Industry Mentorship & Training Program: Nicholas Verso, Craig McMahon

INDUSTRY MENTORSHIP & TRAINING PROGRAM. A not-for-profit initiative facilitated by Craig McMahon, Founding Artistic Director & International Artist Manager; Nick Verso, Multi Award-Winning Film & Television Writer, Director and Showrunner; and Special Guest Casting Director.

In Studio I 163 Victoria Avenue, Albert Park, Melbourne I 6 Week Program

$273 + GST
Commencing June 20, 2026

This not-for-profit, ongoing Industry Mentorship & Training Program offers actors the opportunity to work directly with top-tier industry professionals, sharpening both their craft and their understanding of the business of screen acting.

Participants collaborate closely with Craig McMahon, internationally respected talent manager and mentor; Nick Verso, Multi Award-winning writer, director, and showrunner; and invited guest casting director. This unique combination ensures actors gain insight into the creative process, professional standards, and real-world industry expectations.

Craig McMahon brings expertise in industry positioning, audition strategy, career longevity, and what agents seek when evaluating talent. Through personalised on-camera assessments, he helps actors refine their professional approach, build momentum, and develop strategies for sustainable, long-term careers.

Nick Verso offers a rare chance to work directly with a writer-director known for crafting bold, character-driven stories. Actors explore scene work, emotional authenticity, and performance choices under his guidance, gaining insight into what contemporary screen storytelling demands and how directors shape performances from rehearsal to final take.

Industry Showcase with Special Guest: TBA. In Week 6, actors present their work to an invited guest Casting Director, and receive direct guidance on what top casting directors look for, giving clarity and insight into professional expectations at the highest level.

Throughout the program, participants engage in on-camera work, receive personalised feedback, and develop career-focused strategies grounded in the realities of the film and television industry.

*Tuition contributes solely to the costs of our trainers, mentors, special industry guests, and studio operations required to sustain the program. FTSI does not generate profit from this initiative; it exists as a genuine give-back to the acting community, providing broader access to world-class training and mentorship.

CRAIG MCMAHON is the Founder and Director of McMahon Management, one of Australia’s leading boutique talent agencies representing actors across Australia and the United States. With over three decades in the film and television industry, Craig is recognised for his ability to identify, develop, and strategically guide exceptional talent.

Founded in Melbourne more than 20 years ago, McMahon Management has grown into two complementary divisions: McMahon Management, focused on nurturing emerging talent, and McMahon Management International, representing established actors working on the global stage. Together, they provide tailored career management for artists at every stage of their journey.

In 1999, Craig and his wife Dominique co-founded Film & Television Studio International, now one of Australia’s most respected screen acting schools. Through both the agency and the studio, Craig continues to mentor and develop the next generation of performers.

A highly respected industry figure, Craig serves as an ongoing judge for the TV WEEK Logie Awards and has received national recognition for his contributions to the Australian entertainment industry, including Most Outstanding Achievement of the Year Award for over a decade of creative excellence at Network Ten, spanning presenting, producing, and writing. Today, he divides his time between Melbourne, Los Angeles, and New York, providing hands-on guidance to clients while leading McMahon Management’s continued success in international talent representation.

NICK VERSO is an Australian writer, director and showrunner known for his distinctive storytelling across film and television, often exploring themes of youth, identity, mental health and queer culture. 

His breakout short film The Last Time I Saw Richard won the AACTA Award for Best Short Film, establishing Verso as a powerful new voice in Australian cinema. His debut feature Boys in the Trees premiered at the Venice International Film Festival and went on to screen at major festivals including Toronto, Busan and Sitges, winning Best Feature at the Austin Film Festival. 

Nick has since built a prolific career in television as a writer and director. His credits include acclaimed series such as Nowhere Boys, The Unlisted, Itch, In Our Blood, Grace Beside Me and Swift Street. In 2023, he created the ABC horror-comedy series Crazy Fun Park, which won the Logie Award for Most Outstanding Children’s Program and an Australian Directors’ Guild Award for Best Direction. 

In 2025, Nick created, wrote and directed the Stan series Invisible Boys, based on the acclaimed novel of the same name, which premiered at #1 on the platform and received multiple AACTA nominations.

A Churchill Fellow, Verso has also participated in prestigious international programs including the Berlinale Talent Campus and the Binger FilmLab Directors Coaching Programme in Amsterdam. He continues to develop premium film and television projects both in Australia and internationally.