It is of vital importance that you know who makes all the
big decisions in television.

If you are approaching a TV network, who should you speak
to?

Who is in charge of employment?

Who really has the final say when it comes to casting
decisions?

One person you should get to know rather quickly is Henrie
Stride - the TV Presenter Casting Director at Channel 9.
Henrie's position has been created simply due to the enormous
demand and growth potential of TV presentation as a career.

Channel NINE is the only commercial network in Australia
that has a casting director specifically employed to look
after TV Presenters.

Here is a quick look at her profile:

HENRIE STRIDE
With more than ten years experience in film and television,
Stride is responsible for sourcing and identifying new talent
to join Nine's on-air stable across all genres, including
lifestyle and infotainment, light entertainment and reality.
After completing a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Media and
Communication, Stride began her career in casting at Mullinar's
in the early 1990s.

Stride has worked on a wide range of television drama series
(including Water Rats, The Bill, White Collar Blue and Home
and Away) and reality programs (including The Mole, My
Restaurant Rules, Stooged), as well as film (including Idiot
Box, Dirty Deeds, Matrix II & III) and television commercials.
In the past decade Stride has also worked in a variety of
production roles both in Australia and the UK, including
Production Management and Coordination on International Films &
Documentaries.

Another important member of your team is your agent. The
number of agencies that concentrate their efforts on
television presenters is increasing. One of the leading talent
managers for Presenters in Australia is Mark Morrissey.
Here is his profile:

MARK MORRISSEY
Mark is the Head of Mark Morrissey and Associates (MMA) He
has a successful history of representing Australia's top
talent and celebrities. MMA represents extraordinary people
of varied creative pursuits. His team work hand in hand with
major agencies, production houses and management companies
in Australia and throughout the world. Mark has a client
list to be proud of:

Andrew O'Keefe, James Mathison, Bob Downe, Spencer McLaren,
Daniel MacPherson, Bianca Dye, Sophie Monk, Belinda Emmett
and Georgie Parker.

His approach to representation are reflected in his philosophy:
'Nothing encourages a potential agent or manager more than to
know that an enthused client is well read, self motivated and
accurately aware of what the industry is doing. Be prepared for
hard work. I have never represented a successful client who
wasn't prepared to work hard. Learn self motivation. Aim to
improve and above all, to retain your sense of humour -
(you'll need it!)'

www.markmorrissey.com.au

A comprehensive video interview with Henrie Stride appears on
the 'Your Big Break' - A Career in Broadcasting DVD Series -
Available Now!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Copyright © 2007 by Nick Piper, Derrick Siu and Plop
Entertainment. All information, text, graphics, audio, design
and software are copyrighted works of Plop Entertainment.
All Rights Reserved.