The Blank Canvas Podcast

The first episode for 2021 features one of Australia’s most acclaimed filmmakers - Robert Connolly. 

This conversation took place on the 8th of January and Robert has just found out his latest film, The Dry, has had a huge opening week. With many of the big foreign movies holding back their tent-pole releases over the holiday period, The Dry, which stars Eric Bana, has since racked up over 12 million dollars at the Aussie box office, and is still going strong. Well, it’s certainly a happy start to new year for Robert and Australian cinema.
Robert’s other films include several Aussie classics; The Boys, The Bank, Three Dollars, The Turning, Romulus My Father, Balibo and Paper Planes.

Robert’s television work is equally impressive, Underground: The Julian Assange story, Gallipoli, Barracuda, the Emmy and BAFTA nominated series The Slap to name a few. In fact, Robert has won over 20 major Australian and international awards for his work.
A recent standout is the series Deep State - a British eight-part espionage thriller starring Mark Strong for the Fox network; Robert was the set-up director.

Whether directing, producing or writing, Robert is a wonderful storyteller who brings great humanity to his work. He is also one of the nicest guys in the biz, generously sharing his knowledge and mentoring the next generation of filmmakers.

http://www.arenamedia.com.au/robert-connolly/

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0175352/?ref_=tt_ov_dr

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THE BLANK CANVAS TEAM

Produced by Lee Rogers & Rien MacDonald.

Audio support by Jason Murphy/GASinc

Music by Rodrigo Enrique Bustos.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 21 of The Blank Canvas Podcast with Siimon Reynolds.

This week’s guest is the advertising whiz kid is who created the landmark 1987 Grim Reaper ad campaign that warned Australian’s about the dangers of AIDS.

Since that time Siimon has continued to blaze a trail through the advertising and marketing worlds.

I’ve had the fortune to work with Siimon over the years and I’m happy to report that in addition to his brilliant mind, he’s a great collaborator and in fact a gentle soul. In fact, I admire the way he has managed to straddle the often conflicting pull of being a creative person, a successful businessman and a good guy. 

ABOUT SIIMON REYNOLDS

Siimon is one of the most sought-after international mentors to business owners and CEO’s.

His achievements include:

Winner of Advertising Agency Of The Year twice.

Winner of every major advertising award  - including the Cannes Grand Prix.

He co-founded and built the 15th biggest marketing services group in the world in just 8 years (Photon Group).

Siimon has authored 6 books including ‘Why People Fail’, which won the Silver Medal for best U.S business success book in year 2012. His latest book WIN FAST, is out now via Penguin Random House.

Siimon has given keynote speeches to over 60,000 people - and has shared the stage with Richard Branson and Tony Robbins.

Siimon was a ‘shark’ on Australia’s original version of Shark Tank (Channel 7’s Dragon’s Den).

http://siimonreynolds.com/

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THE BLANK CANVAS TEAM

Produced by Lee Rogers & Rien MacDonald.

Audio support by Jason Murphy/GASinc

Music by Rodrigo Enrique Bustos.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 20 of The Blank Canvas Podcast with Christy Lee Rogers.

Over 5.2 billion people have smart phones with cameras, most of who fancy themselves as photographers. Well this weeks guest won Photographer of the Year at the Sony World Photography Awards. That’s like winning an Olympic Gold medal in an outrageously competitive category!

Christy Lee is visual artist from Kailua, Hawaii but is now based in Nashville. Using water as a medium for breaking the conventions of contemporary photography, her work is being compared to Baroque painting masters like Caravaggio. She has developed a technique to photograph bodies submerged in water during the night, and creates these otherworldly images using the refraction of light, coalesced colours, floating fabrics and many other elements which come together.

Christy Lee’s works have been exhibited and sits in some of the most revered galleries and art institutions, and have been featured globally in many prestigious publications.

She was recently commissioned by Apple to create underwater images with the iPhone 11Pro, as well as being featured in one of their behind-the-scenes process films.   

Christy Lee’s image ‘The New Humanity’ is the cover of the 2021 Lavazza calendar, which features 13 of the worlds master photographers. 

http://www.christyleerogers.com/

 

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THE BLANK CANVAS TEAM

Produced by Lee Rogers & Rien MacDonald.

Audio support by Jason Murphy/GASinc

Music by Rodrigo Enrique Bustos.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 19 of The Blank Canvas Podcast with Mark Toia.

Initially a successful stills photographer based in Brisbane, Australia, Mark Toia embraced the digital movie camera revolution early on and is now one of the most globally sought after commercial film directors and cinematographers. He shoots, directs, edits, runs his own production company and in many case does his own visual effects.

Like many commercial directors, Mark aspired to make movies. The usual route for a low-budget indie film, is keep it simple, not many locations, just a few actors, no visual effects, minimise action scenes - and don’t risk too much of your own money.

Well, like red rag to a bull, Mark has turned that criteria on its head. He’s put $1.6 million of his own money into an ambitious sci-fi action film - Monsters of Man.  A robotics company vying to win a lucrative military contract team up with a corrupt CIA agent to conduct an illegal live field test in the Cambodian jungle. 

The trailer has nearly two million views, more than the forthcoming mega-budget Batman sequel. Mark has opted against traditional distribution routes in favour of self-distribution and a simultaneous global online release. It’s a big roll of the dice and this chat takes place a few days before Mark finds out whether his gamble has paid off.

Monsters of Man is released globally online - 8th December 2020.

https://www.monstersofman.movie/

http://zoomfilmtv.com.au/

 

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THE BLANK CANVAS TEAM

Produced by Lee Rogers & Rien MacDonald.

Audio support by Jason Murphy/GASinc

Music by Rodrigo Enrique Bustos.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 18 of The Blank Canvas Podcast with Mark Bouris

There’s no doubt 2020 has been a nightmare for many, particularly small business owners. It’s good to see some of the big guys banging the drum for small business  – Mark Bouris is one of those guys.

If you’re not familiar with Mark, he is founder of 'Wizard Home Loans', Australia's second largest non-bank mortgage lender which he sold to General Electric for $500 million in 2004. He is now the executive chairman of Yellow Brick Road, founder of the Mentored Platform and host of The Mentor Podcast, a weekly business podcast with over 5 million downloads. 

Mark’s doesn’t exactly have work to put food on the table, however he’s clearly driven to work hard and help inspire others to fight on and win.

Along with his podcast, Mark hosted the Celebrity Apprentice tv series on Channel 9 and the Mentor series on the Seven Network. Away from business, Mark’s a passionate rugby league fan and is a long time board member of the Sydney Roosters.

I directed an ad campaign for Mark around 15 years ago when he was busy running ‘Wizard’. I remember his boxer-like intensity, and no bullshit approach to business. He’s still got the eye of the tiger but he has mellowed a little over the years. 

I feel very privileged to have him come and have a chat on my podcast, he is one of the kings of this medium in Australia.

https://www.ybr.com.au/

https://www.podcastoneaustralia.com.au/podcasts/the-mentor-with-mark-bouris 

 

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THE BLANK CANVAS TEAM

Produced by Lee Rogers & Rien MacDonald.

Audio support by Jason Murphy/GASinc

Music by Rodrigo Enrique Bustos.

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 17 of The Blank Canvas Podcast with Sarah Walker.

Since the age of 14, when her first script was accepted for a Young Playwright’s Conference, Sarah Walker has enjoyed an illustrious writing career. 

As an author, Sarah has written six young adult novels, including Camphor Laurel (Winner of the Children's Book Council of Australia, Book of the Year 1999), and chilling adult novel The Tin Man. As an actress Sarah starred in Paul Cox’s acclaimed AFI winning film ‘Man of Flowers’. As a playwright she co-wrote with Kate Ceberano ‘Love and the Bottom Line’ a one woman show which Kate performed at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival. 

Since moving into television, Sarah has become one of Australia’s most in demand screenwriters and script producers. All Saints, Winners & Losers, Wrong Girl, Neighbours, Wonderland, Home & Away, Wentworth and the current AACTA nominated hit The Secrets She Keeps - are few of her credits.

Sarah is currently in development with US production companies Iron Ocean/Gotham on a novel adaptation, Echo Lake on an Elle & Dakota Fanning project and a TV series for Charlize Theron’s for her company Denver & Delilah.

Like many successful people, Sarah has a fierce work ethic. But what is most apparent is that her words just leap off the page and bring the story and characters to life in such a compelling way.

Watch - The Secrets She Keeps:

https://10play.com.au/the-secrets-she-keeps/about

 

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Produced by Lee Rogers & Rien MacDonald.

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Music by Rodrigo Enrique Bustos.

 

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Episode 16 of The Blank Canvas Podcast with Marty Fox.

He’s got movie star swagger, bag-loads of charisma and he’s throwing it into the real estate space in a way that’s never been done before.

Marty’s two companies, WHITEFOX REAL ESTATE and WHITEFOX MARKETING have disrupted these ultra-competitive industries. In fact, Marty’s now one of the most sought-after voices in real estate in the Australia and his marketing company is going global.

At just 32 years of age, he’s is certainly a man on a mission, but he’s also a down-to-earth family man.

Marty’s also giving prime TV a crack, because why wouldn’t you with a face like that… He’s on this series of The Block, representing Harry and Tash’s House One, and will be auctioning the property live on the season finale on November 21, 2020, on NINE network.

https://whitefoxrealestate.com.au/

 https://whitefox.marketing/

https://9now.nine.com.au/the-block/2020-open-inspections-when-is-it-how-to-view-virtual-everything-to-know-s16/955db259-2fa8-4cad-a1ed-9ad240f92b72

 http://instagram.com/martyfox01

 

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THE BLANK CANVAS TEAM

Produced by Lee Rogers & Rien MacDonald.

Audio support by Jason Murphy/GASinc

Music by Rodrigo Enrique Bustos.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 15 of The Blank Canvas Podcast with Colin Hay.

Master storyteller. Troubadour. Colin hay is that rare combination of deep intellect and pure heart.

This conversation covers the highs and lows of Colin’s career, life, death and everything in between.

Scotland-born, Australia-raised, Colin Hay is best known as chief songwriter, lead singer and guitarist of the eighties band Men At Work.

Their first album Business as Usual spent 15 weeks at No. 1 on the US Billboard chart and delivered the band the Best New Artist - Grammy award in 1982 - beating out The Human League and Stray Cats. Since that time Colin has released 13 solo albums, and has toured the globe countless times performing his intimate live solo shows, which are the stuff of legend. In more recent times Colin has toured internationally with Ringo Starr & His All-Star Band and Colin wrote the title track Ringo’s most recent album - “What’s My Name”.

Colin’s dry wit, that visceral voice and song-writing that puts him in rarified air with the very best. As a film, tv and theatre actor Colin has racked up some impressive credits including: Scrubs, The Resident and The Larry Sanders Show.

‘Now and the Evermore’, is first single from Colin’s forthcoming solo album, which is due out early 2021. 

  

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Produced by Lee Rogers & Rien MacDonald.

Audio support by Jason Murphy/GASinc

Music by Rodrigo Enrique Bustos.

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 14 of The Blank Canvas Podcast with Nick Boshier.

This week’s guest is content creator, comedian and actor - Nick Boshier. 

Nick is testament to the maxim, the cream always rises to the top. In the early days of youtube, while every ad agency and creative wannabe on the planet was busy trying to crack the formula for ‘viral videos’.  Nick was busy creating dozens of no-budget viral videos, while working his day job in artist management. 

Beached Az and Trent From Punchy were Nick’s first youtube hits (both sit around the 10 million views), then once Nick started collaborating with Christiaan Van Vuuren, the two ‘Bondi Hipsters’ went on a creative tear, ultimately converting dozens of hilarious viral hits into their own comedy, the ABC TV series SOUL MATES. Nick’s had a hand in many other projects since then, including co-created the Emmy winning #7DaysLater.

2020 has seen him in Retrograde, a pandemic inspired comedy about the new parameters of life. And out this month is a Stan Original mockmentary from the Bondi Hipsters, which sees aspiring USBJ’s Dom and Adrian battling the woes of 2020, from the comfort of their coach.

I reckon Nick is one of the most interesting creative talents working in Australia right now and even better, a damn fine human.

Dom and Adrian: 2020

https://www.stan.com.au/watch/dom-and-adrian-2020

Retrograde

https://iview.abc.net.au/show/retrograde

 

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THE BLANK CANVAS TEAM

Produced by Lee Rogers & Rien MacDonald.

Audio support by Jason Murphy/GASinc

Music by Rodrigo Enrique Bustos.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 13 of The Blank Canvas Podcast with Indira Naidoo.

This week’s guest, is a much loved figure in the media and broadcasting space – Indira Naidoo. 

After graduating with a journalism degree Indira secured a ‘Cadetship’ with ABC in South Australia. By the age of 21 Indira she interviewing the Premier of South Australia and not too long after that she was hosting and reporting for some of the country’s most distinguished news and current affair programs – including ABC’s LATE EDITION nightly news and as an anchor and reporter for SBS TV’s the WORLD NEWS TONIGHT.

By appearances her career had a remarkably smooth and easy trajectory. However, Indira’s background and upbringing had plenty of adversity which no doubt contributed to her high achieving work ethic.   

Indira brings so much warmth and humanity to her interviews, I’ve always felt like everything is going to be ok when she delivers the news, even when it’s bad news!

Indira’s first book The Edible Balcony, saw her embark on a mission to transform her tiny thirteenth-floor balcony into a bountiful kitchen garden. Thirteen is clearly a lucky number for Indira, the book became a bestseller and has been reprinted many times over. This prompted another book The Edible City, likewise a bestseller and has seen Indira lead a quiet revolution throughout our cities, whereby an army of urban gardeners are turning concrete into crops, and harvests into hope.

At present, Indira hosts Weekend Nightlife, on ABC Radio across Australia.  

https://www.abc.net.au/radio/people/indira-naidoo/11909724 

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THE BLANK CANVAS TEAM

Produced by Lee Rogers & Rien MacDonald.

Audio support by Jason Murphy/GASinc

Music by Rodrigo Enrique Bustos.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.