Interviewees
Sam Neil | Actor
Sam Neill is an internationally recognised actor, and a three-time Golden Globe nominee. He has starred in dozens of productions including Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park, Jane Campion’s The Piano, My Brilliant Career, Dead Calm and Hunt for the Wilderpeople. He has also worked extensively in the theatre, and owns the Two Paddocks Vineyard in Central Otago, New Zealand.
Michala Banas | Actor
Michala Banas is an acclaimed film, television and theatre actor from New Zealand. Her career began early with her first film credit at the age of 5, and she has gone on to star in over 40 film, television and theatre productions including Bad Mothers, Upper Middle Bogan and McLeod’s Daughters. Michala is also a writer and has taken on the role of Story Producer on The Show Must Go On.
Dave ‘Higgo’ Higgins | Radio Announcer
Dave ‘Higgo’ Higgins is an Australian radio announcer, known for his work with mainstream stations Triple M and Fox FM in Melbourne. He is passionate about home grown music and live music, and is currently the Venue Booker at The Bendigo Hotel.
Jocelyn Moorhouse | Producer, Director
Jocelyn Moorhouse wrote and directed the feature film Proof before moving to LA in 1994 to direct How To Make An American Quilt and A Thousand Acres. Moorhouse is also an acclaimed producer, with credits including Muriel’s Wedding and Mental. She returned to directing in 2015 with The Dressmaker.
Dean Ray | Singer, Songwriter & Music Producer
Dean Ray, is an Australian singer, songwriter and music producer who has toured both nationally and internationally since making waves in the public eye in 2014, when he was runner-up on the sixth season of The X Factor Australia. Ray subsequently received a recording contract with Sony Music Australia and released his debut single "Coming Back", which debuted at number five on the ARIA Singles Chart.
Susan Cooper | GM Entertainment Assist (2009-18)
Susan Cooper was the inaugural General Manager of Entertainment Assist. During her time with the organisation, Susan orchestrated a world-first industry wide research project that revealed shocking facts about the wellbeing of Australia’s entertainment industry workers compared to the general population. Her work has raised awareness of the psychological risk of working in the entertainment industry and has inspired national and international organisations to conduct further studies and develop industry specific wellness programs to effect systemic change.
Sarah Walker | Screenwriter & Script Producer
Sarah Walker is one of the most prolific screenwriters in the Australian television industry. After script producing All Saints, Walker developed the hit one-hour comedy-drama series Winners & Losers for Network Seven and has written over 270 episodes of Home & Away. Walker co-created Wonderland, for Network 10, and was Story Consultant on Seasons 1 & 4 of Wentworth for Foxtel. She has written episodes for A Place To Call Home and Wrong Girl and worked in TV development with many leading production houses.
Shane Jacobson | Actor
Shane Jacobson is one of the busiest actors and presenters in Australia. Best known for his work in film, television and theatre, he is also a song and dance man, author, screenwriter, creative director, producer, executive producer, plus an ambassador for many worthy charities and organisations. Some of his most well-known film credits include Kenny, The Dressmaker, Ladies in Black and for television The Time of Our Lives, Jack Irish and Little Big Shots.
Andy Saunders | Comedian
Andy Saunders is a popular MC, entertainer and comedian, who has been telling jokes in front of audiences ever since he can remember. He has performed and hosted events around the country including the Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s Deadly Funny, Adelaide Fringe Festival’s Aboriginal Comedy All Stars, ABC Comedy Up Late TV and Up Early TV.
Benedicte Bemet | Dancer
Benedicte Bemet was born in Mackay, and started ballet at the age of three. She grew up on the Gold Coast and began her training at the Ransley's Ballet Centre. When she was ten her family relocated to Hong Kong, where she continued her ballet training at the Jean M. Wong School of Ballet. She was accepted into The Australian Ballet School at age 14. In 2009 she was sent to New York and Canada to represent the School in a student exchange program. Benedicte toured with The Dancers Company in 2010 and 2011. She joined The Australian Ballet in 2012; she was promoted to coryphée in 2013, to soloist in 2016 and to senior artist in 2018.
Martin Dingle Wall | Actor
Martin Dingle Wall is an Australian actor, producer and screenwriter. He has appeared in Home and Away, where he received a Logie nomination for for Most Popular New Male Talent in 2002. Martin Dingle Wall has also appeared in Satisfaction, Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities and Cops: L.A.C
Pauline Clague | Screen Producer
Pauline Clague is a Yaegl woman from the North Coast of New South Wales, who has been working in the industry since 1994. Pauline has worked for the ABC, SBS and NITV, and has been involved in a wide range of productions including Nia's Melancholy (2009), Primal (2010), Sa Black Thing (2005) and When Colin Met Joyce (2017). Pauline is known for championing and producing the works of Australia’s emerging and Indigenous filmmakers. She is also Festival Director of Winda Film Festival, a celebration of emerging and established Indigenous filmmakers from across Australia and around the world.
David McAllister AM
Artistic Director, The Australian Ballet
David McAllister AM is the Artistic Director of The Australian Ballet. He joined The Australian Ballet in 1983 and was promoted to principal artist in 1989. Throughout his career, David made numerous guest appearances worldwide, dancing with Bolshoi Ballet and Kirov Ballet amongst many others. In 2000, he completed a Graduate Diploma in Arts and Entertainment Management and in 2001, took his final bow as a dancer. In July of that year, David became Artistic Director of The Australian Ballet. He was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2004 Australia Day Honours List.
Margot Fenley | Head of Music Theatre
VCA University of Melbourne (‘09-’18)
Margot Fenley (VCA acting) works as an actor, academic and acting teacher. Theatre includes productions for the Victorian Arts Centre, State Theatre Company of South Australia, Windmill Performing Arts, Darlinghurst Theatre, The Stables, HotHouse, forty-five downstairs, Theatreworks, Napier Street and La Mama amongst others, performing works by writers as diverse as Shakespeare, Arthur Miller, Stephen Sewell, Howard Barker and many new Australian works. Television credits include Killing Time, City Homicide, Blue Heelers, Shock Jock, Raw FM, Mercury, Janus and Neighbours, where she had a recurring role for eighteen months. In addition, Margot has directed a number of productions as a teaching director, as well as multiple seasons of Macbeth for MTC’s Education program and recently Evan Lever’s cabaret This Time at the Butterfly Club. Margot has taught widely and now coordinates and teaches acting for VCA Music Theatre, whilst completing an MFA. She’s been a proud Equity member since 1991.
Glenn Scott | Music Producer
Having worked as a full-time musician in a time where that wasn’t such an uncommon career, Glenn Scott has written scores for films and documentaries, produced award winning albums, and toured extensively around Australia as part of various bands over the years. After a stint as a flower farmer, Glenn returned to the music industry in 2007 to partner up with Dan Corless in creating what has now evolved into Wick Studios. Aside from his stint working with his hands in the dirt, Glenn has been getting his hands dirty across almost every aspect of the Australian music industry for over 20 years. Glenn is a compulsive thumb twiddler, incense enthusiast, and can often be found critiquing the neighbour’s gardening choices.