…If you really “click” creatively with a person, try to keep that relationship going. It’s not always common. And think of relationships as living things — they need food, oxygen and water to survive. If you don’t look after them, they will wither and die…
We had the pleasure of interviewing Stephen Vagg, an accomplished screenwriter, producer, and film historian known for his work across popular television series, films, and in-depth film scholarship. With a diverse career spanning serial dramas, independent films, and academia, Vagg has contributed significantly to Australia’s entertainment landscape and beyond.
Most recently, Vagg served as a Co-Executive Producer on Rock Island Mysteries, an adventure series aired on Nickelodeon in Australia. He oversaw the production of 40 episodes, contributing to the show’s narrative and creative direction. His role on Rock Island Mysteries reflects a progression in Vagg’s television career, built on years of experience in Australian serial dramas. Prior to this role, he spent over three years as a Supervising Producer on Neighbours, where he managed the writing department, guiding the storyline for over a thousand episodes. His tenure on Neighbours was marked by his dedication to character-driven storylines that resonated with international audiences. Additionally, Vagg’s efforts on the show earned him an Australian Writers’ Guild Award for Episode 6857, the first time the show won in that category in a decade.
Before Neighbours, Vagg held multiple roles on Home and Away, another internationally recognized serial drama. Over several years, he served as a writer, Story Editor, and Co-Producer, shaping the series’ long-running success and impact on Australian television. These positions allowed him to hone his expertise in serialized storytelling, character arcs, and audience engagement, contributing to his reputation in the industry.
In addition to his work in television, Vagg has contributed to Australian cinema through his feature films, All My Friends Are Leaving Brisbane and Jucy, both of which he wrote and co-produced. All My Friends Are Leaving Brisbane was particularly celebrated, earning Vagg a nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay at the Australian Film Institute Awards. Created with a modest budget, the film became a cult favorite and cemented Vagg’s status as an independent filmmaker capable of delivering relatable, nuanced stories.
In the realm of screenwriting, Vagg recently wrote for the mystery series Darby and Joan, featuring Bryan Brown and Greta Scacchi. His upcoming projects include Nerd Prom, a YA comedy film with actress Sofia Wylie attached, currently under development by Vagg’s management. He is also preparing a feature film, Captive, and a pilot for the television series The Girl from Snowy River, which has been optioned by Archipelago Productions.
Vagg’s contributions to film and television extend beyond production and screenwriting. A recognized film historian, he has published numerous articles on cinema, particularly British, Hollywood, and Australian films. His expertise on Australian actor Rod Taylor led him to author Rod Taylor: An Aussie in LA, which inspired the documentary Rod Taylor: Pulling No Punches. Vagg appeared as an interviewee in the documentary, sharing his deep insights into Taylor’s career and legacy. Additionally, he has recorded several audio commentaries on film history, underscoring his role as a scholar in film circles.
Beyond his creative pursuits, Vagg has an academic background in law, having worked in property and corporate law and volunteered in media law advisory roles. He also taught law at the university level and had a brief tenure at a prosecutor’s office. Though he ultimately transitioned to screenwriting, Vagg credits his legal background for instilling discipline and analytical skills, which he finds invaluable in the structured demands of television writing and production.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series Stephen! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us a bit of the ‘backstory’ of how you grew up?
I always loved movies and TV but didn’t think working in that field was a “real” (or, feasible) job. So, I went to law school and got a job as a lawyer. On my first day of work, I knew I’d made the wrong decision! But I didn’t want to throw all that learning away for no reason without a fair trial, so I stuck it out for two years. By the end of that time, I still knew law wasn’t for me, so I applied for film school. Sometimes you just have to accept that you’re a circus person, not a regular person.
All that time as a lawyer was invaluable, though. I met some fabulous people, I learned how the business world works, how to make an argument, how to work hard and deliver to clients, and so on. No experience is wasted if you learn from it.
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?
Starting my first day as a lawyer. I remember sitting at my desk going, “Okay. So. I’m going to be sitting here at least ten hours a day, five days a week, for the next forty years. I’m going to be spending more time doing this than doing anything else I will do in my life. Wouldn’t it be cool if I really loved doing what I did at this desk?” I eventually found that in screenwriting.
Can you share the funniest or most interesting story that occurred to you in the course of your filmmaking career?
When I was head writer on a soap opera, we did a story where a building blew up and collapsed on various characters. One of the characters was mortally wounded, and said goodbye to their baby daughter on the phone as he was dying. They were looking for a baby actor to play the daughter and the showrunner walked past my office and said, “Hang on, you’ve got a baby daughter, don’t you?” I did — and so my daughter was cast. The writer of the script did a lovely job — but there was no way I wasn’t going to write the final line of dialogue from the dad character as he spoke to his daughter on the phone while dying. It was a very emotional experience, rather than a funny one.
Who are some of the most interesting people you have interacted with? What was that like? Do you have any stories?
I’m a big film buff and it’s always exciting to meet someone whose work I admire. People I’ve been lucky enough to meet over the years include names like George Miller, Russell Crowe, Bryan Brown, Angie Dickinson, Joe Dante, Greta Scacchi and John Sayles. I’d done college assignments on the work of George Miller so when I met him in particular I probably came across as a bit of a crazed fan, but I’ve got to say he was very gracious. Actually, all the genuine celebrities I’ve met have been nice — the biggest divas are always C-listers.
I wrote a biography of Australian film star, Rod Taylor, and once met Tippi Hedren, who had been in Hitchcock’s “The Birds” with Rod (as well as being Melanie Griffith’s mom, and Dakota Johnson’s grandma). I took a photo of Tippi next to a giant blow up picture of Hitchcock and went “Tippi and Hitch, together again” and she laughed. So I made Tippi Hedren laugh — that was pretty cool! I know it doesn’t sound like much but I fell in love with her watching “The Birds” when I was eight years old, so it meant a lot to me!
Another time at film school, I was a “seat filler” at an awards night, and Russell Crowe was a guest presenter; during rehearsal I had to play the role of “person who wins the award and gets it from Russell Crowe” so Russell Crowe gave me an award — I mean it was only a rehearsal but technically I have received an award from Russell Crowe!
Once at the Toronto Film Festival I was waiting for an elevator. The door opened, Minnie Driver was there in a full evening gown asking her companion, “Where’s Daniel Craig? Where’s Daniel Craig?” and she walked off. That was very random.
[Feel free to cut any of these out I’m just giving options.]
As for non-famous people… on every single project I’ve worked on, no matter how disastrous or how much of a nightmare, there have always been at least one or two really terrific people working on it who are absolutely worth knowing. So, if you’re on a project that isn’t going so well, seek out those people — they will help you keep your sanity. And remember — you can learn as much (if not more) from the bad experiences as the good ones.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
My partner, film director Louise Alston. There were lots of times where I felt like giving up my screenwriting career — I’m sure there will be lots more, it’s that sort of business — but in the tough times she always encouraged me to keep going. People who nice to you when the going is good are easy to find; those who really have your back when things are bad, are worth their weight in gold.
Several years ago Louise was crossing the road when she was hit by a speeding motorbike; her body flew through the air and smashed against the ground. She broke 17 bones, two of which punctured the skin in her left leg, and she was in a coma for 15 days. She recovered and has directed ten features. She’s very tough (unless it’s a particularly well-crafted scene in a sappy movie in which case she’s reduced to a blubbering mess). Very inspirational.
My parents were also inspirational in their way. I learned many things from them — the most crucial of which was the importance of just turning up. They were always there for me, whether attending one of my plays, or making time for me with a question, or showing me how to live a life by an example. Whether it’s staying married, being a friend, raising a kid, doing a job, being a good citizen — none of it is possible if you don’t turn up in the first place. You will make mistakes — everyone does — but if you turn up and have a go, at least you’re in with a shot of doing it right.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
I have so many, but I’ll limit it to two!
I always remembered a quote from an Australian television presenter who was asked whether she would discourage her children from entering show business. You normally read show business parents saying things like “I wish they would do a real job” or “only if you can’t do anything else” but she simply said, “Sure, why not? Someone’s got to play the piano at the wedding.” Meaning — there’s no reason you can’t have a career in show business, as long as you’re willing to do the grunt work, like playing the piano at a wedding. Don’t sit around waiting for a fancy three-picture deal, or for the muse to hit you, or something else air-fairy: be prepared to work hard and learn the craft like any other trade. Play “My Heart will Go On” for the hundredth time for some drunk out of towners at a wedding reception. That’s how you develop the discipline to succeed. I love the unpretentiousness of it, even if the metaphor probably needs updating!
My other favorite quote is “Amateurs talk strategy, professionals talk logistics”. It’s fine to dream big — indeed, you should have a strategy for your projects — but if you actually want to make that strategy happen, try to break things down into practical logistics e.g. resources, supply, transport, location, money.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
I wrote an episode of the TV mystery series “Darby and Joan” starring Bryan Brown and Greta Scacchi, which airs next year. That was a massive thrill — even better, my episode was directed by Rachel Ward and I got to meet her, Bryan and Greta when I went on set. I was in film buff Heaven!
“Captive”, a one location feature film thriller I wrote, should start filming in late 2025, and I’ve just optioned an original TV pilot of mine, “The Girl from Snowy River”, to Archipelago Productions. I’m very excited about both projects.
Which aspect of your work makes you most proud? Can you explain or give a story?
Probably my first film “All My Friends Are Leaving Brisbane” because we — my wife and I — made it with our own money, $45,000. It wasn’t an easy journey, to put it politely, but we got it made and the film was released in cinemas. We would sneak in to screenings and listen to the audience reaction. It was lovely to hear strangers laughing and enjoying the movie. That’s what you live for, really — to make a work that connects positively with people.
Ok super. Here is the main question of our interview. What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
- Never send an email when you’re angry. You can think you’re being calm in the email but being calmer than you’re feeling is not the same as actually being calm — the anger can still come through. If you’re dealing with a sensitive subject matter with someone, always try to do it in person or make a phone call at least.
- If you live within your means i.e. your income exceeds your expenses, you have tremendous freedom. I recognise that is a big “if” — but adjustments can be made. I would say this is probably the most crucial thing about a career as a writer — keep your overseas as low as possible. You need spare time and flexibility, as well as discipline, or after ten years you will run out of gas and wind up selling real estate.
- Sometimes all you have to do is listen. I used to think if someone came to me with a problem I had to offer a solution — that’s being useful, right? But sometimes all people really want is for you to listen and make validating noises at the right time. I didn’t realize that until one time I was venting to a friend and they kept offering solutions and I realized I didn’t want that! I just wanted someone to vent to.
- Enjoy the ride while you can. It’s good to plan for the future but don’t forget to enjoy the good times when they come because they will help sustain you doing the bad times. I have a family member who always dreamed of financial independence, finally inherited millions but then got dementia; a close friend was just about to finish his dream script when he died of diabetes. You never know what is around the corner. I’m not talking about blowing all your money — you should save your money — but when a positive thing happens in life, take out some time to enjoy the moment. Working in showbusiness is climbing a mountain — most of your focus will be on not dying horribly but there’s nothing wrong with enjoying the view every now and then. Likewise, try to spread good vibes when you can. If you see a work you liked or enjoyed a chat you had with a person, let them know.
- If you really “click” creatively with a person, try to keep that relationship going. It’s not always common. And think of relationships as living things — they need food, oxygen and water to survive. If you don’t look after them, they will wither and die.
When you create a film, which stakeholders have the greatest impact on the artistic and cinematic choices you make? Is it the viewers, the critics, the financiers, or your own personal artistic vision? Can you share a story with us or give an example about what you mean?
When something is a paid gig, I do whatever the person paying me wants — I am working to help them (in television this is normally the producer, who reports to the broadcaster). Sometimes they’re not exactly sure what they want, and my job is to come up with a take — and if they don’t like that, my job is to come up with another take until I give them something they want. When you work on something with different stakeholders (i.e. if it’s a co-production) who want different things (“more comedy!” “less comedy!”) these can be tricky waters to navigate. But never stop having a go. Never stop pitching.
When I’m writing something for myself — a stage play, for instance, or a spec script — I’m guided by my own vision. I honestly think scripts with a personal voice, that are as true and honest as I can make it, have the best chance of resonating with an audience. Having said that, it’s always good to road test that material on someone — a group of trusted readers, say — to make sure you don’t disappear up your own backside. A reader with taste who “gets you” but will also tell you the truth, is precious.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
Make it that every country has democracy, the rule of law, an independent judiciary and a free press. Ninety percent of the human race is pretty good, the rest are not so hot — you need those four things to keep that bad ten percentile in check.
We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might see this. 🙂
If she was in a talkative mood, Tuesday Weld. Her life was wild. Hi, Tuesday — big fan!
How can our readers further follow you online?
I’m on threads — stephenvagg
This was very meaningful, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!
Filmmaker Stephen Vagg: 5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Started was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.