There are some people in this industry who make every production better simply by being on it.

For me, one of those people is Todd Embling.

I am incredibly proud to officially welcome Todd aboard FENECH – The Jeff Fenech Story as our First Assistant Director.

Todd and I have worked together on more than a dozen productions over the years, and there are very few people I trust more when it comes to running a film set. Beyond being one of the most experienced Assistant Directors in Australia, Todd is someone I consider a genuine friend, a consummate professional, and one of the hardest-working people in the business.

As FENECH continues its march toward production, bringing Todd onto the team was one of the easiest decisions I’ve made.

What Does a First Assistant Director Actually Do?

When people watch a film, they naturally focus on the actors, director, cinematography, music and action on screen.

What many don’t realise is that behind every successful film is a First Assistant Director (1st AD) keeping the entire production moving.

A First Assistant Director is often described as the person responsible for turning a screenplay into a workable shooting schedule and then ensuring that schedule is achieved every single day.

While the Director focuses on performances, storytelling and creative decisions, the First Assistant Director focuses on execution.

Their responsibilities include:

• Creating and managing the shooting schedule
• Coordinating cast and crew movements
• Running the set on behalf of the production
• Maintaining safety during filming
• Managing time and resources
• Coordinating departments
• Ensuring the production remains on budget and on schedule
• Keeping hundreds of moving parts working together efficiently

On a production the size of FENECH, with boxing sequences, period recreations, large crowd scenes and complex logistical requirements, the role of the First Assistant Director becomes absolutely critical.

Quite simply, a great 1st AD can be the difference between a smooth production and a chaotic one.

Todd is one of the best in the country.

A Career Built on Major Productions

Todd’s career spans almost three decades and includes some of Australia’s biggest television dramas and international productions.

His recent work includes serving as First Assistant Director on acclaimed productions such as:

• The Newsreader
• All Her Fault
• Fake
• Savage River
• Clickbait
• La Brea
• Glitch
• Pine Gap
• Five Bedrooms
• Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries
• The Doctor Blake Mysteries

Throughout his career, Todd has also worked on major feature films including:

• Ned Kelly
• The Quiet American
• Queen of the Damned
• Rogue
• I, Frankenstein
• Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark
• The Eye of the Storm
• Atonement

These productions collectively represent hundreds of millions of dollars in production value and involve some of the world’s most respected filmmakers, actors and studios.

The fact that Todd continues to be sought after across major Australian and international productions speaks volumes about the respect he has earned throughout the industry.

Why Todd Is Perfect For FENECH

The story of Jeff Fenech demands authenticity.

It requires someone who understands how to manage large-scale productions while maintaining the energy and intensity needed to tell a deeply personal story.

Todd possesses that rare ability to bring calm to chaos.

He understands how to create an environment where actors can perform at their best, crew can do their jobs effectively, and directors can focus on storytelling.

For me personally, Todd is more than a highly experienced First Assistant Director.

He’s someone I know I can trust.

Someone who always brings professionalism, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to getting the job done.

Over the years we’ve shared numerous productions, challenges, successes and long days on set. Every time I’ve worked with Todd, the production has been stronger because he was part of it.

That’s exactly the type of person you want standing beside you when making a film about one of Australia’s greatest sporting legends.

Building The Right Team

As we continue assembling the team behind FENECH, every appointment is made with one goal in mind:

To create the definitive cinematic portrayal of Jeff Fenech’s extraordinary life.

Todd Embling represents the calibre of crew we are bringing together for this project.

Experienced.

Respected.

Professional.

And passionate about telling great Australian stories.

Welcome aboard, mate.

Let’s make something special.