We Interrupt This Broadcast

In this episode of We Interrupt This Broadcast, Julie and Kirsty wrap up this month's industry news, from distributors making AI edits and Tilly Norwood's debut through to shifting audience habits and some great industry opportunities to apply for. Plus: all of your October screen industry news headlines from around the country... This episode is sponsored by  ⁠AFTRS⁠ , the Australian Film...

In this episode, Kirsty talks to Creative Producer Nicholas Colla from LateNite Films in Melbourne about how he and his business partner Chris Hocking have built a slate of work that balances great storytelling with highly accomplished VFX and animation. Nick shares their approach to production, including integrating post production workflows and using technology in their planning and development...

In this episode, Julie talks to prolific producer Steve Jaggi, founder of Jaggi Entertainment, about how he has built one of Australia’s busiest independent studios. Steve unpacks his cradle-to-grave business model - spanning development, financing, production, post, VFX and distribution - and why being relentlessly audience-focused has been key to his global success. He shares candid insights int...

In this episode, Julie talks to award-winning filmmaker Clayton Jacobson, best known for  Kenny , about his pioneering work with AI in film. Clayton shares how AI is helping him bypass traditional gatekeepers, transform creative workflows, and unlock decades of unrealised ideas. He speaks candidly about the opportunities and challenges of this rapidly evolving technology, how it can democratise cr...

In this episode, Julie Eckersley talks to Lee Naimo, Head of Creative for Grouse House at Haven’t You Done Well Productions, about the growth of online screen businesses in Australia and how to build a sustainable business model that works for you and your audience. Previously managing the Online and Games Unit at Screen Australia, Lee worked with Australian producers, writers, directors and gamem...

In this episode of We Interrupt This Broadcast, Julie and Kirsty wrap up this month's industry news, from the announcement of Tropfest 2.0 and an audience shift back to cinemas, through to Netflix's new staff announcements and some international successes for Australian work. Plus: all of your September screen industry news headlines from around the country... 00:00 Intro 00:41 Julie on St...

In this episode, Kirsty Stark talks to Jonathon Dutton, Managing Partner of Screen Well, about mental health and wellbeing in the Australian screen industry. Screen Well's mission is to improve the mental health and wellbeing outcomes of the Australian Screen industry - not an easy task when their recent survey in partnership with Griffith University found that 25% of our workforce is looking...

In this episode, Kirsty Stark talks to Sam Jockel, Producer of Australian parenting documentary Seen, which has reached over 30,000 audience members and gone into profit within 4 months of release. Sam comes from outside the film industry, as a serial entrepreneur with expertise in community building across multiple businesses. Seen is her first feature film, and she used her business background t...

In this episode, Kirsty Stark talks to Samantha Jennings, Producer at Causeway Films - whose credits include Talk to Me, Cargo, Buoyancy and Of An Age. Sam breaks down the commitment that she and fellow Causeway producer Kristina Ceyton have to nurturing new Australian talent, and supporting them to direct internationally successful feature films. From the importance of authenticity in storytellin...

In this episode of We Interrupt This Broadcast, Julie and Kirsty wrap up this month's industry news, from the Future Vision Summit, The Logies and Triple J's Hottest 100 Australian Songs of All Time, through to YouTube's inclusion in the under 16 social media ban, and AI "showrunners." Plus: all of your August screen industry news headlines from around the country... 00:00 Intro 00:59 Julie’s prod...

In this episode, Julie Eckersley talks to Dr. David Court  - founder of Compton School, and one of the most influential champions of emerging screen talent in Australia. From the early days of his career in finance and policy to his work advising governments, structuring production deals, and founding Australia’s first business school for creatives, David has seen the screen industry from every an...

In this episode, Julie Eckersley sits down with commercial and narrative filmmaker  Michael V. Brown , whose mobile-first micro-dramas have racked up more than  60 million views  on platforms like  ReelShort  and  PocketFM . Michael shares his journey from indie filmmaking to mastering the vertical storytelling format - and why the rise of mobile-native content is one of the biggest opportunities...

In Part 2 of this insightful interview, Jen Topping dives deeper into the strategic shifts shaping the future of media - from the decline of traditional commissioning models to the rise of audience-first thinking, and why producers must build with the platform in mind, not in spite of it. She also shares a passionate vision for helping creators understand where the money is, how to leverage transp...

In Part 1 of this rich and honest conversation, Julie Eckersley speaks with consultant and media commentator Jen Topping, whose career spans journalism, Channel 4, Microsoft’s interactive TV studio, and now helping hundreds of indies future-proof their screen businesses. Jen reflects on how producers and content creators must shift their mindset to stay relevant in a time of ongoing disruption—and...

In this episode of We Interrupt This Broadcast, Julie and Kirsty wrap up this month's industry news, from the Regional to Global conference, to AI challenges, to niche vs. mainstream content. Plus: all of your July screen industry news headlines from around the country... 00:00 Intro 00:38 Regional to Global Summit Highlights 03:50 AI Opportunities and Concerns 08:33 Digital Futures Summit &am...

In this episode, Julie Eckersley sits down with filmmakers and digital content creators Lachlan & Austin Macfarlane, whose work spans YouTube (973K subscribers), TikTok (673K followers) and Instagram (196K followers). The brothers discuss how they have built a sustainable business model by regularly posting 15-second VFX-heavy clips, and how they have strategically created broader filmmaking o...

In this episode, Julie Eckersley sits down with world-renowned writing teacher and story consultant Corey Mandell, whose students include Oscar winners and leading showrunners. Known for his groundbreaking approach to screenwriting, Corey unpacks why formulas are failing today’s writers and what you need to do instead. Whether you're a screenwriter, producer, or development executive, this epi...

In this episode we talk to Jessie Hughes, Senior Creative Technologist at Leonardo. Ai. Jessie is an internationally-recognised new media artist, technologist, scholar and screenwriter, her works having exhibited most notably at Sundance, SXSW, Cannes and the Tate Modern. In her role at Leonardo. Ai, she has been instrumental in leading global education, evangelism, community engagement, and indus...

In this episode of We Interrupt This Broadcast, Julie and Kirsty wrap up this month's industry news, from short film funding and Screen Australia's new guidelines to Google's Veo 3. Plus: International news, Screenwest increases its PDV Offset, Creative Australia's new website, and more screen industry news from around the country... 00:00 Intro 00:38 Short films, microbudget features & safety...

In this episode we talk to Writer and Game Director Sam Cable. Sam specialises in bringing humanity and emotion into games. She is Co-Founder and Game Director of Spoonful of Wonder. Their debut game - Copycat - won Best International Game at the SEA Game Awards in 2024. Sam talks about how to create an emotional connection when building the story for a game. She discusses scripting for games and...

Julie chats with emerging screen talent Ally Morgan, creator of the 15-part TikTok musical series Girl Crush. Originally envisioned as a TV series, Girl Crush became a groundbreaking short-form series that reached and resonated with queer audiences online. Ally opens up about how she greenlit herself, the creative and logistical pivot from television to TikTok, and what the project taught her abou...

In this episode, Melanie Rowland, co-founder of Lilydale Films, shares how she and her business partner have built a successful independent production company that is totally sustainable, without relying on streamers or broadcasters to greenlight them. They’ve created seven series, six feature films, and built a loyal audience with no investors, meaning all revenue flows directly to them. Their fl...

In this episode of We Interrupt This Broadcast we wrap up Screen Forever - including Screen Australia’s new strategic direction, discuss the recent federal election and its likely impact on the screen industry, and touch on the Trump tariff announcement. Plus: Que Minh Luu steps down from Netflix, Hugh Marks speaks out on his role at the ABC and more screen industry news from around the country......

In this episode Julie speaks to acclaimed producer, Imogen Banks, best known for the wildly popular Network Ten series OFFSPRING which, over seven seasons, garnered multiple Logie, AFI, and AACTA wins. With John Edwards, Imogen developed and produced the Showtime showcase series TANGLE ; PUBERTY BLUES and PARTY TRICKS for Network Ten; and GALLIPOLI for the Nine Network. For the ABC, Imogen develop...

In this episode, we speak with media scholar, professor, and industry consultant Amanda Lotz, whose expertise includes media industries, internet distribution, the future of television, and the business of media. She discusses the evolution of media, focusing on the shift from scarcity to abundance in content availability and its implications for audience behaviour. Listen to this episode if you'r...