Director Episodes

Send us a text Episode 102: Making Documentaries with Jye Currie In this masterclass on independent filmmaking, Max Belmonte sits down with Jye Currie, the award-winning director and producer behind the AACTA-nominated feature documentary, The Promise. The episode explores the grit required to move from a "proof of concept" short film to a national cinematic roadshow. Jye shares his candid experiences navigating the Australian screen industry, from self-funding a feature to the technical and ...

Unlock the secrets behind some of Hollywood’s most iconic performances in this deep-dive interview with legendary acting coach Terry Knickerbocker. In this episode of Two Unemployed Actors, host Max explores the craft, discipline, and mindset required to sustain a high-level career in the entertainment industry. The interview with acting coach Terry Knickerbocker highlights several foundational principles for building a sustainable and professional acting career. Here are the key takeaways...

In this instalment of the Two Unemployed Actors podcast, host Max welcomes Anthony Meindle, an award-winning Writer, Director, and creativity expert! Celebrating the twenty-fifth anniversary of his global acting workshops, he discusses his latest book, Unstuck, which explores removing the psychological barriers that hinder artistic expression. He argues that traditional acting training has remained stagnant for decades, clinging to antiquated "analog" methods that no longer serve the modern, digital age. Meindle advocates for a shift toward presence and authenticity, urging performers to inhabit their true selves rather than performing for external validation. A central theme of the conversation is the concept of 'via negativa', or the "negative path." Inspired by Polish director Jerzy Grotowski, Anthony explains that growth comes not from adding new skills, but from identifying and disrupting the "blocks" that constrain an artist. He poignantly suggests that one's "kryptonite is …

Episode 83: The Art of Action with Sam Hargrave In this high-octane episode, Max and Sam sit down with Sam Hargrave, the visionary director behind Netflix’s Extraction franchise. From his beginnings as a stunt performer in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to directing some of the most ambitious action sequences in modern film history, Sam shares the grit, discipline, and creative philosophy required to bridge the gap between stunts and storytelling. Key Takeaways for Actors Preparation is ev...

Episode 82: Christiaan Van Vuuren – From Viral Hipster to ABC Creator In this episode, Max and Sam sit down with the ultimate "slashie," Christiaan Van Vuuren. From the viral explosion of the Bondi Hipsters to creating hit shows for the ABC, Christiaan has navigated the highs and lows of the Australian screen industry with a relentless "do-it-yourself" energy. Whether you're an actor waiting for the phone to ring or a writer with thirty unfinished scripts on your laptop, this conversation is ...

Two Unemployed Actors — Episode 48: Film School, Grim Scripts, & On-Set Etiquette Max & Sam welcome two very special guests into the studio: independent filmmakers Jack Alan Keech and Jacob Wood. In this episode, they pull back the curtain on the real-world transition from film school to low-budget indie sets. They dive into the creative process of writing "grim" stories, the absolute necessity of actor-director chemistry, and why keeping your cast and crew fed is the ultimate indie productio...

Two Unemployed Actors | Episode 42 Show Notes In this episode, Max and Sam delve deep into the mechanics of filmmaking, character creation, and the heavy emotional demands of the acting craft. Max shares direct takeaways from a recent Q&A with director David Michôd, Sam breaks down the psychological hurdles of a tragic new monologue, and the guys review the high-tension thriller 7500. Episode Highlights Inside Blue Tongue Productions with David Michôd Max recaps a fresh Facebook Live Q&...

Two Unemployed Actors | Episode 41: What Directors Want & Mastering the Audition In this episode, Max and Sam dive deep into the mechanics of the Director-Actor relationship and break down what it really takes to walk into an audition room with absolute confidence. From the high-stakes sets of premium television to the fast-paced world of commercial casting, the boys discuss how preparation creates the ultimate creative freedom. 📝 Episode Summary Max shares exclusive insights from a rec...