From pottery, pyrography and macramé, to carving, crocheting and even a Chris Hemsworth lampshade, Making It Australia is set to premiere September 15th on 10 and 10 Play.
Creativity lives inside all of us, and people everywhere have rediscovered the joy of making things by hand. Making It Australia is a series that celebrates enthusiastic, professional, and amateur craftspeople, skilled across multiple disciplines and ready to push themselves outside of their comfort zones, to create personal handmade items from the heart.
The Hosts
Susie Youssef and Harley Breen are hosting Making It Australia.
Susie Youssef is a comedian, actor, writer and improviser who has written, performed and produced comedy for stage, radio and television in Australia and around the world.
Susie is a regular co-host and correspondent on 10’s The Project, and a regular guest on 10’s Have You Been Paying Attention? Previously a core cast member on Whose Line Is It Anyway? Australia, Susie has had regular roles in Rosehaven, Squinters and No Activity and appeared in Get Krack!n, How Not To Behave, The Chaser’s Media Circus and The Checkout.
Youssef said: “I feel ecstatic to be working on a show that is going to bring so much joy to everyone who sees it.
“I feel pumped that we’re showcasing some kick arse creative geniuses from all over the country and I feel ridiculously short standing next to Harley Breen but, for this show, I’m ok with that.”
Harley Breen is an award-winning comedian, television host and radio personality who has won over a legion of fans in Australia – and the globe – with his accessible and relatable stories and style.
Harley appears regularly on television shows including 10’s Hughesy, We Have A Problem and The Project, as well as Best Bits and It’s A Date.
Breen said: “In addition to craft time with my kids, for as long as I’ve been able to, I’ve wanted to be in my shed making things that could otherwise be purchased but not appreciated.
“I’m thrilled to be given the opportunity to host a show of this magnitude alongside my very talented friend Susie Youssef, and truly love the idea and subject matter.”
Harley Breen and Susie Youssef
The Judges
Judgind the Making It creations are Deborah Riley and Benja Harney.
Best-known for her work as head of art department on Game Of Thrones, one of the most-watched television series of the past decade, Riley’s equally impressive film credits include work as set designer on The Matrix, 21 Grams, and Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge.
Her role in helping bring Game Of Thrones to life earned her four consecutive Emmy awards, three Art Directors Guild Awards and a BAFTA.
Riley said: “At a very fundamental level, I believe in what Making It stands for. I believe in artists and the transformative power of their art.
“All of the challenges will test our makers in different ways and I am incredibly excited to see what they bring to the table”.
Benja Harney is renowned as a pioneer in his field, having worked both in Australia and internationally as a professional creative, artist and educator in the medium of paper.
Through his studio Paperform, Benja has engineered bespoke paper constructions for some of the world’s leading brands including Google, Nike, Facebook and Hermès. Not to mention two of Australia’s most successful music exports – Kylie Minogue and SIA.
From pop-up books, paper sculpture, installation, illustration, packaging, fine art, fashion, animation, set design – Benja makes anything and everything possible within this endlessly inventive material.
Harney said: “I’m over the moon to be involved with 10’s series Making It and to help celebrate Australian imagination.
“I’ll be looking for an inventive approach to materials, confident colour choices and projects that are beautifully finished. These are sure-fire ways for our makers to achieve those ‘wow’ moments we’re looking for”.
Deborah Riley and Benja Harney