Another Aussie in LA
Join Ansuya Nathan as she navigates the city of Angels, chatting to some of the shiniest Aussies in L.A., sharing their tales of living, working and playing on this side of the globe.

A Melbourne stand up does a set in LA... And gets a gig writing for Jay Leno. Not a gag, just the facts. That guy is Simon Taylor! We talk about how that crazy thing happenned, why he's happier in Melbourne, being a ghost and gag writer and being both Turtle and Johnny Drama to someone else's Vinnie Chase. My favourite dog, Dusty Biscuits makes a cameo or two.

Direct download: Simon_Taylor.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:30pm PDT

Join Sam Clark and I for some tea drinking, thigh slapping and existential chat from our mutual hometown, lil' ol' Adelaide. But don't fret conversation is still very much focussed on LA things. We cover hiking (or what Aussies would call walking outside) street sweeping, parking fines and losing jobs to Emilie Hirsch. We bond over our love of acting homework. Sam illuminates how music and acting go hand in hand for him. Tangents are in abundant supply.

Direct download: Sam_Clark.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:41pm PDT

Actress Trilby Glover and I cover all things actory things. In her six years in Los Angeles she has experienced the highs and lows of what this city has to offer and she is doing just fine! We talk about working with Al Pacino and Robert De Niro, roles that change everything, saying 'yes', the joys of writing partners and how improv can make life better. Things get a little philosophical a few times - my bad!

Direct download: Trilby_Glover.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:44pm PDT

Alex is an actor on the rise. His first role outta drama school was playing Julian Assange in Underground. He's in LA for a wee while checking stuff out. We sat down to chat about working with Rachel Griffiths and Anthony LaPaglia, playing someone cleverer than yourself, wrestling with old telecom phone boxes and his time spent serenading South Yarra on the sax. Oh and we came up with the best marketing campaign for Underground: The Julian Assange Story... It's just like Batman Begins! Yup. You heard us...

Direct download: Alex_Williams.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:39pm PDT

This is a chat with Michael Schwarz - One third of Full Clip Productions with brother John and buddy Sam Worthington. Mike is a proper "Don't call 'em graphic novels" comic book fan! He shares the ups and downs of constantly being 6 weeks away from shooting, what it's like to lose to Harvey Weinstein or take script notes from Lorenzo di Bonaventura and his role as trusted advisor on comic book films for Sam. Note: it will make Hollywood agents curious as to who the hell you are!

Direct download: Michael_Schwarz.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:08pm PDT

Comedian Sam Simmons isn't mad for LA but it seems to be keen on his comedy. We chat about the being a professional idiot, Los Angeles as the scene for the apocalypse, how ACE the Australian film Animal Kingdom is, the death of whimsical comedy, where he gets his inspiration and unwittingly molesting John Snow on stage for the sake of laughs. Yeah, that ACTUALLY happened. 

Direct download: Sam_Simmons.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:16pm PDT

Meet Brett Tucker - as if you didn't know him already! Sheesh! Star of McLeods' Daughters, Neighbours and Mistresses. Brett and I chat about indulging your rock star fantasies, giving things a lukewarm go, long time flirting with Los Angeles and how scary a place the internet can be. Brett's Hollywood tales illustrate that everything has its' time. Just don't put off listening to this podcast! 

Direct download: Brett_Tucker.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:21am PDT

It's Monty Franklin!! WOO HOO!  No more toe dipping, Monty is getting amongst it and making his mark on the Los Angeles comedy scene. We discuss the advantages of playing the dumb Aussie card, inadvertent racism, good gossip and revenge as the ulitmate motivation. Monty's career is proof that doing good work consistently and being a good human is all it takes. Pocket watches will never be the same again!!! 

Direct download: Monty_Franklin.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:59pm PDT

This little podcaster can't believe her luck! Stuart Beattie - writer of Collateral, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Australia and writer/director of Tomorrow, When The War Began -  joins me for chat. WOO FRICKIN' HOO!  We talk about the ridiculous rollercoster from development to production, being in it for the long haul, the Hollywood rewrite, getting script notes from John Marsden and Pirates as a Star Wars. He busts open the myth of overnight success and shares the origins of midnight screenings. Hmmmm... Maybe it's time for me to keep banker's hours. WARNING: There are snoring puppies and couch farts.

Direct download: Stuart_Beattie.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:35pm PDT

Join me as I chat with the ever affable Bucko, radio host, actor and presenter. A man who fate was decided by a pop up ad! And not the kind you are thinking of... C'mon, get out of the gutter! We discuss the future of radio, the appeal of smokey burnouts, Hollywood's 'definite possibilities', instinct vs. fear and the importance of saying 'YES!'. Bucko was once beaten up by Steven Segal. Not only did he live to tell the tale but got paid for it. One of those crazy Hollywood moments... Hell Yeah! 

Direct download: Jonathon_Bucko_Buckley.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:30pm PDT

Aaron Glenane gives understated chat in this episode. But don't let the chilled out exterior fool you. This guy knows what's what. Only in LA for a month on the back of his powerful performance in Drift, he's been one busy little Aussie. We talk about facial hair, triple threats, how awesome Andy Serkis is, working with George Miller, the weirdness of being dubbed and all manner of things to do with dance. Be warned: there are many a tangent in this one! 

Direct download: Aaron_Glenane.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Film Reporter and Cheeky Hugger, Alicia Malone has the best job in the world. If the best job is seeing movies and chatting to the stars. And I think it might be. Always up for an awkward moment, she talks about staring competitions with Emma Stone, hugging Ryan Gosling and calling Jake Gyllenhaal her future husband - TO HIS FACE! Not creepy, no... She reveals that the fine art of networking is really just being nice and making friends. We bond over our mutual admiration for Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg, childhood memories of Bill Collins' Sunday movie matinees and,well, pretty much everything. And we may well have stumbled upon the key to a meaningful life - doing stuff you love with the peeps you love! She is one awesome chick!

Direct download: Alicia_Malone.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:40pm PDT

Journalist, face of Showtime movie news and family man, Andrew Warne has been the in Hollywood trenches for 25 years, reporting locally and for Australia from the frontline. He's seen some stuff. From the Rodney King riots to rise of Aussiewood to the imminent demise of commercial television. We discuss his ongoing involvement in Australians In Film including his recent switch from president to chairman. We give credit where credit is due - to Paul Hogan and Crocodile Dundee. For better or for worse, if it wasn't for Hoges, Americans wouldn't know we Aussies existed!! 

Direct download: Andrew_Warne.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:05pm PDT

The straight talking Judi Levine, producer, has seen it all. The highs and lows and the blahs, too. She talks me through the upward trajectory of producing The Sessions, the fine balance between finance and casting, the machinations of the film festival circuit and awards season. Note to self: Even grounded Aussies can get swept away with the hype. AND always remember we may think we are the same but we sure as hell are different to Americans! Oh, and here's to serendipity!!  

Direct download: Judi_Levine.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:50am PDT

Super talented and super dooper down to earth, Claire van der Boom talks about her excellent year - a result of doing what makes you happy and learning to say to no to things. We chat about working with Sam Shepard and David Rabe, sword fighting, 'Hollywood Sexy', living in the fringes, painting cactuses and an experience that I would actually describe as my actor's nightmare! I out her as a history nut. She seems fine with it, though...

Direct download: Claire_van_der_Boom.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:50pm PDT

Welcome to the wonderful world of Esther Anderson! She is a pure delight and the complete opposite to her sly, cunning, game playing alter- ego Esther on NBC's Siberia. Just don't tell Esther she can't do something. Unless, of course you want her to do it! 

Direct download: Esther_Anderson.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:29pm PDT

Actor, Musician, Presenter and doting father to Fox and Banjo, Bernard Curry chats with me in his salubrious home with special drop in guest Sullivan Stapleton. Well, why the hell not? Brief as his cameo may be... Bernie and I get to stuck into actorly rejection, how grounding family can be, making music with friends, doing your own stunts and why us Aussies keep getting work in the US. I don't make things too awkward. At least I don't think I don't. You be the judge. 

Direct download: Bernard_Curry.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:54pm PDT

This is Justin Hanrahan, A.C.S. – D.O.P. (screw you Americans, Imma keeping my vowels), Dad and all round top bloke. Even J.T. thinks so. From swimming with sharks – real ones, not Hollywood ones– to documenting weddings – Hollywood ones, not the other ones - to covering the Hong Kong handover to working on Oprah’s Next Big Thing to hanging out with Frank Gehry, Justin keeps his Aussie self-deprecating humour and hard work ethic about him at all times. This is how you do it peeps. This is how you have an ongoing career doing what you love. As J.T. would sing – what goes around comes around…

Direct download: Justin_Hanrahan_.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:53pm PDT

And we're back with the ubiquitous Damon Herriman, actor of many talents and many faces, most of them uglied down with hours in the make up chair... Oh well. Damon reveals himself to be a complete fatalist and may never act again after this chat... Oh well. We talk about getting offers from David Mamet, how surreal acting opposite Leo DeCaprio is, how awesome INXS is - very! - and the tranquil bliss of a Clint Eastwood set. Oh and I may NEVER work with Zack Snyder. EVER. OH WELL! 

Direct download: Damon_Herriman.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:12am PDT

It's sandals, swords and sex - kinda - with Daniel Feuerriegel, star of the Starz network's Sparactus series. (Enough 'S's do ya think???). Dan and i chat about acting fashions, the ins and outs of playing gay character on cable TV, being a working actor vs. being a superstar, the 10 year overnight success and hos most recent role - playing a proper geezer. We don't quite talk about Australian politics. There are somethings not worth starting...

Direct download: Daniel_Feuerriegel.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:27pm PDT

This is James Mackay - Winner of the 2013 Heath Ledger Scholarship! Yay James!! James is seasoned in the ways of LA so have a listen as we chat about how auditioning is like dating, dodging John Carter shaped bullets, Bollywood fame vs. Hollywood fame and how best to manage actorly expectations. We do some serious bonding over Sydney fringe theatre. Watch this one. He's going places. 

Direct download: James_Mackay.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:51pm PDT

You may not have heard of her but you've probably seen her work - Kate Woods, director of Changi and Looking for Alibrandi, who has worked on countless shows at home (where's that exactly?) and in the States. Kate and I discuss the realities of being a female  working in a male dominated genre, let alone in a male dominated industry, how one phone call can change EVERYTHING (especially if that phone call is made by Anthony LaPagila), the importance of doing your homework and the Underbelly lead recovery of Aussie TV. Coming to you from her little Santa Monica oasis, away from the hullabooloo of "Hollywood". *sigh* You can almost smell my relaxedness! 

Direct download: Kate_Woods.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:07pm PDT

Wish you were here with me and Felicity Price in Laurel Canyon? You know you do. Flick is the co-writer and one of the stars of Wish You Were Here (see what I did there?), a great Aussie film that opened Sundance last year and won loads of awards at home. We talk about the journey of making the film - from the moment of inspiration - she recommends couch lying for muse visitiations - to it opening in across the States - a little later than expected due to The Great Gatsby. We discuss the overwhelming love for Aussies in LA and our fatal flaw for being waaaaaaaaaay too honest. What are you waiting for? Go write yourself a role in a feature and get your husband to direct you! NOW! 

Direct download: Felicity_Price.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:28am PDT

Nicholas Bishop - sometimes good guy, sometimes bad guy but rarely acting in the in-betweens... We chart Nic's ups and downs of four years of livin' and workin' in LA. Number one rule of survival - Don't get sick! (Seems I can't even get that right. BOO!) He extols the virtues of the well oiled machine that is Home and Away, the sublime acting talent of Dana Delany and Alan Dale and the sausage rolls at Coffee + Food. Could you shoot 22 scenes in one day? Nic has... 

Direct download: Nicholas_Bishop_.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:15am PDT

Be thoroughly charmed by Matthew Le Nevez, star of Channel Ten's Offspring. Matty shares stories of losing two jobs in two hours, being arrested in the States, not-quite-working with Sarah Michelle Gellar and his excitement for his next project a biopic of Aussie war photographer, Damien Parer. We talk about the differences between making films and selling films, not giving people excuses not to hire you (i.e. GET A VISA IF YOU CAN!) and trying to capture the essence of Dennis Lillee via his bowling action. Matt's hammies will never be the same again!

Direct download: Matthew_Le_Nevez.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:26am PDT

Here is a gloriously actory chat with Daniel Henshall. You may have been terrified of him in the Aussie film Snowtown based on the "bodies in the barrell" murders. I was! Thankfully, in real life, Dan is an intelligent, soft spoken, thoroughly charming gentle soul with a slightly naughy sense of humour. Perfect for podcast... We get into the meat of his prep and performance in Snowtown, sure - but we also talk about the confidence game of being an actor in LA, the importance of having champions of your work, how awesome Jamie Bell is and bust open the overnight success myth. The history of facial hair is touched upon and he uses the word scoundrel. Yup, he's that kinda guy. 

Direct download: Daniel_Henshall.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:18pm PDT

Shooting the breeze with LA blow-in Celia Pacquola, a comedian and actress who generally splits her time between London and Melbourne... but you never know The City of Angels could get lucky! We chat about the virtues of a higher risk - higher reward approach to work, the importance of taking artistic breathers, how much better it is to write with someone than on your lonesome! We crown Toby Truslove King of ABC and wonder whether Damon Herriman might be an actual lizard - in a good (actory) way, of course. And if you liked season two of LAID, well, you better thank Cels! 

Direct download: Celia_Pacquola.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:18am PDT

Here's Myles Pollard! Star and producer of Aussie surfer drama, Drift. Myles and I chat about making films with mates, monster waves, ignorant tenacity, the changing face of film distribution, competing with Iron Man, Russian accents that morph into Austrian accents, doing what needs to be done and the joy of receiving 4 stars from both Margaret and David!!! I use surfing metatphors occasionally and swear A LOT. Sorry Mum. We try not to do tooooo much drama school reminiscing. But a little is inevitable... 

Direct download: Myles_Pollard.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:52pm PDT

I chat with freshly acquainted Athina Hilman - ocassional feature writer for Rolling Stone, junior intern at CNN and music festival marketing and pr extraordinaire. She and her overachievement puts me to shame... We discuss how working for Rolling Stone is like working for the CIA, the time she told Morrisey off, braving LA public transport and Seth Rogan's 'fro. We bond over our mutual adoration for The Roots' Questlove and just as quickly fall out over her biggest celebrity crush. Some things cannot be excused - not matter how young you are! 

Direct download: Athina_Hilman.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:08pm PDT

Kym Jackson is a woman in the know. Dog owner, actress and author of The Hollywood Survival Guide for Aussie Actors, Kym tells me what drove/inspired her to write what is essentially a guide to becoming a WORKING actor in LA. And thank god for that! We also discuss a key ingredient to the magic formula that isn't in the book... That intangible -word of the moment - thing called self-belief. 

Direct download: Kym_Jackson.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:22pm PDT

The ever affable Daniel MacPherson talks to me at length despite his dirty hangover. He shares his thoughts on starting again in LA, his athlete aspirations ie. working towards being an Ironman - not the steel suit but the speedo wearing kind - and the crazy trajectory that his career has taken since being discovered. What can I say - He's a top bloke! Not that anyone EVER doubted that. Though he may want to take some immune system support thingys... As I've learnt from his stories, too much hard work can make you sick. Let that be a lesson to the young. 

Direct download: Daniel_MacPherson.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:36pm PDT

The ante is upped in this chat with actress Bojana Novakovic. She discusses her physical aversion to the City of Angels, working with Sam Raimi and Rolf De Heer, not getting a part in Rake and THEN getting a part in Rake, snot, sex and public blind dates. We share our mutual respect for Australia Post and secrets on how to create chemistry with someone you don't necessarily have chemistry with... She doesn't let me get away with ANYTHING. And thank f**k for that. WARNING: this podcast might contain slightly too much information.

Direct download: Bojana_Novakovic.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:07pm PDT

Love Reality TV? Then you'll love this chat with Aimees Durrant - self taught whiz-bang editor of such shows as THe Block, 20:1, Face Off and Hell's Kitchen. We talk about how difficult it is to order a sandwich in this town, tight turnarounds (*ahem*), US budgets vs Oz budgets - no surprises there! - my burgeoning addiction to Syfy's Face Off, the satisfaction of working on the first season of a show and the overwhelming impulse to punch people in the face. I learn editor speak AND, most importantly, where to get lamingtons in LA. Ah, bliss! 

Direct download: Aimee_Durrant.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:57pm PDT

Holy pop culture, Batman! It's Maude Garrett – gamer, geek and other things beginning with 'g'. We discuss the ways our faces betray us, vampire books, blind people, what make a good interviewee as well as a bad one, how she will forever be known as phlegm girl to Simon Pegg and Nick Frost and we bond over our odd names and the way Americans say them. My love for Dave Grohl grows – EXPONENTIALLY! And, Zelda. There is talk of Zelda. 

Direct download: Maude_Garrett.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:59am PDT

Here's Felicity Ward! This chat comes directly to you from Flick's air bnb bed. In between the dueling coughs, we talk about the beginnings of her career, ironic boganism, the weirdness of LA, the awesomeness of Americans, comedy show's with heart, people taking a punt on you and she describes herself as industrious. Agreed! We eat milk duds and Flick drops some MAJOR names… Yup, all in a days werq! 

Direct download: Felicity_Ward.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:51pm PDT

Many questions for Josh Lawson... We cover the importance of improv to keep things alive on set, the ups and downs of his various pilot season experiences, why he wants to give NY a shot and his love for low budget indies. And the ACCTAs get a right serving for their lack of respect towards TV comedy. Right! I'm off to write an angry letter. 

Direct download: Josh_Lawson.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:23pm PDT

It's pilot season here in Hollywood! So Anna Lise and I talk about her highly successful experience with it last year. Thus, NBC's Revolution is discussed at length. Honorable mentions also go to dying on screen, method acting, the self-reliance of American actors and self testing.  And everything – I mean, EVERYTHING – is extraordinary. 

Direct download: Anna_Lise_Phillips.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:29pm PDT

Meet James Mitchell, a net-savvy content creator and head of production at 4WT Media.  In this episode, we discuss feeding the beast that is the internet, working with super-human-acting-machine Matt Damon, being dedicated to You Tube, Prometheus (yay!) and real life treasure hunts. James turns the tables on me and asks me questions too… Hmmmm…

Direct download: James_Mitchell.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:15pm PDT

Kimberley and I have a good old natter about the importance of being a human above and beyond being an actor, what she learnt by watching Ryan Kwanten on set, the housewives sub-genre in reality TV, breaking news that is neither really breaking or really news and all manner of things Home and Away. I out myself as a Harry Potter fan and demonstrate my lack of comprehension when it comes to sport. Excellent! Oh, and there are puppy interruptions...

Direct download: Kimberley_Cooper.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:23pm PDT

Caro visits LA for a couple of days. We chat about Aussie procedurals vs. US ones, detectives in hot tubs, Renaissance man James Franco, youth ambassadors for Australia, soapy donuts and Yes, Prime Minister. We reminisce about the ol' days at drama school and she uses a couple of big words that I don't know... Just the usual. 

Direct download: Caroline_Craig.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:53pm PDT

Wil talks about why he won't need super, the power of podcasts, the freedom to fail that Los Angeles affords him and his current and ongoing preoccupations. The latter includes cheese and gay marriage. He also calls the next Australian election. I do my best not to get in the way.

Direct download: Wil_Anderson.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:51am PDT

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