Beyond Reality

In this episode, I sit down with TV executive and ITV Studios Australia's Head of Unscripted, Keely Sonntag. Keely is a formidable force of the television industry, over the course of her career she’s been at the helm of countless iconic formats including Big Brother, Australian Survivor Shark Tank and Australia’s Next Top Model. Keely shares valuable insights from an impressive career in TV and discusses why fostering a positive culture is central to her leadership style. CONNECT: ITV Stud...

05-06

50:58

In this episode I chat to Supervising Producer Dominique Spanos, whose impressive list of credits includes Stars on Mars, Travel Guides and My Kitchen Rules. Dom shares her story of starting out in the industry, building her career across field and post production, as well as shining a light on her important work with not-for profit organisation Women In Media. CONNECT: To get in touch with Dominique about her MC work, head to www.dominiquespanos.com or find her on Instagram @dominiquespan...

04-22

30:52

In this episode, I sit down with Casting Director and Co-owner of A Cast Of Thousands, Kirsty De Vallance. With close to three decades in the industry, Kirsty is one of the most experienced casting professionals in Australia and when it comes to finding TV talent for reality, factual and entertainment formats, you name it - she’s cast it. Kirsty reveals her top tips for getting cast on TV, the high profile names she’s discovered over the years and, the extraordinary lengths she goes to ...

04-08

40:05

In this episode, I’m joined by Film and TV Director, Hayley MacFarlane. Hayley has spent the last 10 years directing some of the UK and Australia’s biggest reality hits such as Love Island, Big Brother and I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here. I find out how Hayley’s fierce determination to make it as a director has propelled her success and how her work in reality TV has positively influenced her work in other genres. To explore more of Hayley's directing work, head to https://www.hayl...

03-25

46:29

In this episode, I sit down with TV executive Wes Dening, a powerhouse of the television industry who has made his mark in developing, selling and producing original content in Australia, the US and beyond. In his current role as Head of Global Formats for Eureka Productions, Wes oversees the making of hit shows such as Australian Idol (Seven Network), The Mole (Netflix), The Floor (Fox) and Stars On Mars (Fox). We chat about his first taste of television as a contestant on Big Brothe...

03-11

46:26

Just like a great reality TV twist, this episode is a little bit different. I chat with TV personality George Mladenov or as he’s more commonly known by Survivor fans, King George. I find out how George went from a bold and sometimes brash political operative to a two-time Australian Survivor player who cemented themselves as one of the most strategic players the game has ever seen. LISTEN MORE: If you enjoyed this chat, you might like to listen to a recent episode recorded with David Forste...

02-26

48:56

In this episode, I’m joined by Supervising Post Producer and Writer, Bri La Rance. Bri’s drive and determination to learn new skills led her to explore a diverse range of film and TV roles before more recently forging a path in post production, but as I find out, it’s her passion for storytelling that underpins everything she does. Over the course of Bri's impressive career, she has worked in the writers room on Australian drama shows including Neighbours and Bite Club. More recently, her wo...

02-12

57:53

In this episode, I’m joined by TV presenter and two time reality tv show winner (The Mole and Livingstone Botswana), Liz Cantor as she shares her unique insights from an enduring career in front of the camera. Whether she’s delivering the winning lotto numbers, fronting stories on the best travel and adventure spots or dominating any reality competition she enters, Liz’s passion and enthusiasm for her work always shines through. Support the show FIND US To stay up to date with the latest epi...

12-17

52:55

In this episode, I’m joined by Leroux Botha, the Creative Producer for Cape Town based production company AfrOkaans and Executive Producer for Survivor South Africa. Leroux shares his incredible journey in television from his early years working on soap operas, to becoming the instrumental force in returning Survivor South Africa to our screens in recent years. Support the show FIND US To stay up to date with the latest episodes then make sure you hit 'follow' on your favourite p...

07-23

01:00:38

In this episode, I catch up with Natasha Pizzica, a series producer who’s worked across a range of genres from primetime entertainment shows like Big Brother and Gogglebox to iconic kids television such as Playschool and Teletubbies, and even though-provoking docuseries like Limitless with Chris Hemsworth. I find out how Tash’s theatre background set her up for a career of creativity, how she navigates the busy world of tv production as a working mum and why her son is her biggest inspiration...

07-09

01:00:17

In this episode, I chat with award-winning editor, Karen Crespo, who has been responsible crafting some of the most memorable moments on our favourite shows such as Masterchef, Australian Survivor and Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds. I find out about Karen’s early beginnings in TV and how her creative style and ability to carve out emotional moments became renowned in the industry. Support the show FIND US To stay up to date with the latest episodes then make sure you hit 'foll...

05-21

45:14

In this episode, I sit down with Executive Producer, David Forster. David’s first taste of reality TV is not what you’d expect, he tells me all about his unconventional introduction to the industry, how he later honed his skills on set as a writer and the key moments along the way that ultimately led to his rise to the top job on Masterchef and Australian Survivor. If you enjoyed this podcast and want to stay up to date with the latest episodes then click 'Subscribe' on Apple Podcasts o...

05-07

01:04:28

In this episode, I sit down with Frank Sinton, President of A. Smith & Co. Productions and Executive Producer of Floor Is Lava to talk about the launch of series 2 of the hit show on Netflix. Frank shares his insights from an impressive 40 year career in television that now sees him at the helm of a whole slate of TV shows. We chat about the key ingredient for making it in the industry, how he stays passionate after all these years and a behind the scenes moment that could have been one b...

07-17

34:07

In this episode, I chat with South African Art Director and Challenge Producer Courtney Watts. Courtney has worked on some of the most popular reality formats such as Big Brother, Survivor and I’m a Celebrity across a number of global territories. I find out how Courtney’s passion and creativity led her to an international career in TV. Support the show FIND US To stay up to date with the latest episodes then make sure you hit 'follow' on your favourite podcast app. You can also find u...

06-27

56:40

In this episode, I sit down with post producer and story producer Amelia Wasserman who spent years working in the field on shows such as The Bachelorette , Four Weddings and Storage Wars in Canada before more recently moving to Australia where she now works as a post producer. Amelia shares her story from the early years of working in broadcast news, her experiences on reality and factual formats in Canada and Australia and even reveals the story behind her very famous prom date… Support the...