Producer Episodes

Episode 105: The "Slasher" Life & Strategic Pivots In this episode, Max Belmonte returns from a hiatus to break down the reality of being a "slasher" in the Australian screen industry—balancing Acting, Producing, and corporate presenting & voice over work. He discusses the tactical decision to shift his TV pilot project into a short film proof-of-concept and shares a behind-the-scenes look at changing agents and staying "work fit." Episode Highlights [00:00:43] The Multi-Hyphenate Reality...

Episode 104: Matthew Deaner - Navigating the Future of the Australian Screen Industry In this deep-dive episode, Max Belmonte sits down with Matthew Deaner, the CEO of Screen Producers Australia (SPA). They explore the critical shifts currently happening in the Australian screen sector, from the "Survive to '25" mantra to the high-stakes battle over streaming quotas and local content investment. Whether you are an actor looking to transition into producing—the "slasher" career path—or an esta...

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 ...

Episode 80: Two Actors Survive the Pandemic Welcome to the first episode of 2022! After a transformative year of lockdowns and industry shifts, Max and Sam are back to share how they navigated the "unemployed" life, kept their creative sparks flying, and prepared for a massive year ahead. In this episode, we dive deep into the reality of being a working actor in Australia during a global crisis, from the frustration of cancelled gigs to the unexpected "wins" that come when the industry finall...