About the Guest:

Anousha Zarkesh is a renowned casting director with over 25 years of experience in the Australian TV and film industry. Specializing in a range of genres from political satire to drama, comedy, and telemovies, Anousha has significantly contributed to projects centered around cultural diversity and inclusion. Her acclaimed work on shows such as "Redfern Now" and "Mystery Road" has earned her numerous awards and a celebrated reputation within the industry.

Key Takeaways:

• Changing Roles for Older Women: Discussion on the evolving roles for women over 40 in Hollywood and whether the shift towards more significant roles for mature women is genuinely happening.
• Impact of Female Storytellers: The rise in women writers and directors is pivotal in broadening the scope of women's roles in film and television.
• Diversity in Casting: Anousha Zarkesh emphasizes the importance of representing diverse voices and cultures in media, reflecting on her work with indigenous actors.
• Industry Challenges: Examines biases and stereotypes that still persist in the film industry, as well as the impact of the #MeToo movement on set dynamics.
• Advice for Aspiring Actors: Anousha offers real-world advice for those considering acting as a career, highlighting the importance of authentic storytelling.

Notable Quotes:

• "Women are writing, women are directing, so they're interested in telling their stories.” – Anousha Zarkesh
• "We can just blow people away. And people wanted to know more." – Anousha Zarkesh
• "You have to be yourself and you have to have a life and live your life." – Anousha Zarkesh
• "Don't do it. Don't do it to yourself." – Anousha Zarkesh on choosing acting as a career path.
• "I've always loved actors and what they did and they transformed and they became." – Anousha Zarkesh

Resources:

• Anousha Zarkesh's Company
• Podcasts and Shows Mentioned:
• "Redfern Now"
• "Mystery Road"
• "High Ground"
• "Total Control"
• "How to Please a Woman"
• "Deadloch" featuring Madeline Sami
• "Better Things" by Pamela Adlin

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She Wasn’t Born Yesterday, hosted by Janet Evans, a senior advertising creative and Dr Amelia Haines, a sexual and relationship therapist, who have written Australia’s first book on empty nest syndrome called Empty Next.

Visit Empty Nest Chicks for more resources, click here for their book, or join the discussion on Facebook.

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