Performing Arts graduate Belinda Crawley should be eternally grateful that the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation refused to play Beatles music back in the 1960s...

Half a century later, she has her first leading role in a movie, playing the wife of the man who crusaded to open up the state-controlled airwaves by starting a pirate radio station off the NZ coast.

CQUni alumnus Belinda Crawley acts opposite her screen husband played by established actor Matt Whelan (of 'Go Girls') Belinda recently reflected on the twists and turns that landed her an acting role in 3 Mile Limit, which is being edited for a release in the second half of 2013.

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Belinda (as her character Judy) lands in jail during the movie

After graduating from CQUniversity, she was accepted for NIDA (the National Institute of Dramatic Art) to complete a Singer, Dancer, Actor program and stayed on to complete the Screen Actor program. Her mentor Nicholas Bishop is now making a name for himself in America with TV shows including Body of Proof.

Belinda based herself in Sydney, where she has been working in retail between seasons of a cabaret show called Flaw Play and a comedy show called Not Quite Cabaret.

Her career started to bloom when she auditioned for a feature film called Frozen Moments and landed the lead female role. Even though production stalled when the proposed lead actor Liam McIntyre landed the role of Spartacus on the TV series of the same name, Belinda had caught the eye of director Craig Newland.

More than a year later, the lead actress on another of Craig's projects - 3 Mile Limit - dropped out at the last minute and Craig got in touch again.

"I was getting ready to go to my day job as a retail assistant and the next minute I have a director on the phone saying to me we need you to send us some screen tests as soon as possible, we need to cast this role," Belinda said.

Belinda Crawley is considering re-locating to Los Angeles to expand her opportunities as an actor

"Thank goodness for the amazing community of actor friends I have who helped me so much to get these screen test scenes shot and sent to New Zealand."

Belinda says she can't give too much away but the 'rollercoaster' role of her character (Judy) is to shed light on how much is someone willing to sacrifice to see the person they love succeed.

"My study at CQUniversity taught me the foundations of my craft and helped shape me into the actor that I am today. I owe thanks to lecturers Emma Killion, Jane Bacon, Ricki Fisher and Howard Cassidy for teaching me about discipline and professionalism," she says.

Belinda pictured (centre rear) with her performing arts student cohort at CQUniversity

Director/producer of 3 Mile Limit, Craig Newland said he was originally worried about the short timeframe he had to prepare with Belinda for the film.

"Yet the subtle and restrained way she delivered her character for me was magic to watch," Craig says. "She has an infectious laugh and a warmth to her personality that made her popular with cast and crew members."

"I like to take chances on unknown actors to develop and hone out their skill sets. Belinda is a real talent who was going to be discovered sooner or later. I'm just glad I was able to offer her first leading role in a film. She did a stellar job for me and I'm very proud of her performance."

Craig says he loves period films and the 1960s was such a rich and vibrant era.

"Mix in the attitude of a 23-year-old who hatches a plan to broadcast from international waters on a boat complete with a transmitter and transmitter mast and you have one hell of a ride for rich story telling.

"In 1965 in New Zealand, big brother seemed to know what was best for the country including what you listened to on the radio!"