E10: Tony Ayres: Storytelling secrets from Netflix Filmmaker/Showrunner

Tony Ayres, creator of Clickbait, Nowhere Boys, The Slap (BAFTA nominated), and The Survivors (New Netflix Show) unravels the secrets behind storytelling and shares his personal story which truly inspires me.

In his second feature film, The Home Song Stories, Tony beautifully and heartbreakingly tries to understand his dear mother. Tony lost her at 11 years old and his stepfather at 15. His story moves me so much because I care deeply about my mum who has schizophrenia. And I lost my father with dementia at 15.

"Everything we believe comes from a story" -- Tony Ayres

(00:00) How to intrigue the audience?

(00:24) Tony and Berlin’s connection

(01:50) Tony's story (childhood and his mother)

(06:20) The Home Song Stories

(14:23) "I told myself stories to go to sleep"

(15:08) Dream about flying

(15:24) After Tony's mother died

(20:05) Writing as therapy

(20:50) Sense of self at school

(24:05) Oppression of females in Chinese families

(26:25) Our parents putting pressure on us

(27:44) Understanding his mother through Joan Chen

(28:40) Forgetting how difficult it was for our parents

(31:02) Good at making people sad

(33:22) Tony’s switch from Film to Television

(37:28) Power of storytelling: saved Tony's life

(41:10) Most profound thought Tony ever had

(43:40) Meeting his partner, Michael McMahon at 17

(49:06) When someone changed his life in Film

(53:12) Biggest obstacle to writing is you (self doubt)

(55:44) Secret to storytelling (feelings)

(1:02:18) Tony's driven by his Heart and his Head

(1:03:07) Find your people and your voice

(1:05:11) Berlin’s short film

(1:07:22) Tony's struggles

Tony Ayres

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0044016/

https://beat.com.au/the-survivors-netflix-to-turn-bestselling-local-novel-into-a-crime-mystery-series/

Berlin Lu is an Actor and Carer for his mother.⁠⁠

https://www.instagram.com/berlinluu/

⁠⁠https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8092791/

Rossana Rodriguez is our editor

https://www.instagram.com/rossurr/

Rossana crafts compelling content within the realms of music, documentary and arts.