Category: Our Team

Mike worked at Screen Australia since it was founded in 2008 and before that with predecessor agency the Australian Film Commission since 2005. In his role as Investment Manager at the Federal Government’s key screen agency, Mike managed many award-winning projects including online content, TV series, feature films, apps, interactive drama & documentary, and video games, and conceived and ran many initiatives, conferences, and training opportunities.

Mike had special responsibility for innovative digital production, exploring new platforms, finance, and revenue models. Amongst several special programs, Mike initiated and managed SKIP AHEAD with Google/YouTube to support content creators to grow online subscribers, and FRESH BLOOD with ABC TV/iview to find the next wave of comedy filmmaking talent. Prior to joining the agency, Mike held positions with the UK Film Council and the South Australian Film Corporation, and worked with production companies Picture Palace North (UK) and Monkeystack.

Mike’s commitment to unique and remarkable talent, coupled with his creative judgement and enviable knowledge of current trends in international production make him an invaluable asset at Princess Pictures.

Sarah is a producer, writer and development executive in scripted television, film and short-form. Before joining Princess Pictures in 2017, Sarah worked for 5 years in the script and production departments of series such as Wolf Creek, 8MMM: Aboriginal Radio, Fat Tony & Co, Rosehaven, Get Krack!n and The Weekly with Charlie Pickering.

With Princess Pictures, Sarah has a strong track record collaborating with creator/performers, cultivating a development slate of original concepts with emerging voices and household names in Australian comedy. Sarah served as script editor on Seasons 1 and 2 of How To Stay Married, a Princess Pictures and Peter Helliar comedy series for Network Ten, was script producer on Season 3, and wrote three episodes of the show. Sarah is the producer of popular queer online series The Formal, bringing 30 x 1 minute episodes to Tiktok in 2021 and a final season of 6 x 5 minute episodes to Youtube in 2022 with the assistance of Screen Australia.

After completing Bachelors in Media and Entertainment Business Management, Michelle joined Princess Pictures in 2014 working on Foxtel’s sketch comedy show Open Slather. From there she went on to Talent and Story Produce on ABC ME’s ‘vlogumentary’ series My Year 7 Life and My Year 12 Life, during which, Michelle received the “Media Award” for My Year 12 Life at the 2017 WayAhead Mental Health Matters Awards.

Now eight years into her journey with Princess Pictures, Michelle works across the entire slate as the Production Operations Manager on comedy, drama, feature film and adult animation. Most recently including Channel 10’s series How To Stay Married, staring Peter Helliar, ABC Comedy’s Superwog and Adult Swim’s animations YOLO: Crystal Fantasy and Smiling Friends.

Simone has worked in the entertainment industry for many years, honing her legal skills at a national law firm and then at December Media, where she worked across their entire slate of television series, documentary and giant screen films. She is also an actress and a writer so has a great appreciation for story, as well as an understanding of the legal intricacies involved in developing, financing and distributing quality content.

Pennie is a Producer of comedy How to Stay Married (S2, S3), KINNE and has worked as an Associate Producer on some of Australia’s leading drams Wentworth, Winners & Losers, City Homicide as well as producing animated content for Sesame Street.

Before joining Princess Pictures, Pennie was employed as a Scripted Development Producer working across an extensive drama slate including Secret Bridesmaids Business. From 2015-2017 Pennie consulted to Disney/ABC Network’s International Scripted Department scouting for Australian formats and talent to be produced in the US market.

Pennie brings a wealth of development and producing experience across a diverse Australian television landscape and will continue to hone her producing skills at Princess Pictures.

Ali Bird is a commercial lawyer specialising in media and entertainment law. Her expertise includes commercial contracts, dispute resolution, consumer law, procurement and corporate governance, with a particular interest in helping creatives maximise the value of their intellectual property.

Ali’s extensive industry experience includes seven years as Film Victoria’s in-house legal counsel, two years with ITV London as in-house legal counsel and recently as in-house legal counsel at Guesswork Pictures and Token. Ali also runs her own sole practice law firm, Ali Bird Legal. She has overseen complex production and financing arrangements, licensing agreements and investment deals. 

Throughout, Ali has maintained strong ties to the creative community. She served as a board member for City of Melbourne’s Music Strategy Advisory Committee for four years and Board Secretary of Melbourne’s Schoolhouse Studios for three years. Ali is also the co-founder of Real Life, a collective that encourages real-life connections to mentor, support and learn.

Chloe is a pharmacist-turned-writer who started her career as a notetaker and script coordinator before going on to contribute to a wide range of children’s and adult television story rooms. In 2019 she was selected to participate in AFTRS Talent Camp Victoria with her comedy webseries project.

After working with Princess Pictures as their script coordinator for season three of How to Stay Married, she joined the company in 2021 via VicScreen’s Key Talent Placement. She currently works across Princess’s live action television and feature development slate and is invested in realistic portrayals of identity and authentic diversity on screen.

As a screenwriter Chloe co-wrote an episode of YA comedy-drama Turn Up the Volume and most recently wrote an episode for mystery-adventure series Rock Island Mysteries. She has a particular interest in comedy, science fiction, and women’s football.