In Conversation with Top Reality TV Executives 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 SonntagHead of Global Formats, Eureka Productions - Wes DeningCREDITS:Host & Producer - Hayley Ferguson Support the show🔔 FIND USNever miss an episode — hit follow on your favourite podcast app. You can also connect with us here: 📸 Instagram: @beyondrealityau 📘 Facebook: @beyondrealityaus 🐦 X (Twitter): @beyondrealityau 📝 Blog: beyondrealityau.com☕ SUPPORT THE SHOWBeyond 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.⭐ SPREAD THE WORDEnjoyed this episode?Share it on social media or leave a rating & review in your podcast app — it’s the best way to help others discover Beyond Reality.🎙 START YOUR OWN PODCASTThinking about launching your own show? Beyond Reality is hosted on Buzzsprout, our favourite platform for podcast hosting, promotion and tracking. Sign up using this link here and get a $20 credit towards your podcast.