Equity Foundation Podcast

A basic intro for the experienced actor who needs to know what you need to do to move into the broad world of voiceover. Abbe Holmes is one of Australia's most recognized mainstream voice actors and will give you the essential steps to to get you started. This includes, understanding the skills unique to voiceover; how the industry works, tips for creating your voiceover reel and who you approach once you have it, setting up a home studio, whether you need an agent to get work and much more.

As the first point of contact with a potential employer, your marketing materials are an extension of yourself and an indication of your level of professionalism. Kym Jackson (This Is Us, S.W.A.T., N.C.I.S., The Secrets She Keeps) will give you a clear knowledge of how to make your entire acting toolkit (headshots, resume, demo reel, website, business cards) match those of any top working actor in the industry.

An opportunity for casting director Daisy Hicks to talk candidly with Equity member Monica Sayers about the actor and casting director relationship, offer advice about the audition process and answer any queries you may have.

This is a chance to hear from esteemed US hair designer Camille Friend as she chats to actor and activist Cessalee Stovall about her work on major Hollywood productions over the last 25 years and her passion for bringing cultural authenticity to her work. Camille was nominated for an Oscar for her rich, complex work on Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, her seventh Marvel film. Other credits include The Little Mermaid, Tenet, Us, Captain Marvel, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Captain America: Civil War, The Hunger Games Parts 1 and 2, The Help, Dream Girls and Django Unchained, collectively grossing over $US3.9 billion at the box office. Camille is an expert in working with all textures of hair and uses her vast experience to educate and mentor hairstylists wanting a career in entertainment.

Equity member Helen Dallimore talks to producer Helen Bowden from Lingo Pictures (Upright, The Messenger, The Secret She Keeps) about the actor/producer relationship, the current screen landscape, what goes on behind the scenes of a screen production before actors are cast, what is involved in the producing side of things on a day to day basis, the best ways to navigate the actor/producer relationships, self taping, zoom auditions, rehearsing and much more.

An opportunity for casting director Amanda Mitchell (Heartbreak High, Totally Completely Fine, La Brea, Young Rock) to talk candidly to actor and NSW Equity President Glenn Hazeldine about the actor and casting director relationship.

A chance to delve into the art of putting on a cabaret. Performer and QLD Equity President Asabi Goodman talks to cabaret artist Aurélie Roque about forming a concept, stagecraft, lighting design and budgeting: An A to Z guide on cabaret creation. This is an edited version of a livestream held on September 27, 2023.

This is a chance for agent Catherine Poulton of Catherine Poulton Management to talk candidly with Equity member Loretta Kung about how the actor/agent relationship works, what an agent does on a day to day basis, what you can do to have a productive relationship with your agent, what you can reasonably expect from your agent, the agents’ role in the casting process, how to navigate US and UK opportunities and the state of the Australian industry.

Join award-winning stage and screen actor Danielle Cormack and one of Australia's most experienced Directors of Photography Martin McGrath (ACS) as they explore the actor and DOP relationship. As an actor it is important to understand every role on a production and how your work intersects with all involved. DOP's are an integral part of the storytelling process as they are responsible for creating the look of the film. Their primary duties include developing a film's visual style, determining lighting and composition and planning camera angles. The conversation will also cover Martin’s extensive work locally and internationally, how the DOP’s process impacts actors’ and what we see on screen. This conversation may be particularly useful for actors with a theatre background who are not as familiar with the complexities of screen acting. Audience members will leave with a better understanding of how to work effectively with a DOP on their next job.

A chance to hear from Equity's Screen Lawyer, Miles Hunt, about usage payments and residuals. This discussion will cover the following topics: Usage – upfront buyouts and the curse of in perpetuity; Residuals – backend payments and where they come from; Agreements – how usage and residuals work in film, TV and Streaming; MEAA negotiations and payments for performers; The Difficulty with Streamers; International Perspective – SAG and other jurisdictions; and TVC Rollovers. Miles Hunt is a Senior Industrial Officer working within Equity at MEAA. He deals with industrial issues for members (individually and collectively) and negotiates agreements (for film and TV) on behalf of members.

Award-winning voice actor Dianne Weller will introduce you to the world of voicing for video games during this one-hour livestream. This is a chance to see how it differs from animation and how to approach character development and auditions.

A chance for Equity member Sara Cooper to talk to first assistant director, Noni Roy (Carmen, Total Control 2, Wellmania) about the actor and first assistant director (first AD) relationship. First AD’s manage the schedule and coordinate cast and crew to ensure that shoots run smoothly. Their work includes considering the project’s budget, the time required, cast and crew availability and location limitations. This conversation will be an opportunity to discuss the things that actors may not have had the opportunity to talk about before. It may be particularly useful for actors with a theatre background who are not as familiar with the complexities of screen acting.

In this livestreamed in conversation Equity member Monica Sayers interviewed producer Ian Collie (The Twelve, Rake, Jack Irish) and director Daniel Nettheim (Broadchurch, Line of Duty) about what goes on behind the scenes of a screen production before actors are cast, what is involved in the producing and directing side of things on a day to day basis, what are some of the differences between how shows are made in Australia and overseas, how they work with actors, the best ways to navigate the actor/producer and actor/director relationships, self taping, zoom auditions, rehearsing, protocols on set and much more.

Award-winning actor Shuang Hu creates comedy skits online for her 4.2 million followers on TikTok, 3.6 million subscribers on Youtube and 91k followers on Instagram. With so many actors under pressure to create their own work, this is an opportunity to hear from Shuang and interviewer Sophia Emberson-Bain and get some hints and advice about how to develop your creative and online skills.

In this workshop, photographer Deanna Cooney will shared the advice and direction she shares with all the actors she works with, so you can take it with you into any shoot and know you’ll come away with killer images. This is an edited version of an Equity Foundation Livestream event.

This is a chance to work on your US accent with Paige Walker. Paige Walker specialises in the American dialect for the performer. This is an edited version on an Equity Foundation Livestream event.

What skills do you need for voiceover in commercial, non-commercial, animation/character work and audiobook narration? This session with Abbe Holmes will give you information to assist you taking the next step. Abbe is one of Australia's most recognised mainstream voice actors. This is an edited version on an Equity Foundation Livestream event.

How do creative professionals use the media and social media to market themselves? What PR management strategies do you need to promote yourself and ultimately get more work? And what about when you DO get work…how do you manage PR and the media then? And what are the pitfalls to avoid? For the early to mid career actor. Catherine Lavelle, CLPR, is one of Australia's leading film and television public relations consultant. This is an edited version on an Equity Foundation Livestream event.

In this livestream Shortland Street Casting Director Matt Dwyer discusses the casting process and his advice for actors with Equity member Jessi Williams.

To survive as a performer in the long-term you will need to know how to utilise your creative talents in many ways to earn a living and sustain your career. WA-based slashies Monica Main and Libby Klysz will discuss the practical ways you can be a successful slashie; a multidisciplinary artist working successfully in many areas of the creative industries.