Screen Australia Podcast

Michael Lucas on creating, producing and writing on new ABC series The Newsreader, as well as working as a writer more broadly, including learnings from script editing Rosehaven that he took to co-creating Five Bedrooms ; paying it forward as a producer; returning to work with directors such as Peter Templeman and Emma Freeman; and advice for writers wanting to break into the industry.

Mithila Gupta talks about her pathway to screenwriting, her process, juggling projects as a freelance writer, how she came to work on Five Bedrooms , and how the writers' room on Five Bedrooms works – from plotting to writing episodes.

Director Stevie Cruz-Martin discusses moving from features like the 2017 film Pulse, to the fast-paced world of Australian television with the 6 x 10 minute SBS series The Tailings ; the importance of rehearsal time especially when working with first-time actors; lighting set-up choices to maximise shooting time; and her collaborative approach with producer Liz Doran, writer and creator Caitlin Ri...

Love on the Spectrum director and co-creator Cian O'Clery talks about his unconventional road to documentary making, from being a driver on films like the  Matrix  sequels ,  to finding his way into reality television, and then getting his big break in factual TV with Northern Pictures. He also breaks down his approach to Love on the Spectrum , including stylistic choices, how many cameras were us...

Vanessa Gazy talks about how the chance to create, executive produce and write on new Stan Original series Eden  came about; having four days to write a bible; developing TV for Netflix; the differences in creating TV for the US and Australia; as well as her advice for anyone going into a pitch meeting.

Producers Hayley Adams and Michelle Melky of new TikTok series Scattered run through everything you need to know about making content for the app, from working in a vertical frame, to writing one-minute episodes, how music on the app works, and why they think it's the perfect platform if you're an emerging storyteller.

Netflix ANZ's Que Minh Luu and Nakul Legha talk to their programming strategy for both commissions and licencing, things to keep in mind before pitching, and what they are and aren't looking for. The pair also detail their upcoming slate and address the controversy around upcoming docusoap Byron Baes.

To mark the 20th anniversary of Moulin Rouge! , writer , director and producer Baz Luhrmann and production and costume designer Catherine Martin look back on making the movie musical – remembering the Sydney shoot, their proudest moments, the audience reaction at Cannes Film Festival and around the globe, as well as their thoughts on the stage show opening in Australia two decades after the film p...

Lingo Pictures General Manager Tess Novak, Arenamedia founder Robert Connolly and Screen Australia Marketplace Manager Rakel Tansley break down Marketplace - the free industry resource to help finance and exploit projects, and make sure screen creatives are getting the best deals. Available to anyone – whether you have received funding or not. Podcast – Finance Plans Explained Podcast – Distributi...

Screenwriter Liz Doran of Please Like Me, Doctor Doctor, Dance Academy , Ready for This and more talks about the challenges of jumping from writing to producing for new SBS series The Tailings . Liz also talks to the power of mentorships, her advice for applying for funding and her tips for producers and writers. Watch all episodes of The Tailings on SBS On Demand now: https://www.sbs.com.au/ondem...

Wakefield showrunners Kristen Dunphy and Sam Meikle talk through the challenges of making the complex eight-part psychological mystery, as well as how music influences their writing, working with directors Jocelyn Moorhouse and Kim Mordaunt, and the stresses and silver linings of having a project shut down by COVID-19. Watch all episodes of Wakefield on ABC iview from 2 April, or on ABC TV from 18...

Author, playwright and screenwriter Debra Oswald reflects on her career, the process of developing her latest book The Family Doctor into a six-part TV series, advice for writers, and her takeaways from creating hit TV series Offspring - including how she feels looking back at the passionate online reaction from fans to the death of a beloved character. Subscribe to Screen Australia's e-newsletter...

Australians in Film Executive Director Peter Ritchie on what he's learned working in Hollywood, and their call-out for new screenwriters and directors to learn from some of the biggest names in the business including Warwick Thornton, Taika Waititi, Nicole Kidman's Blossom Films, Margot Robbie's LuckyChap Entertainment. It's part of a new Australians in Film program called Untapped, which you can...

Aunty Donna director Max Miller on the steps that led to their Netflix series Aunty Donna's Big Ol' House of Fun , working with executive producers including Ed Helms ( The Hangover, The Office ) and Scott Aukerman from Comedy Bang! Bang! , tips for building an audience on YouTube, their process when it comes to filming sketch comedy, and advice for anyone wanting to get into directing or making c...

Producers David Jowsey and Greer Simpkin from Bunya Productions on developing ideas; working on TV series Mystery Road,  which topped the Australian TV drama ratings for 2020; creating stories   with something to say; and producing new frontier feature  High Ground starring Simon Baker and newcomer Jacob Junior Nayinggul. Please note for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners that the fol...

Australian producer Bruna Papandrea speaks to her love of adaptations, from The Dry to Penguin Bloom, Gone Girl, Wild and Big Little Lies; how they decide if a story suits the television or film format; starting the production company Made Up Stories in 2017; pitching to different television streamers; and her advice to producers. The Dry is in Australian cinemas now, while Penguin Bloom releases...

The Dry star/producer Eric Bana, and co-writer/director/producer Robert Connolly discuss bringing Jane Harper's bestselling crime novel to life on the big screen; why The Dry  was shot on large-format cameras; what Eric enjoyed about being a producer on the feature; and their advice for Australian creatives. The Dry releases in Australian cinemas on 1 January 2021. Subscribe to  Screen Australia P...

Screen Australia's Head of Indigenous Penny Smallacombe on consultation, collaboration, non-Indigenous Australians telling Indigenous stories, and why the screen industry is on the precipice of change. Hear from Penny and other Indigenous Australians and people of colour in this piece from The Guardian that's mentioned throughout the podcast. Subscribe to  Screen Australia Podcast  on  iTunes ,  S...

Hear about the ways the Australian screen industry has persevered in the midst of a global pandemic as told by Five Bedrooms' COVID safety supervisor Philli Anderson, Why Are You Like This  producer Sarah Freeman and Screen Australia's CEO Graeme Mason. Read more about the Drama Report findings here: https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/sa/media-centre/news/2020/11-25-drama-report-2019-20-impact-pan...

Representatives from the various departments at Screen Australia share their top tips for anyone putting together an application. Visit Screen Australia's funding and support page: https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/funding-and-support Subscribe to  Screen Australia Podcast  on  iTunes ,  Stitcher ,  Spotify  or  Pocket Casts . Subscribe to the Screen Australia newsletter:  https://www.screenaustr...

Doctor Doctor and The Unlisted director Lucy Gaffy delivers observations and learnings from her career in Australian television, from her experience stepping onto a large-scale set for the first time, making the most of opportunities and advice for emerging filmmakers wanting to make the leap to long-form. Subscribe to  Screen Australia Podcast  on  iTunes ,  Stitcher ,  Spotify  or  Pocket Casts...

Business affairs and global brand partnerships specialist Madeline Miller on her move from Australia to the US, her work on the latest James Bond movie, and advice for Australians looking to explore brand collaboration for their next project. Subscribe to  Screen Australia Podcast  on  iTunes ,  Stitcher ,  Spotify  or  Pocket Casts . Subscribe to the Screen Australia newsletter:  https://www.scre...

Director Gregor Jordan talks about his return to Australian feature film with Dirt Music,  the film's physically demanding shoot, and the process of bringing Australian singer-songwriter Julia Stone on board. He also reflects on making Two Hands , his 1999 debut feature film starring Heath Ledger and Rose Byrne. Subscribe to  Screen Australia Podcast  on  iTunes ,  Stitcher ,  Spotify  or  Pocket...

Screen Australia Distribution Manager Anthony Grundy breaks down the impact of COVID-19 on Australian theatrical, while Neil Sharma shares what he learnt being in AD roles on local TV and international features like Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Subscribe to  Screen Australia Podcast  on  iTunes ,  Stitcher ,  Spotify  or  Pocket Casts . Subscribe to the Screen Australia news...

Director Unjoo Moon on advice, challenges, and how making a feature documentary about music icon Tony Bennett helped prepare her for I Am Woman - her drama feature debut about Australian singer Helen Reddy. Subscribe to  Screen Australia Podcast  on  iTunes ,  Stitcher ,  Spotify  or  Pocket Casts . Subscribe to the Screen Australia newsletter:  https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/subscribe