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.

Actor Toby Wallace (NEVER TEAR US APART, THE TURNING) has a Star Wars: The Force Awakens audition story!!!! And he waits a whole eight minutes to tell me! Can you believe it?!?! Before that we discuss what it was like coming to  LA for the first time as a 2014 Australians In Film Heath Ledger Scholarship finalist, auditioning in odd places and preparing for pilot season. After he shares what it was like auditioning for J.J. Abrams, we talk about playing a young Michael Hutchence,  seven year contracts and the weirdness of watching yourself on screen. Did I mention he got close to Star Wars??? 

Direct download: Toby_Wallace_.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:00am PDT

This episode with Belinda Gosbee (J. EDGAR, TWO BROKE GIRLS) is a illusion-busting reality check because sometimes it can take a little while to get started in Los Angeles. Belinda candidly shares her stories of her early days, her pride in still being here and how Hollywood can give you a little taste of the high life. Like when she worked with Clint Eastwood and Leo DiCaprio on J. Edgar!! EEK! She takes us on an in depth discussion about her latest gig - a role on CBS’ Two Broke Girls - from audition to performance level table reads to producers laughing at rehearsals to the glorious final taping in front of a live audience. If only you could ALWAYS forget the camera was there!! 

Direct download: Belinda_Gosbee.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:00am PDT

Getting ready to come over for pilot season? This episode with actress Sara Zwangobani (LOVE MY WAY, PACKED TO THE RAFTERS, Sydney Theatre Company’s A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE) is for you! We discuss the business side of the biz here - branding, marketing and how to choose classes and workshops strategically. Sara shares her advice on balancing dreaming big and working towards achievable goals, making it easy for casting directors to give you the job and what to do in the waiting room. This is the Olympics people! So give yourself the best possible chance to do your best work and ask for help when you need it! 

Direct download: Sara_Zwangobani_.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:57am PDT

Actor and writer Jonathan Gavin (OFFSPRING, PUBERTY BLUES) has written for some of Australia’s most loved and most acclaimed TV shows. His latest offering is THE BEAUTIFUL LIE, a contemporary reimagining of ANNA KARENINA for the ABC. He talks us through the inevitable trade offs made when it comes to modernising a classic. He shares what it’s is like to work with the powerhouse partnership of John Edwards and Imogen Banks, dealing with schedule clashes and the fear of being 'found out’. We also discuss how each show he has worked on is a reflection of the particular personalities involved. And the essential truth that if the writers' room doesn’t work, invariably the show won’t get made! 

 

Direct download: Jonathan_Gavin.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:12am PDT

Strap yourself in for a crash course in indie filmmaking from writer, director, actor Paul Ashton recorded in the aftermath of the Los Angeles premiere of his feature THIS ISN’T FUNNY. Paul talks us through the film’s nine month gestation, birth and beyond: from writing a first draft in six weeks to upping a nano budget to a micro one to the necessity of having balls of steel. 

Direct download: Paul_Ashton.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am PDT

Director Catriona McKenzie (SATELLITE BOY, REDFERN NOW) began her time in LA using is as a base between international festivals. Now she spends her time in between work at home to partner with creatives here in order to make work with a reach beyond the American market. We discuss her rev head tendencies and the script they have inspired, LA as a city of commerce and her interest in writing genre pics. She shares the Jimmy McGovern school of creating plot - f*cking up your characters and letting them go at it. 
Her advice: don’t get distracted by the fizz. Let’s hope Ava DuVernay is listening...
Direct download: Catriona_McKenzie.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:00am PDT

The first time Arianwen Parkes-Lockwood came to LA was for a callback for the role of a certain Mother of Dragons. Needless to say, the experience was enough to whet her appetite. She has made it a point to visit in between seasons of A Place To Call Home ever since. We talk about the need to have 1000% more confidence here, the pros and cons of a red carpet life and finding an authenticity on social media. She shares her passion for making stop-motion animations with her hubby and difficulties of the time difference when they are apart. And as much as she loves period dramas - and boy does she! - Arianwen would like to give a procedural a go. Would someone cast her in a cop show please? 

Direct download: Arianwen_Parkes-Lockwood.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:00am PDT

Writer/Director Megan Riakos has taken a very American indie approach for her debut feature CRUSHED, an Australian mystery thriller. Her time in studying screenwriting at UCLA can be attributed for both the genre and budget. She talks to us about writing a movie you know you can shoot, identifying your film’s niche and the multitude of theatrical release options in the current market. She advises getting clear about your personal goals in navigating all of the above. Sound advice from someone who almost got caught on the independent film production assistant hamster wheel! She certainly knows what she is talking about. But don’t take it from me, have a listen! 

Direct download: Megan_Riakos.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:00am PDT

#113 - David No

David No (MATRIX RELOADED, MR. NICE GUY) is the epitome of a slashie - actor, producer, writer, action director and filmmaker. He talks to us about making genre films, producing $4 million dollar commercials starring Jackie Chan and straddling two cultures - those being Australian and Korean. He shares his insight into the Los Angeles stunt community as well as what took him away from here and what might bring him back.

Direct download: David_No.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:00am PDT

Writer and actress Krew Boylan (SCHAPELLE, MOLLY) did LA for a spell and it wasn’t for her. New York is her chosen home. She talks about what pilot season is like in the Big Apple and the constant stimulus of art, fashion and culture. She shares advice on playing real life characters - something she has done thrice now! And the things she has learned about her writing routines - dressing the part and when the magic of place has gone. I am most excited to talk to her about THE DOLLHOUSE, a collective of incredibly talented women - Krew, Rose Byrne, Jessica Carrera, Shannon Murphy and Gracie Otto - ‘committed to exploring the creative boundaries of film, TV and theatre’. Whoop! 

Direct download: Krew_Boylan.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:00am PDT

Producer Robyn Kershaw (SUCKER, MY MISTRESS, LOOKING FOR ALIBRANDI, KATH & KIM) is the context queen. If you listen closely, you can hear the cogs in my mind turning as she explains rise of the Kardashians, how You Tube has become the bastion of outsiders and cultural significance of the horror genre. She believes that Los Angeles - for better or for worse - drives the taste for the rest of the world and that part of her job is to understand the market forces behind that so she can bring Australian stories to a greater audience. Now that is something I can get behind! 

Direct download: Robyn_Kershaw.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:00am PDT

Story is everything to actress turned novelist, Tempany Deckert (HOME & AWAY, THE SECRET LIFE OF US). On this podcast she shares tales of why she choose the US over the more worn path to the UK for Aussie Soap stars, using her acting inspirations as fuel for her novels and how Anna Karenina taught her everything she needed to know about men. She warns against writing for the market but encourages the fake till you make it attitude. At the very least, she’s got your holiday reading list sorted!
Direct download: Tempany_Deckert.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:00am PDT

Director, writer and choreographer Alethea Jones (2012 Tropfest winning LEMONADE STAND, THE GENTLEMEN’S GUIDE TO KNIFE FIGHTING) had a two year campaign of to-ing and fro-ing between Oz and LA before moving here. But, boy, did it pay off! In the last year she has directed a couple of episodes of GORTIMER GIBBON’S LIFE ON NORMAL STREET and the pilot episode of A HISTORY OF RADNESS - both for Amazon Studios. We discuss the power of saying ‘I don’t know’, the difference between pitch meetings and general meetings, the necessity of making messy short films and the importance of making your boss look good to their boss.

Direct download: Alethea_Jones.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:00am PDT

Jacinta Stapleton (NEIGHBOURS, STINGERS) has been checking out LA for a while now. On this podcast, she shares her acting origins stories, her attraction to complicated characters (read: b*tches) and deciding her career path at age eight. We talk about her recent reign as Queen of the Biopic with SCHAPELLE, NEVER TEAR US APART and the upcoming project MOLLY and approaching those characters outside in. She lets us in on ways she keeps sane in this city which includes getting out as often as possible! 

Direct download: Jacinta_Stapleton.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:00am PDT

Chum Ehelepola (A MOODY CHRISTMAS, THE STRAITS) has done that trans-pacific flight too many times for his liking but that is what it takes to get established in LA. His first trip at age 19 was to work with the man who taught Michael to moonwalk - yes, that Michael! Chum shares more recent stories of being part of the ABC Diversity program, twice - once as an actor and then again as a writer and director - winning fans in the industry and juggling accents in audition rooms. In a country where they say ‘yes’ first and fear comes second and the opportunity to go full Entourage is only ever a phone call away, Chum seems very happy. And yes, of course - we do indian accents

Direct download: Chum_Ehelepola.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:00am PDT

Actor Damon Gameau (BALIBO, THE TRACKER, SECRETS & LIES) has added documentary filmmaker to his bow with the release of THAT SUGAR FILM. Beginning with nutritional naiveté and dogged determination Damon used himself as a guinea pig in a Super-Size Me style to explore the effect of hidden sugar on the body. The results are startling in this fun, informative doco. In this podcast, he talks about letting go of ego, putting the audience first and using humour in order to deliver the message beyond 'The Quinoa Curtain’  - his awesome phrase, not mine! We also discuss dealing with haters on social media and how the backlash after his 2010 Tropfest win was the best thing that could have happened to him. Wanna know the key to happiness? Have a listen! 

Direct download: Damon_Gameau.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:00am PDT

Hold on to your seats folks because writer/director Elissa Down (THE BLACK BALLOON) jumps right into this podcast with a glorious tale of the fickle nature of Los Angeles. She also shares stories of the inevitable speed bumps and stop signs on the long road of development, the Hollywood water trail and knowing when to send a script out and to whom. But if you take nothing else: Beware the raccoon overlords!! 

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

This one is for the actors out there! Richard Brancatisano (CHASING LIFE, UNDERBELLY RAZOR) is all for making the process easier for himself. Whether that’s dealing with self-imposed pressure or knowing how he works best. He talks about the necessity of taking risks, lessening obsession and having the confidence to make choices and follow your instincts. He takes us through pre-reads and network testing to booking the job and maintaining the fun. Time to let go of the idea of being the best. Here’s to getting better each time instead! 

Direct download: Richard_Brancatisano.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:36am PDT

Excuse our croaky voices - T.J. Power (EAT, PRAY, LOVE and LITTLE DEATH) and I are recovering from doing "some theatre, daaaarling!”
We discuss the addictive nature of acting, the constant activity vs the lack of free fun in LA and getting backstage passes to 90s touring bands - ROCK! T.J. dispenses tales of hanging and leaning from Javier Bardem and the catch-22 of wanting a role. But if you only take one thing away from this chat then let this be it: If the creator of Glee asks if you can sing and you can, say HELL YESSSSS! 
Direct download: TJ_Power.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:02pm PDT

Rachael Carpani (McLEOD’S DAUGHTERS, IF THERE BE THORNS, SEEDS OF YESTERDAY) is completely aware of how fortunate she was in her 20s. And although she had no burning desire to come to Los Angeles, seven years later it seems to be her home. For now. Along the way she has had the opportunity to work with Hector Elizondo, Jimmy Smits, Kathy Baker, Treat Williams and Heather Graham, among others. She shares her pilot season experiences, her ability to fall asleep anywhere on set and her gratitude for being a working actress. We discuss when to take things personally and when not to, how auditioning is a skill onto itself and how sometimes knowing less is actually the better option! 

Direct download: Rachael_Carpani.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 8:48am PDT

Matt Levett (DEVIL’S PLAYGROUND, A PLACE TO CALL HOME) is pretty chuffed to be in LA, albeit a little exhausted. We sat down for a chat just days after he received the 2015 Australians in Film Heath Ledger Scholarship. We discuss his transformation into a 90s street hustler in Devil’s Playground, the importance of investing time and money in development, having a common language with the cast of A Place to Call Home and surrounding yourself with a team that’s better than you. 
But try as I might I can’t get an American accent out of him! 
Direct download: Matt_Levett_.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 12:06pm PDT

We did it! We reached 100! And to celebrate here is panel of awesome guests - Wil Anderson, Kimberley Cooper, Maude Garrett and Tim Minchin - recorded live at The Parlor in West Hollywood. We catch up a little with each person to see what they’ve been up to since they were on the podcast - Wil’s three hour lunches with the Australian Consul General in Chicago, Maude’s nerd news, Kimberley’s foray into playwrighting and Tim’s ethical and moral dilemmas. Then a glorious chaos descends! Covering the necessity for nudity or (but not both) songs in theatre, Star Wars porn, bad Australian accents, Dave Hughes impressions and The Corrs. But if you take nothing else away from this podcast, please let it be that Tim Minchin REALLY loves dogs. 

Direct download: Live_with_Wil_Anderson_Kimberley_Cooper_Maude_Garrett__Tim_Minchin_.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:37pm PDT

Writer and actress, Monica  Zanetti is checking off a lot of ‘firsts'. A short, a play, a feature and soon a pilot… But it is SKIN DEEP - her debut feature under both job titles - that brings her to LA, specifically Newport Beach, the latest stop of the festival circuit. She takes time out to talk with me about writing specifically for a low budget, writing not quite autobiographically and just plain old writing. When it comes to filmmaking, she is the first to unashamedly admit that  a little bit of ignorance can go a long way! 
For me, the 'take away’ from this podcast is not waiting for permission to make a film. Just please don’t take her cat… 
Direct download: Monica_Zanetti.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:51pm PDT

Louisa Mignone (RAKE, EAST WEST 101) was kinda skeptical at first when she was told about the immersive process director Shane Abbess wanted to use on set during the INFINI shoot. But the how else do you gain the understanding necessary to play a lieutenant in a rescue mission to a outlying space station in the 23rd century? She shares stories about the bond between the amazing cast (including Daniel MacPherson, Luke Ford, Grace Huang and Luke Hemsworth), the highest of high stakes (Save The World!) and the ingenious design team. And it seems the film has found it’s audience - number one on iTunes in OZ and the dubious honor of being the favorite of pirates - ARGH!!!! Anyhoo, that's given Louisa an idea for a followup film...

Direct download: Louisa_Mignone.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 2:02pm PDT

Writer and director Stephen Lance’s first feature MY MISTRESS is an impressionistic view of his adolescence. But if you want more details than that - it’s a firm ‘no’. He holds sacred the complicit pact between audience and the film to maintain the integrity of the illusion of storytelling. What he is willing to share, however, is the difficulties in collaboration, seeing the DNA of his main character, Maggie in the luminous Emmanuelle Beart, directing actors with differing techniques and how he draws upon the greats of European cinema. Warning - there are some spoilers!

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

Comedian and Investigative Humorist Dan Ilic (A RATIONAL FEAR, HUNGRY BEAST, CAN OF WORMS) is currently the Senior Producer of Satire at AJ+, Al Jazeera’s digital arm. Yup, that’s a job. Well, at least it is now… From war zones to Sundance, Dan has been everywhere and probably poked fun at it too. He talks about internet death threats, the un-usefulness of QR codes and feeding Sir Ben Kingsley humble pie. He shares what he has learnt about creating content for the interwebs. Not in the least, how being a little bit furious fuels his creativity...

Direct download: Dan_Ilic.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 10:29am PDT

It would seem that fortune is on actress Melanie Zanetti’s side (TRACKS). She just wrapped the Project Greenlight film THE LEISURE CLASS, the documentary on which will soon be seen on HBO. She talks about working with your betters, gaining camera confidence and what it was like being followed by a doco crew - oddly kinda liberating. Having ditched her preconceived notions about LA and the industry here, she is reveling its challenges and surprises. She highly recommends giving “less f*@ks” and attempting to live in the present. I highly recommend letting her perspective and enthusiasm infect you!  
Direct download: Melanie_Zanetti.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:39am PDT

Glen Dolman, writer and story editor (HAWKE, THE BILL, Australians in Film Gateway LA finalist), started making movies in his backyard. Having worked in Oz, the UK and now here, he talks us through the ‘Murrican way of doing things. Yup, managers and agents and lawyers - OH MY! Being a writer who ACTUALLY writes, Glen shares his experiences of getting out of your own way, the need to immerse yourself in the culture, establishing your brand and his ethos of 'no magic, just work'. And he teaches me a new word! Say it with me: hagiography... 

Direct download: Glen_Dolman.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:07am PDT

Vivienne Walshe (2012 Griffin Award winning playwright and 2015 AiF Gateway LA finalist) is finding her feet in Los Angeles. She shares her experiences of pitching in LA, finding her inner showman, taking pleasure in the act of doing and knowing you are getting better at your craft. In a town built on referrals, she relishes her relative anonymity and how well read people in the biz are. Cultural comparisons abound and I manage to get some dating stories! Well, kinda sorta...

Direct download: Vivienne_Walshe_.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 11:45am PDT

It’s a the ongoing adventures of the One Eyed Girl team with Writer Director Nick Matthews and Producer/EditorDavid Ngo! Their decade long partnership made the leap from short to feature via the SAFC FilmLab program resulting in their Austin Film Festival Jury Prize winning thriller. They debate the merits of reviews vs festival fronds, the market driven system vs the filmmaker driven system and the longest of social media long games. They illuminate this Aussie on the advantages of having an Australian film on the world festival circuit and the the differing paths of directors and producers in Hollywood. Here’s a few helpful hints: 1) Be ready with you want to do next and 2) if you are going to 'them', you’re not ready yet… Anyone for table tennis? 
Direct download: Nick_Matthews_and_David_Ngo.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:27pm PDT

Third time's a charm in Los Angeles for actress Charlotte Best (HOME AND AWAY, PUBERTY BLUES). The 2014 Heath Ledger Scholarship Runner Up talks about her growing affection for this city, trusting the right job will come along, moving up the casting hierachy, the rebirth of her audition techniques LA-style and putting her boyfriend Andy through her film appreciation course. She reflects on her breakthrough role as Cheryl in Puberty Blues and the relish she took in getting to play the class 'mole'. While the grass may always be greener, Charlotte's seems pretty happy with her patch! 

Direct download: Charlotte_Best.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:39am PDT

Tracy Bacal is CEO and SVP of Karga Seven Pictures, an LA and Istanbul based production company who specialises in non-fiction television and feature films. But don't let the important sounding letters fool you. This down to earth woman is all about teamwork - there is no 'us vs. them' in this camp. She defines her job as how to give everyone what they want for the money you have. She talks about the having to choose between the scripted and un-scripted genres when arriving here, fufilling her childhood dream to live in Los Angeles, the importance of persistance and how helpful her mum's scrapbook was in applying for a visa. 

Direct download: Tracy_Bacal.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:03pm PDT

Simon Burke (The Devil’s Playground x 2) is in LA for pilot season for the first time EVER. With a career spanning 40 years and two continents, he has found a sense of freedom in being an unknown quantity in this town with a wealth of experience. His no expectations approach is allowing him to enjoy LA for what it is. Of course, it helps that he’s just produced the award winning TV series The Devil’s Playground. He shares with us it’s serendipitous birth, the balance between a producers objectivity vs an actor’s subjectivity and his thoughts on personifying adolescence for a generation of Australian cinema goers in the original film by Fred Schepisi. 
No pressure… 
Direct download: Simon_Burke.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 9:04am PDT

Happy days! Tripod - Australia’s (2nd?) best musical comedy trio - are in Los Angeles to work on their new show, THIS GAMING LIFE. Scod, Gatesy and Yon take time out of their hectic schedule to reminisce about the good ol’ days opening for cover bands and their old school marketing techniques, which included capturing St Kilda foot traffic and diuretic mail outs. They reveal their individual gaming preferences and advise me on the best games for lasting romantic relationships. I have yet to test their theories... Look out LA Uber drivers - The Peace Machines have arrived and they will serenade you with their three part harmonies! 

Direct download: Tripod.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:04pm PDT

Awarding winning filmmaking team Tim Marshall (writer/director) and Christina Radburn (producer) are decompressing from the whirlwind that is the Sundance Film Festival where their short, FOLLOWERS premiered. It’s just like being at camp! 
They share stories from the frontline of indie filmmaking like juggling timezones and international producing partnerships, getting on the radar of funding bodies and the importance of seeking mentors. We discuss the pros and cons of festivals vs. online release - it’s a tough one! And Tim let’s us in on his barometer for a good project - when it scares you, you know you are on the right track. While for Christina, it's working on something you believe in with people that you believe in. Cheers to that! 
Direct download: Tim_Marshall_and_Christina_Radburn.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:03pm PDT

Julius Avery (writer/director) and Nash Edgerton (actor - for this one!) joined Another Aussie for a Q & A at screening of their new film SON OF A GUN. They share stories of being a fan boy and buillding a fan base, watching each others' careers, the journey from shorts to features and the need for adaptability and trusting your instincts. Especially when it's very likely that as the director, you are the one with the least amount of experience! With the help of the audience we cover writing, financing, shooting, marketing and distributing - yeah, the gamut! The highs the lows of filmmaking and everything in between... 

Direct download: Son_of_Gun_Q__A_with_Julius_Avery_and_Nash_Edgerton.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:32pm PDT

Here's a laid back ramble with actor and producer Martin Copping (ZOMBIE HUNTER, BATTLE GROUND). While a restless spirit may have brought him to LA, Marty has remained pretty focussed in his six years. We talk about rock and roll starts, perpetual LA acting students, having your bases covered rep wise and working with your heroes - there were tears! His sage advice for the bussiness side o' things - When it works, it works. And when it doesn't, move on!

Direct download: Martin_Copping.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 1:10pm PDT

After 15 years Stateside, multi-hypenate Paul Leyden (THE CLEANERS, AS THE WORLD TURNS, CANAL ROAD) knows a few things. He's lived the high life in NYC, killed numerous cellphones and survived many a pilot season. And yes, those last two are related. As a writer/director/producer, he shares stories on how to woo Sony money men, the constraints of writing to locations, how best to win over novelists. (Hint: flattery) and the subtle art of timing when selling scripts. But my favourite is a tale about picking a show with Heather Lockler and Blair Underwood (LAX) over one about being LOST on a deserted island...

Pilot season is coming... Please don't take it out on your phone!!

Direct download: Paul_Leyden.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:03am PDT

It’s Q & A time with Joel Edgerton! Recorded after an Australians in Film screening of Exodus: Gods and Kings, Joel shares tales of his time shooting the swords and sandals epic from working with Ridley “The General” Scott to his thoughts on the casting controversy surrounding the movie. We also delve into his work with Blue Tongue Films, the trails and tribulations of making and distributing films in Australia, the tumultuous times on the set of Jane Got a Gun, the things actors get away with and mixing it up vs. knowing what your wheelhouse is. It’s a cracker!

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

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