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With a camera in one hand and a cutlass in the other, Monique Bryson’s career is a masterclass in storytelling across platforms
From elevating Foxtel’s social media with broadcast quality production to working on The Fall Guy, red carpet premieres, fantasy photoshoots, and even going viral with her Hobbiton wedding – Monique Bryson, Senior Digital and Social Producer at Foxtel Group, has built a career anchored by storytelling.
“Storytelling is the thread that runs through everything I do – whether it’s a social campaign, a Hollywood film, or a pirate photoshoot,” Monique explains. “I never set out to have a traditional career path, I just kept chasing the things that excited me, and that led me here.
“I’ve been lucky to work in an environment where creative risks are encouraged, and that trust has allowed me to push boundaries and grow in ways I never expected.”
We spoke to Monique about her journey to where she is today, how her team transformed our Foxtel brand’s social media presence, the mindset and workplace culture that enables learning on the job, and what she’s learned from working on blockbuster Hollywood productions, running her own fantasy photography business, and finding her creative niche.
From her first job at Foxtel Group to leading creative
As our Senior Digital and Social Producer, Monique is at the helm of content creation from ideation to production through to editing – bringing big ideas to life across our local originals, entertainment and sports.
“I’m the lead creative for anything that comes through social for our Foxtel brand,” she says. “Every day is different – one day I’ll be on the tools editing, the next I’ll be shooting an event or chatting to talent on the red carpet.
“I see social media as more than just a marketing tool – it’s storytelling in its own right.”
One of the reasons why Monique loves working in social media is because of the creative freedom that comes from the evolving nature of the platform.
“I’m a big believer in bringing broadcast quality vision to social,” Monique says. “We’re a premium brand, and so I want our social content to reflect that.
“When we have content days, I’ll shoot with a broadcast camera, bring in a lighting technician, and make sure we’re delivering something that’s not just algorithm-first but visually stunning.”
That philosophy has led to some standout campaigns, such as Foxtel’s viral Summer of Cricket: ASMR asset that combined broadcast-quality production with innovative storytelling.
Starring leading Australian cricketers Nathon Lyon, Mitch Starc, Caleb Jewell, and Alyssa Healy, in a concept ideated, produced and shot by Monique alongside a talented crew for Foxtel Group’s blockbuster 2024-2024 cricket season, the video amassed 2.4 million views going viral on TikTok.
A massive Lord of the Rings fan, one of Monique’s favourite experiences working at Foxtel Group was shooting social at the premiere of the Rings of Power Season 2, through our partnership with Amazon Prime Video.
“It was a pinch me moment,” Monique says. “Not only was it The Lord of the Rings, but I was there to shoot.
"I wore a full suit of armour to the premiere. Armour is very uncomfortable, and every time I moved I clanked.
“So there I was, clanking around, interviewing the stars of Rings of Power including Sauron himself, Charlie Vickers.
"I was just very grateful that my workplace had been able to give me that opportunity, because there’s a lot of people that dream of working in film and television, but not many people are lucky enough to actually live that dream.”
Monique’s approach to filming for social is influenced by her background in art and animation, alongside an aptitude to learn on the job, and adjacent to the job.
“One of the biggest things I’ve learned here is that if you put your hand up for something, people will back you,” she explains. “I wasn’t always a trained camera operator – I learned because I was given opportunities to try.”
“My undergraduate degree is in animation, concept art, and VFX, but then I fell in love with the immediacy of live action and went and got a job in TV.”
After graduating from her Bachelor of Design (Honours), Monique began working as a Junior Digital Designer at Foxtel Group.
“This was my first job, doing junior digital design work. And then Ben Headon, who’s actually sitting over there,” Monique says, pointing across the floor at Foxtel Group’s Broadcast Way Studios as BALBOA’s Lead Motion Designer walks past, “taught me how to use my first camera and how to buy one.”
“And from there, I would pitch to the business. Even though it wasn’t my job, I would say ‘hey, I really want to attend this event and film this bit of content and would you be open for me to do that?’
“And usually if I asked for something and said this is what I want to get out of it, the business is pretty receptive.”
“The best thing about our leadership team is that they don’t just see what you are – they see what you could be. There’s no rigid structure where you have to wait years for promotion before you’re allowed to try something new. If you show passion and initiative, they’ll find ways to support your growth.
“That kind of investment in people is rare.”
Transforming the Foxtel brand on social media
Under her team’s management, the growth of our Foxtel brand on social media has been remarkable.
“A year and a half ago, our TikTok was under 10,000 followers,” Monique shares. “Now we’ve hit 1.6 million. Instagram has grown to almost half a million, and Facebook remains strong with over 2 million.”
But this success isn’t just about numbers – it’s about positive engagement, reputation, and trust.
“The biggest thing that we’re working towards with our socials is changing brand perception and lowering churn.”
“We want to create an environment where people don’t just see us as a brand marketing a product, but as an entertainment hub where they can engage in conversations about their favourite shows,” she explains. “Our focus has been on positive engagement – getting people to actively interact with our content in a meaningful way.”
This transformation didn’t happen overnight.
“It took 18 months of testing, learning, and refining. We realised we needed to leverage cultural moments and interact with audiences in a way that felt natural rather than promotional,” Monique says.
“That meant shifting from ‘Look at this show!’ to ‘Let’s talk about this moment in entertainment that we all love.’”
Monique credits leadership and team culture as a critical building block for success.
“My boss Kristopher Felsinger, Senior Social Media Manager, is one of the best people I’ve ever met,” she explains.
“Kris has completely transformed the culture of our team.
"He is so culture driven, and he knows that real results come from a culture of trust, collaboration, and a willingness to take creative risks.
“If you trust the people around you and know that they want the best for you, then you’re invested in seeing each other succeed, and everyone is going to do their best work.
“And he’s just wandering around there like an NPC right now,” Monique laughs as Kris too walks past at Broadcast Way Studios, up in Sydney for the day from our Melbourne Docklands campus.
“I get excited to come into work because I know I’m surrounded by people who I can trust and who are just as passionate as I am. We bounce ideas off each other, build on each other’s strengths, and most importantly, have fun while doing it.
“If you have an idea, you’re encouraged to run with it. If you want to develop a skill, you’re given the space to grow. That kind of culture is rare, and I’m grateful for it every day.”
After our interview, we caught up with Monique’s manager, Kris Felsinger, about her impact at Foxtel Group.
“Monique has an incredible ability to see storytelling opportunities where others might not,” Kris shares. “She brings her creativity and drive to everything she does, finding new ways to tell stories that genuinely connect with our audience.
“When the comments on content that she’s created are filled with 'need more of this, love it' and 'whoever created this needs a raise,' we know we’ve struck a chord. That’s what makes her such a valuable part of our team – and why she’s destined for big things.”
Learning adjacent to the job from Thor to The Fall Guy to Hobbiton
Alongside her work at Foxtel Group, Monique has also had the opportunity to build her storytelling career through working on Hollywood films as well as starting her own fantasy filmmaking and photography business.
“In 2021, I took a month and a half off to work on Thor: Love and Thunder as a PA in the assistant director’s department,” she shares. “It was my first feature film, and I got to work with people like Christian Bale and Chris Hemsworth.”
Filmed in Sydney, directed by Taika Waititi, and produced by Marvel Studios, Thor: Love and Thunder eighth highest-grossing film of 2022 worldwide.
“That was a really great experience because I got to see how these really big Hollywood productions run, and also how well they eat.”
“The following year, I was offered a producer’s attachment on The Fall Guy, which meant working side-by-side with the producers and getting a really detailed insight into how a film is made.”
These skills she learnt adjacent to her job at Foxtel Group were directly transferable.
“Every time I worked on a film, I’d come back and present what I learned – whether it was directing, camera work, or production techniques. It made me a better camera operator, and that knowledge fed back into my work here.”
Monique has also developed a successful freelance fantasy filmmaking and photography business, combining her love for storytelling and classical art with her sharp commercial acumen, people skills, and the analytical lens she applies to her work.
“People love stories, and fantasy gives them a way to experience them firsthand,” she explains. “There’s something magical about giving people the chance to step into a world they’ve always dreamed about.
Whether it’s a knight, an elf, a pirate, or a character from their favourite mythology, I love helping them see themselves in a new light.”
“My style is all about blending fantasy with reality. I want to bring Renaissance and Baroque features into the images I make, with rich lighting, deep shadows, and dramatic compositions. I want my photos to look like they were painted centuries ago – timeless, dramatic, and full of life.”
Her work has gained a dedicated following, and even her wedding went viral – thanks to her passion for storytelling and The Lord of the Rings.
“For context, Hobbiton is a place in the Lord of the Rings where the Hobbits live, and Peter Jackson and co made the Hobbiton movie set at Alexander Family farm in Matamata, New Zealand,” Monique explains. “Now we never knew you could have events there until one day we were on holiday doing a tour there, and the tour guide said ‘Oh, we had a great wedding here the other day.’ And from there Hobbiton was the only choice for us.
“We wanted everything to be Lord of the Rings-style, down to the invitations, which were designed like an Elven map – which was the first thing I shared on Tik Tok, and unexpectedly to me that post popped off,” she says. “And from there I was posting content about the wedding for other people who didn’t know getting married in Hobbiton was a thing.
“I wasn’t gatekeeping any information. I wanted to be very transparent about how much it costs, which is surprisingly affordable, where I was going to stay, where I was getting my Lord of the Rings cake and things like that so that other people could do it as well. And people just loved the content because it was something so unusual.
“Two days before the wedding, I had the idea to give my sister a dagger with a microphone attached and send her to interview guests. Now, my sister is unhinged. The results were absolutely chaotic in the best way.
“She was asking guests things like ‘if Mon and Charles were medieval weapons, what would they be? And so I made an asset of my sister running rogue at the wedding and shared it online.”
The video exploded online, racking up 2.2 million views and being shared across wedding pages, fan communities, and entertainment blogs.
“It was wild. One minute, I was checking my notifications, and the next, I was getting media requests from news agencies in Australia, New Zealand, the UK.
“Now, if you google my name, you will see articles on my Hobbiton wedding,” she says.
“Vox pop weddings are also now a thing. I’ve seen so many couples do it since. It’s kind of surreal to think we accidentally started a wedding trend.”
Finding your creative niche
“Every time I’ve come back to Foxtel Group from a shoot, a film set, or a passion project, I’ve been able to bring those learnings back to the team,” she explains. "Foxtel Group’s flexibility and support has been huge for me.
“The fact that my growth is seen as a value to the business, rather than a distraction, has made all the difference.”
Her advice to others looking to build their own freelance career?
“The hardest part is establishing an aesthetic and a niche. If you’re too broad, no one will seek you out.
"My niche is fantasy filmmaking and photography. So find your aesthetic niche, and then consistently post.
"And you’ve also got to be willing to put yourself out there.
“I think one of the big things I was terrified of was putting myself out there. I thought to myself, ‘if people from work see me dressed up as a pirate, what will they think?’
“But I got over that fast, because what actually happened was that everyone from work started coming up to me and saying, ‘Oh my God, your pirate photos were so cool.’”
Monique emphasises that technical skills can be learnt on the job.
“You don’t have to know everything right away. When I started, I didn’t know how to operate a camera or light a set or do sound. But I made friends, asked questions, and learned on the job.
"Everything else you can figure out – watch YouTube tutorials, read Reddit posts. The biggest thing is being kind to people because relationships are what lead to opportunities.”
An analytical approach to everything she does is critical to Monique’s ability to learn on the job.
“I took one good fantasy photo accidentally when I was starting out by pure accident,” she says, taking us through the example of how she developed the photographic style that she would use throughout her business. “And so I was like ‘oh, hold on, how did I take that one good photo?’
“And I broke it down into what I liked about it. I liked the strong contrast, and I liked the bloomed highlights, so all my highlights are really glowy and my photos will be really punchy with a strong pop of colour, like a plucked red, somewhere – nothing desaturated. And I loved the grain.
“Those are the three things I now always lean into: film grain, bloomed highlights, and strong contrast.”
“And when I look at a campaign like our Summer of Cricket ASMR video, I can see my love for Baroque lighting showing up there. I try to bring that cinematic, painterly feel to everything I create.”
Looking ahead, Monique wants to continue building her multidisciplinary career in storytelling.
“My ultimate goal is to direct narrative fiction, and I’ve been giving some really brilliant opportunities here at Foxtel Group to ideate and shoot for on air as well.
“I don’t say ‘I hope’ – I know that with the culture here at Foxtel Group, with the beautiful creative people around me, it will happen. Maybe one day a local production will need something that’s a little bit magical and they’ll say, ‘You know who is a little bit magical? Monique Bryson. Maybe she can do it’
“Maybe it needs a pirate or something, and they’ll think of me.”