Australian Screenwriters Podcast

Prolific screenwriter and AWGIE winner Sam Meikle may well be the most versatile writer we've had on the podcast. Not only is he a prolific writer of Home & Away and Neighbours, but he's written a documentary, numerous hour-long dramas, kid's animation and currently has a feature film in the works.

Amongst other things, Sam outlines his technique for writing feature film screenplays and we find out he turned an early setback on All Saints into a great learning experience that helped him become the award-winning writer he is today.

This is a must listen for all aspiring screenwriters. Emerging Writer Niki Aken shares her experience of breaking into the industry and gaining her first professional script. We also delve deep into her writing process, learn that she did so much research for Underbelly she could have consulted back to the Police about their cases and how she managed to write the criminal characters who inhabit a very different world to herself.

Zak Hilditch is a Perth based Writer/Director who released his first feature film These Final Hours to much acclaim last year.

On the podcast Zak discusses writing the film, how he obtained funding from ScreenWest and Screen Australia, being introduced to Rob Connolly, alternate endings and how he bounced back from the disappointing Australian box office.

This episode I talk to Blake Ayshford, who started his career with a Home & Away episode and a stint as Script Editor on All Saints. Blake was really honest about having long periods outside the industry, unable to find writing gigs. But he proves that perseverance pays off as he's been prolific in recent years, writing on Crownies, The Straits, The Code and Devil's Playground.

Blake also talks about getting an agent in the UK, possibly the longest gap between a first and second draft ever and how he is now enjoying life as a Producer as well as Writer.

Sarah is currently Script Producer for 'Wonderland', a show she also co-created. Durin her career, Sarah has also written for or Script Produced 'Home & Away', 'Neighbours', 'Winners & Losers' and 'All Saints'. In this episode, she recounts stories of getting an agent, going to Hollywood to pitch and reveals some big news on who bought that pitch. Hang around to the end for her amazing story of how she met Angelina Jolie.

Tony Ayres rose to prominence as the Writer/Director of the internationally acclaimed feature film 'The Homesong Stories'. He went on to become a founding member of Matchbox Pictures, one of Australia's premier production companies.

Since Matchbox began in 2008, Tony has Produced or Executive Produced such shows as 'The Slap', 'The Straits', 'Underground', 'Old School' and 'Devil's Playground'. With the ability to work across genres, Tony produced Rebel Wilson's comedy vehicle 'Bogan Pride' and the Emmy nominated sci-fi drama 'Nowhere Boys', now in its second series.

On top of all this, Tony returned to his feature film roots this year, directing the noirish thriller 'Cut Snake'.

Kris Mrksa has written for many of Australia's most-loved shows, but is best known for co-writing the Graham Kennedy biopic 'The King', 'Unerbelly' and 'Devil's Dust'. In this episode Kris talks about his writing regime, why all the boobs in Underbelly weren't his idea and he tells us about his burgeoning career in the UK.

Best known for writing on the hit show 'Offspring', Michael also wrote the feature film 'Not Suitable For Children' starring Ryan Kwanten. Not content to just write, Michael not only created 'Party Tricks' for Network Ten, he stepped up to Produce as well.