Experts
Dr Mark Seton
Dr Mark Seton is an Honorary Research Associate (Department of Theatre and Performance Studies) at The University of Sydney, and the founder of the Actors Wellbeing Academy, online. His research interests include the psychological wellbeing of performing artists, and ethical teaching and research practices in Higher Education Creative and Performing Arts. Alongside membership of the Editorial Board of the “Journal of Applied Arts and Health”, Mark is Chair of the Human Research Ethics Committee for the Australian College of Theology and is Vice President of the Australian Society for Performing Arts Healthcare.
Connection to TSMGO: Mark spent many hours on the phone advising Ben about the issues performers face in the entertainment industry and solutions to build resilience. He also provided further explanation and context into the 2013 Actors’ Wellbeing Study.
Main area of expertise: Psychology, Research, Building Resilience, Performance
Jeff Crabtree
Jeff Crabtree is an award winning composer, producer and musician who specializes in the diametrically opposed fields of acid gospel blues and film scoring. He is also the subject co-ordinator of Music Business & Professional Practice at the University of Technology Sydney. His doctoral research investigating workplace harassment in the music industry is aimed at improving the working conditions in the creative industries. His work spans lecturing, consulting, professional mentoring, keynote speaking in between music making in the recording studio.
Connection to TSMGO: Jeff is the co-author of the incredible book ‘Living With A Creative Mind’ that was instrumental in helping Ben on his journey to recovery and understanding his creative life from a new perspective.
Areas of expertise: Performing, Musician, Producing, Lived Experience
Monica Davidson
Monica Davidson is the doyenne of Creative Plus Business, a social enterprise that helps creative practitioners to develop their business skills. Monica used her experience living as a freelance writer and filmmaker for over twenty-five years to create an organisation that provides education, advice and support for creatives from all professions. The focus of Creative Plus Business is helping creatives understand small business (including start-up, marketing, financial literacy and more) through workshops, webinars, one-to-one advice and online courses. Monica is also a professional speaker, a published author, a working mum and a passionate loudmouth about the fusing of art and commerce.
Connection to TSMGO: Monica’s interview for the project provided Ben with incredible insight into the issues creatives face regarding their finances, and her 2014 thesis ‘Climbing the Celluloid Ladder’ that looked at the issues of inequality for females in the film industry, was a remarkable eyeopener.
Areas of expertise: Business, Women in Film, Writing, Filmmaking
Dr Chris Stevens
Dr Chris Stevens is a registered psychologist with 25 years’ experience in assisting individuals, groups and organisations to be sustainably creative and well. He provides consultation, coaching, lecturing, public speaking and group training programs in a wide variety of organisations around the world. His professional passions include promoting workplace innovation and creativity, especially as it relates to wellbeing and high-quality productivity. He co-founded and ran an international workplace wellbeing and mental health organisation for 14 years. He has taught programs on Wellbeing and on Managing Creativity and Innovation in a variety of academic and creative industry contexts. His clients include those in the creative industries (television, advertising, music industry, research and development, design & architecture) as well as many organisations in the government and private sectors in Australia and internationally. His approach is pragmatic, with learning always based in real-world activity. Chris is embarking on a new project called 'Psychology to Live By' which distills his experience and insights to help people live with wellbeing and purpose.
Connection to TSMGO: Chris has been a valued consultant to the project at various stages from post production, through to advising on best practises for our Wellness Roadshow, and resource documents.
Main area of expertise: Psychology
Julie Crabtree
As an experienced psychologist, Julie has worked extensively with performers and those in the entertainment industry. Also through her doctoral research into creativity and mental health, she is at the forefront of our understanding of how to be both healthy and creative. Her work encompasses both private practice, keynote speaking and consultancy. In her practice, she regularly sees performers, creative artists and their partners who are experiencing anxiety, depression, relationship and related issues. From this experience, she has developed the successful Building Mental Resilience group program for Creative Artists.
Connection to TSMGO: Julie is the co-author of the incredible book ‘Living With A Creative Mind’ that was instrumental in helping Ben on his journey to recovery and understanding of his creative life from a new perspective.
Areas of expertise: Psychology, Building Resilience
Susan Eldridge
Susan Eldridge changes things. From refusing to accept the label of 'failed musician' to bootstrapping a multi-million dollar tech enterprise, she is an outstanding example of the transferability of music education to success across industries. Susan's leadership skills have created and transformed businesses and social ventures across the world. After a corporate career, a return to music aligned her passion, energy and expertise to innovate how musicians are supported to build sustainable, creative lives. She is the current Associate Lecturer in Music (Entrepreneurship), Founder and Director of IgniteLAB for the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, founder of Notable Values and founder of soon to be launched Conducting Artistry.
Connection to TSMGO: Susan shared her wealth of knowledge and lived experience with Ben in her interview for the project. Her perspectives on music entrepreneurship can translate across the entire entertainment industry.
Areas of expertise: Music Entrepreneurship, Business, Education Development, Education Case Study, Musician, Lived Experience
Margot Fenley
Margot Fenley (VCA acting) works as an actor, academic and acting teacher. Theatre includes productions for the Victorian Arts Centre, State Theatre Company of South Australia, Windmill Performing Arts, Darlinghurst Theatre, The Stables, HotHouse, forty-five downstairs, Theatreworks, Napier Street and La Mama amongst others, performing works by writers as diverse as Shakespeare, Arthur Miller, Stephen Sewell, Howard Barker and many new Australian works. Television credits include Killing Time, City Homicide, Blue Heelers, Shock Jock, Raw FM, Mercury, Janus and Neighbours, where she had a recurring role for eighteen months. In addition, Margot has directed a number of productions as a teaching director, as well as multiple seasons of Macbeth for MTC’s Education program and recently Evan Lever’s cabaret This Time at the Butterfly Club. Margot has taught widely and now coordinates and teaches acting for VCA Music Theatre, whilst completing an MFA. She’s been a proud Equity member since 1991.
Connection to TSMGO: Margot gave countless hours of her time on phone calls with Ben discussing the challenges and solutions facing our tertiary creative institutions, which provided so much valuable context on how to improve wellbeing for students and staff.
Areas of expertise: Education Development, Education Case Study, Academic Comparison, Performer, Directing, Lived Experience
Rae Bonney
Rae is driven and committed to change attitudes around mental health. Dedicated to creating generational change and improved mental health for the Australian Entertainment Industry, Rae's key area of focus is to deliver Entertainment Assist's bespoke industry mental health and wellbeing training program; INTERMISSION.Rae's goal is to provide a positive impact across organisations, communities & individuals, reminding people that it really is OK, to not be OK!Combining a formal counselling qualification with more than thirty years in the corporate sector with roles in media, entertainment, public relations, marketing and human resources. Rae’s style combines storytelling, humour, understanding and care to design interventions that help create environments for self and peers that support better mental health. Rae's training delivery reached vast number of organisations and educated thousands of people on the topic of mental health.
Connection to TSMGO: Workplace Well-being Specialist/Speaker/Counsellor/Men's Issues Advocate/Suicide Prevention/Radio Presenter/Lived Experience
Areas of expertise: Entertainment Assist’s world first research into the wellbeing was an eye opener to Ben which fuelled him make the film. Throughout his whole journey, the various staff and board members have provided incredible support, and insights into the issues and solutions.