Equity Foundation Podcast

Acclaimed acting coach Miranda Harcourt will discuss how actors can craft a journey through their material, how verbatim text can help us achieve naturalism and how our thoughts translate through the lens. As she did in her last livestream, Miranda will bring case studies and research about the ways psychology and neuroscience supports your performance. Last time she discussed how you can achieve unselfconsciousness, inner life and responsiveness by balancing your vista, connection and internal landscape. This time she will push beyond those core craft skills into new material. Miranda will spend half the time respond directly to your questions about acting and directing on stage and screen. Globally renowned as a performance-pilot, not only does Miranda support stars at the highest level, but also guides emerging talents into stellar careers. Her clients have won and been nominated for multiple Oscars, Golden Globes, Emmys, BAFTAs and AAFTAs. She has lifted up countless careers through her work at labs and schools like TIFF, NYU Tisch, London Film School, UK’s National Film and Television School and Toi Whakaari. You can read more about the startling impact of Miranda’s key tools including Connection, Internal Landscape in her on-line textbook NOTES FOR ACTORS AND DIRECTORS mirandaharcourt.substack.com

Join David John Clark, aka The Late Bloomer Actor for some insights into acting as a late bloomer. The how’s, what’s, where’s and why’s of acting in your ‘later’ years, whether it’s a new endeavour for you, or returning to fulfil your younger self’s dreams, before career, family and everything got in the way. Learn what you can do to propel yourself forward and to treat your journey as a business but maintain it as an exciting opportunity. And you don’t need to be a late bloomer either to benefit from this discussion, as we look into all the little things you need to do to keep the momentum going. David John Clark is an actor and podcaster. He is the host of the popular podcast "The Late Bloomer Actor"'. David got his first taste of acting as an extra in the booming movie industry in Sydney during the 1990's, including a small role in Star Wars 'Attack Of The Clones' of which he personally received direction from the great George Lucas. Little did he know then, that 20 years later this would be his calling. David stepped up and began various acting training courses in Adelaide from 2013, which includes ongoing training and mentor-ship today by Greg Apps (Casting Director Sydney) as well as training with Jeff Seymour of The Real Life Actor (USA), StageMilk Online Drama and more recently the wonderful Les Chantery in Sydney. David is a well-known and respected actor in the South Australian film and television industry as a source of support, mentorship, advice and training in his delivery of various online acting sources including his monthly podcast series and regular 'Off Script' bite size info sessions. David is your Teacher, Doctor, Father Figure or Enforcer type, but can draw on his experience living in different states and working with many different people and cultures when needed. His acting style is naturalistic, drawing on life experiences for character development. David is also a competitive bodybuilder and has competed in several Australian state championships.

Meg Morman, award winning US Casting Director will talk to QLD Equity Vice President, Sophia Emberson-Bain about the US casting process, the actor/casting director relationship, her advice for actors and what she has learnt along the way. There will be plenty of time for audience questions. Meg Morman, CSA is an award-winning casting director and a partner at Morman Boling Casting. Previously a manager of casting in the Feature Film Department at 20th Century Fox, she also spent four years as an associate and then casting director at Walken/Jaffe Casting. In 2004, Meg cast the acclaimed films Me and You and Everyone We Know (Sundance & Cannes 2005) and Steal Me (Sundance 2005), and soon after, she launched her company with partner Sunday Boling Kennedy. Since then, she has cast over 100 films, including Omaha (Sundance 2025), Green and Gold, Waitress, Hello, My Name is Doris, Aporia, The Ballad of Lefty Brown and Suze. Her television and streaming credits include The Baxters, Sneakerheads, Ish Hashuv Meod, The Dead Girls Detective Agency, In the Vault, and Relationship Status. She has also worked extensively in narrative podcast casting, with notable projects such as Star Trek: Khan, DC High: Volume Batman, Blackout, Ad Lucem, 13 Days of Halloween (Seasons 2 & 3), Last Known Position, and Narcissa. Meg has been nominated for 11 Artios Awards for excellence in casting and has won twice. Currently the VP of Governance for the Casting Society, has also served as an advisor for Film Independent’s Directing Lab and the Global Media Makers project.

Relocating to any "major" film & TV market is a vital step to pursue your acting career. While self tapes have enabled established actors to remain remote, it's important for developmental talent to be where the COMMUNITY is. This enables you to attend in-person networking, educational, and social events on a regular basis to build trust, contacts, and become part of the 'tribe'. In this class, you'll learn how to choose the best market, the steps to prepare in the months leading up to your move, and what to do once you arrive. Kym Jackson (This Is Us, S.W.A.T., N.C.I.S., The Secrets She Keeps) is an actress credited with 60+ feature films & TV episodes and is the author of the Amazon best selling textbook, The Hollywood Survival Guide For Actors, a comprehensive 300+ page guide to navigating the entertainment industry. She is the founder of the Secret Actor Society app and website, which boasts over 3000 classes and Q&A’s, with 50+ industry experts and casting directors, that reveal strategies best used by actors to obtain success in their career. As a coach and regular speaker for organizations including SAG-AFTRA, MEAA, WIFT, Spotlight, Kym has taught thousands of actors to navigate the business of acting. Her coaching sessions incorporate mindset work and techniques to help artists develop and maintain the mental fortitude required to successfully pursue a career acting professionally in the film & TV industry.

How do you not just succeed once, but keep delivering for a lifetime? In this 90-minute session, Damien Strouthos - actor, coach and founder of The Resilient Actor shares the 5 essentials to perform at your best, stay resilient, and thrive in one of the toughest industries in the world. Drawing on high-performance principles and years of professional experience, Damien offers practical tools and strategies that help actors align craft, career and well-being for long-term success. Damien Strouthos is an award-winning actor, best known for his work in the Foxtel series The Twelve and HBO Max/BBC’s The Tourist, with a career spanning film, television, and theatre. On screen, he’s appeared in Heartbreak High(Netflix), One Night (Paramount+), Last King of the Cross (Paramount+), Home and Away, and Pieces of Her (Netflix). His feature film credits include Transfusion, directed by Matt Nable, I Am Woman, and Peter Rabbit 1 and; 2. Damien is also an accomplished theatre performer, having worked with Sydney Theatre Company, Bell Shakespeare, Belvoir, and Sport for Jove, most recently appearing in Death of a Salesman opposite Anthony LaPaglia.

With the current heightened uncertainly within the performance industry and the broader global instability, any kind of ‘tick the box’ approach to our wellbeing is just not working as it used to. This podcast delves into next level strategies to help us navigate the risks and hazards of the industry at this time. We will be discussing: - Understanding our negative emotions and how to manage them - Forming a strong, personal identity. Developing a coherent identity which is not based on our success as an actor, whether we get a call back or get offered the part - Exploring being emotionally ‘detached with love’ from the industry. Caring enough to invest deeply in our work but not caring so much that it impacts on our mental health - Creating new narratives for defining success - Discovering how to anchor ourselves in the midst of personal and global uncertainty Dr Julie Crabtree M.A. Dip Ed, FCHP, FCCOUNP, CCLP, MAPS, MBPSs, CPsychol. Clinical and Counselling Psychologist Secretary APS Arts and Performance Interest Group Director Zebra Psychology As an experienced clinical psychologist, Julie has worked extensively with a range of people and is experienced in treating complex issues. Also through her doctoral research into creativity and mental health, she is at the forefront of our understanding of how to be both healthy and creative and has a unique approach to treating the concerns of those within the performance industries. In her practice, she regularly sees performers, creatives and their partners who are experiencing anxiety, depression, relationship issues, performance anxiety and the range of concerns that face those in the creative industries.

Seventy-one percent of MEAA members are deeply concerned about AI replacing human-led creativity. MEAA is campaigning for strong regulation through an Australian AI Act and for big tech to pay a levy for using artists’ work to train AI. Join MEAA’s Policy team, Lilia Anderson and Matt Byrne and Industrial Officers Miles Hunt and Tess Chappell with MEAA President, Michael Balk chairing, for a vital briefing on AI and performers. They’ll unpack how AI threatens the creative industries, the risks for performers, how MEAA is pushing governments and companies to act, and what safeguards could protect your image, voice and data.

An opportunity to hear from the Sydney Theatre Company's Artistic Director Mitchell Butel who will talk to actor Danielle Cormack about the actor-director relationship, the steps that artistic directors take to choose productions, the casting process and STC's plans for the future. Mitchell Butel is a multi-awarded director, performer, writer and producer and Sydney Theatre Company’s Artistic Director and Co-CEO. Mitchell holds four Helpmann Awards, four Sydney Theatre Awards and two Victorian Green Room Awards for his work as a director and actor in Australia. He has worked extensively for State Theatre Company South Australia, Sydney Theatre Company, Melbourne Theatre Company, Queensland Theatre, Belvoir, Bell Shakespeare, Griffin, Malthouse, Opera Australia, Sydney Chamber Opera, Pinchgut Opera, The Production Company, The Hayes Theatre and for the Sydney, Adelaide and Perth Festivals on over 200 professional productions.

Join Director of Photography Emma Paine (Colin from Accounts, NCIS - Sydney, Watching You, Four Years Later) and Queenie van de Zandt 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 Emma's extensive work locally, 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.

Learn how to deliver under pressure with actor, WAAPA grad and founder of The Resilient Actor, Damien Strouthos. This practical session gives you the tools to stay grounded in high pressure auditions, emotionally connect to character and give your best work even when the stakes are high. And maybe even a cheeky crying hack or two. Damien Strouthos is an award-winning actor, best known for his work in the Foxtel series The Twelve and HBO Max/BBC’s The Tourist, with a career spanning film, television, and theatre. On screen, he’s appeared in Heartbreak High(Netflix), One Night (Paramount+), Last King of the Cross (Paramount+), Home and Away, and Pieces of Her (Netflix). His feature film credits include Transfusion, directed by Matt Nable, I Am Woman, and Peter Rabbit 1 and; 2. Damien is also an accomplished theatre performer, having worked with Sydney Theatre Company, Bell Shakespeare, Belvoir, and Sport for Jove, most recently appearing in Death of a Salesman opposite Anthony LaPaglia.

This is an exclusive in conversation with legendary filmmaker George Miller AO — the creative force behind the Mad Max franchise, Happy Feet, Babe and so much more. George will sit down with Equity President Jason Klarwein to reflect on his remarkable career, share insights into his bold creative process, and delve into his unique collaboration with actors. Whether you're just starting out or deep in the craft, this is an unmissable chance to hear from one of the world’s most imaginative directors.

This is a chance to work with Katherine Beck on what it takes to master NOT mimic the US accent. Attendees will work on the placement of sounds and how to achieve the accent authenticity in just 66 days. Katherine Beck is a leading voice and dialect coach who works regularly with actors at The Actor’s Hub, The Actor’s Pulse, Screenwise, International Screen Academy and on film and theatre productions. She is the co-founder and co-author of Hollywood Speak: The Australian Actor’s Resource Guide to Creating an Authentic American Accent. Born and raised in Chicago, Katherine is a native American accent speaker.

Steven Tylor O’Connor, a two-time Emmy and multiple Artios Award winning Casting Professional at Aufiero/Horn Casting in the US, will talk to Equity member and actor Danielle Cormack about the US casting process, the actor/casting director relationship, his advice for actors and what he has learnt along the way. Steven has won Casting Associate of the Year at the Heller Awards in 2024. Steven also sits on the Board of Directors for Casting Society and serves in Executive Leadership as their Treasurer / VP of Finance.

The role of intimacy director is now a familiar one - so where are we now? Given the impact and significance of the role this is a chance for an update by one of the most successful intimacy directors, Chloe Dallimore AM with Helen Dallimore in the interview chair. Topics discussed include: - How to work effectively with your intimacy director (ID) - What can you ask the ID when you are on set… - How you can go with not knowing how to work with an ID to realising that you can’t work without them. - What can/does the ID director bring to the set? - What can actors and crew do to ensure correct protocols on set without an ID

Would you like to better understand how a film set works and how actors collaborate with the Second Assistant Director? The 2nd AD is the main point of contact for all actors on set. During pre-production, they break down the script, organise fittings and rehearsals, and arrange transport and facility requirements for cast members. Once filming begins, they prepare the next day’s call sheet, ensure actors are ready when needed, and coordinate transport, make-up, and wardrobe schedules. Working closely with the 1st AD, they help keep everything running smoothly. Join Second Assistant Director Nick Hadland and Equity member Monica Main as he shares insights into his role, how he works with actors, and what you need to know about on-set protocols—so you can feel confident and prepared when you step on set. Credits: Nick has worked on a diverse range of film and television productions in the Assistant Director's department including: Heartbreak High, Last King of the Cross, Mr Inbetween, Interceptor, Total Control, Ruby’s Choice and more recently Stan's Sunny Nights and the film SOS: Send Help.

Equity's Live Stream Program continues with esteemed casting director Dave Newman, of McSweeney Newman Casting, talking to actor Sharon Johal about all things auditions, casting, current and past projects, the actor/casting director relationship and answering all your questions. McSweeney Newman Casting cover Australia and New Zealand for international and local projects. Credits Include: Blacklight, Love and Monsters, Dora and the Lost City of Gold, Nautilus, Darby & Joan, The Castaways, No Escape - The Blue, Rock Island Mysteries, The Family Law, Australia Day, The Inbetweeners 2, Mako Mermaids, The Pacific & East West 101

Equity's Livestream Program continues with casting directors Stephanie Pringle and Alison Fowler of Chicken and Chips Casting, in conversation with Queenie van de Zandt, talking all things auditions, casting, current and past projects, the actor/casting director relationship and answering all your questions. Their recent achievements include the success of the Australian thriller Birdeater (SXSW 2024 & SFF People’s Choice Winner 2023), 2024 AACTA Nominated for Best Indie Film A Savage Christmas, the 2021 AACTA Award-winning Ellie & Abbie (and Ellie’s Dead Aunt), Cannes Series-selected Deadhouse Dark and the anticipated My Eyes starring Adam Garcia & Tsushan Chambers

This an opportunity to hear from leading creator, writer, script editor and producer Michael Lucas (The Newsreader, Five Bedrooms, Wentworth, Rosehaven, Offspring) In Conversation with Danielle Cormack. Michael will discuss the actor/producer/writer relationship, the current screen landscape, what goes on behind the scenes of a screen production before actors are cast, what is involved in the creating, writing and producing a television show, casting, self-taping, rehearsing and much more. There will be plenty of time for audience questions.

Learn how to optimise your relationship with your agent or manager. In this class, Kym Jackson (S.W.A.T., We Bury The Dead) will share how to best support your representation, how to stay top of mind without bugging them, how to reach out to them when you hear about a project that you're right for, how and when to ask for referrals into other agencies, and how to communicate with them in a way that is assertive, respectful, appreciative, and professional.

Anousha Zarkesh (Mystery Road, Series 1 & 2, Rake, Redfern Now, Cleverman) joins NSW Equity President Glenn Hazeldine to talk all things auditions, casting, her current and past projects, the actor/casting director relationship and answer all your questions. Anousha is an AACTA and Casting Guild award winning casting director and currently sits as Vice President of the Casting Guild of Australia.