Maura Fay
Encyclopedia
Maura Fay was a leading casting director within the entertainment industry in Australia. In 2001 she was named as one of the 25 most influential people in television and radio in Australia. In 2001 the Screen Producers Association
of Australia (SPAA) Services to Industry Award was awarded posthumously to Maura. SPAA has since decided to name the award the Maura Fay Award for Services to the Industry in recognition of Maura’s extraordinarily rich life and valued contributions to Australian film and television.
Maura was educated at Wynyard High School in Tasmania
, where she was Head Prefect, and Burnie Matriculation College. She was of Irish heritage and spent some years working in Ireland
after her schooling.
On her return to Australia she joined the Reg Grundy Organisation
where she worked on the cult Australian television series Prisoner
, and became Head of Casting. She later worked as Head of Production for PBL Productions and also was a consultant for the Drama Departments at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation
, the Seven Network
, the Nine Network
and the Ten Network. Maura also served as a board member for the Sydney Film Festival
and the Australian Theatre for Young People
. She was also an Ambassador for Mothers Inc.
Maura started her own company, Maura Fay Casting, in 1987. She discovered many actors who became household names across Australia and internationally, including the Hollywood star Heath Ledger
.
In 1990, Maura set up Maura Fay Workshops, utilising the delivery skills possessed by a professional actor to train corporate executives in communications skills. This company now operates throughout Australia, Asia and the US.
Screen Producers Association
The Screen Producers Association of Australia was formed in 1956 and was originally named the Film and Television Production Association....
of Australia (SPAA) Services to Industry Award was awarded posthumously to Maura. SPAA has since decided to name the award the Maura Fay Award for Services to the Industry in recognition of Maura’s extraordinarily rich life and valued contributions to Australian film and television.
Maura was educated at Wynyard High School in Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
, where she was Head Prefect, and Burnie Matriculation College. She was of Irish heritage and spent some years working in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
after her schooling.
On her return to Australia she joined the Reg Grundy Organisation
Reg Grundy Organisation
The Reg Grundy Organisation was an Australian television production company founded in 1959 by businessman Reg Grundy . It has since branched out into Europe and the USA. The company first produced game shows, before branching into soap operas in 1973...
where she worked on the cult Australian television series Prisoner
Prisoner (TV series)
Prisoner is an Australian television soap opera which was set in the Wentworth Detention Centre, a fictional women's prison. The series was produced by the Reg Grundy Organisation and ran on Network Ten for 692 episodes from 27 February 1979 to 11 December 1986.The series was inspired by the 1970s...
, and became Head of Casting. She later worked as Head of Production for PBL Productions and also was a consultant for the Drama Departments at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
, the Seven Network
Seven Network
The Seven Network is an Australian television network owned by Seven West Media Limited. It dates back to 4 November 1956, when the first stations on the VHF7 frequency were established in Melbourne and Sydney.It is currently the second largest network in the country in terms of population reach...
, the Nine Network
Nine Network
The Nine Network , is an Australian television network with headquarters based in Willoughby, a suburb located on the North Shore of Sydney. For 50 years since television's inception in Australia, between 1956 and 2006, it was the most watched television network in Australia...
and the Ten Network. Maura also served as a board member for the Sydney Film Festival
Sydney Film Festival
The Sydney Film Festival is an annual film festival held in the Australian city of Sydney and is held over 12 days in June. The competitive film festival draws international and local attention, with films being showcased in several venues across the city centre and includes features,...
and the Australian Theatre for Young People
Australian Theatre for Young People
The Australian Theatre for Young People is Australia's flagship youth theatre company and the largest youth theatre in the world. Over 6000 young people aged between three and 26 participate in the company's work across Australia....
. She was also an Ambassador for Mothers Inc.
Maura started her own company, Maura Fay Casting, in 1987. She discovered many actors who became household names across Australia and internationally, including the Hollywood star Heath Ledger
Heath Ledger
Heath Andrew Ledger was an Australian television and film actor. After performing roles in Australian television and film during the 1990s, Ledger moved to the United States in 1998 to develop his film career...
.
In 1990, Maura set up Maura Fay Workshops, utilising the delivery skills possessed by a professional actor to train corporate executives in communications skills. This company now operates throughout Australia, Asia and the US.