In this episode, we sit down with Wesley Senna Cortes, a Brazilian actor and model whose creative life has taken him across continents, across genres, and from screen to stage.

Wesley Senna Cortes is a Brazilian-born actor and model with more than 15 years of experience across Brazil, the U.S., and Australia. Initially breaking into the industry in Australia through The Bachelor, Wesley later shifted his focus to dramatic training, working with leading industry figures including Kim Farrant, Ben Mathews, and Michael Sheasby.

 One of the world’s nicest actors, at 31, he made the bold decision to start his acting career in a completely new country, moving from marketing and a stint on The Bachelor to Australia’s competitive screen and stage landscape.

 Now starring as Christopher in the World Premiere of Gravity at QTOPIA Sydney, Wesley reflects on the immense personal and professional transformation required to shift from being a recognisable reality TV personality to a serious, disciplined actor.

In this conversation, we dive into:

• The leap from reality TV to acting

How the immediacy and constructed nature of reality television gave Wesley an unexpected foundation: understanding narrative, audience connection, and the business mechanics behind “being seen.”

• Starting over at 31 in a foreign country

The psychological, creative, and practical challenges of uprooting your life, entering a new industry with no contacts, and navigating Australian casting culture as an outsider with experience that doesn’t always translate on paper.

• Reframing past experience, not running from it

Why Wesley no longer sees his reality TV background as something to “erase,” but as a toolkit he can draw on: production literacy, brand awareness, personal storytelling, and the discipline of working under pressure.

• The business of show business

What he’s learned about self-positioning, managing expectations, carving out an authentic on-screen identity, and why actors need to think like entrepreneurs rather than waiting for permission.

• What he wants emerging actors to know

Wesley offers thoughtful, practical reflections for anyone considering a career pivot, a late start, or a move to a new creative market.

The Producer and the Publicist is a podcast for emerging filmmakers, screen creatives, and anyone fascinated by the business behind making stories happen.

Each episode, producer Kyle and publicist Louise interview working professionals across Australia’s screen industry—directors, editors, actors, writers, crew, executives—and unpack the real stories of how they broke in, what they’ve learned, and the advice they wish they had starting out.

Where to find us:

• Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms

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In this episode of The Producer and the Publicist, we speak with award-winning editor and former President of the Australian Screen Editors Guild, Danielle Boesenberg, a powerhouse of post-production whose work has screened at the world’s top festivals, including Berlin, Toronto, Tribeca, and Palm Springs.

Danielle shares the story of how she fell in love with her first editing system at COFA building up her experience in the advertising industry before moving into film and TV via AFTRS, and the craft behind assembling powerful, emotionally resonant edits while managing multiple creative opinions.

We chat about:
The responsibility of an editor
How she approaches the all-important first cut
Collaborating with directors, producers and navigating notes
Why the Guild and industry associations are so important
The evolution of editing technology

Whether you're a film student, aspiring editor, or just love learning how stories are crafted behind the scenes, this episode is packed with incredible wisdom, warmth, and practical advice from one of the best in the business.

Available now wherever you get your podcasts.

The Producer and the Publicist is the podcast where we talk to the people behind the screen, to find out how they got their start, what keeps them going, and the advice they have for emerging creatives and film students alike.

Follow us, share the episode, and let us know who you’d love us to interview next!

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In this episode of The Producer and the Publicist, we sit down with James Woolley, Executive Director of the Miami Film Festival, to explore the fascinating world of film festivals from the inside out.

James shares his journey from working in Australia’s screen scene (Sydney Film Festival, Queer Screen, and more) to leading one of the most dynamic and diverse festivals in the U.S. We unpack the different flavours of film festivals, from big-name galas to niche genre gems and what filmmakers really need to know when submitting their work.

 In this episode, we cover:

– How James got his start in festivals

– The buzz of festival life

– Why genre festivals play a different, but equally vital, role

– The do’s and don’ts of festival submissions

– What emerging filmmakers can do to build lasting festival relationships 

If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing your film on the big screen at a festival — or you’re just curious about what happens behind the scenes — this episode is packed with insight.

The Producer and the Publicist is the podcast where we talk to the people behind the screen — to find out how they got their start, what keeps them going, and the advice they have for emerging creatives and film students alike.

Follow us, share the episode, and get in touch if there’s someone you’d love us to interview next!

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📲 Instagram: [@theproducerandthepublicist]

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We chat with film Art Director and Production Designer Loretta Cosgrove, whose credits include Mortal Kombat, Stealth, I Know What You Did Last Summer
and Mixtape.

Loretta breaks down what art departments actually do, how she got her start in the industry, and incredible practical advice on everything from where to send your CV to building up your research database.

A must-listen for anyone trying to break into or work up the production design and art direction ladder.

Follow Loretta on Insta @lorettacosgrove
Follow us for more industry interviews and insights:

Instagram: [@theproducerandthepublicist]
LinkedIn: [@The Producer and The Publicist Podcast]

Follow us for more industry interviews and insights:

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In this episode, we sit down with Juan Pablo Di Pace (@juanpablodipace), the Argentinian actor, director, and dancer, who’s in Sydney for Queer Screen’s 32nd Mardi Gras Film Festival and the screening of his debut film Duino.

Juan Pablo takes us on a deep dive into his incredible career—a journey filled with plot twists, perseverance, and faith. From starring in global hits to stepping behind the camera, he shares how he made the right connections to access the resources to tell his own story.

We also chat about:
His transition from acting to directing
The making of Duino and why this story needed to be told
How he manages mental health and stays inspired in the industry
A sneak peek at his exciting upcoming project

Tune in for an insightful and uplifting conversation about storytelling, resilience, and the power of forging your own creative path.

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This episode, we’re thrilled to chat with the award-winning and absolutely loveliest Australian film and TV director, Lucy Gaffy (@lucygaffy). With a stellar career spanning both local and international productions—including Mixtape, Totally Completely Fine, and Here Out West—Lucy is making waves in Australia and overseas.

We dive into Lucy’s journey from AFTRS graduate to internationally recognised director, exploring how her education shaped her, the pivotal moments in her career, and what she’s learned along the way. She shares:

🎬 How AFTRS prepared her for the industry – and taught her to be a politician!
 🎭 Finding her tribe – the importance of good collaborators

 📺 Working with streaming platforms like Netflix, Stan, and ABC – and how it differs from traditional studios
 🎥 The process of working with actors – and how she gets the best performances
 🏆 The secret to award-winning work – and whether directors should aim for accolades
 💡 Balancing creative vision with studio and producer expectations
 🎞️ Her advice for aspiring directors – from AFTRS students to newcomers breaking into the industry
 🔑 The make-or-break moments in her career – and what’s helped her reach success

Lucy also shares the best advice she’s received, what keeps her inspired, and the biggest surprises she’s learned about herself along the way.

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Welcome to Part 2 of our conversation with Canadian filmmaker Knox and actor/musician Lane Webber, who visited Sydney for Queer Screen’s 32nd Mardi Gras Film Festival and their screening of We Forgot to Break Up. This indie drama follows a group of young, queer musicians navigating the complexities of relationships, identity, and the music industry.

The second part of our chat focus on the making of their film “We Forgot To Break Up”, how they worked with each other on set, and what they are loving right now. 

🎧 Tune in for:
 ✔️ How Knox and Lane approach storytelling and performance
 ✔️ Practical advice for filmmakers, actors, and musicians
 ✔️ What’s inspiring them right now in film, TV, and music

Follow Knox on instagram at @knox.x.x.x

Follow Lane on instagram at @webberlane

Follow us for more industry interviews and insights:

📲 Instagram: [@theproducerandthepublicist]

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In this episode, we sit down with Canadian filmmaker Knox and actor/musician Lane Webber, who were visiting Sydney for Queer Screen’s 32nd Mardi Gras Film Festival and their screening of We Forgot to Break Up. This indie drama follows a group of young, queer musicians navigating the complexities of relationships, identity, and the music industry.

We had an incredible time chatting with Knox and Lane about their careers as creators, how they stay inspired, and what it takes to live a creative life.

In fact this chat was so fabulous, we had to make it a two-parter!

In part one we talk about taking the process behind We Forgot to Break Up, bringing the film to international festivals, and finding your creative tribe.

🎧 Tune in for:
 ✔️ Behind-the-scenes insights on We Forgot to Break Up
 ✔️ How Knox and Lane approach storytelling and performance

 ✔️Travelling internationally with their film 

Follow us for more industry interviews and insights:
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 📲 LInkedIn: [@ProdPubPodcast]

#FilmIndustry #Podcast #QueerCinema #Filmmaking #Music #QueerScreen #WeForgotToBreakUp

Follow our fabulous guests on Instagram @Knox.x.x.x and @webberlane

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From recruiting his cousins for DIY films in high school to producing acclaimed short films, music videos, and feature work like Sahelah, Zain Ayub has carved out his own path in the screen industry.

In this episode of The Producer and the Publicist, Zain shares his journey from indie beginnings to professional success—along with the real talk every filmmaker needs about resilience, pitching, and networking.

What You’ll Learn:
✨ How to sell your film and get it seen
✨ The power of networking & creating lasting industry connections
✨ Managing your own (and your crew’s) mental health on set
✨ Why adaptability is the secret to success
✨ The best way to get started—just start shooting!
Zain’s all about making filmmaking accessible and is happy to connect with listeners looking for
advice or mentorship. Reach out to him directly at [email protected].

Instagram: @zainxayub

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zain-ayub/

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In The Premiere Episode of The Producer & The Publicist, we sit down with the outgoing Queer Screen Festival Director Lisa Rose to talk about her experiences navigating the world of queer cinema, her journey from working at Blockbuster to running one of the most celebrated LGBTQ+ film festivals, and the challenges and joys of curating a program that reflects and pushes the boundaries of queer storytelling. Lisa shares insights on how the video store era shaped her passion for film, what it's like wearing multiple hats as a festival director, and how she balances showcasing mainstream hits with uplifting emerging filmmakers. We also dive into her advice for aspiring festival directors and her thoughts on the future of queer cinema in an ever-evolving cultural and technological landscape.

Tune in as we discuss her inspirations, the moments that made her fall in love with her work, and her vision for Queer Screen in the years ahead.

Queer Screen: https://queerscreen.org.au/
https://www.instagram.com/queerscreen/
https://www.facebook.com/queerscreen/

Lisa Rose (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-rose-38188888/

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