Hollywood on the horizon

One Applecross Senior High School student leaps from the school stage to the silver screen as she makes her acting debut in a film streaming on Netflix.

Esther Son, Year 12, credits her drama teachers as the original inspiration to pursue acting, leading her to being cast as Rose in Universal Studios’ Woody Woodpecker Goes to Camp.

The film is a live-action/animated comedy following Woody who tried to make Camp Woo Hoo a home after being kicked out of the forest. 

“I was doing some school productions here and there and I loved being on stage, performing for a crowd and becoming someone else,” she said.  

The passionate performer secured the Netflix role just before entering Year 10, and received support to juggle her filming schedule with her studies.

The film’s set housed a tutor bus, where school-aged actors were required to complete a certain number of study hours. 

“I would go in there and study and then go into hair and make-up, and then study a bit more,” Esther said. 

Following her international debut, Esther has big dreams for an acting career and hopes to travel with her talents.  

“I’d love to continue acting. I think that’s what I really love doing, and it makes me feel really alive,” she said. 

“I’ve been thinking about doing the diploma at WAAPA (Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts) next year, or auditioning for NIDA (National Institute of Dramatic Art).” 

Esther can be spotted playing the role of Rose in Woody Woodpecker Goes Camp, which is now streaming on Netflix.