Debra Kelleher: From Neighbours to Dancing with the Stars...

Interview – 2016

Award-winning producer Debra Kelleher has worked on both sides of the Tasman. Starting with Grundy Productions, she worked on a number of Australian TV shows including Neighbours, Sale of the Century and Perfect Match. Back in New Zealand, Kelleher has produced everything from Dancing with the Stars and Good Morning, to sci-fi hit The Tribe.

In this ScreenTalk, Kelleher talks about:

Helping cast a famous face on soap Neighbours
Learning the ins and outs of Shortland Street as a production coordinator
Being impressed with actor William Shatner on the set of A Twist in the Tail
Meeting some major Kiwi talents early in their careers on The Tribe
Feeling that "kooky" show Atlantis High was ahead of its time
Dealing with a flood while producing her first episode of Good Morning
Working with Jason Gunn on Dancing with the Stars
The disappointment of entertainment show One Night Only
Setting up morning show Brunch for Choice TV
Being keen to go back into hands-on production, despite her managerial experience

This video was first uploaded on 4 April 2016, and is available under this Creative Commons licence. This licence is limited to use of ScreenTalk interview footage only and does not apply to any video content and photographs from films, television, music videos, web series and commercials used in the interview.

Interview, Camera and Editing – Andrew Whiteside

I have enormous respect for him and how he works: his attenton to detail, his love of the spoken word, his dilgence at rehearsing and his absolutely beautiful nature . . . I did learn from him that to be a really really good host and a really genuine producer. you really need to actually let people do their jobs, and give them the opportunity to be the very best that they can be.
– Debra Kelleher on working with Jason Gunn on Dancing With The Stars

Debra's Full Profile