SASHA HADDEN – BIOGRAPHYThe Younger YearsSasha Hadden started directing plays among his seven siblings when he was 8 years old. He soon found a passion for film and, despite a struggle to make ends meet, his mother borrowed money for his first video camera and he started making films at the age of 10.During primary school, Hadden began visiting the "The Australian Film Television and Radio School" under the watchful eye of Steve Newman (Special Effects Cinematographer "Babe," "The Lord Of The Rings"). He spent time with screen editor Zsolt Kollanyi on the feature films "Warming Up," "Queen Of The Road" and on the television series "Colour In The Creek". Hadden also worked on television commercials with "Vera's Animal Agency" handling animals in front of the camera. Later his mother started her own animal agency for the film and television industry called "All Star Animal Agency" and he began handling animals on set for her too. During high school, Hadden spent time working at "Fontana Films" on television commercials and music clips, and on occasion with other production companies such as "30 Seconds" and "Ross Wood Productions". He also helped out on television shows such as "Son's And Daughters" and "A Country Practice". To gain a different perspective, Hadden also worked as both an extra and doing bit parts on television shows and features such as "Home And Away," "Australia's Most Wanted" and "Salute To The Jugger". From the age of 12 until he turned 17, Hadden was a member of "Metro Video Kids", which was an organization in Sydney that allowed children to learn and experiment in a professional television studio at Paddington Town Hall. As a teenager, Hadden won an array of national film awards and at 16 years of age he produced "The Army Of The Rear" his first professional production; a music clip for the Salvation Army.
Daily Mirror Article 2, Daily Mirror, Tuesday, November 1, 1988 Daily Mirror Article 1 Daily Mirror, Friday January 22, 1988 Encore, November 10, 1988 Hills shire times Article, Hills Shire Times, Tuesday, October 25, 1988 13th National Youth Film Festival '89 - Best Comedy 13th National Youth Film Festival '89 - Best Commercial Ross Wood Productions  A Career BeginsSasha Hadden began working as an editor for "Fairchild Audio Visual" at the age of 17, immediately after leaving High School. It was there he learnt the basics of visual communication, editing corporate films for various companies, such as "Loctite," "Nestlé" and "Ford".Needing to expand this knowledge further, Hadden worked as an assistant on set with director Alex Proyas ("The Crow," "I-Robot") in his original Australian company "Meaningful Eye Contact". He also spent time learning fundamental ideas about the philosophy of editing from Alex Proyas' editor, Craig Wood ("Pirates Of The Caribbean", "Rango").  Success At Film SchoolAt 18 years of age, Sasha Hadden was still 4 years too young to enter "The Australian Film Television and Radio School" which had a minimum age requirement of 22. Nevertheless; Kerin Usher, the manager of the Art Department created a three-year employment contract specifically so he could be a part of the team. This allowed Hadden to sit in on courses and put him in a position to learn, regardless of the fact that he was too young to enroll.During the final year of his contract and after a trip working on movies in America, Hadden made a short film entitled "A Few Small Dramas" with his staff-training budget. His film was pre-sold to Network 10 in Sydney and went on to open the 1994 Chicago International Children's Film Festival, winning "Best Live Action Short". Due to the success of domestic and international sales, "A Few Small Dramas" became the fourth film in the history of "The Australian Film Television And Radio School" to make a profit. Hadden was 21 years old at that time. The Australian Film TV & Radio School Ruth Saunders - Regarding "A Few Small Dramas" Henry Bumstead - Regarding "A FEW SMALL DRAMAS" Screenrights Article, Vol 7, December 1998  Coming To AmericaIn 1992, Sasha Hadden met Academy Award Winning Cinematographer Dean Semler ("The Road Worrier", "Dances With Wolves", "Apocalypto") and flew to the USA to work as a camera-intern with him on "Super Mario Bros."In addition, Hadden spent time with Larry Y Albucher, the Vice President of Feature Production at Paramount Pictures and with two times Academy Award Winning Production Designer Henry Bumstead ("To Kill A Mocking Bird", "Vertigo", Clint Eastwood's "Unforgiven"). He also visited a George Lucas' set ("The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles") which was a childhood dream come true. Hadden was then invited onto Mel Gibson's "Man Without A Face" by cinematographer Don McAlpine ("Moulin Rouge," "Peter Pan," "The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe") and he flew to Portland Maine to work as an intern in his camera department. In 1994 Hadden spent time with acclaimed editors Mark Goldblatt ("Rambo," "The Terminator," "X- Men: The Last Stand") and Richard Francis Bruce ("The Shawshank Redemption," "The Green Mile," "Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone") and flew to Canada to operate the Video-Assist for Academy Award Nominee, director Roland Joffé ("The Mission," "The Killing Fields") on "The Scarlet Letter" (staring Demi Moore). Knowing Sasha from previous years, Roland Joffé took Hadden under his wing in an apprentice type of situation and had him operate his Video-Assist; which he believed was the best place for a serious filmmaker to learn. During post production on "The Scarlet Letter" Hadden learnt about different acting and directing techniques from renowned theatre director Donald MacKechnie, who had been the production's acting coach and former Staff Producer for Sir Laurance Olivier at Britain's National Theatre.      ScreenwritingHaving achieved the status of an International Award Winning Filmmaker with "A Few Small Dramas", Hadden finally left America and flew back to Australia to develop himself as a writer.In order to gain other experiences beyond filmmaking, Hadden moved away from the film industry and began working as a swim coach, an assistant for a catering company, and an office interior designer and project manager for a commercial fit-out company. Utilising his knowledge for production needs, Hadden became one of the main project managers in the construction of "The Wiggles" television studio in Sydney. Hadden also produced and directed a play called "The Moth & The Firefly". And wrote his first feature screenplay called "Catching The Wind" which was funded by The Australian Film Commission (now Screen Australia). Continuing to make films and remaining in touch with mentors and peers; visiting and working on movie sets such as "Peter Pan", "Ghost Rider" and "Superman Returns", Sasha Hadden has continuously moved forward to perfect himself as a filmmaker and has channeled all of his experiences to become a clear and powerful entertainer.  The Wiggles Peter Sprowles  "Against The Principle"Hadden is currently shooting under his corporate brand, Blink Of An Eye Productions, while he prepares to direct his first feature film "Against The Principle".The film is an inspiring story about a high school debating champion who stands up for a boy that is being kicked out of a distinguished Catholic school for being gay. Written by Hadden in an Aaron Sorkin type of style, the screenplay has been script edited by screen editor Craig Wood. Following a stream of overwhelming responses in regards to the project, Hadden believes that it is a movie that has to be made. Long time mentor, and 2009 International Cinematographer Of The Year, Don McAlpine ("Moulin Rouge", "The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe") agrees and is attached to the project as the Director Of Photography. With the support of public figures, such as The Hon Michael Kirby and Father Bob Maguire, "Against The Principle" hopes to go into production during 2012.        
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