The Sauce with David Smith and Tania Macdonald

The Sauce

David Smith and Tania Macdonald from Smith & Macdonald Management talk to Stephanie Pringle & Alison Fowler about the importance of the agent - actor relationship.

Smith and Macdonald Management are a boutique Talent Company based in Sydney, Australia. They represent some of Australia’s most renowned and established actors and creatives including Trevor Ashely, Charmaine Bingwa & Shirley Pierce.

David Smith

David Smith has worked in Show Biz for 45 years. Having made his first feature film Second Star to the Right in his native home in London aged 8, he continued acting (leaving school with no exams) whilst constantly working in film, television and theatre. Tap Dancer extraordinaire. He attended the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London for 3 years, studying Voice under the legendary Patsy Rodenburg. Sharing his 3 years there with Dan Craig, Joseph Fiennes, Orlando Bloom and his flatmate Ewan McGregor (it wasn’t a bad 3 years!) On graduating he joined the Royal Shakespeare Company touring the world with a number of plays, with stints at the National Theatre and ongoing roles on Eastenders, BBC sitcoms, BBC drama, BBC radio. David continued to work in all spheres culminating in his last feature film role as John Hemmings in Shakespeare in Love (only 8 Oscars but let’s not get greedy)… and his final Movie role was as LORD ARGON in YOUNG ALEXANDER THE GREAT.

In between downtimes, he worked for his agency Jonathan Altaraz Associates as a trainee agent, married the boss and moved to the other side of the desk. At the time, JA was one of the most influential agents in London representing everyone from Sir Dirk Bogard, most of the Lords and Ladies, discovering the likes of Gary Oldman (who they found at Drama school), Ewan (who came with David), Jude Law (who they discovered playing Fagin in a high school production of Oliver), Pierce Brosnan, basically most of the cream of British actors throughout the 80’s-90’s.

Whilst holidaying in Australia, David a) decided there was a niche market for an English style agency in Sydney or b) met a boy in a bar and decided to hang around and think about what he could do here. Choose whichever one you think is most likely…..

Drunken Showbiz storyteller and raconteur, David set up the agency Smith and Jones Mgmt almost 20 years ago as he was desperate for something to do and needed an Australian passport. Luckily 2 years ago he met TANIA MACDONALD, and she basically saved his bacon, joining him to move forward in creating SMITH and MACDONALD CREATIVE MGT, which reflects the way that boutique Management can evolve, representing not just marvellous acting talent…but Screen Writers, Playwrights, Designers and Directors Internationally. He is thrilled that these people continue to employ him to be their agent and representative after many many years, and he remains aghast at their complete lack of judgment of character.

Best Known for saying .. “ Look Darling… it’s only Showbiz, not Brain surgery…”

And,

“Darling...stop Kvetching…you’re getting paid a fortune for dressing up in funny clothes and pretending to be someone else for a living…I'll just say YES OK?...”

Tania Macdonald

Growing up with a sister who was destined to be a star (Danielle Macdonald), Tania saw firsthand the trials and tribulations that actors go through on their journeys. Through this experience, she learnt how best to understand the way actors think and as a result connect with them.

Having gone on to study Event Management and work in the hospitality sector for many years, she has always had an affinity with the world of entertainment and the artists who brought it to life. In retrospect, without fully realising it, Tania began her career of managing actors from a very young age as organiser of her sisters home concerts.

After a 7 year stint of living and working overseas (including Canada, London and Los Angeles), Tania returned back to Sydney where she met the incomparable David Smith there was an immediate connection between the two and when they started working together, it felt like the most natural partnership in the world.

So as a result of 2020, they decided to start their own agency which they have called Smith and Macdonald Creative Management. Some may say starting a company during a pandemic wasn’t the smartest move, but they truly feel that this was the best decision for them and haven’t looked back!

What we discuss:

• The importance of the agent-actor relationship and what to look for when selecting an acting agent
• Dos and don’ts when you’ve got representation
• Building a network and community
• How covid has affected the way we audition and create
• The importance of “Show Fitness”
• The actor’s brand

Resources:

Smith and Macdonald Creative Management: http://smithandmacdonald.com.au/

This podcast wouldn’t be possible without the generous time of our guests, our producer Pete Dillon from Fearless Collective and The Roller.

Website: www.chickenandchips.com.au

Self Taping Course: www.chickenandchips.com.au/onlinecourse

Instagram: @chickenandchips_

Steph Insta: @itsstephaniepringle

Al Insta: @itsalisonfowler

TikTok: @chickenandchipscasting

This podcast is recorded on Gadigal Land, we acknowledge the traditional owners of the land in which we live and work and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.