From Newcastle Indie Films to 50-Word Guest Spots | Ep 64

MAX: 00:12
Welcome back to Two Unemployed Actors and Sam. Welcome back.

SAM: 00:16
Yeah. Welcome to 2021 Unemployed Actors.

MAX: 00:20
I'm Max.

SAM: 00:21
And I am Sam.

MAX: 00:22
And this is our first, yeah, first together for the year of 2021, which is definitely going to be better than 2020. My gosh.

SAM: 00:28
Let's hope. Let's hope COVID knows that it's a new year.

MAX: 00:31
Straight into busy for both of us. We've both been busy. Tell me about your work.

SAM: 00:35
Yes.

MAX: 00:35
So what's been keeping you from the all-important podcast?

SAM: 00:38
I think I spoke a bit about a bit about it last year. I got into a feature film. And it's a it's a small budget kind of feature film and it's set in Newcastle and we're filming in Newcastle. So for the past ten days, I've been up in up in there, and it's been a lot of fun. I got uh got to know the cast and we're all best mates now, so that's really cool. Yeah, and it's a really cool story.

MAX: 01:02
It's good when you when you get on with everyone. Like, I mean it's true indie, right? You've got to get in it and do your best. Everyone's working for whatever they can. But it was awesome.

SAM: 01:11
Like even before I met the met the guys in person, one of them messaged me, and it it just like helps break the ice, and yeah, they're very warm and friendly and awesome.

MAX: 01:19
Well, it just makes it easier because you're spending so much time together over those ten days.

SAM: 01:22
And we play best mates, so it's so the director wants us to hang out as much as possible. Bonus. So it's it's been really fun. The set was awesome, the production quality is awesome, and that's for the director's debut directing, yeah, he's doing amazing. He's knows what he wants, he's getting it done real well.

MAX: 01:37
Is he did he was he a product of uh one of the schools?

SAM: 01:40
No, uh no, I don't think he's ever gone to film school, but he knows his shit.

MAX: 01:46
And it's his first uh feature?

SAM: 01:48
I think it's his first anything director.

MAX: 01:49
Wow. So brave.

SAM: 01:51
Yeah, but he's written it and he's worked hard.

MAX: 01:53
Um and it's been really fun because I That's right, by the time you get to it, like they've lived with the script for so many years, you know.

SAM: 01:59
Yeah, yeah, yeah. And and he knows what he wants and it's it's awesome. Uh and we so Jess and I went down there because we're both in it. I went up there, sorry. And uh stayed with two friends as well because one of them's also in it. Okay. Uh and she uh was from is from there, so her parents live there. So we were very fortunate enough to stay in her house and end up having a a musical reunion down there with a bunch of other people. Oh really? Yeah, after the shoot. Oh, that's cool. So there was four da so for me, I had four days of shooting, seven pm to two a.m.

Speaker 1: 02:32
Okay.

SAM: 02:33
So it was a full on so when you're spending seven hours four days in a row with a group of guys, you get pretty close pretty quickly. You imagine so. And it was very cool. We had like 40 extras because it was set at a party first.

MAX: 02:43
That is a lot. A lot for uh yeah.

SAM: 02:46
Oh my god, that's a lot of fun. Yeah, so the production quality is awesome.

MAX: 02:49
Um was there a first AD, like someone to help direct background extras, or was it all No, it was all him, but we have you know uh uh what am I trying to say?

SAM: 02:60
Is it AC, like assistant cinematographer? Yeah, okay. And we had an AC and cinematographer, and we had a whole bunch of people. Uh the lighting was awesome. Some of the shots are very cool. Uh I can send some to you to put up on the podcast if you want.

MAX: 03:13
Fred's excited. I think it'll be great. Share as much as we can. And it's great that I think we were talking off camera that it's really good that that they're really supportive of you, just posting whatever you can when you can.

SAM: 03:22
Yeah, he's he's happy with some of that.

MAX: 03:24
No real secret squirrel stuff. It's just let's look, let's get the word out.

SAM: 03:27
Exactly. And so I'm going back up there on Saturday. Okay. So it's just blocks of days now until the end of March.

MAX: 03:32
Oh, okay.

SAM: 03:33
So it's uh it's it's gonna be a lot of fun.

MAX: 03:35
Quite the commitment up there, but um, as long as you're enjoying it, it's good for you to. That helps.

SAM: 03:40
Also, uh I did a short film about a year or so ago. Right. Uh and this guy's making multiple short films and he's connecting them and making a 90 minute long feature. Oh wow. Um they're all about like gay relationships and explore exploring them. I just played a waiter, so that was fun. Yeah. But um, that's being premiered at uh Hoyt, which is pretty cool. Oh nice. Um so I'm excited for that. Apparently a hundred people are going.

MAX: 04:07
Brilliant. When's that premiere?

SAM: 04:08
Is that June oh oh I think for the cast it's premiering June something, June 19th or something.

MAX: 04:13
Yep.

SAM: 04:14
Uh I don't know where he wants to take it.

MAX: 04:16
And this is premiered as a feature with all the shorts stitched together?

SAM: 04:19
Yeah, I think it's shorts stitched together and but but the shorts are in between. It's almost like a documentary with short films in between. Okay. Um, which is really cool. Different way to do it. Yeah, it's a cool idea. And I Jess and I auditioned a while back for a horror f uh short film. I remember that. Yeah, yeah. And we w it seemed like we were on the route to getting it. Yeah. But unfortunately, scheduling uh got in the way. But this guy has recontacted us about another short film, so that's really cool and good to know. He likes it. It helps.

MAX: 04:50
I mean, once you get on the horizon of people, even if you're you're not right for the role, then you know, there's something comes up and they they remember you from your edition or from your work with them previously. That's why all that, you know, being good and having a good reputation is important because yeah, whether it's a short film, whether it's indie, low budget, whatever, yeah, you give it 100%. Almost half your stuff could come from that. So knowing you never know.

SAM: 05:11
Well, that's awesome. So, what have you been up to?

MAX: 05:13
Uh busy, uh mix of voiceover work, um, my normal, you know, bread and butter presented to camera stuff. Uh national security company wanted to update their policies, procedures, all that sort of exciting stuff that when you join, you know, all the paperwork. So what the way they've done it, they split it up into a male presenter and a female presenter. And um at Carriage Works, so really interesting background, not your standard uh studio shoot by any means. Yep. Also, it was one of the hottest days on Monday here in Australia, it was like 30 something degrees, and oh my god, it was like a sauna.

SAM: 05:47
Oh yeah, I it was intense.

MAX: 05:49
I'm wearing black dress pants and a white long-sleeve shirt. Oh my god. And wardrobes there, like fanning me in between shots because uh not not to keep me alive, although that helps, but really to keep the sweat out of the white shirt. Yeah, no, you're your second priority on that. But it um it's a nice way to sort of make it, and there's a bit of walking to camera while presenting and a bit of static presenting, but the camera's moving at a steady cam that sort of moved around. I did feel sorry for the the camera operator, 35 kilos attached to him on a hot day. But um, but look, we made it work, and I think we've made it as interesting as possible. So it was less presenting to camera, you know, uh news presentery and more um talking with them relaxed, sort of relatable somewhat.

Speaker 1: 06:29
Okay.

MAX: 06:30
But then you've got to be a bit firm. You're talking to security professionals, and it's about onboarding stuff they need to know to be able to tick that they they know and sign off on. Um so yeah, it was a fun day. It was a fun day, it was really good. Uh great feedback. My the best feedback, um, the best feedback I got was from the gentleman who who managed the auto queue throughout the day and just said, Oh, you're presenting to camera like it's really good. Like you you'll be able to pause at the right moment, you're emphasizing the right words, all this sort of stuff. And I said, Oh, that's yeah, it's awesome. Thank you very much, Baba. I was so excited because obviously he gets to see so many people present.

Speaker 1: 07:08
Yeah, yeah.

MAX: 07:08
Um, also because it was in front of the client, but but I think it was um it was just so cool. Like I love to, I didn't even look at the scripts. I know I said I did, but like I didn't. The script, okay. First of all, Friday night, the scripts come through. Not worried because it's all on autocand and and a couple of headshots came through. Oh, it'd be great if you could have a neatly trimmed beard, like you have in these two photos. Client really loves that. Shit. Because I shaved on Friday for another thing, and I'm like, I'm not gonna be able to grow a beard by Monday. Like, come on. I mean, I'm good, but I'm not that. So a mild panic set in, and I immediately responded after I caught my breath saying, um, I'll take a look at the scripts. I've got play rehearsals on Sunday, um, but I'll I'll try and have a look Saturday afternoon. Um, but as for the beard, I'm clean shaven, blah blah. Anyway, he's rung me immediately and I'm here, I'm freaking out going, this is the whole shoot gone or whatever. Because you know, you always think worst case, or at least I do. Yeah. Um, and uh he's like, Look, well, okay, blah blah. And I I proposed that look, I'll have some stubble by Monday that I can guarantee. I'll turn up with a razor, and if the stylist says and the client says, fine with with the way you look, then great. If not, I can shave and have clean shaven. No worries, no worries, fine, fine. Have a good scripts if you can, familiarize yourself, blah, blah, blah. And I mean these scripts too. So it's a tick on the styling, great, no worries. Wardrobe, had everything organized. Um, even size 13 shoes, unbelievable. That's one of the first times since back in the day when I did the KFC thing and they had size 13 for me. Because normally the shoes are like even when you'd home and wave before, it's like, oh, I think we've got a 13 in storage somewhere. Oh my god, yeah. It's okay, I'll bring mine. Um, so anyway, lucky 13. So uh that got the tick, and then the script, I mean, look, it's really dry, written by committee, corporate staff. Plus, you can't really skimp and change things too much because it's corporate policy on social media, on talking to the media, on all the stuff security people have to worry about. And this is a company that does everything from contracts with people who are own thousand bars to you know, bodyguards, close personal protection. Very fancy. So um, I I really had to get the words right. Yeah, but um, but uh uh look, it was great. It went really smooth. I love doing that sort of stuff. Um, really good. Director who knew what he was doing, um, 12 crew, everyone, everyone knew what they were doing, great professional crew. Um, and got along with the other presenter. We didn't do any co-presenting moments. It was like, you know, she'd do a script, I'd do a script sort of thing. Um, and it just one of those days that just it just went smooth and went fast. We finished early by an hour. Wow. Uh and um, but you know, we start call time was 7 a.m. in between a national public holiday and a weekend. So yeah, okay. And fortunately it was down the road at carriage work, so I'm like, you know, I I could walk there, but you know. From here? Yeah. But I won't. Uh it's probably like it's like too hot. It's like a 20-minute walk. But yeah, it was like 30-something degrees here. So I just pictured myself afterwards, you know.

SAM: 10:09
Yeah, it was similar in Newcastle as well.

MAX: 10:10
Way too hot. I know, right? So I'm like, you know, I forgot to mention on Monday, I wrote it down because I knew I'd forget. I'm doing uh because the it's not a sound stage at Carriage Works, right? You've got an open warehouse. It used to be where they actually made and maintained train carriages. Um so a hu a great urban space in the middle of the city for shoots. And I can see ads now. Like there was another car ad I saw and I'm like, oh, that was from the carriage works.

SAM: 10:40
Very cool. Because it's open, it's a bit like have you been here before?

MAX: 10:42
It's like, yes, I've been here for another shoot casually. Um but it's got a tin roof, um, and it's not soundproof. So when it's raining, when it's raining and you present your camera, which is why it was postponed the first time. Yep. Um, and then obviously it's not air conditioned, uh, is the other side effect. But uh sounds so yes, and Sydney Festival were bumping out while we were, and we're at the main sound stage. I say sound stage to be generous, and behind the wall um was uh storage space and a and a road where a road, you know, a driveway and Sydney Festival were going past in trucks as they were bumping out through the main you know exit, huge roller door. Uh so look, you know, great five minutes from home. Uh Fred was a bit confused as to why I was up at 6am, just standing there staring at me while I made a cup of coffee. And I was standing there staring at him until I woke up. But uh finally got there. Five minutes down the road of the Vespa introductions, no worries. Bear in mind City Festival's bumping out. We've got to do a health and safety thing, and we did went through that with the our contact for carriage works, and everyone's kind of been, oh my god, I'm like, listen, this is what we're doing today. We're getting paid to do things through a company, so let's not be like all down about company policies and stuff and OHS. So anyway, I'm I remember this okay. There was a couple of moments. One, I'm doing this bit, and uh I had to memorize the first line, no worries, because I'm walking to the auto queue where I can actually get to see it, and the steady cam comes in and just try to make it a bit more interesting and dynamic, a bit of movement. And I'm going through it and I can hear a truck uh backing up, you know, the beep, beep, beep. Then I can then I hear someone yelling, and the truck starts up, and you've got the diesel engine behind, and I'm still going for it. And then I got to the stage where there was some other noise, and I just I missed a word, and I'm like, oh come on. I we got through it all, it was cut, and then it's like, yeah, it sounds just shaking his head, going, there is no way any of that, any of it is useful. And they wanted to get it all in one shot. Yeah, so yeah, because there's no cutaway, they were just overlaying graphics.

SAM: 12:36
Yeah, nice, fair enough.

MAX: 12:38
Oh, anyway, so later in the day, I'm going through this one. We sort of got the the activity was a bit reduced. I was so focused on what I was saying, I didn't realise at all, but while I was going through it, like nothing had happened, and what got to the end, I'm like, everyone's laughing. Why are they laughing? I didn't think it was particularly funny, but anyway, uh what had happened is while when I got to the middle bit, and it was a decent, like it's a five-minute, it was a journey, right? Yep, a journey of every corporate word. Uh and then there was a loud crash, and uh one of the trucks exiting the building went through when the roller door was halfway out and took out the roller door. I don't know how I didn't hear this.

SAM: 13:21
Yeah, I don't know how you would either.

MAX: 13:31
Oh my god. But uh yeah, I'm like, how did I miss drama? Um, everyone was okay. Obviously, we couldn't use the roller door to bump out, but hey, um, yeah, I know, right? It's like anything else? So I mean it's a great spot, like it just looks cool on camera. Like if you want an urban cityscape, it's got bits of everything, whether you're doing a driving bit, a photo shoot, something piece presented to camera, shows, exhibitions, exactly great to wine and dine. At least you can tolerate that a bit at night where it's a bit quieter, but but during the day, yeah, it's quite a dynamic space. And literally, you've got you've got people living in apartments next next door where they developed, and a public space. Yeah, thoroughfare. Like it's like, you know, anyway. And then um play rehearsals have been going well because it's coming up now. In fact, if you're in Sydney or want to be in Sydney, uh 24th to 27th of March, lipstick is the play. Um if you want to be in Sydney, if you want to be in Sydney metaphorically, or you're going to be in Sydney uh in March, depending on what travel's like in Australia. Uh lipstick, it's coming together really well. It's been coming together for over a year. Yeah, I know because originally it was supposed to be April last year in 2020, and we know what happened in 2020 without mentioning the words. So um looking forward to it coming together. Yeah, there's four plays in total as part of the No Intermission Festival, and uh Lipstick is the comedy farce. So, um, yeah, one look, it's setback from setback, and then some setback because first of all, you've got the plague. Ah, okay, I mentioned it. So to push that back, you know. So let's organise the festival like three times for the benefit of once. Anyway, it's happened. Fine, moving on. Then uh recast for those that weren't available, and then finally we get together, we start rehearsing, and oh, by the way, the building you're in is going to be demolished. So you can't rehearse here. Or you can if you want things landing on your head, it's probably a bug idea. So um, great, what are we gonna do? Well, here's Max who's moved in okay, four months ago to my place in Newtown, and um haven't finished furnishing it yet. The dining room is empty, and it's a great, it's a great little studio for self-tapes. Perfect. Uh when I say empty, I mean all the alcohol's there, as you know, Sam. Uh so something's a priority one. Yes. And uh table and chairs and that stuff is you know, that's second priority. So you drink, is it? I put off exactly. I put off I put off uh furnishing the place and we've been rehearsing here. So current restrictions mean five people can come as guests at any one time. So we've had the core team here with director, absolutely going for it, and it has been great. It's coming together, we're laughing all the time. I know Emma was here at one stage to help wrangle Fred because Fred thinks we're all here to see him. Yep, and it's a basic opportunity for us to run and jump around laughing at Fred, and Fred's a part of it. In fact, the last rehearsal I did was with Fred. I had to actually carry him through the whole play. So we did a run through, like a stumble run. There I am waving Fred around. He loved it, he thought it was fantastic.

SAM: 16:24
I love it. Let's have him in it.

MAX: 16:26
Yeah, uh well, there was a mention, and then I'm like, Well, it's a great idea, but in practice, it won't be long before Fred's on stage. Anyway, I'm sick of being upstaged by you, Fred. Just you know, turn it down. So um Well you have to say it for yourself. He's doing it. There we go. That's enough. You've heard it here. It's all about two unemployed actors. So I'm like, oh my god, Fred, seriously. So and he's not taking treats anymore because he really just he knows everyone now and just wants to be a part of the fun. So, and we've got another rehearsal tonight, and Emma's not available, so it's gonna be absolute chaos. If we can get through with like a loud heckler consistently, you can get through with Fred. Exactly, we'll be fine. Moving into another rehearsal space, hopefully, on the weekend, which would be great. Looking forward to that. Not that I don't mind having everyone here, it's been great fun. The neighbours are probably wondering why we're consistently screaming on Wednesday nights and Sundays, but I just think it's Fred. There's a lot of loudness in the play, a lot of real dramatic moments that are overplayed as they do in Fast.

SAM: 17:20
Oh yeah.

MAX: 17:20
Um, but anyway, fun times.

SAM: 17:22
Um Well, I've got a little bit of news as well. Tell me. I am trying to start up a new headshot business. So if you want a headshot, really? Yeah, it's uh I'll do mates rates for you.

MAX: 17:34
It's about 2500 uh 25% more for you. Yeah. Um takes a lot to make you look good, Max.

SAM: 17:41
Yeah, come on, buddy.

MAX: 17:43
Like a day in Photoshop.

SAM: 17:45
Yes, yours will take about six minutes. All right, let's not dwell on that.

MAX: 17:48
So dwelling on it.

SAM: 17:48
So talk me through this business. So I I so I had the idea. So I got a camera for my my 21st birthday, which I was very happy with. Great. Um, and I have a hundred millimeter lens, which is awesome, which is it it's pretty so but for this camera between 85 and 100 and great for for headshots. Oh, okay. Because then you the aperture can be lower and you can get a blurrier background, it looks like technical stuff I'm not aware of, but yep. Yeah, yeah. So I I looked all this up. I researched a lot about starting out Certificate of YouTube. Yeah, I did a lot of research. And so I took Jess out for a quick practice and pleasantly surprised, my first try actually was frick freaking freaking great.

MAX: 18:25
Yeah, so now I'm gonna take out you've got her approval because that's that's the the approval that matters, really.

SAM: 18:31
That's the non-biased one, yeah.

MAX: 18:32
You thinking you're amazing.

SAM: 18:33
I mean, that goes without saying, Sam, I know who you are, but uh so I'm gonna take out the rest of my family so I can get a build a portfolio a little bit. Um so I've already written a policy.

MAX: 18:43
Have you told the rest of your family that it's actually nude? Photoshop.

SAM: 18:46
Not yet, but I'll find it. Um I've written up a policy, so a PDF that I'll send out to everyone. Uh and I've come up with uh created a logo for myself.

MAX: 18:56
Nice. Oh, you love your graphic design. Yeah, I do. Is that the whole reason you're doing this business? So you can have another logo.

SAM: 19:01
Yeah, exactly. It doesn't matter. Um and I call it just it's just called Sam Fold and Photography and I'll fold the photography.

MAX: 19:07
Wait, wait, wait. Sam Foldon photography.

SAM: 19:10
Yeah, I'm gonna get you to do a voiceover for like an ad or something. Without the boom, actually. But so I was thinking about doing a website, um uh but it is it does so it costs money to get your own domain name and then it costs even more money to pay a website like Wix, for example, to use that domain name. Yeah. So I'm gonna start without that for now. And and I read about a lot of stuff, so someone said that they know a guy who runs a business straight out of Facebook and is doing f fantastic. Okay. Knows people who have websites and they're doing okay. Okay. So it's just what works for you. So I'm gonna start with Facebook and Instagram. Lots of people run businesses out of social and socially, absolutely. So after I get these photos, then I'll start those up. But I've got the domain? I've got I've got the domain name just in case later down the track. And uh actually I've got the domain name of Sam Folden, but I'll figure out the photography part.

MAX: 19:55
Um that sounds really good because I know well I uh I use Adobe a lot, like all the different bits and pieces, and within that there's an Adobe portfolio, which I haven't used, but it basically allows you to have all your work linked to your domain. So you can just link it to the domain and then you've got all your photos and stuff within. That's good.

SAM: 20:14
I I at the moment I so so I'll I'm I have this whole policy where so I'm gonna plug it on here a bit and then we'll maybe I'll send a headshot for the phone.

MAX: 20:23
We're all about supporting up-and-coming artists of course, namely each other as well. Yeah, of course. Particularly each other.

SAM: 20:27
And I've taken not I haven't exactly that's it. I haven't copied, but I've taken inspiration from Kate Williams, um, who is my current headshot photographer. Uh she's awesome, and I'll probably ask her a few tips later down the track.

MAX: 20:41
Chat to her, take her out for a coffee.

SAM: 20:42
Yeah, but I haven't heard of anyone else doing what I want to do in the East. Okay. It's either way too expensive and in a studio. I'll be doing it on the street with natural light. Okay. Um, but yeah, it'll be it'll be like an hour on location shoot. They'll get all their photos, two touch-uped ones. So I'm touching them up on Lightroom. So it looks really good. Yep. Um, I'll show you after the podcast what Jess is looks like, and we can put it up on the thing.

MAX: 21:06
Put it on so put it on our social, send me the image with Jess's permission.

SAM: 21:09
Yeah, it'll be 300 bucks for everything at this point, which is reasonably cheap for headshots around here.

MAX: 21:15
Because a lot of people are looking at their online portfolio. A lot of people, I mean, up-and-coming actors in Australia right now, there's a bit of work going around. Uh American Productions, uh, all sorts of productions from different countries, but but particularly American and and and lots of good old Aussie content. Yeah. I think uh I mean I just there's two Aussie films now, top of the box office. Uh but look, I think I think it's it's really important, yeah. Reviewing your profiles, updating your CVs, just all the pages. Come to me for headshots and fresh headshots, yeah.

SAM: 21:42
I said to I said to Jess, Jess, how does it feel to never have to pay for a headshot ever again?

MAX: 21:46
She's like, well, let me just see if they're good for it.

SAM: 21:48
Yeah, no, she's put the one she's put the one I took up on her thing. That's good. That's a great thing. And I'm very excited. I mean, I just gotta get off the ground. But uh yeah, so that's exciting. I'll plug it more when it starts to.

MAX: 22:00
And we'll send links and stuff. But um that's great.

SAM: 22:03
So TV shows. I started watching The Expanse. Have you heard of The Expanse?

MAX: 22:07
Yes, I'm up to season three.

SAM: 22:09
Don't say a single fucking word. Okay.

MAX: 22:12
Because I think they're up to season five or something, aren't they? I think so. And I think it's the final season.

SAM: 22:17
Do you like it? I think it's awesome.

MAX: 22:19
I had to stick with it for a bit. It sort of got a bit long, and then you know, in the first season a little bit. I'm hung, I'm hung in there, and I get, you know, I get that they're setting everything up, and all the characters get to know them, and then when stuff happens, it's really cool. Um but yeah, and I love the effects, they're pretty good. Although Pet Hate, they they make the sound in space because there's no sound in space. And and they make the sounds in cinema. It's cinema. That's right. It's like Star Wars. You let you know.

SAM: 22:43
It's set 200 years in the future. Maybe they can do that. Maybe they can in the future. No, but it's I think it's really good.

MAX: 22:48
It's just a whole space full of maxi voiceovers. Yeah.

SAM: 22:51
But it's set set uh I mean sorry, it's it's uh adapted from a novel, so it has to be a good thing. Oh, is it? Yeah. Um and I think the acting's freaking freaking great.

MAX: 22:60
Great cast, love the core cast.

SAM: 23:02
And the acting is really good. Um the budget is a very good thing.

MAX: 23:04
One British actor in particular I rec I recognised from some features I've seen in the past. It's a great Irish. Oh god, don't get that wrong. Um but uh from Europe. Yeah. And uh great actor. No, I think that I think you're right.

SAM: 23:19
But the budget looks pretty big as well. And I I it is my kind of vibe, like that sci-fi kind of dystopian kind of thing. But I love the the whole idea of that humans have now colonised Mars and the belt and so what does that mean?

MAX: 23:30
And and then what's the impact of that?

SAM: 23:32
It's brilliant.

MAX: 23:32
And then because if you listen to uh Elon Musk, you know, we're gonna be in Mars eventually, yeah. Um and probably mining it for whatever it's worth.

SAM: 23:40
How amazing would it be the expansion?

MAX: 23:41
Yeah, so imagine imagine what what would that mean? You know, is that a different country? Like, is that different? And then AI, I love the the the research on that tech and the implications of the idea that people who were born in space have have frailer bones and all this stuff.

SAM: 24:00
It's I think it's brilliant. Earth is lying. I got my dad onto it actually as well. So I think it's good.

MAX: 24:06
Well, I I with TV, call Call My Agent is a great television series, French television series in France. In France it's called 10%.

SAM: 24:16
Oh, yeah.

MAX: 24:17
Nice. So and uh this is their fourth and final season, I've learnt. It's the final I'm halfway through the fourth episode. It's really funny. And they have some yeah, and that they have some great guest casts, some really good acting talent. It's kind of like extras. Yeah. How they used to how they used to get some great talent to come on extras. Um it's it's like that. Uh, but basically it's a French uh talent agency who manage actors for films. Oh god, well, I mean you can, but I never watch it dubbed on Netflix because it's never as good. So I watch with subtitles, and I think Netflix has been great in bringing lots of different cultures to our screen and realize that guess what? No one's really afraid of subtitles. If it's a great story and good content, we're gonna watch Netflix stuff from other countries. Yeah, and I think that's fantastic. So I don't mind that. Um because as an actor, you know there's so much in Hage Liver the Lion. Sure. So it's so and it's just it's so funny. Yeah, it's absolutely funny. I know Fred loves their office dog, so he pretends to have something to say every time he's on camera, but it's just really funny, and oh my god, some of the things look so familiar, some of the stories and that. So it's it's it's it's really good. So I recommend you watching a few episodes called Agent and great cast. It's just like you it's one of those casts where you you could walk into the office and you wouldn't be surprised to see them all doing their thing. Very cool, it's hilarious. And some of the situations that the talent get into that the agents have to get them out of. Oh my god, there's one at the moment, and this great dramatic actress has decided just to become a stand-up comedian, and she's horrible, but no one wants to tell her. But then she won't sign on this film deal, and the agents are trying to run around, tell her that she's not good, but even though she doesn't want to hear it, and yeah, you know, it's just it's hilarious. And the scheming that goes on behind the scenes is hilarious.

SAM: 25:60
Very good.

MAX: 26:00
Yep, so tell me about your brother's album.

SAM: 26:02
So uh my just a quick little plug. Um, my brother, Jack Folden, uh younger brother, yeah. It doesn't matter, uh has just released uh he's released a couple, but he's just released uh a new album on Spotify and on Apple Music, all your favorite platforms. It's called The Things We Do. Okay. Uh I will help him shoot music videos soon. Oh yeah. Uh so I'm excited about that. But go have a listen. He's worked very hard on them. They're great. My favorite is cliche. Enjoy. Quick little plug. Plug Jack Folden the things we do.

MAX: 26:35
Tick. Um speaking of plugging stuff, I went to see The Dry, which is an Aussie movie. Yes. Um with Eric Banner in the lead role. Yes. Who you might remember as the original Hulk back in the day. Yes, yes, I do. Um, and uh greatly played Bruce Banner. How funny is it? Great Aussie, Aussie actor. I I I I I really liked it. Adapted from an Australian uh novel uh by Jane Harper.

SAM: 26:60
Okay.

MAX: 27:00
Um and this is the the Q ⁇ A I was going to go to, but it got canned because of COVID, where um the director Robert Connolly, the author Jane Harper, and Eric Banner was going to be there. But um all that aside, I really enjoyed it. Great cinematography, capturing this rural. I mean, you know, the story can be any rural town, you know, where everyone sort of knows each other. Yeah, right. The protagonist coming back, and with all the baggage, particularly of what you know really happened to to make him leave town in the first place as a kid. Without giving away spoilers because I hate that, it was really I really I enjoyed it. Um I thought Kevin uh Kevin Eric was pretty strong. Um, and I think um the supporting casts were okay. I just loved the cinematography, it was really good. I went to see because I got an offer from Event Cinemas here in in Sydney. I got an offer to to see Gold Class for like 25 bucks or something. Comfy seat, wine, whatever. I think there was only myself and someone else in there. And okay. No, she wasn't my date. Uh but uh I was there with my my my personal companion, the white wine. Yes, which helps make any movie better, and a bowl of MMs, because they taste better when you get a bowl. And so enjoyed it anyway, and they sent me an email saying thanks for coming back to the cinema. Very nice. Um, love your work, Max. You've great. No, I didn't say that. But they did say if you want to come and see if you want to come back, see another movie, here's a $10 voucher. Or see it for just ten dollars, I should say. So instead of paying whatever it is, see a movie for ten dollars. Not the gold cast. So I booked, I'm going tomorrow, no, uh, to see a movie called The Marksman with Liam Neeson. Very cool. Who I have to say is in his mid to late 70s. Yeah, I don't know how many action films he's he's doing alright.

Speaker 1: 28:40
Yeah, yeah.

MAX: 28:41
Um Gotta Save the Passengers. Uh I love that one. And what was the other one? You know, I've got to save the passengers. That was uh The Commuter. The Commuter Voice actor. The commuter, yeah. Uh that was the worst. I like Nonstop, that was ages ago. Yeah, and what about Taken, where his family keeps getting kidnapped?

SAM: 28:56
Oh, that scared the hell out of me when I watched first Taken. It was bloody ridiculous.

MAX: 28:60
Taken one, two, and taken again. Let's just call it unlucky family. Uh it's like Bruce Willis, you know what I mean? Diehard. He just ends up almost dying in every you know, the police officer with the worst luck. Yeah. But uh anyway, so I'll see that tomorrow.

SAM: 29:16
I wanted to see the dry, actually, like a couple of guys from the shoot saw it and said it was good too.

MAX: 29:20
Well, I what's interesting is the producer behind that uh production company called Made Up Stories.

SAM: 29:25
Okay.

MAX: 29:26
Um the there's an Australian producer who went to Hollywood a while ago and part of the set with um so you know, there's not Aussie expats who get together on Australia Day and Barbies, lots of stuff. But um I don't remember I because I read a piece in in The Weekend Australian here in Sydney uh about how she got started actually moving to producing.

SAM: 29:48
Yeah, right.

MAX: 29:49
She was with Reese next to Reese Witherspoon in a uh dinner party and talking about, you know, oh my god, another girlfriend, another wife of or girlfriend of apart, you know, rather than it's a story about strong women or strong female roles. And well, let's do something about it. So hence you've got Reese Witherspoon with her production company, Gone Girl that Reese also produced, also produced with the Australian producer, yeah, and uh many more, uh, and Nicole Kibbon as well. So we're talking about the up uh The Undoing is the one with Nicole Kibbben that she also produced. Bruna Papandrea. Ah um so fantastic, but but just by chance, there's two movies at the top of the box office at the moment in Australia, The Dry being one of them, the other one Penguin Bloom, which is based on a true story. Okay, and both produce made-up stories. I mean, come on, that's awesome. Brilliant.

SAM: 30:41
I know there's a lot of Is that the Reese Witherspoon production company? That's the other one.

MAX: 30:44
Uh Bruna Papandrea. Yeah, yeah. She did produce stuff with Reese, like for example, Gone Girl, um, and got into it as a result of that conversation. Fred, stop pumping stop pumping his arm. It's rude. At least buy him a drink first. Um but yeah, no, uh, so two of them, all from the same production company, top of the bottom. I mean, come on, that's awesome. Uh and I think there's a few, I mean, there's a lot of global releases that have been postponed because there's so much money at stake. Look at James Bond being postponed again, Richard Impossible, I think 7-1's being postponed again, because they need to be released globally and theatres globally uh to make back and get their their you know, because the marketing span, the production span, etc. is not cheap. Um and you can afford to push it back and and and with all those and product placement endorsements and stuff at stake as a result of. But um, but yeah, no, I think that's it, you know, I get that, but it also frees up slots, particularly in Australia. We're able to go to the cinema now. Um under certain conditions. I think at the moment in Sydney we have to wear masks when we're there, but hey, look, you know, we're still going back to the cinema, it's great. But it gives an opportunity for some productions like The Dry and Penguin Bloom, who would have been theatre releases anyway, but to release in more theatres and help more Aussies see Aussi pictures, which is great. Yeah.

SAM: 31:58
So I think advice too and and watch more of those. I think we should, as Aussies and as Aussies actors, to watch those, and I I do need to take my own advice with that too. 100%. No, 100%. Like it's important, I think. To know who you're working with once you head into.

MAX: 32:12
Well, I mean, you're gonna go in front of casting directors, at least understand the industry you're in. Yeah. Uh there's a lot of people who can't really talk about and name uh television shows and casting directors associated with and directors, that sort of stuff in Australia. I mean, yeah, there they are.

SAM: 32:25
Because we're so influenced by Americans.

MAX: 32:27
Absolutely, and that's great, but it's not everything but start here. So, one more thing before I go, uh, agent messaged me saying I've got a guest role on an Aussie television show. Super excited. Um four days of shooting, one in the studio this Friday at 6 a.m. Nice, um 6 a.m. No, I don't know if I really wake up until the afternoon. Yeah. Like 8 p.m. in the afternoon. But uh 5 30, I've got to get studio. Uh so I'm okay, but also being first scene to go with a couple of the regulars and that, it's and it's a decent scene. Um, then all the scenes behind it for the rest of the day, all tightly scheduled, uh, with half the cast, if not most of them, there. If you're late, could you imagine the damage you could do?

SAM: 33:15
Just wait. Just wait. You get you better get in.

MAX: 33:19
Don't be late. I'll be setting three alarms and telling Fred to wake me up. But um, and then three and a half days on on location, thank you. Uh, in a couple of weeks' time. Support. Uh no, I think well it takes two of us to make one podcast. But I think that that I'm looking forward to that because it's gonna be a great experience. I can't say which went or where, but um, it's a fun roll. Look, one thing, I've got the script, and I'm like, oh great, I can't wait. You know, 50 word uh awesome, where am I?

Speaker 1: 33:45
I'm wow, reading through the script.

MAX: 33:47
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Guest cast on the call sheet, brilliant, brilliant, winning. Looking through the script, I'm looking and I'm looking, I'm going, this is great. Oh, okay, well, it's not this scene, it's fine, it's fine. Going to the next, uh-uh, and I get to the I'm like, okay, how many pages left? Three pages out of 27? Okay, okay, I can still be here. I'm looking, I'm looking, I get to the last page, I'm like, this is interesting. I missed it, I must have missed it. Start it again. Go through the script. I'm like, okay, okay, well, that's right. There's no in this particular I'm in a couple episodes, this particular episode, I'm not saying anything. But that's fine. That's okay. My agent calms me down and says, Max, like, get there. It's obviously a a featured role, and they want acting talent for it, and you're certainly guest cast. It's a 50-wirder rate, and you as on the call sheet, Max, 50 word. Um, but get in there, do your best, whatever, and it's a nice little tester to see how you're doing, and you know, they can bring you back and all the rest of it. So I'm like, I get the message. Fine. But and of course, you never know. I've been on this set once before where they walked across and said, Hey, I need to give you another line.

unknown: 34:45
Fine.

MAX: 34:45
So it can evolve. So, did you audition first? No, no, no, no.

SAM: 34:49
They just face and show.

MAX: 34:51
I can't even say the casting agent because it'll give away. No, no. But uh, they just said, you know, Maxi, and then Maxi got the call, Maxi got the offer, and Maxi's happy. So I'll stop talking about myself in third person now. So great. Look, it's been a busy week. Presenting to camera, play rehearsals with Fred, and um podcast, of course. Sorry, Fred, and uh we've both been busy. And uh in studio on Friday. So yeah, it's gonna be it's gonna be a lot of fun. I'm looking forward to it. Uh and that's stuff that I really want to do, like scripted drama and scripted comedy. Hey, no, I've never finished. Give me another two minutes. What's wrong with you? So I'm really looking forward to uh finishing the week and having a look back on a productive week. Um, yeah, and you'll hear all about it next week.

SAM: 35:34
Yep, you'll hear from both of us. Awesome.

MAX: 35:36
So I'm Max. I'm Sam. And we are two unemployed actors. See you guys later. Bye.