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 13-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/Project Manager/Promotions
©Miraus Productions
