Writing 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: Navig...

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 92: Writing for Actors with Chris Corbett In this episode, Max and Sam dive deep into the world of screenwriting with Australian industry veteran Chris Corbett . With over 50 hours of television credits—spanning from the high-stakes drama of Blue Healers and All Saints to the intricate mysteries of Miss Fisher —Chris offers a masterclass in what it actually takes to be a "jobbing writer" in the Australian landscape. Whether you’re an actor looking to write your first pilot or a producer ...

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 a ...

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 production ...

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&A hosted...