Over fifty MCTV performers will appear in the new SBS series On The Ropes which filmed in Western Sydney from May through to August this year. On the Ropes tells the story of female defiance as it explores the complex and nuanced relationships of a migrant family alongside the deep-seated culture of misogyny in the sporting world. It has a great cast and premieres 28 November at 8:30pm. More info on the SBS website.
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Hearts and Bones is a heart-wrenching but ultimately uplifting story of friendship between a war correspondent and a Sudanese refugee. They are connected by a photograph that threatens to destroy them both. A handful of performers have already been on set for this production with more expected soon. More info at Variety magazine.
A new six part series based on the popular blog and bestselling e-book by Ben Phillips has started shooting in Sydney. Diary of an Uber Drive follows Ben as he tries to figure out what he should be doing while helping others get where they’re going. Over two dozen MCTV performers have already been part of the production since the beginning of November and as shooting continues there will likely be more. There’s more about the production in IF Magazine. The blog itself is here.
People often ask if they have what it takes to be a background extra. Here’s a perfect example of how easy it can be. Just last week hundreds of people were sent as paid audience members for a new TV series. Now, that doesn’t sound hard does it. It’s really not that much different being a background extra. You just need to listen to instructions and follow them. The main qualification is having a flexible work or study schedule so you can attend on the shoot dates. The rest of it is literally like a walk in the park.
We’ve been submitting people for supporting actor roles for a new film based on the quirky and much loved series Fantasy Island. Director Jeff Wadlow has been scouting locations in Thailand and Fiji and posting some updates on his progress in his twitter feed.
Michael Pena will play the role of the white-suited Mr. Roarke who oversaw a mysterious island where people could live out their fantasies — for a price. More info on the production in Variety.
For those who are land a role, an up to date passport is essential. For those not acquainted with Fantasy Island or for a trip down memory lane, check out the clip below.
Sarah Kendall stars in a new bittersweet comedy in the role of Sammy Cooper, a fabulously wealthy London housewife who is forced to return to her hometown in Australia, where she must revisit her past and the events that led her to flee as a teenager years earlier. If you haven’t seen Sarah Kendall’s work, check out her Melbourne International Comedy festival opener below. MCTV people have been heading on set all through October for this new six part series which will air in 2019. More info in If Magazine.
It seems that Sydney production Mr Inbetween is a real hit with audiences in the states. It’s been received well by critics and renewed for a second season. If you haven’t seen it yet, it’s on FX channel hear in Australia. MCTV had almost two dozen performers in the first series and fingers crossed there will be bigger budgets and more roles for series 2. Looking forward to this one starting in the new year. More info from The Hollywood Reporter.
Watching the trailer for this gives me memories fo the good old days of Australian sketch comedy withFast Forward, Full Frontal and The Comedy Company. Looks like it might have it’s fair share of Dad jokes but i’m pretty sure my kids are going to love it. Let’s hope so because popular sketch shows in the past have run for up to 10 years and provide loads of opportunities for background and featured people in the sketches. It’s coming soon to channel 7 so keep an eye out for it.
We have already sent some background actors on set for the new series of The Letdown. Supported by ABC locally and Netflix internationally, season 2 starts with all the babies turning one, where life with child has become the new norm and Audrey finally feels she’s mastering motherhood and life…but is she?. The series should be shooting for the next couple of months if the last series is anything to go by. Series 1 provided some great opportunities for MCTV background and featured actors and we are excited to be involved with series 2.
Some very excited MCTV people had the opportunity to join the production of Australian Survivor. When we are asked to provide stand-ins for reality TV, we have to find people who are roughly the same size and complexion as the contestants. Our MCTV people will then be asked to go through the motions of what will happen on the real day. That way, the camera and sound crews can rehearse to locate their equipment for the best shots on the day.
