020: Deep Dive with Jen Topping: Adapting in Chaos
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 shares deeply practical insights on navigating the emotional and structural challenges that come with change.This is part 1 of a two-part interview. Come back next week for the second half!Key Takeaways:Fragmentation, Convergence and the Rise of Audience Choice. Jen explains how these elements have increase completion for audience attention and why they are here to stay.What the media changes mean for producers and how you can thrive in the new media landscape. Jen talks about the skills you need to develop.Don’t Wait for Stability - Build for Change. Disruption is no longer a phase—it’s the environment. Jen challenges producers to become more adaptive, agile, and audience-savvy in how they develop and deliver stories.The Future Belongs to the Curious. The most valuable producers aren’t the ones with all the answers—they’re the ones asking better questions and staying open to reinvention.The Opportunity and the Challenge. The desire for great content has not changed, but how we make money through them has. Jen talks about the challenge of getting projects financed in this new model and how to own the D2C (direct to consumer) model.All About YouTube. Part 1 of this interview ends with Jen giving an overview of You Tube and why it is becoming an increasingly important platform.Follow Jen and her work:Subscribe to Jen’s newsletter – The Business on TV: businessoftv.substack.comWant to work with Jen? You can find Jen’s consulting site here: jentopping.co.ukThis 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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019 - July 2025 News Round-Up: Regional to Global Summit, AI Challenges, Digital Futures Summit & More...
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 Intro00:38 Regional to Global Summit Highlights03:50 AI Opportunities and Concerns08:33 Digital Futures Summit & the Future of Content12:10 Industry Updates from Around the Country14:52 What we've been watching17:22 What’s in production around the country18:23 Wrap-Up & Acknowledgement of CountryLinks to further info:We Interrupt This Broadcast on social media:LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTubeRegional to Global Summit:Deirdre Brennan's Opening AddressAIPast Episode - Jessie HughesDoug Shapiro Presentation - AI on the LotDisney & Universal Sue Midjourney for Copyright InfringementChatGPT May Be Eroding Critical Thinking Skills (MIT Study)News in BriefScreen Australia's New GuidelinesNSW's $380m screen and digital games support packageNine overhauls Streaming and Broadcast divisionWhat We're WatchingMoonbird | Warm Props | Moni | Pasa Faho | Mix TapeIn Production:My Brilliant Career | Goolagong | Two Years Later | Reckless | The Postcard Bandit seriesScreen Australia Upcoming Productions | IF In ProductionUpcoming EventsFuture Vision 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.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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018: Deep Dive with Lachlan & Austin Macfarlane: Building a Film Career in 15-second Clips
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 opportunities for themselves through an online pathway.Whether you’re looking to greenlight your own career or interested in learning more about finding an audience on digital platforms, this episode is full of great insights.Listen to this episode if you are interested in:Crafting short-form content that resonates with audiencesWhy you should post your work across multiple platformsThe importance of storytelling, even in short videosHow they come up with ideas and know what will resonateWhy consistency and authenticity are crucial for building an audienceWhen to transition from a traditional job to full-time content creationWhich data is useful when building your channelsHow to leverage an online presence to create opportunities to work in traditional mediaFollow Lachlan and Austin and their work:Website: https://www.macfarlanemedia.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@macfarlanebros TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@macfarlanebrosInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/macfarlanebrosThis 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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017: Deep Dive with Corey Mandell: The Craft of Screenwriting and Why It Matters
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 episode is a masterclass in how to write truly original and emotionally resonant stories that sell, and why so many talented writers fail to break through.---Listen to this episode if you are interested in:The two levels of a great screen story.Why formulas fail, and how to avoid them.Talent is not a gift, it’s a muscle.Creative integration: the core of Corey Mandell's screenwriting method, and how to develop both your "hammer" and your "straw"Story design vs. plotting, and how to deliver an emotional experience for your audienceWhy your relationship with writing mattersThe new reality of the global screen industryA bold idea to improve the industry---Follow Corey and his work:Website & free resources: https://coreymandell.net/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coreymandellworkshops/ X: https://x.com/coreymandell Facebook: Corey Mandell Professional Screenwriting Courses: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063888732536 Resource:The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle: https://www.amazon.com.au/Talent-Code-Greatness-born-grown/dp/1847943047/ ---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: https://www.instagram.com/weinterruptpodcastYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@weinterruptpodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/105338177/
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016: Deep Dive with Jessie Hughes: You Should be Using AI to Enhance Your Creative Work
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 industry-wide adoption for one of the world’s fastest-growing generative AI platforms. Jessie talks about the ways generative AI can play a role in the future of the screen industry, and why she’s particularly excited for emerging creatives and the Australian screen industry.Listen to this episode if you are interested in:The ways generative AI is being used on current productionsWhy Australia is leading the way with AI from a technology perspectiveHow creative experience is the key to creating great AI contentWhy collaboration still leads to better outcomesThe ways democratisation of creativity allows more diverse voices to be heardWhat you should do if you want to upskill with AI toolsBonus: Pair this episode with an AI Cheat Sheet put together by Scott Dickson from Bold Digital Media.The cheat sheet is a look at a variety of AI tools that may help speed up tasks, reduce costs, and unlock new creative possibilities across different points of the production process.https://www.bolddigitalmedia.com.au/aitoolspdf Scott Dickson works with creative teams to explore practical ways AI tools can support production workflows without giving up any creativity.Follow his work:www.linkedin.com/in/thatscottdicksonbolddigitalmedia.com.au Follow Jessie and her work:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessie-hughes-050138b1Leonardo.ai: https://leonardo.ai/Announcement: Google’s Veo 3 on Leonardo.AiLeonardo.Ai Training:Leonardo LearnCreating Detailed Concept Designs for PresentationsCreating Cinematic Storyboards with AICreating Concept Art and Posters for Your FilmHow to Ideate with Flow StateHow to Use Flow StateOther Links & Presentations:Top 50 Women in AI: Leonardo.Ai News | Forbes ArticleLeonardo.Ai at AWS Sydney SummitLeonardo.Ai at Canva Create 2025Meta Festival 2025 — Jessie Hughes, Leonardo.AiEmerging Media Programming AI Toolkit Series: Leonardo.aiFlow Issue No 01: Agency Storyboarding & Development Edition Spill Issue No. 01: Advertising & Marketing EditionLeonardo 104: Transform Your Business with Leonardo for TeamsThis 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!
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