skills, and fought their way through an obstacle course on the LASALLE campus green. The students then had the privilege of attending an exclusive masterclass with Andrew and Norman.
“As an actor about to enter the industry, it was very inspiring for us to be able to speak to, and learn from actors as successful and talented as Andrew Lincoln and Norman Reedus,” said student Andrew Sutherland. “They were humble but totally self-assured, and very generous with their stories and professional experiences. I was fortunate enough to perform a scene for them in the masterclass and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity and their constructive feedback. I learned a great deal about the nuances of acting for television, as well as audition and screen test advice, throughout the whole process,” added Andrew.
Classmate Chanel Chan recalls a particular piece of advice that inspired her: “Andrew and Norman both preached that actors should always trust their gut instincts, because that makes the role truly you – there's no one out there like you. Simple as this piece of advice is, it gave me a jolt of confidence and I will remember it for the rest of my career.”
Andrew and Norman also shared anecdotes and insights on the show and their acting careers with an audience of about 500 people at a one-and-a-half hour exclusive dialogue session. The session, held in The Singapore Airlines Theatre, was attended by students and staff of LASALLE, guests of FOX International Channels and StarHub TV subscribers who won a competition.
