National Actors Intensive
TAFTA’s National Actors Intensive (NAI) is back - and bigger than ever.
Dates: Saturday 15th – Wednesday 19th November 2025
Join us this November for five transformative days with some of Australia’s most respected working casting directors and directors! TAFTA’s National Actors Intensive offers a rare opportunity to train directly with industry leaders in an immersive and fast-paced environment. Across five intensive days, actors will take part in two 4-hour sessions per day, with a 1-hour lunch break in between, gaining valuable insight, real-time feedback, and practical experience that sharpens both performance and professional readiness. Whether you're preparing to enter the industry or wanting to refine your craft in front of some of the biggest names in Australian film and television, the NAI is your chance to be seen, challenged, and inspired.
Age: Strictly for ages 16+
Price: $1500 plus GST (Payment Plans Available)
Venue: TAFTA Studios Melbourne | 20 Haughton Road, Oakleigh
Confirmed Guests Include…
Confirmed Guests Include…
We’re thrilled to reveal the first of our incredible industry guests for the National Actors Intensive
DAY ONE: Saturday
15th November
Thea McLeod, the founder of McLeod Casting is one of Australia’s most prominent casting directors with a wide breadth of work ranging from international films to television. Thea has a passion for discovering and nurturing the next generation of A-list actors from Australia and beyond. Thea has been casting the very popular Australian classic Neighbours for 12+ years. Thea spent eleven years in the UK where she was both an actress and a casting director, gaining much experience on an international level for film, television, and commercials.
Project Cast: Neighbours, Measure For Measure, Pawno, Riptide, Heat, Spinout, Schapelle, Summer Coda, Lie With Me, City Homicide, Emo The Musical, Better Man, What If It Works?
Founded in 2012, Visible Studios began as a passion project by Nick Kozakis, who had just graduated from Swinburne in 2011 with a focus on music videos. Starting with independent artists, he took on small videography and editing jobs for social content, gradually building a name in the industry. Nick is now an award winning director, who has worked with some of the biggest names in music and social media. He has worked his way up to feature films and is currently working on multiple different projects. Nick strives to make every production bigger then the last.
Projects: Godless: The Eastfield Exorcism, Magnum Opus, Tones and I: Dance Monkey, Hilltop Hoods: I Love it, All About Valerie, Masked Wolf: Razor’s Edge, Written by Wolves: Goddess, Interface: Mechanica
DAY Two: Sunday
16th November
Dave Newman, co-founded McSweeney Newman Casting with Tom McSweeney in 2012. Working on both local and international projects for major networks like CBS, HBO and Disney +. Dave, with 35 years in the industry and 25 years in casting, believes that auditions aren’t about perfection, but about helping actors trust their unique interpretations of emotions and life. An actors greatest competition isn’t other actors, it’s usually within themselves and that inner battle to be honest, open, unfiltered and brave enough to show it to the world - there’s beauty in the imperfections and the messy.
Projects Cast: Blacklight, Love and Monsters, Dora and the Lost City of Gold, Nautilus, Australia Day, Mako Mermaids, Terra Nova, The Pacific, East West 101
Micaeley Gibson is an independent Casting Director, currently affiliated with Barrett Casting. Known for her calm presence and an energy that instantly puts people at ease, Micaeley turns audition rooms into creative playgrounds rather than high-pressure zones. Micaeley kicked off her career in London, spending 10 years casting in-house for leading advertising agencies. For the last 25 years, she's been rocking the Australian scene, working across film, television, and commercials. She spent the last 15 years at Anousha Zarkesh Casting, as a Casting Director for TVCs and an Associate for TV and Film with 58 credits under her belt.
Projects Cast: Shayda, One Night, The Office Australia, Class of 07, Mystery Road: Origins, The Stranger, Warnie, Underbelly: Vanishing Act, The New Boy, Swift Street, The Office Australia, Ladies In Black, Underbelly: Vanishing Act Warnie, The New Boy, Firebite, Mystery Road, Thou Shalt Not Steal, Bali 2002, Hounds of Love, With Or Without You, High Ground, Population: 11, Total Control, How To Please A Woman, The End, Rake, 800 Words, Cleverman
DAY Three: Monday
17th November
Cinzia Coassin is an accomplished Casting Director with extensive experience across theatre, film, and television. Cinzia Coassin began her career as an actor in theatre, film, and television before transitioning to behind-the-scenes roles, driven by a desire to challenge herself and explore new creative opportunities. Cinzia is passionate about helping actors build confidence and make unique, connected choices, while sharing her industry knowledge in casting and production.
Projects Cast: The King’s Daughter, Occupation: Rainfall, Unsound, The BFG, The Dressmaker, Fifty Shades of Grey, The Cabin in the woods, The Shannara Chronicles, Spartacus
Lou Mitchell is a casting director that is part of the Maura Fay Casting team. With more then 35 years in the film industry, Lou is known for her versatility across all genres. Lou has successfully cast everything from horror to children’s television, crime thrillers to romantic comedies, ensuring the perfect actor is matched to every role. Her passion for storytelling, deep industry knowledge, and commitment to discovering new talent make her a powerhouse in the Australian and international entertainment industry.
Projects Cast: Gnomes, Scrublands, Gold Diggers, Crazy Fun Park, Escape From Pretoria, The Dr Blake Mysteries, Wog Boys, Preacher, Jack Irish, Moonrock for Monday, The Furies, Patrick: Evil Awakens, Ronny Chieng: International Student, White Fever, City Homicide, Worst Year Of My Life Again, Love In Bloom, The Whistleblower
DAY Four: Tuesday
18th November
Sian Davies is an accomplished director and writer of television, film and commercials. Sian has written and directed several short films which have enjoyed extensive festival play worldwide. Her debut film Poetry, financed by Film Victoria, premiered at MIFF in 2007. Her follow up film Piñata, had its world premiere in competition at MIFF in 2009, and her VCA graduate film Blackout screened at Forum Cannes and Clermont Ferrand.
Projects: Watching You, Black Snow, Surviving Summer, The Twelve, Bloom, Reef Break, Nowhere Boys, Playing for Keeps, Wentworth, The True Story with Hamish and Andy, House Husbands, The Time of Our Lives, Winners and Losers, Rush, Offspring,
Amy Mete is a Casting Director at Nick Hamon Casting (NHC). Originally from Far North Queensland, she moved to Melbourne to pursue a career in the performing arts. Since joining NHC in 2011, Amy has worked across commercials and television, collaborating with major brands. She received her first casting nomination in 2018 for Perfect Italiano and was named one of IF Magazine’s Rising Talents of 2024.
Projects Cast: Triple Oh!, Why are you like this, Planet Lulin, AAMI AFL, Coles Christmas, TAC ‘Fatigue’, Office works, Bonds “Big Icon Energy’, Virgin Australia, XERO, Nike x Rebel, Cadbury Favourites ‘Bring it’, Mercedes Benz, Google, Toyota C-HR ‘The Footy Mob’
DAY FIVE: WEDNESDAY
19TH NOVEMBER
Colin Budds is a veteran Australian film and television director with over 40 years of experience across both local and international productions. He has directed hundreds of hours of television, with credits including some of Australia's most iconic and globally successful series such as Home and Away, Neighbours, H2O: Just Add Water, The Elephant Princess, The Saddle Club, Prisoner, and Lightning Point. His work spans a wide range of genres, from drama and family to fantasy and crime, and includes projects with major studios like Paramount.
Projects Directed: Pandora’s Box, H2O: Just Add Water, A Vintage Christmas, The Saddle Club, Dream Island, Reef Doctors, The Actrix Stone, Lightning Point, Christmas Keepsake, Wicked Science, Blue Heelers, Romance at the Vineyard, The Lost World, Thunderstone
Michelle Clancy is an esteemed Casting Director. Michelle has a long and prestigious career in the industry, with 20+ years of experience. She is the Senior Casting Director and Head of Commercial Division at Ben Parkinson Casting. Michelle has cast jobs all across Australia and extending to New Zealand on campaigns. She has a great ability to bring out the best performances in talent, with her nurturing nature and is greatly loved by our adult and child actors.
Projects Cast: The Portable Door, Black Site, Swimming for Gold, Dive Club, Love is in the Air, Land of Bad, Jungle, Land of Bad, Mistletoe Ranch, Romance at the Vineyard, Black Water: Abyss
Preparation is Key!
Participants will be assigned scenes for each workshop ahead of time and are expected to arrive with their material prepared and memorised. This ensures you get the most out of your time in the room and can work at a professional standard, just as you would on set.
An Expanded Experience for 2025
This year, we’re expanding the experience with two tandem sessions running simultaneously, meaning two classes of 20 actors, rotating between our incredible guests. Participants will work in intimate groups, maximising face-time and feedback with each guest.
Secure your Spot Today!
Value That Speaks for Itself
This program offers exceptional value for actors who are serious about their craft. A single workshop with an industry professional can cost upwards of $280 + GST, meaning 10 workshops would normally be around $2,800 + GST. With the NAI, you’ll receive all 10 workshops for $1,500 + GST, which is almost half the usual price while giving you access to an unmatched variety of expertise in one program.
What to Bring:
To make the most of your time at the NAI, please bring:
SD card – for recording your work in class
Notebook and pen – there will be a Q&A session during each workshop, so bring a notebook in case you’d like to jot down insights, advice, or industry tips. You’ll also have the chance to get your own questions answered.
Water bottle – to stay hydrated throughout the day
Lunch and snacks – there will be a 1-hour lunch break between sessions. You’re welcome to bring your own food, or you can purchase from the café next door, which offers hot drinks and meals. There are also plenty of cafes and restaurants nearby, just a short walk from our studios.
Parking & Transport:
Please plan ahead to ensure you arrive on time and ready for your session.
All-day parking is available on Haughton Road, however it often fills up early.
There is on-street parking nearby, but please note it has a 2-hour limit on weekdays. If you’re driving, we recommend finding all-day parking to avoid having to leave the studio during class and causing disruptions.
TAFTA is located directly across the road from Oakleigh Station, making it very easy to access by train. There are also plenty of bus routes servicing the area.
Limited Spaces!
Limited Spaces!
Spaces are strictly limited to ensure a high-quality, focused experience so early registration is strongly encouraged.