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.
Old NIDA buddy Christa Nicola is in LA for the opening of her film, The Pyramid. One month back in Australia after a 10 year acting hiatus she lands a lead in the 21st Century Fox horror flick. And with no time to soak it up, she found herself on set working with Dennis O’Hare, dealing with massive anxiety and a US accent. We chat about how doing the work is the only antidote to nerves, the art of nailing auditions, the long wait from filming to release and how her Greek peasant work ethic keeps her keeping on. While here she relishes being an acting geek and making friends at Erewhon. Her advice to those in Los Angeles: Don’t be a dick - use your peripheral vision!
Direct download: Christa_Nicola.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 1:47pm PDT

Dion Beebe, cinematographer extraodinaire, Oscar and BAFTA winner and all around affable guy chats with Another Aussie after a screening of his latest film INTO THE WOODS. With two other musicals under his belt (Chicago, Nine), he discusses Hollywood's desire to pigeonhole you, disregarding the technicalities of what he does, grounding fairytales and earning the moment to burst into song. He shares what he has learnt from his ongoing relationships with Jane Campion(Holy Smoke, In The Cut), Michael Mann (Collateral, Miami Vice) and Rob Marshall (Memoirs of a Geisha), but at the end of the day his impressively diverse work speaks for itself. 

Direct download: Q__A_with_Dion_Beebe.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:33am PDT

Writer and actor Craig Behenna has just returned to Adelaide - yup, we're in Radelaide, folks! - after a epic five month trip that culminated in his film ONE EYED GIRL taking out the Jury Prize at Austin Film Festival. We soldier through our respective jet lags to discuss writing, writing and more writing. Whether it be overwriting to find the gold, writing as a conversation with an audience or how screenwriting is like a Beethoven string quartet or a puzzle - no metaphor is left unturned or underused! But here's my take away - Find your people and stick with 'em!

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

This one is for all the actors out there! And writers!! And directors!!! Basically ANYONE who's thinking of moving to the US and wants to know how to get a visa and/or representation. Our panelists include Kate Raynor of Ranyor and Associates (immigration attorneys) and managers Lital Spitzer of 3 Arts Entertainment & Jeff Golenberg of Silver Linings Entertainment. Kate explains the differences between a Green Card and O1 visa, deal memos, petitioners and the like. Lital and Jeff impart their thoughts on when to come for pilot season, how to pitch to yourself managers and finding the right rep for you. Just when you think there are no more visa questions - there are more visa questions... Typical Aussies. 

Direct download: Australian_Actors_in_the_US_Forum.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 4:46pm PDT

Enjoy the easy breezy banter of this Q & A with some of the key creatives on the new Aussie film THE MULE. Our illustrious panel includes writer/director/actor Angus Sampson (Where The Wild Things Are), writer/actor Leigh Whannell (Saw, Insidious), actress Georgina Haig (Once Upon A Time) and actor Chris Pang (Tomorrow When The War Began) - Phew! They talk about finding the right people, Angus' inherent beard growing skills, the subtle art of crafting a fart, how Hugo Weaving legitimizes most things and not having the answers for Noni Hazlehurst. How would you have faired in our audience poll – “who's ever bogged in their pants?”. Be honest now…  

Direct download: The_Mule_2.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:35pm PDT

Amongst the pitter-patter of puppy paws, Stephan Elliott takes the time to reminiscence about Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and tells some truths about the current state of the industry. There are no stock answers here. Stephan shares stories of sharing the spoils with Muriel, being on the festival circuit with Tarantino and confronting Grace Jones.  Twenty years later, Priscilla - or as he calls it, 'The Old Bus and Chain' - while firmly cemented in Australian cultural landscape is still finding an audience. Stephan is fairly certain this will be the last hurrah for her... I'm not so sure. There seems to some life in the old girl yet! 

Direct download: Stephan_Elliot.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:09pm PDT

Lenka is the kinda musician that only needs one name. Even in LA, a city of singer-songwriters! She shares stories of her double life - Eastern suburbs mum (or MOM) vs. bodyguards and screaming fans. We discuss discovering the cool side to Los Angeles, getting less mature as one matures, becoming an adjective, working with Alfonso Cuaron - Yeah, you heard that right! - and the perfect Aussie care package. For the record, her's contains Paw Paw ointment, Berroca and Sirena tuna... 

Direct download: Lenka.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 3:40pm PDT

Lucy Fry (Vampire Academy) has had a busy two years! She has gotten to be a vampire princess, a Hollywood starlet, a manipulative high schooler and the troubled, somewhat possessed daughter of Kevin Bacon. We disscuss putting in the extra oomph, being part of the other half on LA public transport, and that little ol' fear of being 'found out'. She also shares her pre-audition routine and the various things she has learnt along her short but prolific journey. She is an utter delight to talk to! But you might have already guessed as much... 

Direct download: Lucy_Fry.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:42pm PDT

John Orcsik has been in the biz for a long time and boy, does he have some stories to tell. The self confessed raconteur reveals the asking price for a multilingual renaissance man and what it was like to have his Cop shop role written for him. We do a little brushing up on Sydney theatre history and discuss the Australian “No Bullshit” School of acting that the Yanks seem to love soooo much.  After 40 years he’s pretty zen about his career. Even his groundbreaking moment on Number 96 - the first gay kiss on Australian tele! All in a day’s work for John… 

Direct download: John_Orcsik.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:36pm PDT

Everything and anything is possible with documentary filmmaker Genevieve Bailey! Gen shares her epic nine year journey of making the award winning I AM ELEVEN, a film about 11 year olds from around the world. From outrunning pesky adults in Morocco, listening to the musings of France's pre-teen philosopher and the learning to surf bathing elephants, Gen has done it all! Let her positivity and passion inspire you too! As she says "Never let not having money stop you from telling stories!" Hear, hear! 

Direct download: Genevieve_Bailey.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:45pm PDT

Meet Aussie director Peter Cornwell (The Haunting in Connecticut, Helmlock Grove) who seems to have that horror/action thing down pat. We chat about the importance of jump scares, out Bazing Baz, pitching films about Amish people and his childhood obsession with watching sword fights. He also shares his philosophy on horror as personal development - clearly I’ve been going about life the wrong way! Time to face my fears… or not… 

Direct download: Peter_Cornwell.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:23pm PDT

Anna McGahan (House Husbands, Underbelly:Razor, 100 Bloody Acres) is both wise beyond her years and an easy breezy chatting buddy. She talks about playing the most notorious of Sydney’s prostitutes, her science geekiness and how being busy keeps her inspired. She asks some big questions too… when is a body just a body? How can actors take care of their psychological welfare? And why is it soooooo HOT in LA???
 
Warning: contains shameless Australians in Film plugs. 
Direct download: Anna_McGahan.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:39pm PDT

Sitting high in Laurel Canyon amongst the gum trees, in between birds a tweetin' and trucks hooning, conversation with actor and director Warwick Young is free flowing. In town for a whirlwind trip which includes his AFTRS graduate film screening, we talk about his filmmaking process where story is paramount and the director is keeper and defender of it. Here's to making movies that make the world a better place! 

Direct download: Warwick_Young.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:52am PDT

As VP for Scripted Development for Essential Media (Saving Mr. Banks, Rake, Jack Irish) and Australians in Film President, Simonne Overend has some stories and insights to share. Not in the least what it was like meeting Tom Hanks and translations for industry jargon! She talks about the ideal journey from idea to film or tv show, how internships are the best way in and her honest belief that the good stuff will rise to the top. NEWSFLASH - She also announces the judges for the Australians in Film Gateway LA script initiative. With 63 buyers of content in this town (MIND BLOWN), it's no wonder that Aussie properties are hot!

Direct download: Simonne_Overend.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:59pm PDT

All bets are off in this unguarded interview with actor Josh Saks (Face to Face, Deadline Gallipoli). Josh reveals his irrational fear of shark attacks, his inability to pick up on hints and how LA weather has spoiled him. We talk in depth about his friendship with director, mentor and tennis student Michael Rymer. While he gets me to reveal my current relationship status he is pretty bloody good at dodging the question himself... Though in the end, our advice to American girls - "Do it the Aussie way" and save yourself time and potential heartache. I REALLY hope my Granny isn't listening!!! 

Direct download: Josh_Saks_.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:37pm PDT

Sarah Doyle - writer/director of Anaconda and You, Me and Her - is taking the pressure off. Starting with looking at the big picture, taking stock in terms of decades not yearly. Not that she need worry too much. After being select as one of eight women to participate in the AFI Directing Workshop for Women, her short film won The Audience Choice Award at the Etheria Film Night. All in 12 months! We chat tangentially about demystifying Hollywood, finding the absurd in the everyday, coming full circle with the Tamarama Rock Surfers and having only Aussie girlfriends. The glass may have started half empty but it ends half full! 

Direct download: Sarah_Doyle.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 12:02pm PDT

A post Comic-Con Julian Curtis - actor, writer, lead in Hulu's SPOOKED, twitter obsessive - sits down with Another Aussie to ask the big questions. Like 'what is the male version of brunette?' And 'did I get the part 'cos someone pulled out last minute?' Y'know just the stuff we actors think about. He shares his secrets on scamming your way into panels and proves he ain't great with surnames. He also shares his belief that Hollywood is always looking for the next best thing but you gotta choose your stream here, mate. This ain't the multitasking Aussie industry. Your US peers are too good and have been at it for longer! But rest assured that everyone - and we mean EVERYONE - in LA is NUTS! 

Direct download: Julian_Curtis.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:18pm PDT

Henry Nixon would have never struck me as a person who believes in auspicious dates but there are lots of things about Henry I never woulda guessed! Like him feeling like a pretender when he lead a batallion in THE PACIFIC. Or the joy he got outta fooling MAD MEN showrunner Matthew Weiner. We talk about LA being the great leveller, Kerri Anne doing her research on him and how a career in acting is a bit like a shampoo commercial. Oh, and he's one of the few people who can legitimately use the "ol' phone call from Spielberg routine". 

Direct download: Henry_Nixon.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 3:20pm PDT

Jo Long makes sh*t happen - though she would never descibe it that way. But that's what she did as a producer on Rove LA, Hamish & Andy's Gap Year and The Jenny McCarthy Show. We talk about being a jack of all trades vs. being on the one track career path, catfish noodling with Hamish and Andy, googling Harrison Ford, having on the lot Warner Bros. parking for her Pontiac Sunfire and how weird it is to have an agent. We both agree being around funny people is the BEST! 

Direct download: Jo_Long_.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:11am PDT

Susan Prior (Puberty Blues) jumped on The Rover train and found herself in LA via Cannes. And, boy, am I glad! In between tea slurps, we discuss her conscioius decision to focus on TV and film, the beauty and honour of filmmaking, “backing yourself”, working with Guy Pearce, R.Patz and Philip Seymour Hoffman and when to hide the self help books. 'Be yourself, be your best self and work hard' is now my motto! 

Direct download: Susan_Prior.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:26am PDT

Eva Orner is the Oscar and Emmy winning documentary producer and director of Taxi to the Dark Side and The Network. Her new film Bloody UnAustralian will examine Australia's treatment of asylum seekers. Um.... yeah. This is a lady with something to say. Big Stuff is covered. But so is fun stuff - we chat about the dangers of reading online comments, facebook stalking for the greater good, dressing appropriately for the Oscars and befriending the likes of Javier Bardem on Award Season red carpets. 

Direct download: Eva_Orner.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:23am PDT

Cody Fern (War Horse) has just been awarded - no, gifted - the Australians in Film Heath Ledger Scholarship and he couldn't be more chuffed. He shares a little about the whirlwind two weeks - pre and post - and where to from now. Needless to say, it's been an accelerated crash course in all things LA... We compare and contrast art and commerce: the profession that almost was. And his work ethic puts me to shame. All in all, he's ready to make the most of this. And I couldn't be happier for him! 

Direct download: Cody_Fern.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:26pm PDT

To say Another Aussie got Sean James Murphy on a good day is an UNDERSTATMENT! Three life things sorted by 11.30am! Relatively new to LA but with heaps of stories to share, Sean takes us through his golden pilot season of 2013 and the not-so golden one for 2014. We discuss the compare and despair trap, the weird notion of "Making It", the desire to contribute cuturally and having awesome parents. He reveals his cynicism. But to be honest, if that is him being cynical - it's awwwwwright by me! 

Direct download: Sean_James_Murphy.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:58am PDT

The easy, breezy banter of Phil Lloyd and Trent O'Donnell - creators of The Moodys and Review with Myles Barlow - is 20 years in the making. From short films at Uni to developing ideas with Doug Elin and everything in between, they share it all at a live Australians in Film Q & A. Trent outs Phil as lazy but only after Phil outs himself and they admit they were only really banking on one season of The Moody Christmas. Whoops! Patty Brammalll gets a mention and if you listen real carefully - around 7 minutes in - you can hear Wil Anderson laughing... 

Direct download: Phil_Lloyd_and_Trent_ODonnell.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:52pm PDT

Holy Aussiewood! To celebrate Another Aussie in LA becoming the official podcast of Australians in Film, this week's ep is a live Q & A chat with Fred Schepisi, acclaimed Australian director of The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith, Evil Angels, Six Degrees of Separation, Roxanne and The Eye of The Storm. We sit down with Fred after a screening of his new film WORDS AND PICTURES in Los Angeles. Toooooo much wisdom, wit and general amazingness in the form of film stories. 

Direct download: Fred_Schepisi.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:37pm PDT

Here's a quickie with Roxane Wilson - Stingers, Water Rates, The Alice - a chat grabbed before pre-show rehearsals of Australian Theatre Company's inaugral production of HOLDING THE MAN. But no fear, a lot of ground is covered! We chat about the shifting landscape for women in Hollywood, working with Larry Moss, being dedicated to the craft of acting and the interplay between hope and stupidity, intuition and stubborness in one's attraction to Los Angeles. With occasional gripes on the 2014 budget and interjections from ATC company manager, Jackie Diamond. 

Direct download: Roxane_Wilson.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:56pm PDT

Art and life mirror each other in this podcast with director Luke Eve.  His new web series LOW LIFE, starring Henry Nixon and Claire van der Boom, explores the comedy in depression with cinematic style and beautiful results. And in this chat he is super candid about his experiences with it. We also cover the value of making your own stuff esp. in this town, being good a begging, how exhausting Kickstarter campaigns can be and of course the Aussie Mafia in LA! He uses the word 'Hutzpah' which made me happy on the inside. The best place to be happy, I find. 

Direct download: Luke_Eve.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 2:13pm PDT

Jonny Pasvolsky - McLeod's Daughters, The Moody's, Mr. and Mrs. Murder - has had the best of times and the worst of times and then the best of times. He's just shot a film playing oppposite Johnny Depp, Olivia Munn, Ewan McGregor, Jeff Goldblum and Paul Bettany. CLANG! Hear those names drop! We talk about the work levelling everything, family keeping it real, 80s comedies and weeing next to Adrian Brody. And he has the best Jeff Goldblum story ever.  

Direct download: Jonny_Pasvolsky.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:25am PDT

One half of the Wau Wau Sisters and one whole fearless woman, Adrienne Truscott is a yank in Oz for this 'reverse' episode. Fresh from her Melbourne International Comedy Festival season of her solo show: Adrienne Truscott's Asking For It: A one lady rape about comedy starring her pussy and little else. We talk about letting your wrongest sense of humour out, staying true to your politics and be willing to take the piss out of yourself as the magic triumvirate for excellent show making. And it looks like I now have NO EXCUSES to make my next piece of work... Damn her. Damn her eyes...

Direct download: Adrienne_Truscott.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 1:44am PDT

It's Patty's Day on my podcast! Hurrah! Patrick (A Moody Christmas, Upper Middle Bogan and soon to be seen on Offspring) gives his pilot season round up whilst competing with the Russian next door... We discuss the cultural cringe, patriotism, the pros and cons of meeting your heroes and facebook threads getting outta hand. He reveals why he could NEVER be Thor. Or any role Russell does for that matter. But then again when you've got the loveable f*ckwit nailed, why do anything else. For now...

Direct download: Patrick_Brammall.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:10pm PDT

Lisa Gormley was (unofficially) the least likely person to end up in Summer Bay at drama school. But that's exactly what happened. Life, huh? A country girl who doesn't deal with bullshit, Los Angeles has been a little tough for our Lisa. We make gross generalisations about the differences between the US, UK and Oz industries and share our love for Benedict Cumberbatch. *swoon*. She is a magician! She is an eagle! She's a magic eagle! Trust me... It'll make sense, if you listen. 

Direct download: Lisa_Gormley.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 1:12pm PDT

Ben Lawson - Neighbours, No Strings Attached, Secrets and Lies - must smell of Hollywood. That special something that makes expat actors oh-so attractive to industry back home. It is a phenomenon he has noticed amongst peers and how he explains his crazy busy last year of back to back work in Oz after having been in LA for six years... Well, either that or he's good at what he does. We take at LENGTH about how long my podcasts are, being on hold for over a year (retainer = vodka money), getting the role of "handsome man" and my shitty research on him. Yeah, he spends most of the podcast giving me shit. Thankfully we were - I mean, ARE -friends.

Direct download: Ben_Lawson.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:56am PDT

Kieran Darcy-Smith is doing pretty bloody good for a self-confessed f*ck-up at school... His first feature, Wish You Were Here, debuted at Sundance in 2012 and since then he's been riding the Hollywood development wave with style. We talk about how Aussie TV show E-Street made acting look enticing and the early days of Blue Tongue Films. He confirms my sneaking suspicions that a good screenplay is the greatest currency and being a writer/director can be an Access All Areas pass in this town. Yup! I knew it... 

Direct download: Kieran_Darcy-Smith.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:31pm PDT

Kate Box (Rake, Offspring, Paper Giants) is maintaining her sense on humour while in LA for pilot season! We chat about playing the mortal enemy of Australia's sweetheart, Asher Keddie, driving lessons with Sam Neill ,rewrting scripts for US accent ease and the everyday reality of pilot season which (sometimes) includes losing out to Jada Pinkett-Smith... And when all else fails, there's always the #3 at Greenblatt's Deli! 

Direct download: Kate_Box.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:48pm PDT

So many surprises in this podcast with Hugh Sheridan! Star of Packed to the Rafters, Never Tear Us Apart and patron (saint) of Urban Myth Theatre... Bet you didn't know that one! Hugh tells stories about opening for Liza, beating out Rhianna and where his FOMO comes from. Oooooo! So close... But don't think one set back's gonna stop this triple threat. Na-uh! Oh, and keep and ear out for the crooning. It's pretty sweet. 

Direct download: Hugh_Sheridan.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:04pm PDT

Being in Hollywood has made Zoe Ventoura (Packed to the Rafters, Wild Boys) very zen-like. The getting close to life changing deals, auditioning against bonafide stars and having a career that straddles the Pacific - well, that'll do it! We talk about being ready to carry a film, working with John Cusack, the art of self testing and not being immune to celebrity spotting. If you saw Seth Rogen, you'd probably have a moment too... But just be sure to ASK for a photo. No creepiness please!

Direct download: Zoe_Ventoura.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:30am PDT

AWESOME GUEST ALERT! Tim Minchin joins Another Aussie in LA for a chat three weeks into making LA his new home. Digressions abound and names are dropped. Tim illuminates me on the economic machine that is Broadway, how Groundhog Day the musical came about and his existential crisis brought on by the Grammys. We talk about the importance of making stuff you'd like to see, going for the low hanging fruit first, the beauty of reimagining what you've made before and how EVERYTHING informs EVERYTHING. And there are some Old Fitzroy Theatre reminisces. A 'This Blasted Earth' reboot, anyone?

Direct download: Tim_Minchin.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:11pm PDT

Fresh from NBC's Camp, Natasha Basset is just starting out in LA. But don't let that fool you into thinkng she is a novice. Oh no! This lady knows her stuff. With guest roles in RAKE, LAID and WILDBOYS, she chats with me about her experiences here thus far. We bond over the Atlantic Theatre Company and working with Melissa Bruder. She shares her stories about making her first short KITE, under the mentorship of Jane Campion! We get dsitracted by a puppy chomping on a bone. Just your normal podcast really!

 

Direct download: Natasha_Bassett.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:08pm PDT

Watched some Australian comedy on the tele in the past few years? Then it's highly likely you're familiar with Trent O'Donnnell's work. Director of A Moody Christmas, Review with Myles Barlow, Laid and Sam Simmons' Problems. We talk about how easy it is to sell an idea in the US (pretty damn easy) compared to making something in Oz (hmmm, kinda tough...), the joy of making stuff with friend and collaborator of TWENTY years, Phil Lloyd and pranking peeps - I mean, working with - The Chaser team. He admits to less manhandling of actors on US sets. Probably for the best, considering...

Direct download: Trent_ODonnell.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:52pm PDT

This little Aussie is back in LA with a chat to rising star Beejan Land. In only ten months, Beejan has scored a lead in the feature, Damn Foreigners, a recurring role in NCIS:LA and supporting role in Mega Shark vs. Mecha Shark. But don't think this is some overnight sensation. He's been training and working in Paris for the last four years and couldn't be more grounded as a result. We talk about his origins as a magician - Ta-Dah! - LA not being a theatre town, what's it's like going to producers on your third audition - awesome! Be careful. His grounded and positive approach to work might rub off on you. It did on me... 

Direct download: Beejan_Land.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:44pm PDT

Another Aussie is in NYC visiting my carnie family, La Soiree. Soooooo, this week's guest is Creative Producer and Ringmaster Brett Haylock! We catch up with him in between teching acts for the New Years Eve spectacular. We talk about the international phenomenom that La Soiree has beome - from little show born out of The Famous Speigeltent to it's Olivier award winning West End run. Skill and heart, danger and subversion. Trusting your instincts and being the best is what it is all about. Leave your troubles at the door, La Soiree is in town!! And, yes, it is impossible to resist. 

Direct download: Brett_Haylock.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:58pm PDT

1