Travel experts, TAG has grown their Production team, meet them here and come on the journey!
Nobody will forget the past two years in a hurry, least of all those working in travel. Whilst at times it felt like we’d never leave our homes again, TAG maintained a positive mindset that travel would return. And when it did, they’d be prepped and ready to go with a full workforce waiting to do what TAG do best; provide a high-quality travel service to the tv and production industries.
As clients started to return with the confidence productions can move ahead, so did the demand for travel, (albeit with new restrictions to navigate). TAG needed to further enhance capabilities within the team to meet these requirements and hire new staff to complement the existing production travel specialists. What a position to be in, given the state of the travel industry following a global pandemic.
Led by Alli Pratt, the team has gone from strength to strength throughout the pandemic, working on a host of exciting projects being filmed across Australia and New Zealand. With the new arrivals all settled in, it’s time to meet the wonderful TAG team that supports some of the biggest production clients filming in Australia:
Alli Pratt
General Manager – Production
What’s your specialist area?
I have worked on 16 different Amazing Races – I love everything from the planning, the budgeting and the fast production & travel when racing.
What do you love about your work?
Working in travel you are always learning, about different locations, different ways of travelling. You have to use your brain – no day is the same.
Favourite travel destination in Australia?
Pumpkin Island – which is off Rockhampton. It’s off the grid with no phone or internet. I live in Northern NSW though, I don’t really need to go on holidays often. Byron, Kingscliff, and the mountains of Murwillumbah. It’s paradise.
Favourite film/tv show?
I just finished working on Nine Perfect Strangers, filmed around my home area. Was great to watch. My son is 15 and gives me suggestions now – I just watched all three seasons of UK show Sex Education and loved that too. I like everything.
What saying or quote describes you best
“Had your chance, Times Up. You Muffed it.” – from the classic film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Zoe Dirken
Supervisor – Entertainment
What’s your specialist area?
Assisting clients put the right itinerary together for their needs and negotiating the most flexible rates from our suppliers.
What do you love about your work?
Being a part of the madness! Helping clients find solutions and putting all the pieces together.
Favourite travel destination in Australia?
North Coast NSW, so many beaches.
Favourite film/tv show?
I have a new favourite every week, but recently, anything that makes me laugh!!
What saying or quote describes you best?
“Always look on the bright side of life!”
Bree McCauley
Supervisor – Entertainment
What’s your specialist area?
Tricky international fares and finding spare seats to Australia that no one else can find.
What do you love about your work?
Love watching the show, knowing I played a small part in making it happen.
Favourite travel destination in Australia?
Byron Bay, great beaches, great restaurants and great vibes.
Favourite film/tv show?
Currently loving Below Deck Med, all the drama.
What saying or a quote describes you best?
“Where there is a will, there is a way.”
Darren Partridge
Agent Product Support Manager
What’s your specialist area?
I support the frontline team to ensure they have the best tools available to deliver a market-leading service and solutions.
What do you love about your work?
Great team, passionate to deliver the best to our customers.
Favourite travel destination in Australia?
Tasmania…. It’s just like New Zealand but in Australia.
Favourite film/tv show?
I’m a Sci-Fi geek – Alien is my all-time classic.
What saying or a quote describes you best?
“It’s all good!”
Douglas Leitch
Entertainment & Fares Specialist – Production
What’s your specialist area?
Complex international and domestic locations to find suitable hotels and flights in tricky places.
What do you love about your work?
Getting wonderful compliments from my clients and colleagues after doing a good job.
Favourite travel destination in Australia?
Great Ocean Road in Victoria, such a stunning landscape.
Favourite film/tv show?
Hitchcock’s North by Northwest and the series The West Wing.
What saying or a quote describes you best?
“Unbelievable.”
Mandy Armstrong
Senior Entertainment Specialist – Production
What’s your specialist area?
Travel logistics both internationally and domestically in all fields for large feature films.
What do you love about your work?
We work so closely with our clients it’s like being part of each production team.
Favourite travel destination in Australia?
Hard to split between the Kimberley in Western Australia or the Northern Territory.
Favourite film/tv show?
Anything Disney, Star Wars or Marvel related.
What saying or a quote describes you best?
“Be yourself, unless you can be a unicorn, then be a unicorn!”
Roo Sucgang
Senior Entertainment Specialist – Production
What’s your specialist area?
Managing all logistics for cast and crew and on my latest film I became the personal family agent to the A list.
What do you love about your work?
Being part of a feature film and knowing it wrapped because of my efforts.
Favourite travel destination in Australia?
Longitude 131, amazing views of Ularu.
Favourite film/tv show?
The Sound of Music and TV Series Sex and the City.
What saying or a quote describes you best?
“Carpe Diem.”
Kerry Luxford
Entertainment Specialist – Production
What’s your specialist area?
Customer service focused and love challenges.
What do you love about your work?
The diversity and the people. It is never mundane.
Favourite travel destination in Australia?
Anywhere hot! Luckily much of Australia enjoys the sun, and there are beautiful places to visit in each state during the summer seasons.
Favourite film/tv show?
Steven Speilberg’s E.T – it was my favourite movie as a child, and it still makes me laugh and cry.
What saying or a quote describes you best?
“WTF!”
Marjorie Marcelino
Groups Travel Manager
What’s your specialist area?
Arranging travel and accommodation.
What do you love about your work?
It’s never a boring job – every day is different!
Favourite travel destination in Australia?
Queensland because it’s great for relaxation and perfect for fun things to do for families.
Favourite film/tv show?
The O.C. television show!
What saying or a quote describes you best?
“Trust the timing of your life.”
Shirley Bates
Entertainment Specialist – Production
What’s your specialist area?
Flights, accommodation, transfers and car hire, any travel the client needs.
What do you love about your work?
My clients are all so different, no day is the same. Working at TAG in general with our great team
Favourite travel destination in Australia?
Noosa, such a beautiful place and has something for everyone. It’s also guaranteed sun, as it is on the Sunshine Coast after all.
Favourite film/tv show?
The UK series Would I Lie to You.
What saying or a quote describes you best?
“Everything is possible.”
Should you wish to have a confidential discussion about how TAG can assist on your next production, whether it be booking flights, accommodation and/or car hire, please contact TAG:
Alli Pratt
Marnie Costantini