Tristan Bancks

Author

Tristan Bancks tells stories for the page and screen. His background is in acting and filmmaking. His most recent books are Galactic Adventures, First Kids in Space (UQP) and My Life and Other Stuff I Made Up (Random House).

In 2013, Tristan will tour Melbourne schools from 12-16 August. He will also travel for international schools in late 2013/early 2013—contact us for details.

Where were you born?

In the Blue Mountains west of Sydney. I was an ambitious, energetic kid. I loved stories, playing sport and being master of my own destiny. I was always starting a lawnmowing business, writing a book, putting on a play, running a dance party or making dodgy horror movies with my friends.

What other jobs have you had?

My main aims in life have been to do work that I love and to continue telling stories. I’ve acted in TV and film, presented TV in the UK, made short films, written for magazines and newspapers. My only taste of a real job was flipping a burger once on McHappy Day. It landed on the floor.

What themes are recurring in your work?

The search for identity: who am I and what do I care about? Following your bliss, doing the thing you love no matter the obstacles. Breaking through fear and self-doubt. Money and power – how much you need and what you’re willing to compromise to get them. I seem to write ‘Action-Adventure’ and ‘Weird-Funny-Gross’.

What have been the highlights of your career?

Going to the movies with the Queen. Travelling to New York for the release of the Mac Slater books. Seeing kids inspired to pick up a book after a talk or workshop. Heading to France with Soar, a short film I directed, and seeing it win awards. Discovering that I can spend my life writing books and speaking about them – best thing ever.

Where have your works been published?

Australia and the US.

What are you passionate about?

Sharing my love of books and good stories. Inspiring others, especially children, to create and to dare to make mistakes. Social action. Living mindfully.

Haven’t I seen you before?

Possibly. But, if you have, you should keep it under your hat. My first job was in TV show Home And Away playing a young tearaway with a heart of gold. My character crashed cars, leapt off tall cliffs into the ocean, had many a fight, kissed Toni Pearen (his teacher!), had his head flushed by Les Hill and, generally, made Summer Bay a less pleasant holiday destination. I spent four years in the UK after that, hosting children’s TV and Travel shows and learning about production. I white-water-rafted and snowboarded and trained with the London Fire Department and visited lots of interesting places. Since returning to Australia I have been in a couple of Ivan Sen’s movies and I’ve done a degree while writing books, making films and speaking about literacy and creativity.