013 - Deep Dive with Ally Morgan: What I Learnt About Storytelling from TikTok
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 about episodic structure, vertical storytelling, and building an audience from scratch in the digital age.Listen to this episode if you’re interested in:Why Girl Crush pivoted from long-form TV to a 15-part TikTok musical seriesHow Ally mastered writing hooks and sustaining story over one-minute episodesThe creative constraints—and unexpected freedoms—of vertical storytellingLessons in crafting for short-form platforms, from writing to visual styleHow to cultivate a micro-niche audience instead of chasing viral fameMarketing strategies that actually worked (and what didn’t)Why authentic, unpolished content often outperforms glossy production on TikTokThe power of starting today—even without a green lightWhat every production company can learn from creators like AllyTop Takeaways:Start early and start raw — audiences value authenticity over polishEvery second counts — grab attention in under 1 second on TikTokCraft still matters — shorter doesn't mean easier, it means sharperFind your people — lean into specificity to build a loyal audienceMarketing is not optional — plan content and community alongside storyGo cross-platform — TikTok is powerful, but don't skip Instagram and YouTube ShortsWatch Girl Crush:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@girlcrushseriesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlcrushseries/Trailer: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3WdAt9PfPx/Connect with Ally Morgan:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/allymorgan1Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allykmorgan/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@allykaymorganWebsite: https://allymorgan.squarespace.com/---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!
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012 - Deep Dive with Melanie Rowland on Global Success with a Minimal Budget: the Story of Lilydale Films and Flunk
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 flagship show, Flunk, has garnered over 200 million views globally to date, all while operating on a minimal budget. In this episode Melanie discusses Lilydale’s unique approach to self-funding, building community engagement, optimising for YouTube’s algorithm, and creating new content within their highly engaged niche.Listen to this episode if you are interested in:How to build a sustainable production company in the new media landscape.How to build and grow a story universe.Gaining insights into how to have a truly audience centric approach to screen storytellingUnderstanding sustainable revenue streams that don’t rely on traditional gatekeepers.Being inspired to create high quality on a low budget.Exploring business models that leverage You Tube, social media and direct-to-audience.Follow Melanie and her workWebsite: https://www.lilydalefilms.comSocial MediaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-rowland-producer/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flunkseries/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FLUNKSERIESYou Tube:: https://www.youtube.com/flunkseriesWatch Flunk here:Website: https://www.flunk.com.auYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/flunkseriesThis 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!
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32:45
011 - May 2025 News Round-Up: Screen Forever wrap-up, Federal Election & Trump Tariffs
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...00:00 Intro00:58 Reflecting on our time at Screen Forever03:17 Sustainable screen businesses and putting people first 06:15 Feedback on the podcast & where we want to take it07:09 Screen Forever’s programming focus on the online and digital space08:36 YouTube as a platform for long-form content & multiple forms of IP use10:22 Screen Australia’s new strategic direction - the five Es18:29 Hugh Marks speaks publicly on his new role as Managing Director at the ABC 22:47 Final takeaways from Screen Forever23:33 Federal election wrap-up & what it means for content quotas24:32 Trump and his 100% screen content tariffs 26:17 Industry movements & brief news updates27:07 What’s in production around the country27:40 Episode wrap-up 28:33 Acknowledgement of Country & Podcast CreditsLinks to further info:Deep Dive Episodes:Amanda Lotz - Our changing media landscapeNatalie Lynch - Cinch MediaJasmine Yang - Glitch ProductionsFuture-Proofing Your Screen Business by Putting People FirstMeet the Screen Industry Organisations Putting People FirstBullying in the WorkplaceScreen Australia’s new strategic direction:Screen Australia Chair announces new strategic direction for the agencyMichael Ebeid AM presents Screen Australia’s Future Focus (session video from Screen Forever)Content Quotas:We Interrupt This Broadcast bonus episode: Streaming Quotas 101Screen Producers Australia’s Parliamentarian Meeting Kit: how to email your MPTrump TariffsDonald Trump announces 100 per cent tariffs on movies 'produced in foreign lands'Screen Wars: Trump vs Global Trade (session video from Screen Forever)Industry Movements:Tim Phillips named Managing Director of Werner Film ProductionsMike Jones to BBC Studios as Development Executive, Scripted ProductionDrew Grove to Screen Australia as Head of ProductionQue Minh Luu steps down from Netflix Director of Content roleWētā FX establishes permanent Melbourne headquartersLana Greenhalgh named Commissioner of the Year at the SPA AwardsIn Production:Penny Lane is Dead | GnomesScreen Australia Upcoming Productions | IF In ProductionIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple or give us 5 stars on Spotify to help us spread the word.Plus: don’t forget to stop by our Instagram on Wednesday evening (the day after each episode is released) to join the conversation in our Stories.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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010 - Deep Dive with Imogen Banks on the Art of Producing: Creative Vision, Post Production and the Power of Collaboration
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 developed the mini-series PAPER GIANTS and produced THE BEAUTIFUL LIE. Through her drama division at Endemol Shine, Imogen co-created and produced SISTERS for Network Ten, and RFDS for the Seven Network. Banks also developed and ran an initiative for emerging female writers, in collaboration with Alice Bell. Imogen recently founded independent production company, Kindling Pictures. Its debut project, the critically acclaimed mini-series SAFE HOME premiered on SBS in May 2023 and HULU in the US. Most recently, FAKE, a gripping series starring Asher Keddie and David Wenham, premiered on Paramount + in 2024. It has been the streamer’s most successful Australian drama launch to date. In this episode Imogen talks about what she has learnt about the post process and the difference it can make to the quality of the story. She gives great insights on seeing the role of the producer, who she likes to work with and how she chooses projects for her company, Kindling Pictures. Listen to this episode if you are interested in:Learning about the art of producing from one of the best in the business.Mastering post production and practical tips on how to improve this part of the creative process.The importance of finding the right visual and sound language to bring characters emotional journey’s to life.The role of producer as the defender of the creative vision.Fostering strong collaborations and finding the people you want to work withFlexibility and growth as a producer WebsiteKindling Pictures: https://www.kindlingpictures.com/
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009 - Deep Dive with Amanda Lotz: Our Changing Media Landscape
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're interested in:What motivates audiences to consume contentWhy fragmented audiences mean that cultural moments are no longer shared as widelyWhy data shouldn't dictate creative decisionsThe power of niche audiencesHow to future-proof your work in an ever-changing industryFollow Amanda and her work:https://www.amandalotz.com/https://www.qut.edu.au/about/our-people/academic-profiles/amanda.lotzBook: Media Industries in the Digital Age https://www.politybooks.com/bookdetail?book_slug=media-industries-in-the-digital-age-how-media-businesses-work-today--9781509565900Book: After Mass Media: Storytelling for Microaudiences in the 21st Century https://nyupress.org/9781479833900/after-mass-media/Australian Screen Stories Viewing Report survey [2023]Part 1: Watching Series and Movies in the 21st CenturyPart 2: Streaming Behaviour and Content DiscoveryPart 3: Viewing PracticesPart 4: Why We Watch What We Watch
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.
Australia