Equity Foundation Podcast

US casting director Kerry Barden talks to a group of Australian and NZ Equity members online about the casting process, his past and current projects, the challenges and highlights of his career, his advice for actors and what he has learnt along the way. Kerry's projects include Boy’s Don’t Cry, Spotlight, Sex and the City, 13 Reasons Why, Dallas Buyer’s Club, August Osage County, Pitch Perfect, The Help, Prisoners, Still Alice and Good Will Hunting. This is an edited version of a live stream event for MEAA Equity members that took place on Thursday May 21, 2020.

Adelaide-based actor Alicia Case interviews Neighbours stars Sharon Johal and Alan Fletcher about what it is like to work on one of Australia's fastest paced and longest running productions. This discussion covers everything from the Neighbours audition/casting process and learning lines to on-set processes, diversity on Australian TV and filming post COVID-19. This is an edited version of a live stream event for MEAA Equity members that took place on June 27, 2020.

An hour of chats with these two accomplished, fabulously funny creatives as they are interviewed by actor Lucy Wigmore. Jackie van Beek and Madeleine Sami talk about their careers and their involvement with some of New Zealand's most critically and commercially successful film and television productions and share their advice for those looking to have versatile and long lasting careers. This is an edited version of a live stream event for MEAA Equity members that took place on Friday July 24, 2020.

In this online Equity Foundation address acclaimed acting coach Miranda Harcourt will speak and show material about text, how we learn it, how our thoughts form it and inform it, how it creates character and how we can speak it fluidly with a sense of ownership and spontaneity. An essential class to take your acting to the next level. This is an edited version of a live stream event for MEAA Equity members that took place on Tuesday August 4, 2020.

Join the Australian casting director of Mystery Road, Rake, Redfern Now, Cleverman, Anousha Zarkesh, in conversation with actor Charmaine Bingwa. This is an edited version of a live stream event for MEAA Equity members that took place on Friday June 5, 2020.

Join award-winning Australian showrunner, writer and director Tony Ayres (Stateless, Clickbait, Family Law, Barracuda) in conversation with actor Jessica Tovey as they discuss Tony's involvement with some of Australia's most critically and commercially successful screen productions. This is an edited version of a live stream event for MEAA Equity members that took place on Wednesday June 3, 2020.

Writer and performer Michelle Law (Single Asian Female, Rosehaven S3, Get Krack!n S2 and Homecoming Queens) in conversation with stage and screen actor Patrick Jhanur. This is an edited version of a live stream event for MEAA Equity members that took place on Friday June 12, 2020.

Non-commercial voicoever covers e-learning, Explainer Videos, How-To Videos, Website Navigation and many others. Non-commercial both ‘sells’ and gives ‘information and instruction’, so these scripts are sometimes long and not always easy to get your head around. This session will give you some insights into the kinds of scripts you come across and techniques for how to approach them. This is an edited version a live stream event for MEAA Equity members that took place on Tuesday June 23, 2020, as part of the Equity Foundation’s "Let's Talk" recurring series on all aspects of voiceover. Hosted by one of Australia’s leading voice actors and voiceover technique coaches, Abbe Holmes.

Our series on all aspects of voiceover continues with this livestream for any performer wanting to get in to the commercial voiceover world. Abbe talks about the voice actor relationship with Advertising Agencies, Studios, Radio Stations and Agents; where the work is and how you get cast. This is an edited version of a live stream event for MEAA Equity members that took place on Tuesday June 9, 2020. Hosted by one of Australia’s leading voice actors and voiceover technique coaches, Abbe Holmes.

If you’re a performer who wants to know more about the landscape of voiceover in Australia, this is for you. Whether it’s commercial, non-commercial, character work and animation, Abbe will talk about who the players are, what and where the work is and how you get cast. If you’ve always thought voiceover could be for you or you’ve done some work but want to know more about how to break in, Abbe will cover all aspects of the voiceover industry and answer your questions. This is an edited version a live stream event for MEAA Equity members that took place on Wednesday May 26, 2020, as part of the Equity Foundation’s "Let's Talk" recurring series on all aspects of voiceover for Equity members. Hosted by one of Australia’s leading voice actors and voiceover technique coaches, Abbe Holmes.

Audio book narration has been growing steadily over the past little while and can be an incredibly rewarding and satisfying creative experience, unlike any other performing work. Abbe Holmes will be joined by Justine Sloane-Lees, Audio Book Producer at Square Sound, and Stig Wemyss, an award-winning Audio Book Narrator, to cover all aspects of the industry. This is an edited version a live stream event that took place on Wednesday May 13, 2020, as part of the Equity Foundation’s "Let's Talk" series on all aspects of voiceover for MEAA Equity members. Hosted by one of Australia’s leading voice actors and voiceover technique coaches, Abbe Holmes.

This is the first session in our recurring "Let's Talk..." series on all aspects of voiceover for Equity members. Right now, you need a home studio to be able to work in voiceover. In this zoom session Abbe talks about how to set one up, about mics, interfaces, editing programs, sound proofing, Source Connect and costs.

US casting director Jeanie Bacharach talks to a group of Equity members about the US casting process and her past and current projects including The Marvellous Mrs Maisel and Nashville.

A chance for Howard Fine to give an overview of his teaching philosophy and his rigorous belief in technique. Equity members talked to Howard about his actor-training that promotes self-reliance and a safe emotional and psychological approach. The Equity Foundation thanks the Howard Fine Acting Studio Melbourne for their support of this event.

Equity NZ President and New Zealander of the Year Jennifer Ward-Lealand Te Atamira recently interviewed Sam Neill about his life and career, and what he has learnt along the way. Sam Neill has more than 75 films and over 45 television programs to his credit. He is a passionate supporter of many environmental and social justice causes and has been a proud Equity member since 1979.

The voice over industry can be a mystery to those outside it. This is a chance to find out how it works and get key information about what you need to be a working commercial voice over artist.

This is an edited version of our recent live stream where Miranda discussed screen acting and naturalism. Miranda’s approach is based on years of writing and performing Verbatim theatre in prisons in New Zealand, Australia and the UK, as well as her work as an on-set acting coach with renowned actors and directors on films all over the world. In her work with actors and directors Miranda aims to shift paradigms, empowering creatives to realise their own talent. She introduces simple but innovative ways of thinking about and achieving connection and character. She has developed a series of tools and exercises for use in rehearsal and on-set that get actors to where they need to be, fast.

This is an edited version of a recent Equity Foundation live lecture and Q&A with leading voice and dialect coach Katherine Beck. This is a chance for Equity members to learn the tools to enhance your American accent and create an authentic American character.

This is an edited version of a recent Equity Foundation Live Stream. Join leading Australian psychologist Dr Julie Crabtree for an online discussion about coping as a performer during these uncertain times. Julie has worked extensively with creative people and 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. This is a great chance for some simple and practical advice from a professional who understands your unique circumstances.

Meditation coach Deone Zanotto shares two mindfulness exercises for performers.