Variety Australia

A Walkley award-winning journalist, documentary maker, and the creative mind behind the acclaimed series and podcast ‘Stuff the British Stole’, Fennell’s career is a masterclass in versatility and perseverance. Marc Fennell has a ‘natural nervous energy’. At least, that’s how he describes what otherwise comes across as an unlimited source of dedication and work ethic. ”I have a natural anxiousness about what comes next,” Fennell shares on a recent episode of the Variety Australia podcast, recorded at JMC Academy’s Sydney campus. It’s why, in large part, he’s created such a multi-hyphenate career . “If you put all of your hopes and dreams on a singular project, it's a very dangerous thing to do to your mental health. My solution to that has been to do lots of different things.”

When Darren Ashton first saw Michael Theo on “Love on the Spectrum,” he knew he had the ‘it factor’. “He just had a great charismatic presence, that’s the bottom line,” Darren tells host Poppy Reid on the Variety Australia Podcast at JMC Academy’s Sydney campus. It didn’t take long before Darren approached Theo about a project of their own, an eight-part Australian-British comedy-drama series on ABC iView called “Austin,” which premiered on June 9th to rave reviews and is loosely based on Theo’s personality.

Recorded and produced by JMC Academy students studying Entertainment Business Management, Film & TV, and Audio Engineering, in front of a live audience of JMC Acting students, the podcast episode dives into Madon and Weatherall’s acting careers, how they got started, and how they manage the inevitable self-doubt that comes with putting yourself out there for audiences.

In the episode, composer, writer, singer, actor and comedian Tim Minchin explores the winding paths of his career, from his early days of piano bars and record label rejection to his groundbreaking work on the Matilda musical – a massively successful project he puts down to timing, collaboration and good dose of luck.

Behind the Lens with Jeffrey Walker: Australia’s Most exciting Screen Director. Join host Poppy Reid in this special episode, recorded live at JMC Academy. Amidst a backdrop of aspiring creatives, we dive into real-world learning experiences from some of the most celebrated and accomplished figureheads in the film TV and media industries. Poppy will kick things off with an illuminating chat with filmmaker Jeffrey Walker.