National Actors Intensive
call or email to book
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call or email to book -
Dates: Saturday 27th of June – Wednesday 1st of July
Join us this June 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+
Time: 9am - 6.30pm on Saturday 27th June, then 9.30am - 6.30pm for the remainder of the NAI.
Lunch Break: 1.30pm - 2.30pm each day
Venue: TAFTA Studios Melbourne, 20 Haughton Road, Oakleigh, VIC
Price: $2000 plus GST (Payment Plans Available)
Email enquiries@tafta.com.au to secure your place
National Actors Intensive Special Guests
DAY ONE: Saturday 27th June
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, Love On Deck, A Melbourne Match, Measure For Measure, Pawno, Riptide, Heat, Spinout, Schapelle, Summer Coda, Lie With Me, City Homicide, Emo The Musical, Better Man, What If It Works?
Amy Mete is an award-winning Casting Director with over 15 years of experience across screen and advertising. Her credits span across television, feature films, commercials and branded content, working on a diverse range of Australian and international projects. She began her casting career at Nick Hamon Casting, progressing from Casting Assistant to Senior Casting Director under the mentorship of Nick Hamon and Megan D’Arcy. Prior to casting, Amy worked as a Talent Agent and Production Coordinator, bringing a strong understanding of both performers and production into her work. Known for her collaborative approach and strong creative instincts, Amy is trusted across the industry to deliver thoughtful, high-quality casting results.
Project Cast: Triple Oh!, Why Are You Like This, Planet Lupin, How To Stay Married & campaigns for brands and companies such as Toyota, Nike, Cadbury, Mercedes, Optus, Sportsbet, Coles, Bonds, Virgin Australia, Mazda, Holden, Kmart, Australia Post, Lotto, Officeworks, TAC and more.
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 28th June
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: The Office (Australia), Ladies In Black, Shayda, One Night, The Office Australia, Class of 07, Mystery Road: Origins, The Stranger, Warnie, Underbelly: Vanishing Act, The New Boy, Swift Street, Underbelly: Vanishing Act Warnie, The New Boy, Firebite, Bali 2002, Hounds of Love, With Or Without You, High Ground, How To Please A Woman, The End, Rake, 800 Words, Cleverman
DAY Three: Monday 29th June
Lou Mitchell is an accomplished Casting Director with over 30 years of experience working across feature films, television dramas, soap operas, and international productions. Known for her strong eye for talent and versatility across genres, Lou has cast everything from crime thrillers and horror to children’s television and romantic comedies. Throughout her career, she has worked on productions featuring some of the industry’s biggest names including Daniel Radcliffe, Dominic Cooper, Chris Pang, Luke Arnold, Delta Goodrem and Guy Pearce. With extensive experience in both Australian and international projects, Lou is passionate about storytelling, collaboration, and discovering emerging talent.
Projects Cast: Scrublands, Gold Diggers, Crazy Fun Park, Paper Dolls, The Doctor Blake Mysteries, Scrublands, Love In Bloom, Wog Boys, Preacher, Jack Irish, White Fever, City Homicide, The Saddle Club, Escape To Pretoria, Worst Year Of My Life Again
Anousha Zarkesh is an AACTA and Casting Guild Award (CGA) winning Casting Director who has worked across Australian film and television for over 25 years. Specialising in a wide range of genres including drama, comedy, political satire and feature film, Anousha is known for her collaborative approach with actors and her passion for emotionally authentic storytelling. Throughout her career, she has worked alongside some of Australia’s most acclaimed talent including Toni Collette, Hugo Weaving, Judy Davis, Aaron Pedersen, Angourie Rice and Sam Neill, and has become one of the industry’s leading creative voices in casting.
Productions include: Jasper Jones, The Office (Australia) Mystery Road, Kangaroo, Darby and Joan, Territory, Class of ‘07, Shayda, Bali 2002, The Australian Wars, How To Please A Woman, The End, Black Comedy, Grace Beside Me, Thou Shalt Not Steal, Firebite, Total Control, Rake, High Ground, Kid Snow, Swift Street, Population: 11, One Night, The Claremont Murders, Flower & Flour, The Secret Daughter, Hounds Of Love, Catching Milat
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
Jovita (Jo) O’Shaughnessy is a Brisbane based Director with extensive experience in the TV industry. She is an Australian Directors Guild award winner for Best Direction in a TV Drama Serial in 2010 and a nominee in 2012. She has worked with Fremantle Media for many years working across various titles including Wonderland Series 1, 2 and 3, and more recently in 2021/2022, Rock Island Mysteries Series 1 and 2. Jo was also Set-up Director for Darby and Joan Series 2 (2025).
Projects Directed: Neighbours, My Life is Murder, Darby and Joan S2, Rock Island Mysteries, Home and Away, Crash Palace
DAY Four: Tuesday 30th June
DAY FIVE: WEDNESDAY 1st July
Colin Cairnes is an Australian filmmaker, director, writer and editor best known for his work alongside his brother Cameron Cairnes. Together, the sibling duo have become internationally recognised for their distinctive blend of horror, suspense and dark comedy.
The Cairnes brothers are best known for writing and directing the acclaimed feature films 100 Bloody Acres, Scare Campaign and the critically celebrated Late Night with the Devil starring David Dastmalchian.
Alongside his feature film work, Colin has also directed for television, including the Australian Writers’ Guild award-winning comedy series Fancy Boy for the ABC and True Story with Hamish & Andy, for which he received the Australian Directors Guild Award for Best Direction in a Comedy Series in 2019.
Productions include: Late Night With The Devil, How To Stay Married, True Story with Hamish & Andy, Scare Campaign, 100 Bloody Acres, Fancy Boy
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
Water bottle
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. We also have microwaves and a refrigerator on site.
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.
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.
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 $380 + GST, meaning 10 workshops would normally be around $3,800 + GST. With the NAI, you’ll receive all 10 workshops for $2,000 + GST, which is almost half the usual price while giving you access to an unmatched variety of expertise in one program.
Limited Spaces - Selling Fast -
Limited Spaces - Selling Fast -
Spaces are strictly limited to ensure a high-quality, focused experience so early registration is strongly encouraged.