Flynn Henry is keeping busy, which might be putting it lightly.
When we catch up, Flynn Henry in LA with a self-tape for a Canadian feature to film, production meetings lined up, lunch with a theatre producer and a tap class still to come.
It’s a pretty neat snapshot of where he’s at right now – acting, producing, writing and keeping one foot in musical theatre.
His credits already include Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom the Musical and the upcoming Tom Hanks-led Greyhound 2, while a couple of summers working inside Lionsgate’s casting department gave him a look at the industry from a completely different angle.
He’s also co-founded Sook Productions, with the aim of making more work of his own and bringing young Australian creatives along for the ride.
We caught up with Henry to talk Greyhound 2, Sydney versus LA, creating your own opportunities, Robert Pattinson and the ongoing emotional toll of supporting the Wests Tigers.
HAPPY: What are you up to today?
FLYNN HENRY: I’m over in LA at the moment, and today’s a pretty busy one actually.
This morning I’ve got a pretty solid self-tape audition to film in the garage for a Canadian feature film, then straight into some production meetings for my production company’s next project, followed by lunch with a theatre producer to chat about a few upcoming musicals and finally a tap class to get a bit of a workout in!
HAPPY: You’ve worked across film, television, theatre and live performance. How do you describe what you do these days?
FLYNN HENRY: I’d say I’ve got my fingers in a few pies, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
At the moment I’m particularly focused on film and television projects, as well as developing my own work.
The majority of my time is taken up by auditioning both in Australia and Canada as well as writing scripts, pitch decks and treatments for my next project, planning to shoot early next year!
HAPPY: What were you doing when you found out you’d landed Greyhound 2?
FLYNN HENRY: When I found out that I was a decent shot at landing the role, I was over in LA meeting with a theatre producer about some work for their upcoming season.
I didn’t have any real plans to return to Sydney anytime soon but decided to take a chance and book a flight that night in case I got the role – I guess I had a feeling.
When I landed in Sydney at 9am, my agent started blowing up my phone, saying that casting wanted to zoom at 12.
I rushed home, quickly setup and essentially went straight into that session on basically no sleep.
The next week I didn’t really hear anything and basically had my phone glued to my hand at all times in case that call came through.
One morning I was checking the surf at Manly, my local beach, when I got a call from my agent, and I knew before picking up that it’d be the good news I was waiting for.
HAPPY: You’ve worked with Baz Luhrmann and now on a Tom Hanks-led production. What have you picked up from watching people operate at that level?
FLYNN HENRY: The opportunity to be a fly on the wall of these high level productions has taught me some of my most valuable lessons as an actor.
Every creative working on these projects, cast, crew and production alike, all have an incredible level of discipline and dedication, but that is also matched with equal levels of passion and a genuine love for what they do – that’s what gives projects their flair and spark.
In high pressure situations, it’s important to trust your hard work and preparation, but in the moment, let it all go, follow your natural instincts and inner creativity.
Top flight productions realise this, and do everything they can to foster that energy.
HAPPY: You spent two summers inside Lionsgate’s casting department. What did that teach you about why one actor gets the part and another doesn’t?
FLYNN HENRY: Great work will always rise to the top in the long run.
In the context of large scale productions, an actor must pass through countless sets of eyes on the road to success, and has to get approved by multiple parties up the chain of command before they even receive a lick of feedback.
There are hundreds of external reasons why an actor won’t get a role that is completely separate to their performance.
The amazing casting team that I worked with have incredibly long memories, and when an actor sends in a killer performance, but may not be right for that particular role, they take note.
At the end of the day, actors and casting directors are on the same side of the coin – they desperately want each other to succeed.
A history of great performances in the casting process builds an actor a silent reputation that one day, when the right role comes along, will always pay off.
There’s nothing more satisfying for a casting director than finally finding a role for an actor that’s been working their ass off for years.
HAPPY: You co-founded Sook Productions and produced and starred in The Burb. What made you want to start creating your own opportunities alongside acting in other people’s work?
FLYNN HENRY: One of the not-so-glamorous reasons I love the film industry is that at it’s core, every set is one big exercise in problem solving and teamwork.
Bringing people together has always been a passion of mine, whether that’s organising catch ups for my high school mates or assembling a team to make a film.
Sook Productions has been such an amazing journey so far. I met my co-founders Mia and Zara Parsonage on a short film three years ago, where we realised that our goals aligned so we decided to start our own production company.
Our first project The Burb was a learning curve to say the least, but ended up becoming something we’re really proud of.
The team we assembled for that shoot optimises our goals as a production company – a group of talented Aussies each from different backgrounds and cultures, working together to make something uniquely theirs.
There are some brilliant minds in the Australian film industry that deserve the opportunity to let their ideas flourish and showcase their talent – it’s a goal of mine to bring as many young Australian voices into the fold as possible, and by pursuing my own passions in filmmaking, I aim to do just that.
A rising tide lifts all ships.
HAPPY: As your career becomes more international, how important is it to keep an Australian identity in the work you make and the stories you tell?
FLYNN HENRY: Even though I’ve spent a good part of my adult life overseas, Australia will always anchor my work.
Growing up in Sydney is a privilege that I cherish everyday and value immensely, it essentially shaped my entire identity, and hence, my work to date.
When I’m writing, I aim to focus more on authenticity than anything else – from my admittedly limited years on this earth, what unique perspective can I bring to the table based on my upbringing and experience at home in Australia?
I think that Australian stories have so much value not just domestically but abroad and deserve a chance to be showcased to the world.
The next project we’re working on at Sook Productions is ambitious to say the least – I can’t say too much about it, but it’s a culmination of our experiences growing up in modern Australia that we hope to share on a global scale.
WATCH THIS SPACE!
HAPPY: Who are some actors, directors or writers whose work you’re really drawn to at the moment?
FLYNN HENRY: There’s a few actors at the moment that are really dominating our screens; Zendaya, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, but over the last few months, I’ve been obsessed with the career progression of one in particular – Robert Pattinson.
His journey from being the leading man in YA features like Twilight to getting down and dirty in gritty indies like Goodtime and The Drama, to Nolan films like Tenant and now The Odyssey.
The intricacies of his work and attention to detail really stand out amongst the stars, clearly bringing painstakingly deliberate and bold physical and vocal choices to every role he decides to tackle.
I could honestly go on for hours about the versatility and commitment of R-Patt.
He may be the most uniquely authentic actor doing the rounds, and it’s really inspiring to see that boldness being rewarded on the biggest stage.
HAPPY: What’s the last performance you saw that made you a little jealous?
FLYNN HENRY: Last week I watched Olivia Wilde’s The Invite, with Seth Rogan, Penelope Cruz and Edward Norton.
There’s not one particular performance I was jealous of, but definitely that script and production as a whole.
The entire film takes place in one apartment, and focuses entirely on the characters and their relationship to one another.
Big action and adventure productions with all the bells and whistles obviously have their appeal, but for me, projects that require deep emotional character work that you can really sink your teeth into, like those in The Invite, are the ones that make a dream gig.
HAPPY: What have you been watching or listening to lately that you’ve loved?
FLYNN HENRY: Honestly, Apple TV has been killing it lately specifically with their series and limiteds. I’ve been obsessed with Lucky, Cape Fear, Widow’s Bay, Silo and Ted Lasso. It seems like they’re not afraid to take risks with some really bold material, which is a strategy that seems to be paying off.
HAPPY: You’ve spent a fair bit of time between Sydney and Los Angeles. What do you love about each, and where feels most like home these days?
FLYNN HENRY: Sydney will always feel like home, no matter how much time I spend abroad. My friends, family and fondest memories always draw me back. I love the lifestyle of Sydney – surf in the morning, fantastic coffee, great mates and footy games at night.
It’s got a great mix of slow paced, laid back-ness but also enough hustle and bustle to scratch that itch.
LA on the other hand, is a beast that never ceases to produce new and exciting experiences. I love that basically all my mates in LA are in the entertainment industry, giving me endless opportunities to express myself creatively and make sense of what seems like a somewhat illusive industry.
Also, the food is absolutely second to none – whatever cuisine your heart desires, LA has it in spades.
HAPPY: What kinds of roles do you feel you haven’t had the opportunity to play yet?
FLYNN HENRY: I’d love to play in the Game of Thrones universe at some point in my career.
The heightened language, audacious period costumes and incredible storytelling is truly an actor’s dream.
It would be such an honour to portray any character in such a carefully constructed, deeply human yet extraordinarily foreign world.
HAPPY: What’s coming up for you next?
FLYNN HENRY: I’ve recently signed with Jayson Marshall at The Characters – one of the premier Canadian talent agencies – so I’ve been doing a lot of auditioning recently, introducing myself and my work to the casting directors in Canada.
Also, I’m planning on tackling some musical theatre projects next year, so I’ve been sharpening up my tap skills, as well as keeping on top of my vocals.
The project that’s probably taking up the most time is Sook’s next film.
HAPPY: Lastly, what makes you happy?
FLYNN HENRY: Away from the work, I value spending quality time with family and mates above all.
They are what recharges me, brings me joy and allows me to escape from the wild world of the entertainment industry.
In terms of hobbies, surfing always connects me to nature and puts the world into perspective – my little problems suddenly fade away when a 6-8ft wave is about to break on my head!
I’d say the footy makes me happy, but I’m a die-hard Wests Tigers fan so those moments of joy are few and far between.
And burritos.
