“After 18 seasons of The Block, it’s my turn to call ‘tools down’,” casting director Lucky Price has announced on social media.
Price has been integral to the success of the Nine juggernaut since its revival in 2010.
On Instagram Price (pictured front row, right) thanked collaborators, contestants and the “tens of thousands ” who applied for the show. Former contestants added their praise including Hayden & Sara, Elise & Matt and more.
“I’ve been doing this for a very long time. I was lucky enough to meet (Julian Cress & David Barbour) when I was 27 and started working with them on a show called Homemade, where I met Darren Palmer, and then started working on The Block,” he told TV Tonight.
“I started at Vaucluse and it’s been bloody amazing. I’ve just had the most incredible time.
“But doing the same thing over and over again you get to a point where you learn so much -and I’m so grateful- but I wanted to spread my wings a little, and see what’s out there and have a go at other things. It’s really easy to get into that grind of doing something that you love. It’s very comfortable, but I’m taking a leaf out of the page of all these incredible contestants …pushing themselves out of their comfort zones and achieving really remarkable things that they never thought they could do.
“It’s been inspiring. So much so that I thought I’d have a go at it myself.”
Casting and field producing for The Block is a year-long focus for Price.
“It’s a real privilege, particularly when you’re interviewing couples, to have people sit opposite you and to really dig into what makes them tick, why they love each other, what frustrates them about each other. And for people to be so vulnerable and so honest, it really made me a better storyteller,” he continues.
“This isn’t just about stepping away from casting, it’s about stepping away from producing on The Block as well. It’s hardwork. It’s all-consuming when you’re there and hats off to all of the incredible crew that I’ve been lucky enough to work with over the years. But it is very demanding and they’re right, it’s much harder than it looks on the telly.
“Philip Island was an incredible series but it was very, very demanding -not that I’m afraid of demanding work- but I’m excited to have a go at some things that might not be renovation.”
Executive Producer Julian Cress said, “Lucky’s been an invaluable member of our team, for a very long time, and his ability to unearth some extraordinary talent, has delivered some of the most memorable series that we’ve ever made.
“In my mind, casting is the key role in the show. Casting the location is half the battle. Casting the people is most of it, and that’s what makes The Block a success.
“His contribution to the program over all of those years has been immeasurable and I’m sure that whatever his next chapter in his life is, he will go on to even further success. He was also an incredibly valuable team member in the field… he was able to follow them through in the field and work with them and deliver some pretty monumentally entertaining television over the years as well.”
Plans are already underway for 2025 with new casting director Katherine McIntosh.
“We’re very excited, you know, to to be casting our 21st season and from early signs there are a lot of people out there who want to be on The Block,” said Cress. “Anybody out there who wants to have a crack at renovating in Daylesford next year is welcome to apply.”
Meanwhile Lucky Price looks to new opportunities in producing & casting and will soon launch reality casting workshops to be announced via his Instagram.
Producing and storytelling is where my heart’s at, so that’s probably what I will pursue with more vigor. I look forward to getting my teeth stuck into some some other shows and working with some other teams.
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