‘Backstage Pass' for The Assembly students
21 May 2025
The ABC has launched a program called Backstage Pass to further assist the group of media students from The Assembly to explore a career in the industry.
The award-winning series features a class of Autistic media students, mentored by three-time Walkley winner and host Leigh Sales, as they learn their craft and interview well known Australian personalities. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, actor Sam Neill and former AFL star Adam Goodes were among those interviewed in season one.
Starting next week during filming for season two, Backstage Pass aims to broaden the students' understanding of the opportunities across the media industry, from creative to technical roles as well as offering additional practical knowledge and experience.
The Backstage Pass sessions include:
Practical studio operations session
Career pathways exploration (Bus Stop Films, TAFE, AFTRS, Macquarie University, tertiary options)
Industry Q&A about entry-level media roles and insights from on-air talent
Social media, content creation and personal brand-building
Behind-the-scenes tours (ABC News, triple J, ABC TV studios)
Host Leigh Sales said: 'Most people think of on-air jobs when they think of TV and radio roles, but the reality is that those jobs represent a tiny fraction of the work that goes into producing media content. I'm glad we can give our new crop of Assembly participants a good look at the full range of possibilities in the industry.'
Several students from season one have been employed on the new series, including two student mentors and three crew assistants while other members of the first series have continued to develop their skills at the ABC and externally.
The Assembly was recognised with a Screen Diversity and Inclusion Network award at the Screen
Producers Awards earlier this month and was shortlisted for a 2024 AACTA Award.
The Assembly S2 airs later this year on the ABC. The Assembly S1 is available for streaming on ABC iview.
Media contact Nikki Tugwell, ABC Communications
tugwell.nikki@abc.net.au
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