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Beyond Reality: Reality TV Interviews with Producers, Crew & Talent
Love reality TV? Go behind the scenes with Beyond Reality: the podcast that dives into the world of unscripted television through conversations with the people who make your favourite shows.
Hosted by Australian TV producer Hayley Ferguson, each episode features candid interviews with industry professionals, from producers and directors to editors, crew, and on-screen personalities.
Whether you’re dreaming of a career in television, already working in the industry, or just obsessed with what happens behind the camera, this podcast offers real insights into how TV gets made. Discover the career paths of industry insiders with stories you won’t hear anywhere else - and find out what it really takes to work in TV.
Beyond Reality: Reality TV Interviews with Producers, Crew & Talent
Beyond Reality Live at SXSW Sydney: Behind TV's Most Addictive Shows
Ever wonder how hit shows like Alone, Lego Masters, or K-Popped get made? In this special live episode from SXSW Sydney, host Hayley Ferguson sits down with three of Australia's top unscripted television executives to pull back the curtain.
David McDonald (Director of Comedy, Endemol Shine Australia), Keely Sonntag (Head of Unscripted and Development, ITV Studios Australia), and Wes Dening (Head of Global Formats, Eureka Productions) share their incredible origin stories -from actively avoiding the industry to being a Big Brother contestant - and dive deep into the secrets of the trade.
They discuss the critical importance of authenticity, the make-or-break role of casting (and why "getting a bad edit" is a myth), and how they adapted massive global formats for an Australian audience. Plus, they share their best advice for pitching your own TV show idea and predict what's next for the future of reality TV in the age of AI.
LISTEN MORE
Head of Unscripted & Development, ITV Studios Australia - Keely Sonntag
Head of Global Formats, Eureka Productions - Wes Dening
CREDITS:
Host & Producer - Hayley Ferguson
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You can also connect with us here:
📸 Instagram: @beyondrealityau
📘 Facebook: @beyondrealityaus
🐦 X (Twitter): @beyondrealityau
📝 Blog: beyondrealityau.com
☕ SUPPORT THE SHOW
Beyond Reality is an independent podcast. If you’d like to support us, you can make a one-off contribution [HERE] (for the price of a coffee!).
There’s absolutely no obligation — but every little bit helps keep the show going. Thank you for being part of the Beyond Reality community.
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🎙 START YOUR OWN PODCAST
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