We Interrupt This Broadcast

• 026: Deep Dive with Sam Jockel: Ep 26: Why You Shouldn't Just Hand Your Film to a Distributor

  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 to build a hybrid release model, working with distributor Bonsai Films.This is a must-listen episode for anyone interested in building audiences and community around a project. Sam openly shares her experience, including how difficult the process was, and whether it was worth it to challenge the norms of distribution.Listen to hear Sam discuss:Why someone needs to be working on audience building from the moment a film is conceivedHow much she raised at the film’s first fundraising event, and why it was so importantHer choice to build a distribution plan around community screenings, instead of targeting individual ticket salesHer initial reaction to the distribution models she was presented withThe difficulty of managing an impact campaign alone, and whether it was worth itHow Seen planned and managed their release, including the tools and platforms they used, how they ran events and the benefit of their websiteWhat she would pitch to the film industry as an outsider, to make it better for everyoneSam Jockel is an award-winning entrepreneur and content producer with over 15 years of experience, known for founding ParentTV, an innovative parenting platform, and building ALDI Mum and School Mum, online communities with over 650,000 members. Recognised by the World Summit Awards Globally winning the Learning and Education category for the Quality Education SDG, she has also taken on the role of producer tackling the tricky topic of parenting in modern times with the recently released documentary Seen.Follow Sam and her work:Seen’s official website: https://seenthefilm.comSeen Resources: https://seentheresources.comSeen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seendocumentarySam Jockel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samjockelParentTV: https://parenttv.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ParentTVOfficial Trailer:This 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 | ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠

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• 025: Deep Dive with Sam Jennings: Developing the Next Generation of Feature Directors

  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 storytelling to the common traits amongst the diverse group of feature directors that Causeway has worked with, Sam’s advice is invaluable for anyone looking to build a career as a director in the screen industry.Key Takeaways:The importance of building relationships over timeHow to approach casting and packaging for featuresThe ideal budgets for feature films that Causeway will look to take onThe detail to which the directors they work with understand the audiences for their projectsWhy proof of concept shorts aren’t always the best pathway to directing featuresWhy you should build your own community of collaboratorsWhy the Australian industry needs to invest in building our next generation of cinemagoersSamantha Jennings and Kristina Ceyton co-founded Causeway Films with globally acclaimed THE BABADOOK in 2014, and produced Jennifer Kent’s follow up THE NIGHTINGALE. Causeway has launched many debuts on the global stage over the last decade, including Netflix Original CARGO starring Martin Freeman, Berlinale prize winner BUOYANCY by Rodd Rathjen, and Goran Stolevski’s YOU WON’T BE ALONE, OF AN AGE and HOUSEKEEPING FOR BEGINNERS, all released by Focus Features. In 2023, Causeway premiered Danny and Michael Philippou’s TALK TO ME at Sundance, which went onto become A24’s highest grossing genre release to date and earn over $140 million international box office. This year saw the release of the Philippous’ sophomore feature BRING HER BACK starring Sally Hawkins, distributed worldwide by A24 and Sony Pictures. Causeway is currently completing Dario Russo’s THE FOX starring Jai Courtenay and Emily Browning, and Adrian Chiarella’s LEVITICUS starring Joe Bird, Stacy Clausen and Mia Wasikowska.Follow Sam and her work:Causeway Films: http://www.causewayfilms.com.auCauseway Films on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/causeway_films Samantha Jennings on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-jennings-89674621/Samantha Jennings on IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1209992 This 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 | ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠

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• 024 - August 2025 News Round-Up: Future Vision Summit, The Logies, U16 Social Media Ban, AI "Showrunners" & More...

  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 Intro00:59 Julie’s production & Kirsty’s First Day UK launch2:01 Future Visions, The Logies & the Hottest 100 8:20 YouTube in the under 16 social media ban12:10 AI Updates: Productivity Commission, Netflix uses AI to cut costs in post; Amazon invests in Fable14:48 Industry news round-up: SBS, Netflix gossip & new Screen Australia guidelines16:48 Short film renaissance & other opportunities 17:41 Vale David Stratton18:02 What we've been watching21:15 What’s in production around the country22:08 Wrap-Up & Acknowledgement of CountryWhat We've Been Up ToFirst Day (now on YouTube in the UK): https://www.firstdayseries.comFuture Vision Summit, The Logies and the Hottest 100The Logies Winners List: https://tvtonight.com.au/2025/08/logie-awards-2025-winners.html Ruari Elkington's LinkedIn post about a Hottest 100 Australian Films of All Time: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ruarielkingtonallaboutcinema_cinema-love-pride-activity-7355369755404296192-dnXPUnder 16 Social Media BanAustralia adds YouTube to Kids Social Media Ban: https://www.c21media.net/news/australia-adds-youtube-to-kids-social-media-ban-due-to-predatory-algorithms/The Atlantic: What Kids Told Us About How to Get Them Off Their Phones: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/08/kids-smartphones-play-freedom/683742/AI UpdatesProductivity Commission Considers a Copyright Exception for AI Companieshttps://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/arts-in-30/productivity-tdm-exception-apra-amcos-aava-natsiaa-rudi-bremer/105588574Netflix uses AI effects for first time to cut costs: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9vr4rymlw9oAmazon Invests in Fablehttps://variety.com/2025/digital/news/netflix-of-ai-amazon-invests-fable-showrunner-launch-1236471989/Industry NewsJames Taylor Departs SBS: https://mumbrella.com.au/sbs-managing-director-james-taylor-steps-down-884978 Kristen Hodges' Summaries of the Screen Australia Guidelines: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/everything-producers-need-know-new-screen-australia-kristen-hodges-vnbsc/OpportunitiesScreen Queensland Short Film Fund: https://screenqueensland.com.au/investment-support/short-film-fund/Screen NSW Short to Feature Fast Track Initiative: https://www.screen.nsw.gov.au/funding-support/short-to-feature-fast-track-initiativeAACTA Pitch Focus: https://www.aacta.org/aacta-development-initiatives/2025-aacta-pitch-focus/SPA Ones to Watch: https://www.screenproducers.org.au/events/details/?id=6412031e-a1f9-43f2-9ca1-5639baf0c887SPA Pitch on Demand: https://www.screenproducers.org.au/events/details/?id=35134e97-9c55-42cc-a217-10a1f224a375Vale David Strattonhttps://if.com.au/vale-david-stratton-beloved-australian-film-critic-and-writer/What We've Been WatchingMIFF 2025: https://miff.com.au/Together: https://if.com.au/box-office-together-opens-at-no-6-in-both-australia-and-us/Ryan Trahan's 50 States in 50 Days: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTYbvU-aSf4What's in ProductionMosquito Bowl: https://screenqueensland.com.au/sq-news/media-centre/filming-begins-the-mosquito-bowl/Forever Young: https://if.com.au/josh-mullins-and-ulysses-olivers-forever-young-springs-to-life-in-the-hawkesbury-with-travis-jeffrey-socratis-otto/Screenworks (become a member to access their production list): https://screenworks.com.au If 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.This episode is proudly brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠CrewHQ⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠Expanding Media⁠⁠⁠.

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• 023: Deep Dive with David Court: Mentoring Can Change the Shape of Our Industry

  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 angle.This is a conversation about the art of mentoring - why it matters, how it shapes the creative community, and the ripple effects it has long after the advice is given.Key Takeaways:Why mentoring is more than just giving advice.Why the wider screen industry not only benefits from but needs mentoring in order to thrive.Key advice for how to approach a mentor.How to make the most of the mentor/mentee relationship.Whether you’re a filmmaker, a creative entrepreneur, or a leader in any field, this conversation is about connection, guidance, and how the creative industries can thrive through structured knowledge transfer between generations.Follow David and his work:Compton School: https://compton.schoolRAINMAKERS: https://compton.school/rainmakers David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-court-058965/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 | ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠Subscribe and get weekly episodes in your inbox: https://weinterruptthisbroadcast.substack.com

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• 022: Deep Dive with Michael V. Brown: What You Need to Know About Vertical Dramas

  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 for screen creatives today.Whether you’re a filmmaker, producer, or content strategist, this episode reveals what it takes to succeed in the fast-growing world of short-form, vertical drama, and why this format may be the future of global entertainment.Key Takeaways:Vertical Is a Format, Not a Limitation - Michael explains how vertical storytelling demands new creative muscles, but rewards them with massive audience reach.Treat Micro-Dramas Like Mini Features - Each short-form series is designed with tight structure, emotional hooks, and clear stakes, using traditional storytelling principles.Audiences Want Drama on the Go - With millions tuning into high-stakes, bite-sized stories, Michael sees mobile-first storytelling as a major opportunity for filmmakers to monetise and build audience.The Democratisation of Storytelling - Short-form vertical drama opens the door for underrepresented voices, new genres, and agile production models. It’s a playground for creators willing to experiment and iterate quickly.More about Michael V. Brown:Michael V. Brown is a commercial and narrative filmmaker who’s directed and/or produced campaigns for Merrell, CAT Footwear, Cisco, and Hershey’s, plus a growing slate of mobile-first micro-dramas that have pulled in over 60 million views across platforms like ReelShort and PocketFM.He produced the indie feature Hayseed, now streaming on Tubi and Amazon Prime, and available for rent or purchase on Apple, Vudu, and Google Play.Originally from Michigan, Michael was a film nerd and terrible athlete who didn’t realise making movies was a real job until college. Since then, he’s built a career blending intentional storytelling with sharp execution  - whether on set or in a Google Sheet.He’s currently developing filmmaker-focused tools to help indie creators forecast financial performance and avoid bad distribution deals, because he believes transparency shouldn't be a luxury in this industry.Follow Michael and his work:Website: www.michaelvbrown.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelvincentbrown/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/im.mvb Lose You to Love Me:https://pocketfm.com/episode/4b2de7f6c1e34bdab8e57ddb49f39b2f?campaign_name= More Information on vertical dramas and jobs in the space:Maple Studios: https://apply.workable.com/crazymaplestudio/Pocket FM Jobs: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/pocket-fm-jobs-worldwide/?currentJobId=4239056060Fast Company: Netlflix  to add vertical video: https://www.fastcompany.com/91330227/netflix-app-ui-tiktokThis 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 | ⁠⁠LinkedIn

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