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In The Spotlight - Mathew Swift's Journey from Sports Star to APAC to ‘Hindi-Vindi’
Discover Matthew Swift’s inspiring journey from gymnastics to acting at Australian Performing Arts Conservatory (APAC), leading to his breakout role in Hindi-Vindi. A must-read for aspiring actors.
From Commonwealth Games hopeful to rising star in Hindi-Vindi, Matthew Swift’s story is a testament to resilience and passion in the acting world.
Did you hear the drum solo in Hindi-Vindi? Matthew Swift learned it in five weeks. From scratch. While filming.
"They didn’t tell me about the drums until I was flying to Sydney," he laughs. "I panicked. Then I remembered:acting skills mean adapting. Fast."
Matthew, a proud alumnus of the Australian Performing Arts Conservatory (APAC), recently captivated audiences with his role in Hindi-Vindi, a film now premiering in cinemas across Australia. His path from a high-level gymnast to a talented film actor is a compelling narrative of resilience, passion and dedication to the acting craft.
However, he was not always so agile.
★ Twist of Fate
For 14 years, Matthew trained as a gymnast, aiming for the Commonwealth Games. But a severe arm injury at 17 ended those dreams abruptly. Searching for a new direction, he stumbled upon APAC through an online advertisement.
Visiting the Brisbane campus, he was struck by the energy of the students.
“I just looked at them and thought, I want to do this,” he recalls. This moment sparked his journey into acting.
★ The Hoodie & The Hard Yards
Enrolling in APAC’s acting course, Matthew faced a steep learning curve. “I spent a lot of my time sitting in the back corner. I barely spoke. Felt like I understood nothing," he admits with a laugh.
APAC even gifted him a custom hoodie – his acting uniform for three years.
While shadowing a teacher, he was pulled aside and told: "You’re talented. But pull your head in."
That advice changed Matthew's approach to learning the course. He began attending acting classes multiple times, scribbled notes, cross-referenced techniques, absorbed diverse perspectives and even wrote his own acting guide.
“When I felt like I could teach it, that’s when I understood it properly,” he says. This rigorous approach honed his acting skills, preparing him for professional actor auditions and diverse acting roles.
APAC’s acting courses simulate real-world scenarios, ensuring students are ready for industry demands. Brisbane's award-winning conservatory’s focus on practical experience helped Matthew develop the confidence to tackle challenging acting roles.
★ Audition that Wasn’t
A producer, familiar with his previous actor work, approached him directly: "We want you for Hindi-Vindi." No actor auditions. Just an offer.
Still, Matthew insisted on a screen test. “I like earning the role,” he says.
He demanded a screen test, then threw out the script. Ad-libbed. He made the bully character 'Shanti' raw, real, relatable. "Probably a terrible move," he grins. "But they loved it."
His improvised performance, discarding the script, won over the filmmakers, securing his place in the cast.
★ Breakthrough with Hindi-Vindi
Matthew’s big break came with Hindi-Vindi, where he plays Shanti, a character who evolves from a bully to a relatable figure. Unconventionally, he did not face a standard actor audition.
Playing Shanti was tricky. He is the bully you root for. Portraying the character required Matthew to draw from high school experiences, blending traits from peers to create an authentic representation. “He’s just a kid trying to find his own way,” he explains.
This nuanced performance showcases the acting skills he has developed at APAC, particularly in handling complex emotional scenes.
★ Allure of Villainy
While many actors dream of heroic roles, Matthew finds villains more compelling. “I always wanted to be the hero, but bad guys are so much more fun,” he insists.
"They’ve got depth. Motivations. Hurt." He mined his own past – schoolmates, insecurities – to build Shanti’s swagger. Exploring their motivations allows him to add depth, a skill honed through APAC’s acting classes. APAC’s drills? Vital. "Those quiet scenes? Where you listen? That’s gold. APAC taught me stillness speaks louder than screams."
On set, Matthew leaned on APAC’s core lesson: Use your life. "Shanti’s that kid we all knew. Lost. Loud. Just needing to be seen."
This approach has made his performances stand out, earning him recognition among film actors.
★ Drums, Doubts and Guy Sebastian
A significant hurdle was learning to play the drums in Hindi-Vindi, an instrument he had never touched. In only five weeks, Matthew took intensive lessons and practiced relentlessly. Matthew trained six hours daily, blisters blooming.
"Sixty takes of a five-minute solo? Yeah. My hands hated me." Between beats, he would tweak Shanti’s walk, voice, sneer. Life became drum, act and repeat. His effort culminated in a five-minute drumming sequence, performed flawlessly after numerous takes. This dedication to mastering new skills underscores his commitment to acting.
On set, Matthew worked alongside Guy Sebastian, a celebrated Australian artist. He was impressed by Sebastian’s natural acting ability. “He was funny and hit every comedy beat,” Matthew notes. This collaboration enhanced his acting skills and provided insights into the industry, reinforcing the value of learning from seasoned film actors.
★ Film for All
Hindi-Vindi weaves themes of family, self-discovery and adolescence, resonating with diverse audiences. Matthew is proud of its emotional impact, saying it moved his mother to tears.
“If she cries, it gets the tick of approval,” he says with a smile. The film’s universal appeal makes it a must-see for anyone seeking heartfelt storytelling.
Advice for Aspiring Actors
For those dreaming of an acting career, Matthew offers practical acting tips. “Go to every film festival, talk to everyone, make your own stuff,” he advises. His regrets? Waiting years for an agent. He urges aspiring actors to get headshots, secure an agent early and gain set experience through extra work.
“Learn what it is like to be on set. Make terrible shorts – then reshoot them,” he emphasise. Matthew also suggests focusing on age-appropriate roles initially. “Find your box and excel in it, then step out and try different things,” he recommends.
Networking? "Go to festivals. Talk. But never ask for roles. Make stuff. Show your spark. People smell desperation." He pauses. "First decade’s grit. Then? Your tribe lifts you."
These strategies have been key to his success as an actor.
APAC’s Acting Impact
Matthew credits APAC with shaping his career. “I learned to handle high-drama emotional scenes and quiet, still moments,” he says.
From broken arms to standing ovations, Matthew’s path bends, but never breaks. Matthew’s journey from gymnast to rising star is a testament to his perseverance and APAC’s quality training.
APAC did more than teach technique. It forged resilience. "Quiet confidence? That’s the real acting tip," he says. "Sometimes the hoodie comes off. But the lessons? Stitched in forever."
The conservatory’s acting courses equipped him with the tools to navigate actor auditions and secure meaningful acting roles. APAC’s emphasis on practical training ensured he was ready for the professional world.
Hindi-Vindi is now screening Australia-wide. To learn more about Matthew’s story and acting tips, watch his full interview on YouTube.