Backed by 30 years’ experience and a global presence, TAG is a leading international travel management company. Their dedicated production division specialises in managing your travel and logistics – whether you are a production company or an independent studio.
Below we introduce you to a few of the friendly members of TAG’s team.
Alli Pratt, Director of Production
What’s your area of expertise at TAG?
As the Director of the APAC region, I look after recruitment, Training, Business Development, Account Management and have to oversee the whole department. On a new project, I like to deep dive into what is required and then our team will make sure we offer the best value to clients and match the right agent to the right project.
What do you love about working in film & TV?
My favourite part is the people we meet along the way – many clients we have worked with for years are now friends. I also love that every day is different and we are always learning something new. Clients come to us with a vision and we have to make it happen. Whether it is filming in a super remote location, or squeezing the last dollar to meet the budget.
What was your favourite project to have worked on?
There are so many. I would probably say starting TAG eleven-and-a-half years ago in Australia with Shane Barr and watching the growth! We are so proud of where we are today and hope to continue building.
What’s a challenge you’ve successfully tackled in your role?
TAG didn’t originally have a production department and the brand was built on Music Touring and Events. I had 20 years’ experience in Music Touring and both of my parents worked in the TV industry so, when I was approached to help build the production department, I decided to give it a try. It’s been a learning curve that I have really enjoyed.
Prue Kennedy, National Account Manager
What’s your area of expertise at TAG?
I am the National Account Manager – Production. This enables me to keep a close relationship with all our clients and to ensure our TAG Team are meeting all their travel needs whilst delivering excellent service.
What do you love about your work?
Our Production Team at TAG are one of the best I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. The camaraderie and genuine care for each other is next level in a work environment and outside of work. This is due to a great work culture from the top down and that’s the most rewarding part of my job.
What was your favourite project to have worked on?
I have too many favourites to list! I really enjoy the initial set up, the problem solving throughout the shoot and successfully getting everyone home safely. It’s very rewarding watching all your hard work come to life on the big screen.
What’s a challenge you’ve successfully tackled in your role?
In my new role as Account Manager, I’ve successfully embraced the challenge of becoming comfortable with discomfort. This includes engaging with new clients, solving complex problems, and actively listening to better understand client needs. I’m always eager to learn and improve.
If you were stuck on a desert island with only one movie – which would it be?
It would have to be Overboard with Kurt Russell & Goldie Hawn.
Douglas Leitch, Team Lead of TAG Film and Media and Senior Travel Agent
What’s your area of expertise at TAG?
I love doing complex bookings and itineraries for my clients, and ensuring our VIPs are taken care of and have everything they need – which at times can be challenging. My role as Team Leader, means I need to be across all the projects at TAG. I love my job here and love working at TAG.
What do you love about working in film & TV?
Personally, I love that I play a small, but important, back-end part of big projects. I have spent a vast amount of my time watching movies and TV shows, and knowing I have played a part of something I watch is exciting. Many of my friends work on productions or as crew.
What was your favourite project to have worked on?
Most recently, an upcoming Ron Howard film. Prior to that there was a live-to-TV programme called, ‘Go Back To Where You Came From – Live’, that was thrilling and difficult. It had so many moving parts, booking hotels in war zones and sourcing flights under difficult circumstances.
What’s a challenge you’ve successfully tackled in your role?
When I started at TAG it was only Alli Pratt, Director of Production and I. We worked hard to build TAG’s now amazing reputation and team. It had its challenges sometimes, but it’s been amazing watching our team grow.
If you were stuck on a desert island with only one movie – which would it be?
Anything Alfred Hitchcock. If I was to narrow it down it would be North by Northwest.
Mel Gillman, Senior Entertainment Specialist
What’s your area of expertise at TAG?
Large Scale Productions – I consider myself a logistic wizard, making sure that all the pieces fit seamlessly together, so that the clients don’t have any issues.
What do you love about working in film & TV?
The organised chaos of working on productions, knowing that everything follows a schedule, but the unpredictability of schedule changes keeps you on your toes at all times, making the job exciting and challenging at the same time.
What was your favourite project to have worked on?
Opening of the new Cairns Studio in Queensland, Australia – this allowed me to engage with production companies Australia wide and promote the value TAG has to offer.
What’s a challenge you’ve successfully tackled in your role?
Reinstating a production that was officially shut down by the studio, due to the writer’s/actor’s strike. This involved releasing all accommodation we were holding and then two days later getting it all reinstated.
If you were stuck on a desert island with only one movie – which would it be?
The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert – not my favourite but I would likely not get sick of it.
Simon Smith, Senior Entertainment Specialist
What’s your area of expertise at TAG?
I have worked in all divisions of TAG from Touring to Corporate, but Production is my clear favourite. My expertise is making things look easy and calmly coming through with the goods when everything looks pear shaped.
What do you love about working in film & TV?
Working within our incredible team. They are a complete source of inspiration, knowledge and support and they know how to take the piss – which means we are always having a laugh.
What was your favourite project to have worked on?
I am currently working on a blockbuster shooting in Queensland and I am really enjoying the challenge.
What’s a challenge you’ve successfully tackled in your role?
I managed the travel for the new BBC TOP GEAR Australia which was fast paced and last minute and the show looked amazing.
If you were stuck on a desert island with only one movie – which would it be?
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 1 – killer soundtrack too.
Carolyn Adler, Senior Entertainment Specialist
What’s your area of expertise at TAG?
I would say my expertise is customer service and enthusiasm, as well as my drive to go above and beyond for all my clients. I also believe my ability to think outside the square when something may seem out of reach is a key skill of mine.
What do you love about working in film & TV?
I love the variety in what I do, and each production is diverse in all aspects of travel. I love that I’m continually learning and discovering new things everyday within the TV and film travel industry.
What was your favourite project to have worked on?
Top End Bub – this was challenging at times, however it pushed me to learn quickly and I was forced to improve my skills rapidly on the job. I loved that it was filmed in Adelaide – where I’m from – as well as Darwin which is also a place I love to visit.
What’s a challenge you’ve successfully tackled in your role?
Moving more than 50 cast and crew between Adelaide and Darwin, and trying to coordinate charter flights to and from the Tiwi Islands, with very limited availability. This was all at the last minute.
If you were stuck on a desert island with only one movie – which would it be?
Wine Country – because I’ll need a good laugh and a reminder of the importance of the amazing friends in my life!
Rachel Salvitti, Account Manager
What’s your area of expertise at TAG?
I have just commenced work at TAG as an Account Manager in Production. I’m the new girl on the block and very excited to be part of the team. I will be helping Prue and Alli with new and existing clients and ensuring they are getting value for money.
What do you love about working in film & TV?
I love the passion and teamwork of everything flowing and coming together. It’s very rewarding and you get to work with some amazing humans!
What was your favourite project to have worked on?
I am new to the TAG team, but in a previous role I loved working on the Melbourne Festival. I coordinated all the travel and logistics, including freight for theatre, dance, film and music, including artists from all around the world.
If you were stuck on a desert island with only one movie – which would it be?
I’m a Swiftie so that’s easy. The Eras Tour by Taylor Swift as I would have music and entertainment and lots of time to learn all the dance moves!
