035: Deep Dive with Farhad Meher-Homji: Your Content Strategy Should Drive Your Creator Business
Could you be our next We Interrupt This Broadcast co-host? Read more and fill out an EOI here: https://forms.gle/oQgAoJXgnQpejfej9---What does it take to build a thriving, sustainable creative business in the new media landscape?In this episode, Julie Eckersley dives into the fast-evolving world of digital creators with Farhad Meher-Homji, Co-Founder and Head of Strategy at Changer Studios - an organisation that’s helped tens of thousands of creators in over 40 countries turn passion into profession.Farhad breaks down how the creator economy has matured from the fringes of entertainment into a powerful mainstream force and why the smartest creators now think like entrepreneurs. He unpacks how to build a content strategy that actually works, how to read audience data beyond the vanity of subscriber counts, and why psychographics - understanding why your audience connects - is the secret weapon of modern storytelling.---This episode is sponsored by AFTRS, the Australian Film, Television and Radio School. Use the code INTENSIVE2025 for a 20% discount on all “intensive” courses until the end of the year. https://www.aftrs.edu.au/---Listen to hear Farhad discuss:The shift from attention as a metric to attention as a business modelHow creators are turning audiences into communities, and communities into media businessesWhy “audience ownership” is a key step for long-term sustainabilityWhat burnout looks like in the creator economy, and how to build for longevityHow authenticity, not production value, is now the ultimate marker of qualityThe rise of “human-led, AI-assisted” creativity, and the value of real human connectionFollow Farhad and his work:Farhad on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/farhadmh/Changer Studios: https://www.changerstudios.comChanger on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/changerstudios-----This Deep Dive interview is hosted by Julie Eckersley and edited by Brandon Boyer and Kirsty Stark.If you’re enjoying the podcast, please leave a rating on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and we’d love you to forward this episode to a friend!Follow us on: Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn---This episode is sponsored by AFTRS, the Australian Film, Television and Radio School. Use the code INTENSIVE2025 for a 20% discount on all “intensive” courses until the end of the year. https://www.aftrs.edu.au/
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034: Deep Dive with Daren Smith: Inventing a New Financing Model for Indie Features
In this episode, Kirsty talks to Daren Smith of Craftsman Films, a Utah-based independent producer with four features and multiple seasons of TV under his belt. Daren shares how he set up Craftsman Films, as an independent studio, and the new $10 million dollar film fund he’s raising, with the goal of producing ten profitable “blockbuster indies.”He also discusses the challenges of independent filmmaking, including financing, development and distribution, and how he’s addressing these issues through a new model inspired by venture capital structures.---This episode is sponsored by AFTRS, the Australian Film, Television and Radio School. Use the code INTENSIVE2025 for a 20% discount on all “intensive” courses until the end of the year.---Listen to hear Daren discuss:The five key challenges of independent filmmakingCraftsman Films’ new model for indie film financingHow to approach a pitch so that private investors will listenThe importance of building your personal brandHow reaching out on LinkedIn beats cold emailingWhy it’s important for a film fund to have a clear thesisThe difference between asking ‘what’ questions and ‘why’ questionsFollow Daren and his work:Daren on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darentsmithDaren on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2743912Craftsman Films: https://www.craftsmanfilms.coGet your free copy of Blockbuster: https://www.craftsmanfilms.co/blockbuster ---This Deep Dive interview is hosted by Kirsty Stark and edited by Brandon Boyer.If you’re enjoying the podcast, please leave a rating on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and we’d love you to forward this episode to a friend!Follow us on: Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn---This episode is sponsored by AFTRS, the Australian Film, Television and Radio School. Use the code INTENSIVE2025 for a 20% discount on all “intensive” courses until the end of the year.
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033 - October 2025 News Round-Up: Distributors Editing with AI, Tilly Norwood, Changing Audience Habits & More...
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, Television and Radio School.00:00 Intro00:41 Exciting news! Our new sponsor & a new partnership.03:01 Critters - a $30m "AI-integrated" animated feature film05:39 AI "actress" Tilly Norwood07:40 Tropfest's stance on AI08:20 Trump, Tiktok & Tariffs09:46 Gen Z watching TV through social clips14:23 Do fans move from YouTube to TV?17:46 Industry news, key appointments & opportunities09:20 Opportunities & upcoming events20:17 What we've been watching22:43 What’s in production around Australia23:24 Wrap-Up & Acknowledgement of CountryPodcast NewsSay hello to our new podcast sponsor AFTRS and use the code INTENSIVE2025 for a 20% discount on all “intensive” courses until the end of the year: https://www.aftrs.edu.au Learn more about the upcoming AACTA Festival. We'll be there as official media partners: https://www.aacta.org/p/2025-aacta-festival AI Round-UpDeep Dive with Clayton Jacobson: https://weinterruptthisbroadcast.substack.com/p/ep-30-reimagining-filmmaking-with Critterz "AI-integrated" Feature Animationhttps://www.critterz.tv/ https://www.screendaily.com/news/ai-integrated-animation-critterz-in-production-for-uks-vertigo-films/5208690.article Unauthorised AI Editinghttps://www.linkedin.com/posts/activity-7376751430831079425-t5Yg/https://deadline.com/2025/09/together-china-gay-scene-ai-edit-neon-1236554804/ https://variety.com/2025/film/news/ai-actress-tilly-norwood-talent-agents-zurich-summit-1236533454/ Tilly Norwoodhttps://variety.com/2025/film/news/tilly-norwood-ai-eline-van-der-velden-1236543362/ https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/tilly-norwood-ai-actress-betty-gilpin-guest-essay-1236396217/https://www.sagaftra.org/sag-aftra-statement-synthetic-performerAI "not out of the question" at Tropfesthttps://www.screenhub.com.au/news/interviews/tropfest-founder-john-polson-says-ai-not-out-of-the-question-in-2026-festival-return-2678406/Trump, TikTok & Tariffshttps://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/25/trump-approves-tiktok-deal-through-executive-order.html https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2025/10/10/barron-trump-tipped-top-tiktok-jobhttps://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-30/fears-trump-film-tariff-could-hurt-australian-film-industry/105834582Audience ShiftsGenZ only watches TV through social clips: https://theankler.com/p/gen-z-only-watches-your-show-through Do Creator Fans Move from YouTube to TV? https://businessoftv.substack.com/p/do-creator-fans-move-from-youtube Industry News & OpportunitiesAACTA Screen Careers ExpoAACTA Young Stars Reg Grundy AwardAIF Insider Sessions: Writers RoomAGSC Scoring SummitIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple or give us 5 stars on Spotify to help us spread the word.We Interrupt This Broadcast is hosted by Julie Eckersley and Kirsty Stark.
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032: Deep Dive with Nicholas Colla: Planning a Smarter Production Workflow in Pre
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 process, plus the lessons they've brought into live action from their animation work.Listen to hear Nick discuss:Why planning in pre-production is crucial when making ambitious projects on lower budgetsHow LateNite approached Wizards of Oz and its 1200 VFX shotsThe technology that can assist with planning your shoot with a small team in development and preThe lessons LateNite has taken from animation into their live action workWhy the Australian screen industry needs to rethink development.Follow Nick and his work:LateNite Films: https://latenitefilms.com/Nick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-colla-07865790Nick on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickcollaLateNite on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@latenitefilmsRebooted: https://youtu.be/1Rkn6rnsgc4?si=MI_iKFy2-KjREu1FThe Wizards of Aus: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJSMFXYSojXotCa_NrjYM54ICmSmmCygg&si=Za3YlDg327mjyycRThe Future of Everything: https://youtu.be/cD2jXqBFaIQ?si=oLo32b-jNjm-yjevDeadbeat Ends Meet: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJaZsLppUqpzk4tjJxcnBJunVHITREyTz&si=2xp5r9TkDpH1M69hVideo reference in the episode: I Am Mother VR Storyboarding: https://youtu.be/M4Xy9vvpLvE?si=L6ovF7pmv99c0273This Deep Dive interview is hosted by Kirsty Stark, and proudly brought to you by CrewHQ & Expanding Media.If you’re enjoying the podcast, please leave a rating on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and we’d love you to forward this episode to a friend!Follow us on: Instagram | YouTube | LinkedInDon’t forget to subscribe & get weekly episodes in your inbox.
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031: Deep Dive with Steve Jaggi: Audience Demand is Shaping New Production Models
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 into why legacy systems are struggling, how micro dramas and influencer-led casting are reshaping the industry, and why Australian producers must urgently rethink cost structures and audience engagement. Steve also reflects on AI, direct-to-consumer models, and what kind of leadership is needed to stop the industry’s “slow-moving train” from derailing.Listen to hear Steve discuss:The rise of vertical drama and mobile-first storytelling.Why influencer-driven casting is transforming audience definitions of quality.Rethinking cost, scale and sustainability in production.Preparing for disruption from AI, D2C models, and shifting global power.What kind of leadership the Australian industry needs right now.Follow Jaggi Entertainment:Jaggi Entertainment: https://www.jaggientertainment.com IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1863720You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/@jaggi_entertainmentInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaggi_entertainmentFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaggientertainmentLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jaggientertainment/This Deep Dive interview is hosted by Julie Eckersley, and proudly brought to you by CrewHQ & Expanding Media.If you’re enjoying the podcast, please leave a rating on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and we’d love you to forward this episode to a friend!Follow us on: Instagram | YouTube | LinkedInDon’t forget to subscribe & get weekly episodes in your inbox.
Your essential monthly round-up of the Australian screen industry, every third Tuesday of the month.
Plus, weekly deep dive interviews on the Tuesdays in between!
Hosted by Julie Eckersley and Kirsty Stark.
Produced by Leonie Marsh.
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