Aussies in Hollywood

Editor Lee Smith has been part of some of the biggest movies in Hollywood, from Suicide Squad to The Dark Knight and Interstellar. He became a trusted member of both Peter Weir and Chris Nolan’s film teams and won an Oscar along the way. Lee took a break from editing the new X-Men film to chat with Jenny Cooney about the importance of being a multi-disciplined editor and how his Aussie work ethic got him to where he is today.

Director Phil Noyce is best known for his films Rabbit-Proof Fence, The Bone Collector and Patriot Games but among the Aussies in Hollywood Phil is known to be a godfather figure who has always looked out for fellow Aussies trying to make it in Hollywood. Phil shares his insider view about the early days of the Australian film industry with Jenny Cooney and the $97 million lesson he learned along the way.

Crocodile Dundee actor and co-writer Paul Hogan was one of the original Aussies in Hollywood. From being a rigger on the Sydney Harbour Bridge to rubbing shoulders with Liz Taylor and Princess Diana, Hoges chats with Jenny Cooney about his incredible life and why the phrase he coined was “shrimp on the barbie” and not ‘prawn’.

Actor and director Simon Baker stumbled into acting when dropping a mate off at an audition for a TV ad. Years later he took a gamble and moved to LA (on a very tight budget) with his wife, actress Rebecca Rigg, and young daughter Stella…luckily that gamble paid off. Jenny Cooney has known Simon for many years and catches up with him to reminisce about his early days in Home and Away, to The Mentalist series and now his directorial debut with Breathe.

Abbie Cornish’s journey from country life in Lochinvar, NSW to Hollywood has been very much on her own terms. Following her ‘internal compass’ led her to decide that she would forge her own path in Hollywood, without the help of a publicist or agent. From playing a heroin addict in Candy opposite Heath Ledger to starring in Seven Psychopaths and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Abbie ahas always chosen interesting acting roles.

Bruna Papandrea is best known for co-founding a production company that focuses on strong roles for women in Hollywood and her production slate includes Big Little Liars, Gone Girl and Wild. Jenny Cooney caught up with Bruna in her office in LA to discuss what led Bruna to starting the production company Made Up Stories.

Joel Edgerton worked quietly for decades in Hollywood, turning in powerful film performances but somehow remaining under the radar. Now a Golden Globe nominee, Jenny Cooney met up with Joel for a chat over a cup of tea and they discussed his amazing acting journey which led him to becoming an established name in Hollywood. Joel’s films include: Zero Dark Thirty, Black Mass, The Great Gatsby and Loving.

Mel Gibson is one of the best known Aussies in Hollywood as both an actor and a film maker. From Mad Max to Apocalypto Mel speaks to Jenny Cooney about the ups and downs of his career as well as the difficulties of dealing with fame.

Jenny and Nicole first met for an interview when Nicole was a fresh faced 17-year-old still living in Australia. Since then, Nicole has won an Academy Award, played critically acclaimed roles in 'Moulin Rouge', 'Lion' and 'The Hours' (to name just a few) and has won an additional 83 awards including recently Best Actress in the Critics' Choice and Golden Globes awards for her portrayal of Celeste in the HBO sensation 'Big Little Lies'. Nicole Kidman is Australia's most successful actress and in this rare and private interview with her lifetime friend Jenny, Nicole shows that her love of film is second only to her love of family. Enjoy this rare interview with Nicole Kidman. 'Five Mile Creek' is available on DVD and YouTube 'Vietnam' is available on Google Play 'Dead Calm' is available on DVD 'Bangkok Hilton' is available on DVD 'Days of Thunder' is available on iTunes 'To Die For' is available on DVD 'Strangerland' is available on Netflix, iTunes and Google Play 'Lion' is available on Foxtel Now, iTunes and Dendy Direct 'The Beguiled' is available on iTunes, Google Play and Dendy Direct 'Top of the Lake' is available on Foxtel Now and ABC iView 'Big Little Lies' is available on Foxtel Now and Google Play 'The Killing Of A Sacred Deer' was released in late 2017 'How To Talk To Girls At Parties' is to be released in 2018 'Aquaman' is to be released in 2018 Find out more about Jenny Cooney: http://www.jennycooney.com/ Follow Jenny on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennycooneycarrillo/ Follow Jenny on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JennyCooney Find PodcastOne Australia on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/podcastoneau/ Follow PodcastOne Australia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastoneau/ Follow PodcastOne Australia on Twitter: https://twitter.com/podcastoneau

Ben Mendelsohn has been a leading man in the Australian film industry since he was a teenager. But interestingly, it wasn't until his 40's that Ben was able to crack Hollywood. A lead role in the 2010 Australian film 'Animal Kingdom' was the eventual catalyst for Ben to break-out in the USA with roles in the 'Dark Knight Rises' and 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story'. His more recent critically acclaimed work in the Netflix series 'Bloodline' has helped earn Ben the reputation of the most underrated Aussie in Hollywood. In a fascinating tale of perseverance and determination, Ben Mendelsohn walks Jenny through his rise from couch surfing to 'Star Wars'; proving that good things come to those who wait (and keep working). 'The Henderson Kids' is available on YouTube 'The Year My Voice Broke' is available on DVD 'The Flying Doctors' is available on DVD 'The Big Steal' is available on Google Play 'Quigley Down Under' is available on Netflix and iTunes 'Spotswood' - also known as 'The Efficiency Expert' - is available on DVD 'Map Of The Human Heart' is available on DVD 'Cosi' is available on DVD 'Love My Way' is available on DVD 'Beautiful Kate' is available on DVD 'Animal Kingdom' is available on Stan, iTunes, Google Play and Dendy Direct 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story' is available on Netflix, Foxtel Now, iTunes and Google Play 'Bloodline' is available on Netflix 'Darkest Hour' is released in 2018 'Ready Player One' is released in 2018 'Robin Hood' is released in 2018 Find out more about Jenny Cooney: http://www.jennycooney.com/ Follow Jenny on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennycooneycarrillo/ Follow Jenny on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JennyCooney Find PodcastOne Australia on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/podcastoneau/ Follow PodcastOne Australia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastoneau/ Follow PodcastOne Australia on Twitter: https://twitter.com/podcastoneau

Tim Minchin is an Australian national treasure. After selling out arenas as a musical comedian Tim made a successful transition to Hollywood, guest starring in 'Californication' and the upcoming feature film remake of 'Robin Hood'. In a candid interview with Jenny, Tim reveals how much he struggled early in his career, when the doors were just not opening for him. Because of that, he takes nothing for granted as he juggles his skills as a musician, comedian, actor and writer across multiple continents. Tim also opens up about the animated feature he worked on as writer, composer, director and actor in Hollywood for four years, only to now have that project never see the light of day. 'Tim Minchin and the Heritage Orchestra' is available on DVD 'Californication' is on Stan and Foxtel Now 'The Secret River' is available on Netflix and Google Play 'Come Home (Cardinal Pell)' is available on YouTube 'Donald: The Musical' is available on YouTube 'Robin Hood' will be released in 2018 Find out more about Jenny Cooney: http://www.jennycooney.com/ Follow Jenny on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennycooneycarrillo/ Follow Jenny on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JennyCooney Find PodcastOne Australia on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/podcastoneau/ Follow PodcastOne Australia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastoneau/ Follow PodcastOne Australia on Twitter: https://twitter.com/podcastoneau

As an Academy and Emmy Award winning producer and director, Eva Orner has taken us behind the walls of Guantanamo Bay, Nauru and Manus Island detention centres with her eye opening, award winning documentaries 'Taxi to the Dark Side' and 'Chasing Asylum'. Jenny talks to Eva about the risks she faces making films in such volatile locations and the importance of bringing political issues into the public consciousness, even if it means endangering her life. A career in telling stories in a way that is also social activism wasn't Eva's original intention when becoming a film maker, but the telling of one story gave her a hunger which led to the telling of another story, then another, and another. They talk about Eva's beginnings in film in Melbourne, how she ended up living in Hollywood and how it can be a place of retreat and recovery after lengthy periods working on such demanding projects. 'Untold Desires' is available on DVD 'Blue Heelers' is available on YouTube and DVD 'Secret Fear' is available on DVD 'The Games' is available on DVD 'Strange Fits Of Passion' is available on YouTube 'Josh Jarman' is available on DVD 'Taxi To The Dark Side' is available on YouTube and DVD 'The Network' is available on iTunes 'Chasing Asylum' is available Stan, iTunes and Dendy Direct 'Out Of Iraq: A Love Story' is available on DVD Eva Orner's book 'Chasing Asylum' is available now Find out more about Jenny Cooney: http://www.jennycooney.com/ Follow Jenny on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennycooneycarrillo/ Follow Jenny on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JennyCooney Find PodcastOne Australia on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/podcastoneau/ Follow PodcastOne Australia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastoneau/ Follow PodcastOne Australia on Twitter: https://twitter.com/podcastoneau

From 'Home and Away' to 'Pirates of the Caribbean', it's been a wild ride for Brenton Thwaites. The young Aussie from Cairns in Far North Queensland sits down with Jenny to walk through getting to Summer Bay then all the way through to Hollywood, the incredible projects along the way and what it has been like working with the likes Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie. Brenton talks about dealing with rejection when you don't get the part and the challenges of wanting to get stuck into a project but having to wait due to reasons beyond your control. 'Home and Away' is available on 7Plus 'Save Your Legs' is available on Google Play & iTunes 'Blue Lagoon: The Awakening' is not currently available for streaming 'Slide' is available on Foxtel Now 'Oculus' is available on Google Play, iTunes and Dendy Direct 'Maleficent' is available on Google Play and iTunes 'The Signal' is available on Quickflix, Dendy Direct and Google Play 'The Giver' is available on Netflix, Google Play, iTunes and Dendy Direct 'Son of a Gun' is available on Google Play, Dendy Direct and iTunes 'Gods Of Egypt' is available on Foxtel Now, Google Play, Dendy Direct and iTunes 'Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales' is available on Google Play, iTunes and Dendy Direct 'Office Uprising' is to be released in 2018 'In An Interview With God' is to be released in 2018 'Ghosts Of War' is to be released in 2018 Find out more about Jenny Cooney: http://www.jennycooney.com/ Follow Jenny on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennycooneycarrillo/ Follow Jenny on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JennyCooney Find PodcastOne Australia on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/podcastoneau/ Follow PodcastOne Australia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastoneau/ Follow PodcastOne Australia on Twitter: https://twitter.com/podcastoneau

Dean Semler is one Australia's greatest exports to Hollywood. If you're not familiar with his name, you'll definitely be familiar with his projects: 'Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior', 'Waterworld', 'Dances with Wolves', 'Maleficent' and 'Apocalypto' just to name a few. Dean is an Academy Award winning cinematographer and a true master of his craft. Jenny sits down with Dean to celebrate his career; from humble beginnings in regional South Australia to riding in Learjets, becoming best friends with Hollywood's finest and going back to his roots to share the learnings. Dean's story is about seizing the opportunities as they present, always being up for the next challenge and having a great time along the way. 'Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior' is available on iTunes, Google Play, Fetch TV and Dendy Direct 'Razorback' is available on iTunes and Google Play 'Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome' is available on iTunes, Google Play, Fetch TV and Dendy Direct 'Cocktail' is available on iTunes and Dendy Direct 'Young Guns' is available on iTunes and Dendy Direct 'Dead Calm' is available on iTunes and Google Play 'Dances with Wolves' is available on Stan, iTunes and Dendy Direct 'The Last Action Hero' is available on iTunes, Google Play and Fetch TV 'Waterworld' is available on iTunes, Fetch TV and Amazon Prime Video 'The Bone Collector' is available on iTunes, Google Play and Fetch TV 'Nutty Professor II: The Klumps' is available on iTunes and Fetch TV 'Bruce Almighty' is available on Foxtel Now 'Click' is available on iTunes, Google Play and Fetch TV 'Apocalypto' is on Google Play, Fetch TV and Dendy Direct 'Maleficent' is available on iTunes, Google Play, Fetch TV and Dendy Direct Find out more about Jenny Cooney: http://www.jennycooney.com/ Follow Jenny on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennycooneycarrillo/ Follow Jenny on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JennyCooney Find PodcastOne Australia on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/podcastoneau/ Follow PodcastOne Australia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastoneau/ Follow PodcastOne Australia on Twitter: https://twitter.com/podcastoneau

Teresa Palmer looks back on her first years in Hollywood coming from Adelaide at only 19 years of age. She's had a lot of false starts that felt like one step forward, two steps back but now she's finally hitting her stride with roles in Mel Gibson's Oscar-nominated "Hacksaw Ridge" and "Berlin Syndrome". Jenny catches up with Teresa to talk about how all of the struggles helped shape her to be in the best place of her life; working on projects she loves, having the family she always wanted and squeezing in lots of side projects (with a little help from Jenny as she reveals!) 'Warm Bodies' is available on iTunes, Google Play and Fetch TV. 'Point Break' is available on iTunes, Google Play and Fetch TV. 'Hacksaw Ridge' is available on Dendy Direct and Fetch TV. 'Berlin Syndrome' is available on Dendy Direct and Fetch TV. 'Ride Like a Woman' is due for release in 2018. Find PodcastOne Australia on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/podcastoneau/ Follow PodcastOne Australia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastoneau/ Follow PodcastOne Australia on Twitter: https://twitter.com/podcastoneau