Industry Mentorship & Training Program

INDUSTRY MENTORSHIP & TRAINING PROGRAM. A not-for-profit initiative facilitated by Tony Ayres (multi-award-winning show creator, showrunner, screenwriter, director and executive producer), Diana Glenn (award-winning actor, producer and co-director of Jacaranda Productions) and Craig McMahon (Founding Artistic Director and international artist manager).

In Studio I 6 Week Program

$273 + GST
Commencing October 3, 2026 I 10:00am – 12:00pm & 12:30pm – 2:30pm

Film & Television Studio International’s Industry Mentorship & Training Program is a not-for-profit initiative providing emerging actors with access to exceptional screen acting training, professional mentorship and direct insight from leaders working at the highest level of the Australian film and television industry.

This is an ongoing professional development program created to connect actors with leading working professionals at the forefront of the industry. It gives participants the opportunity to continue developing their screen craft, receive honest and constructive feedback on where they are currently at, and gain a clearer understanding of what is required to move forward professionally.

Importantly, the program enables actors to work directly with, and be seen by, the creators, producers, directors, showrunners and industry decision-makers working at the coalface of today’s film and television industry.

Across this six-week program, actors will work with award-winning actor and producer Diana Glenn and Founding Artistic Director and international artist manager Craig McMahon, culminating in an industry screen-testing session with multi-award-winning show creator, showrunner, screenwriter, director and executive producer Tony Ayres.

Participants will work with original material developed by some of Australia’s most celebrated screen storytellers, gaining valuable insight into the creative journey from page to screen.

Throughout the program, actors will undertake intensive on-camera training, receive detailed professional feedback and develop practical strategies grounded in current industry expectations.

This is a fantastic opportunity to learn from three highly respected practitioners whose combined experience encompasses acting, writing, directing, producing, showrunning, talent development and international artist management.

Tuition contributes solely to program delivery, including mentors, guest contributors, and studio operations. The program runs not-for-profit as a genuine initiative to support and elevate access to world-class actor training.

DIANA GLENN

ACTOR | PRODUCER | JACARANDA PRODUCTIONS

Diana Glenn is one of Australia’s most accomplished and respected screen actors, with a career spanning close to three decades across film, television and theatre.

Her extensive television career includes leading and supporting roles in some of Australia’s most acclaimed productions, including The Slap, for which she won the AACTA Award for Best Guest or Supporting Actress in a Television Drama, Carla Cametti PD, Satisfaction, The Secret Life of Us, Canal Road, Jack Irish, Wentworth, Secret City, Underbelly: Squizzy, Secrets & Lies, Harrow, My Life Is Murder, Bad Behaviour and In Our Blood.

Diana’s film credits include the multi-award-winning Somersault, alongside Abbie Cornish and Sam Worthington, the acclaimed Australian thriller Black Water, Oyster Farmer and Lone Wolf, among numerous other screen projects.

Importantly, Diana’s experience extends well beyond her work as an actor. In recent years she has moved into producing and screen development, including a Screen Australia Producer Placement with Northern Pictures, where she worked as an Associate Producer on Spreadsheet for Paramount+. She is also a co-director of Jacaranda Productions, developing work across theatre, television, film and digital platforms.

Diana is also a graduate of the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS), holding a Master of Arts Screen: Business, as well as a Diploma in Scriptwriting. This combination of nearly three decades of professional acting experience and her more recent work across producing, development and screen business gives Diana a particularly valuable perspective on what makes a performance work within the larger storytelling process.

Diana will join Tony Ayres, one of Australia’s most acclaimed writers, producers and showrunners. Having starred as Sandi in Tony’s internationally celebrated series The Slap , a performance which earned Diana her AACTA Award, she brings a unique firsthand understanding of his work, his characters and the level of specificity, emotional truth and detail required of actors working with sophisticated screen material.

“Diana is one of the sharpest creative minds in the business. Her broad and diverse experience on both sides of the camera gives her a unique voice and standing in the industry. She is terrifyingly talented and intelligent – and an absolute joy to work with.”‍

Andy Walker – Producer (Deadloch; Bad Company, Reckless, The Survivors, Prosper, Spreadsheet, Rosehaven, Five Bedrooms, The Kettering Incident)

TONY AYRES

SHOWRUNNER | WRITER | DIRECTOR I BIG & LITTLE FILMS

Tony Ayres is an award-winning Australian showrunner, writer and director, and a founding member of Big and Little Films and Matchbox Pictures. In 2018, he established Tony Ayres Productions (TAP), developing and producing feature films and television for international markets. In 2025, he rejoined Big and Little Films to focus on writing and directing distinctive and ambitious work for global audiences.

Overall, Tony’s feature films and TV shows have been nominated for over one hundred Australian and international awards, and have won over sixty of these awards including an International Emmy, a BAFTA, a Golden Horse (the Asian Oscars), a Berlinale Teddy Award, six AACTA Awards, and six Logies Awards.

Most recently, Tony was Executive Producer, Showrunner and writer on the Netflix series The Survivors, and an Executive Producer on two seasons of the ABC/BBC children’s series The Spooky Files. Previously, Tony was the creator/showrunner on The Slap, Nowhere Boys and global number one Netflix hit, Clickbait. He co-created and was an Executive Producer on Glitch, Stateless, and Fires. He has executive produced acclaimed shows such as Barracuda, Seven Types of Ambiguity, Wanted, Creamerie, The Devil’s Playground, Old School, Underground: The Julian Assange Story, The Straits, and The Family Law.

In feature films, Tony directed Cut Snake (2015), The Home Song Stories (2007), and Walking on Water (2002). He has also executive produced award winning feature films such as Ali’s Wedding and Lou. His films have premiered and screened at A-list festivals around the world including the Berlinale and the Toronto Film Festival.

As showrunner and executive producer, Tony is ultimately responsible for the final casting decisions, working in collaboration with studio and network executives.

CRAIG McMAHON

TALENT MANAGER | ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

CRAIG MCMAHON is a highly respected Australian talent manager, and industry mentor with more than three decades of experience across film, television and performance. He is the Founder and Director of McMahon Management, one of Australia’s leading boutique talent agencies, representing actors working across Australia and internationally.

Craig began his career in television, building extensive experience across presenting, producing and writing at Network Ten. His work during this period earned him national recognition, including the Most Outstanding Achievement of the Year Award, acknowledging more than a decade of creative contribution to Australian television.

More than 20 years ago, Craig founded McMahon Management in Melbourne with a commitment to discovering, developing and strategically guiding actors throughout their careers. The company has since evolved into two complementary divisions: McMahon Management, dedicated to developing emerging and established Australian talent, and McMahon Management International, representing experienced actors pursuing opportunities across the global film and television industry.

Craig is particularly recognised for his ability to identify potential in performers and nurture that potential over the long term. His approach to management extends beyond securing individual opportunities, with an emphasis on career strategy, professional development, and helping actors build sustainable careers.

In 1999, Craig and his wife Dominique McMahon co-founded Film & Television Studio International (FTSI), which has grown into one of Australia’s most respected centres for professional screen acting training. For more than 25 years, Craig has played an integral role in connecting emerging actors with leading actors, directors, casting directors and other working professionals, helping bridge the often difficult gap between professional training and the realities of the film and television industry.

His work across both FTSI and McMahon Management gives Craig a distinctive perspective on an actor’s development, from their earliest professional training and first industry opportunities through to representation, career development and international work.

Craig also serves as an ongoing TV WEEK Logie Awards judge, contributing his industry experience to the recognition of excellence in Australian television.

Today, Craig continues to work closely with actors at every stage of their careers while expanding McMahon Management’s international reach. Dividing his time between Melbourne, Los Angeles and New York, he maintains strong connections with the Australian and US industries while continuing the work that has defined his career: discovering talent, developing artists and helping actors build enduring careers in film and television.

APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN

Places are strictly limited to ensure every participant receives individual attention, detailed professional feedback and meaningful time working on camera.

Apply now to be considered for the next Industry Mentorship & Training Program.