For Stacy Clausen’s first lead screen character, he plays Mapplethorpe Landis in the Australian horror comedy TV series Crazy Fun Park, with the show winning Most Outstanding Children’s Programme at the 2023 TV Week Logie Awards. Stacy works alongside a cast including Henry Strand as Chester, and Crazy Fun Park has recently been released in the UK on BBC Three and iPlayer, as well as Hulu in the USA. Other projects for Stacy have seen him play Allen Newkirk in Scrublands, which is adapted from the book by Chris Hammer (and also streaming on BBC iPlayer), Tom Watson in feature film True Spirit – telling Jessica Watson’s story, and for his first professional named screen role, he played Jai Gordon in Fires in 2021. Currently, Stacy has a number of upcoming projects – a short film, an indie film, and he has booked a role in the Australian crime drama High Country. Speaking to us, Stacy told us about starring as Mapplethorpe Landis in Crazy Fun Park, having the series recently released in the UK on BBC Three and iPlayer and playing Allen Newkirk in Scrublands.
In the Australian horror comedy TV series Crazy Fun Park, you star as Mapplethorpe Landis, can you tell us about the show and your character?
Crazy Fun Park is a high energy, exciting and fun tween series, centred around the close friendship between two boys, Chester and Mapplethorpe. When Mapplethorpe tragically dies one night at the abandoned theme park on the edge of town, Chester soon finds that his friend is ‘living’ with the other undead kids at the park. We watch as the two navigate themselves and decide the legacy they want to leave behind. I’ve heard people refer to it as a “gateway” series, a kind of ‘middle’ show if you will, between children’s and teenager’s television, which I think is a great way to describe it. The show deals with relevant themes including LGBTQIA+, love, trauma, and breaks down the stigma around death. Mapplethorpe is a spontaneous, energetic and loving boy, with a heart bigger than most. Though his unfiltered and in-your-face manner sometimes leads him to being obnoxious and selfish, often landing him in hot water.
How was it reading the scripts for the first time and what is Mapplethorpe like to play?
I remember reading the first three scripts, before the other seven had been completed. I was hooked, so excited to watch how it all would come together and so inspired to portray Mapplethorpe. By the time I was reading the finale script (episode 10), I remember jumping up and down on my bed and punching the air in a fit of disbelief, nervousness and excitement. It was so good! Playing Mapplethorpe was such a fun and freeing experience. With a character who was so free of judgement, it was liberating to be able to portray that. Being able to play around, be loud, say the first thing that came to mind was an experience that I will never forget.
How did you feel finding out you’d booked the role for your first lead character on screen and what is the experience like on set of the series?
I remember I was eating dinner with my family when my mum came downstairs and told me I’d booked the role. I think I might have froze at the time, not sure if I could believe it, before I was over the moon with excitement. My experience on set was incredible. Every day of work, I was buzzing to get to set to be around everyone. From bumping tunes in the makeup trailer at 5:00am to coffee breaks at the 12:00am night shoots, I had the best time. The crew and cast were all so amazing, with many whom I’ve ended up forming very close friendships with.
What was it like working alongside the rest of the cast including Henry Strand as Chester Dante, and do you have any favourite memories from filming?
When the cast is predominately a big group of 15 to 25 year olds hanging out, it’s bound to be the best time. Myself and Henry became very close friends over the shoot along with many of the other cast. It was also awesome to work with more seasoned actors such as Judith Lucy and Bernard Curry, who I looked up to while filming and inspired me to push myself. There are so many great memories, it’s hard just to pick a few. I remember come April Fools’ Day, I’d seen that my other incredible co-star Hannah Ogawa wasn’t scheduled to be on set until about two hours after me. I ended up printing out about 40 photos of her face and sticking them all over the walls of her trailer. Got a pretty good reaction on video when she opened that door, haha.
Crazy Fun Park has recently been released in the UK on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer, and in the US on Hulu, how has it been seeing the international response to the release and who do you think will enjoy watching it?
The response has been better than we could ever have imagined. I think despite Crazy Fun Park being set in Australia, the story investigates themes that are internationally relevant and speaks to people all over the world. Though the show is targeted at younger teens, the reach the topics and questions the show poses opens it to literally anyone, parents, siblings or whoever can definitely enjoy it.
What was it like having the series win Most Outstanding Children’s Programme at the 2023 TV Week Logie Awards and what was the ceremony like to attend?
Probably one of the most crazy, unreal experiences of my life. The whole weekend, from finding the outfit, flying up to Sydney, the hotel, the carpet, the presentations… it was wild. I remember feeling like I had a little bit of imposter syndrome walking that carpet with all these amazing, talented and acclaimed actors, writers, producers and directors surrounding me. I had a truly amazing time and will definitely not be forgetting about it any time soon.
How was your time filming for Scrublands as Allen Newkirk and was there anything that drew you to the role?
Filming Scrublands was another awesome experience. Myself and my co-star Zane Ciarma, who plays Jamie Landers, had already worked together before on Crazy Fun Park so we had a really great time hanging out on set. Though the ping-pong matches got pretty intense. I actually originally auditioned for the character of Jamie, who in the early scripts was more of a leader in terms of the relationship between Jamie and Allen. But it was decided that I might look a little older than what was imagined for the character of Jamie and that I should audition for Allen as well. When I was cast as Allen, the script was amended so that Allen was more of the leader in the relationship between the boys. I think what drew me to Allen is that he was different to other characters I’d been playing in the past. I saw it as an opportunity to showcase some range in a more gritty rough-around-the-edges character, compared to the comedic and light-hearted roles I’d portrayed before. I was also excited to be part of the project as it was such an exciting script, with the incredible Greg McLean directing, as well as has such amazing talent attached that I was given the opportunity to work with.
Had you read Chris Hammer’s book before auditioning and why would you recommend watching Scrublands?
I hadn’t actually read the book prior to booking the role in the series. I had heard about it before, my brother had read it, and I’d heard it was fantastic. After I got the job, I picked it up for the first time and read it cover to cover within a few days and really enjoyed it. I think Scrublands’ complexity and depth of story is what makes it so good. There’s so many interesting characters which all have their own secrets. The audience don’t know what’s the truth or what’s not, so it’s really entertaining watching all the layers of the story unravel.
How was it getting into character as Tom Watson in the Netflix feature film True Spirit and how was it being part of Jessica Watson’s story?
Jess’s story is one of the most mind-blowing triumphs I’ve ever heard of. So, to be a part of telling her story to the world was an honour. I did a lot of research into the family, including reading Jess’s book, looking for clues or directions in how I might portray Tom and his relationship with his family on screen. Little exerts from the book or articles led me to digging up some gold, finding comments on Tom’s joking and cheeky personality as well as nonchalant, brotherly attitude toward his sister and her achievements.
What was it like watching the completed film for the first time and attending the premiere?
I remember sitting in the very back of the Brisbane Powerhouse Theatre really nervous for the first few minutes worried about how people would feel, the reception, and if I did a good job. But after a couple of jokes started landing, there was a good atmosphere and I could tell the audience was thoroughly enjoying themselves. Doing the pink carpet with the rest of the cast, producers, Jess and director Sarah Spillane was so much fun.
Can you tell us about playing Jai Gordon in an episode of Fires in 2021?
Jai was my first professional named role on screen so this one I’m very grateful for and will always keep close to my heart. I was blessed to work with and learn from our director Michael Rymer, acclaimed actress Noni Hazelhurst and to be paired with my incredible co-star Malachi Kruse. I learnt so much on that set and feel like it definitely bolstered my inspiration and passion for acting, film and television.
How did you get into acting and was it something you always wanted to do?
When I was in prep (which is the grade before grade 1 in Australia), Mum put me into these kind of performing arts classes after school on Thursdays. I did those classes all the way through primary school. It was mostly improv games and, by grade 5 and 6, was writing and performing our own plays. When I finished primary school, the programme didn’t continue into high school, so if I wanted to continue having all this fun I’d have to find somewhere else to go. Over the holidays, I found this screen acting programme, I decided I’d give it a try, loved it, and decided to continue on with it, building my on-screen craft and meeting so many cool people. That’s where I fell in love with acting. I have have been attending classes at Screen Actors Australia every week since 2019.
What are some of your favourite films and TV shows to watch?
I wouldn’t say I’m a TV/film fanatic but I’ve definitely watched a lot of it and will watch pretty much anything. My all-time favourite movie is Prisoners by Denis Villeneuve, about the only movie to get me to drop a tear not out of sadness, but out of pure fear. Other films I love are Get Out, Parasite, Ready Player One, Surf’s Up and Talk to Me. I’ve rewatched Rick and Morty about four times, I’m a Stranger Things fan (who isn’t), and I loved Top Boy and Sex Education.
How do you like to spend your free time?
Most of my free time goes into producing music. It’s a second passion of mine. If I’ve got some time, you’ll likely find me creating techno, dance and trance tracks, or having a mix on the decks out in the garage. I also love watching movies, TV, gaming and hanging out with friends.
Do you have any projects coming up that you can tell us about and what are you hoping 2024 brings for you?
I’ve got a couple of things in the works at the moment, including a short film, indie film and a role in Foxtel/Binge’s upcoming Aussie crime drama High Country. For 2024, I’m hoping I can work hard enough to continue the success I’m so grateful to have found, and push myself to achieve even more. Happy New Year to all!
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