Equity Foundation Podcast

What is the difference between the American and Australian audition process? How important is it to have a believable American accent? How can I prepare for pilot season? In this podcast Josh Bitton and Sharon Davis discuss the ins and outs of the American and Australian acting industries. Joshua Bitton is an actor, teacher and coach. Most notably he was Eminem’s acting coach on the set of' 8 Mile'. He has worked with Nicole Da Silva, Hamish Michael, Josh Helman, Ashley Zukerman, Cal Mickey, Sean “Puffy” Combs, Omar Benson Miller, and many more. As as actor he has appeared on over three dozen TV shows and numerous films. He teaches classes in NYC and LA. The podcast is produced by The Equity Foundation and sponsored by Media Super.

Mindfulness of your cuppa by Sarah Borg. Prepare your favourite hot beverage and use it as an anchor in this short practice to help centre your mind in the present moment.

Post performance solo or group cool down by Simon Ward. A brilliant performance! Welcome yourself back to the world without a bumpy re entry.

Pre Audition calm-down and energise up by Simon Ward. In the hallway before an audition. Everyone else is better than me and I have to go in! A mindful way of calming down and keeping your focus.

Step out of performance mode by Sarah Borg. A short grounding practice to help transition out of performance mode. Great for those times after an audition, rehearsal, a day on set... especially those performances that might be tricky to let go of.

An intimate and detailed discussion about craft and career with two of Australia’s most in-demand performers, Don Hany and Patrick Brammell. Moderated by performer, Jane Harber. Recorded at The Malthouse Theatre on the 4th February 2017.

Artistic Directors Kip Williams (Sydney Theatre Company), Lee Lewis(Griffin) and Eamon Flack(Belvoir) share rare behind-the-scenes insights into the journey of bringing exciting works and artists to the Australian stage. The directors discuss their past and current projects, the challenges and highlights of their careers, what they have learnt along the way and their plans for the future. Moderated by performer Helen Dallimore. *Please note at 59:32 the recording stopped due to technical difficulties. Recorded at Belvoir on Monday January 30th 2017.

From the ditzy blonde to the Middle Eastern terrorist, stereotypical representations of women, minorities, seniors and other historically marginalised groups are all too common on our stages and screens. What can we do as individuals and an industry to ensure the characters we create don't perpetuate stereotypes? Is it possible to help reframe the conversation, while creating and sustaining your career? Panellists will share their real world experiences in creating a different narrative. Speakers: Tony Ayres - Scripted Producer, Matchbox Pictures Kate Hood - Performer Osamah Sami - Performer Maysa Abouzeid - Performer Moderator: Sonya Suares - Performer

More and more performers are stepping into production roles such as writing, producing and directing in a bid to create the kinds of stories and characters they want to see on our screens and stages. Four slashies discuss the challenges and rewards of taking on different creative roles, what lead them there and what they learnt along the way. Speakers: Robyn Butler - Writer, Performer, Producer Candy Bowers - Writer, Performer, Comedian, Hip Hop Artist, Director, Producer Damon Gameau - Performer, Filmmaker Shaun Micallef - Performer, Comedian, Writer Moderator: Queenie van de Zandt - Writer, Performer, Producer

Madeline Di Nonno is the Chief Executive Officer of the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, the only research based non-profit working with the entertainment and media community to improve gender diversity in entertainment through research based programs. Di Nonno leads the Institute's strategic direction and brings over thirty years experience in media, marketing and business development in the entertainment, non-profit, digital media and consumer packaged goods industries. Recorded in Melbourne at The Equity Summit on Sunday December 4 2016.

What are the issues that female performers must face on a regular basis and what tools can we use to address them? Join us for a discussion about what rights female performers have and how we can all be empowered to create an industry in which women are treated with equality, respect and dignity. Speakers: Zoe Angus - Director, Actors Equity Australia & New Zealand Nicolina Lademann - Senior Associate, Litigation, Marshalls + Dent Lawyers Ferne Downey - President, International Federation of Actors Anna McGahan - Performer Simone Ball Santamaria - Performer Moderator: Nadine Garner - Performer

Some of Australia's most successful storytellers reflect on their careers, bringing female stories to the screen, what they wish for the future of our industry and how we get there. Speakers: Gillian Armstrong - Director Sue Maslin - Producer Ana Kokkinos - Director Nadia Tass - Director Moderator: Danielle Cormack Recorded at the Equity Summit in Melbourne on Sunday December 4 2016.

Statistics about the gender imbalance in the entertainment industry are stark. Women are still missing in a major way. Industry leaders discuss what we are doing as an industry, the current movement for change, what changes they want to see when it comes to the representation of women and what they see coming down the line. Speakers: Brett Sheehy, Artistic Director, Melbourne Theatre Company Georgina Naidu, Performer Leanne Tonkes, Producer, Sense & Centsability Michelle Guthrie, Managing Director, ABC Moderator: Leah Vandenberg, Performer Recorded on Monday December 5th 2016 at The Equity Summit: Gender on the Agenda.

Damon Herriman In Conversation with Lorna Lesley. Top Australian actor Damon Herriman shares vital tips about working in the U.S. covering everything from visas, insurance, pilot season to the audition process and the importance of persistence. Recorded in Sydney on 16 May 2016.

Wesley Enoch In Conversation with Simon Burke AO. Recorded in Sydney on 18 April 2016.

From Quintilian to Method, Zeami to Suzuki … this panel will explore theories of acting, delving into their perceived differences and commonalities, the process behind them, what they require of the performer, what their ultimate goal is, any psychological or physical impact they may have of the performer’s health or well-being and how this is dealt with. Panellists Kristine Landon-Smith (Lecturer in Acting, NIDA) Dean Carey (Creative and Founding Director, Actors Centre Australia) Professor Ian Maxwell (Dept of Performance Studies, University of Sydney) Moderator: Kim Krejus (16th Street Actors Studio)

Auditioning is an inevitable part of a performer’s life but the process itself – what happens before an performer walks in the room and what happens when they leave – often seems shrouded in mystery. What light can a group of successful casting directors shed on the process? How is technology changing the way we audition? What is the best advice Australia’s leading casting directors can give? Speakers: Nikki Barrett (Barrett Casting) Greg Apps (Greg Apps Casting) Kirsty McGregor (Kirsty McGregor Casting) Serena Hill (Sydney Theatre Company) Moderator: Amanda Bishop (Performer)

As part of the Equity Foundation’s In Conversation series, performers are given the opportunity to attend an intimate question and answer session with leading performers, producers, directors, writers and other members of the industry Mitchell Butel Mitchell is a triple Helpmann Award winning actor and singer. His theatre credits include The Government Inspector, Angels in America, Strange Interlude, Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, The Laramie Project, A View from the Bridge, Dead Heart (Belvoir), Romeo and Juliet, The Grenade, Summer Rain, The Republic of Myopia, Harbour, Tartuffe, Mourning Becomes Electra, The Café Latte Kid, Summer of the Aliens, Six Degrees of Separation (STC), Tomfoolery, Urinetown, Piaf (MTC), Boeing-Boeing (Dainty), Stones in his Pockets, The Venetian Twins (QTC), Emerald City (Griffin), Laugher on the 23rd Floor (Ensemble), Meow Meow’s Little Match Girl, Woyzeck (Malthouse), Othello (Bell) and Unidentified Human Remains and the True Nature of Love (STCSA). Music theatre credits includ

Legendary Australian actor Philip Quast in conversation with Robyn Arthur.

In 2014 Actors Equity celebrates its 75th birthday and the Equity Podcast brings you an oral history collected over the past years which celebrates the achievements and milestones of actors. We will bring to you insights and observations from performers about their profession and why they value their Union membership.