A new documentary designed to educate young people about mental health struggles within the entertainment industry is being produced by Central Coast based Salt House Creative and set for release nationwide in February 2025.
The production of Mental Health & the Actor’s Life began in July and will be presented by Dr Daniel Widdowson, founder and artistic director of Salt House Creative, who interviews Australian entertainment professionals about their experiences regarding mental health journeys within the entertainment industry.
Actors, directors, producers, agents, choreographers, dancers, psychologists, dramaturges and others share their mental health journey within the glamourised demanding workplace.
Widdowson said their openness and vulnerability offered guidance and wisdom for future artists who dreamt of pursuing a life and livelihood in the arts.
“Mental Health & the Actor’s Life will be a candidly raw, yet a hopeful journey that equips young people who seek a career in entertainment with the necessary tools to monitor their mental and emotional health while simultaneously striving to be their best,” Widdowson said.
Widdowson, who holds a Doctorate in Creative Arts, focussing on Shakespearean literature and theology and is based on the Central Coast, is an Australian of the Year finalist, Australian Playwright finalist, recipient of Best Director at the Florence Film Awards and Best Screenplay at New Your Movie Awards.
He also serves as an Ambassador for the Jane Austen Literacy Foundation and received the Collins Booksellers Arts Awards.
Widdowson has hosted and segment produced popular children’s television program Saturday Disney from 2000 to 2007.
He’s been on the writing team of the long-running television series Home and Away, presented Ground Force and performed at both Melbourne and Perth annual Telethons.
His controversial black comedy about the global refugee crisis, Worm Farming – endorsed by human rights and refugee advocate Julian Burnside – premiered at the National Museum of Australia in 2017.
The success of the play prompted Widdowson to join the Australian Writers Guild where he now serves on the judging panel.
His acting credits include NCIS, Colin from Accounts, Last King of the Cross, Strife. Plum, Home and Away, Reef Break, Harrow and Total Control.