We Interrupt This Broadcast

Loani and Kirsty catch up to discuss a busy October across the Australian screen industry. They share their takeaways from Screen Queensland's In the Frame event and the podcast's Adelaide Film Festival breakfast, before diving into a huge range of topics from here and overseas. Tune in for all the details on a warning that regional cinemas could be lost due to projector replacement costs, the ACTF's concerns about AI generated pitches, Rising Sun Pictures' Emmy win, the ratio of spend on sport vs. children's content in production, and the great AACTA divide ahead of its December AGM. Plus: the Skydance merger, Netflix layoffs, ABC upfronts, Screen Australia production funding announcements, what we've been watching this month, and much more! --- We Interrupt This Broadcast's new trailer: https://www.weinterruptthisbroadcast.com.au/bigideas --- Recent Episodes: Episode 077: Leviticus Part 1: https://www.weinterruptthisbroadcast.com.au/episodes/077 Episode 078: Leviticus Part 2: https://www.weinterruptthisbroadcast.com.au/episodes/078 Episode 079: Mandy Walker AM ACS ASC: https://www.weinterruptthisbroadcast.com.au/episodes/079 --- Links to topics mentioned in this episode: Independent Cinemas Australia: No Cinema Left Behind: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/nickhayes3_nocinemaleftbehind-independentcinemas-australiancinema-ugcPost-7515868541149933568-vF3I/ ACTF: "There's No AI in Pitch": https://actf.com.au/blog/29713/there-s-no-ai-in-pitch Kirsty's AI workshops for Filmmakers: https://ai.kirstystark.com Rising Sun Pictures' Emmy for REVIZE: https://www.instagram.com/p/Dc-DdfsmINo Television Academy Emmy Announcement: https://www.televisionacademy.com/video/rising-sun-pictures-2026-engineering-emmys SPA's Producer Fellowship Announcement: https://spa-prod.powerappsportals.com/media/release/?id=SPA-01961 Netflix's Next Brilliant Career Finalists: https://awg.com.au/congratulations-to-the-eight-finalists-in-netflixs-the-next-brilliant-career Kids IP Incubator: https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/applications-open-for-screen-australia-and-actfs-kids-ip-incubator The Fox Q&A Screenings: https://www.madman.com.au/the-fox Zombucha! Q&A Screenings: https://cinemaaustralia.com.au/2026/10/06/get-ready-to-fall-brewly-madly-steeply-in-love-with-zombucha --- 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. --- This episode of We Interrupt This Broadcast was hosted and edited by Loani Arman and Kirsty Stark. Follow us on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weinterruptpodcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@weinterruptpodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/weinterruptpodcast

Loani Arman sits down with Mandy Walker AM ACS ASC, the Oscar nominated cinematographer behind Elvis, Hidden Figures, Mulan and Tracks, and the first woman to lead the American Society of Cinematographers in its 106 year history. Mandy talks about breaking into camera departments when few women were there, the mentors who backed her, and why wants to open doors for other women in camera. --- Listen to hear Mandy discuss: The mentors who championed her in her early career How she builds collaborative sets between departments The story-led way she prepares for a shoot, while being ready to pivot when things change on the day How she approached scenes in Elvis to allow the actors space to perform Why she isn't scared of AI, and what remains fundamentally human about cinematography --- If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe & leave a rating or review to help us reach more listeners for We Interrupt This Broadcast. --- Further information about Mandy Walker AM ACS ASC: Mandy's website: https://www.mandywalkerdp.com Mandy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mandywalkerdp/?hl=en Mandy on IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0907999 --- This Deep Dive interview is hosted and edited by Loani Arman. If you're enjoying the podcast, please leave a rating, and we'd love you to forward this episode to a friend! --- Follow us on: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/weinterruptpodcast YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@weinterruptpodcast LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/weinterruptpodcast

Kirsty Stark sits down with the team behind Leviticus: Writer/Director Adrian Chiarella, Producer Sam Jennings (Causeway Films), and Distributor Marc Wooldridge (Maslow Entertainment) for Part 2 of a two-part conversation about what it takes to make a million dollars at the Australian box office. If you missed Part 1, head back to last week's episode, #77. The queer horror feature reached almost 1.5 million dollars domestically, and in this conversation the three share what happens on the ground when you make a sale at Sundance, the strategy behind opening weekend, and how to turn audience members into fans. --- Listen to hear Adrian, Marc and Sam discuss: What actually happens in the 48 hours after a Sundance screening How to choose the right partner when you have multiple offers on the table Why going day and date with the US gave Leviticus the advantages of a global release The accidental in-season Q&A strategy that gave the film's theatrical run a boost What number you need to hit on opening weekend to reach a million dollars How involving and empowering their audience helped turn viewers into passionate advocates --- If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe & leave a rating or review to help us reach more listeners for We Interrupt This Broadcast. --- Further information after listening to the episode: Leviticus Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXuK0vlFxII Leviticus on Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/film/leviticus-2026 Adrian Chiarella on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adrianchiarella/ Sam Jennings on Instagram: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-jennings-89674621 Maslow Entertainment on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maslowentertainment Sam Jennings on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-jennings-89674621 Marc Wooldridge on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-wooldridge Maslow Entertainment: https://www.maslowentertainment.com Causeway Films: https://www.causewayfilms.com.au --- This Deep Dive interview is hosted and edited by ⁠⁠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 - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/weinterruptpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@weinterruptpodcast LinkedIn - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/weinterruptpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Kirsty Stark sits down with the team behind Leviticus: Writer/Director Adrian Chiarella, Producer Sam Jennings (Causeway Films), and Distributor Marc Wooldridge (Maslow Entertainment) for Part 1 of a two-part conversation about what it takes to make a million dollars at the Australian box office. The queer horror feature reached almost 1.5 million dollars domestically, and in this conversation the three share how they got there, from an idea developed through VicScreen’s Originate program to their breakout Sundance premiere. Come back next week for Part 2, where they’ll discuss what happens on the ground when you make a sale at Sundance, the strategy behind opening weekend, and how to turn audience members into fans. --- Listen to hear Adrian, Sam and Marc discuss: Why horror is intrinsically theatrical and how they positioned Leviticus for both queer and broad horror audiences. Causeway Films’ financing strategy for the film, which allowed them to build a theatrical model that wasn’t centred on international pre-sales. What Maslow looks for in a script, concept and pathway to market before saying yes to distribution. The casting and packaging process and what actually mattered when putting the project together. Why they kept news about the film quiet through production and launched it as a breakout festival film. How they planned their Sundance premiere, including pre-screenings, PR and festival strategy. --- If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe & leave a rating or review to help us reach more listeners for We Interrupt This Broadcast. --- Further information after listening to the episode: Leviticus Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXuK0vlFxIILeviticus on Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/film/leviticus-2026 Adrian Chiarella on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adrianchiarella/ Sam Jennings on Instagram: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-jennings-89674621 Maslow Entertainment on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maslowentertainment Sam Jennings on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-jennings-89674621 Marc Wooldridge on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-wooldridge Maslow Entertainment: https://www.maslowentertainment.com Causeway Films: https://www.causewayfilms.com.au --- This Deep Dive interview is hosted and edited by ⁠⁠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 - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/weinterruptpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@weinterruptpodcast LinkedIn - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/weinterruptpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Loani and Robbie cover all of your screen industry news from September, digging into the Screen Queensland funding cuts, 46 production jobs going at the ABC, and what it means to lose an internal champion on a project. They discuss the reboot-heavy upfronts, the reversal on the ABC Indigenous department, and the new Shared Ground initiative. Plus the Emmys, the Tilly Norwood “interview”, the cancelled Clayton Jacobson ACS workshop, upcoming conference and festival appearances for the team, and what they’ve been watching. --- Links to topics mentioned in this episode: Screenworks Regional to Global conference: https://screenworks.com.au/opportunities/regional-to-global-2026/ SPA report on Screen Queensland funding cuts: https://www.screenhub.com.au/news/industry-news/screen-queensland-screen-producers-australia-response-2707269/ WITB Media Watch mention on Screen Queensland cuts: https://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/episodes/cut/107125420 ABC cutting 46 production jobs: https://if.com.au/abc-slashes-46-production-roles-across-its-screen-division/ ABC lifting drama slate to twelve shows for 2027 (IF Magazine): https://if.com.au/as-the-abc-expands-its-scripted-slate-rachel-okine-outlines-what-it-wants-next/ Streamer upfronts and reboots (McLeod's Daughters, Wentworth: Halfway Home): https://deadline.com/2026/09/stan-mcleods-daughters-revival-angourie-rice-stuck-up-stupid-1237104979/: https://if.com.au/binge-opts-for-some-tough-love-in-2027-to-keep-post-colin-from-accounts-comedy-momentum/ ABC reversing plan to overhaul Indigenous department: https://www.lamestream.com.au/exclusive-abc-backflips-on-indigenous-tv-closure-will-continue-in-existing-divisions-for-now/ Shared Ground Indigenous co-production initiative: https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/indigenous-screen-organisations-from-canada-aotearoa-new-zealand-and-australia-launch-new-international-co-production-initiative/ Northern Pictures wins three Emmys for Love on the Spectrum: https://www.filmink.com.au/public-notice/australias-northern-pictures-wins-three-primetime-emmy-awards-for-love-on-the-spectrum-season-four-at-the-78th-primetime-creative-arts-emmy-awards/ Tilly Norwood AI "actor" Piers Morgan interview: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/tilly-norwood-interview-1236700405/ Asia Pacific Screen Awards nominations and program: https://www.asiapacificscreenawards.com/about In The Frame Queensland: https://screenqueensland.com.au/events/in-the-frame-screen-queensland-practitioners-forum-2026/ --- 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. --- This episode of We Interrupt This Broadcast was hosted and edited by Robbie Miles and Loani Arman. Follow us on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weinterruptpodcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@weinterruptpodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/weinterruptpodcast

This episode is sponsored by ⁠⁠⁠Getty Images⁠⁠⁠ , home to market-leading creative and editorial content from the world’s best photographers and videographers. --- Aven Yap speaks with Arran Birchenough from our podcast sponsor Getty Images in the show’s first deep dive into archive. Busting the stereotype that archive is only relevant for historical documentaries, Arran explains why it matters for scripted and factual producers alike. He unpacks the difference between copyright and intellectual property rights, and how the same shot can carry very different risk depending on the story and how it’s used. Arran also shares his story of joining Getty in 2001 at the time of the September 11 attacks, and talks about Getty’s ethically trained AI tool. If you’ve ever had questions about licensing images or footage for use on a project, this episode is a great place to start. --- Listen to hear Arran discuss: Why archive is not just vintage historical footage but contemporary news and pre-shot creative content The difference between copyright and the intellectual property rights inside licensed content, and where the risk actually falls Why the same Sydney Harbour Bridge shot carries wildly different risk depending on how the story is told Why you should talk to an archive house during development to build your projects around sizzle reel or pitch content, not come in during the pressure of post-production How Getty’s AI tool is trained only on licensed, released content and indemnified for on-screen use How licensing can be reworked around ad revenue for YouTube channels --- If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe & leave a rating or review to help us reach more listeners for We Interrupt This Broadcast. --- Further information about Getty Images: Website: https://gettyimages.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/getty-images Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gettyimages YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/gettyimages Getty Images Scripted Services: https://engage.gettyimages.com/86dwgnc9c-ScriptedContent-APAC#/en/Getty_Images Getty Images Archive: https://engage.gettyimages.com/the-archive#/en/modal/home Arran Birchenough on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arranbirchenough --- This Deep Dive interview is hosted and edited by ⁠ Aven Yap . 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/weinterruptpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@weinterruptpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/weinterruptpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ --- Thanks to ⁠Getty Images⁠ for sponsoring this episode. If you’re looking for historical, contemporary or creative footage, head to ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠gettyimages.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ .

This episode is sponsored by ⁠⁠Getty Images⁠⁠ , home to market-leading creative and editorial content from the world’s best photographers and videographers. --- Loani Arman speaks with Shonee Samia: actor, stunt performer, motion capture performer, producer, game developer and national powerlifter. Ten years after a brain tumour diagnosis and being told she had six months to live, Shonee shares how facing her mortality made her more deliberate about her life and her career, including why she started her company, Mana Film Productions. Plus, her big idea to credit and protect performers as their work becomes data. --- Listen to hear Shonee discuss: The difference between courage and recklessness, and why it’s important to be selective about your work rather than pushing through How a six month prognosis made her more deliberate about her choices How powerlifting discipline helps her handle rejection and changes on set What an intense rehearsal day taught her about recovery and workload management Why she started Mana Film Productions to “build the door” instead of knocking on it --- If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe & leave a rating or review to help us reach more listeners for We Interrupt This Broadcast. --- Further information about Shonee Samia: Shonee’s website: https://www.shoneesamia.com Shonee on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shoneesamia Shonee on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shonee_samia Shonee on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shoneesamia Shonee on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14628341 Further information on Mana Film Productions: Website: https://www.manafilmproductions.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shoneesamia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manafilmproductions Links to dive deeper: An example of Shonee’s Motion Capture work: https://www.instagram.com/p/CuytOv5Jthn https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/nesia-daily/shonee-samia-part-one-finding-passion-for-the-screen/106664554 https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/nesia-daily/shonee-samia-wins-screen-professional-of-the-year-2026/106664556 https://www.openpowerlifting.org/u/shoneesamia Shonee’s APL National Recap Video: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DN7k3NqEweT/ --- This Deep Dive interview is hosted and edited by Loani Arman . 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/weinterruptpodcast⁠⁠⁠ YouTube - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@weinterruptpodcast⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/weinterruptpodcast⁠⁠⁠ --- Thanks to ⁠Getty Images⁠ for sponsoring this episode. If you’re looking for historical, contemporary or creative footage, head to ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠gettyimages.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ .

This episode is sponsored by ⁠Getty Images⁠ , home to market-leading creative and editorial content from the world’s best photographers and videographers. --- In this episode, Kirsty sits down with Sue Maslin AO, the producer behind films including The Dressmaker, Japanese Story and Road to Nhill, to work through one of the biggest questions currently facing the industry: why aren’t good Australian films being seen in cinemas? Sue explains why she believes the theatrical model is structurally broken, from financing and release models to a level of marketing support that puts us at a disadvantage against international films. She also shares some real ideas for change, including a private equity film fund and marketing rebates. The episode also includes a breakdown of the work Sue did behind the scenes of The Dressmaker to build their audience and reach over $20m at the Australian box office just over a decade ago. With the Society of Australian Cinema Pioneers announcing last week that they will be recognising Sue as their 2026 National Cinema Pioneer of the Year, this is a timely interview and well worth a listen for anyone working in feature films in Australia. --- Listen to hear Sue discuss: The “spectacle, emotion and experience” formula that made The Dressmaker $20 million at the Australian box office How she started building her audience and inviting them into the world of The Dressmaker before it even began production Why streamer investment is now one of the only ways films of scale get financed, and the conflict this creates with exhibitors The case for a private equity film fund run by industry risk takers, not screen agencies --- If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe & leave a rating or review to help us reach more listeners for We Interrupt This Broadcast. --- Further information about Sue and her work: Sue on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sue-maslin-ao-2823972 The Film Art Media website: https://www.filmartmedia.com The Dressmaker (2015): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2910904 Japanese Story: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0304229 Road to Nhill: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120025 The Society of Australian Cinema Pioneers Honours Industry Icon Sue Maslin AO as the 2026 National Cinema Pioneer of the Year: https://www.filmink.com.au/public-notice/the-society-of-australian-cinema-pioneers-honours-industry-icon-sue-maslin-ao-as-the-2026-national-cinema-pioneer-of-the-year --- --- This Deep Dive interview is hosted and edited by ⁠ 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 - ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/weinterruptpodcast⁠⁠ YouTube - ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@weinterruptpodcast⁠⁠ LinkedIn - ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/weinterruptpodcast⁠⁠ --- Thanks to ⁠Getty Images⁠ for sponsoring this episode. If you’re looking for historical, contemporary or creative footage, head to ⁠ ⁠⁠gettyimages.com⁠⁠⁠ .

This episode is sponsored by Getty Images , home to market-leading creative and editorial content from the world’s best photographers and videographers. --- In this episode, Robbie Miles speaks with Jairo Alvarado, manager and co-founder of Redefine Entertainment, about building a career and a company on your own terms. As a Literary Manager, Jairo has progressed from a junior executive job at Warner Brothers to launching his own management firm. He supports filmmakers with their projects and careers, giving creative feedback and helping position them in the industry. He and Robbie discuss why risk is the lifeblood of creativity, how reputation and people management can make or break a career, and why it's important to build relationships ahead of individual transactions while creating your own work. --- Listen to hear Jairo discuss: Why risk is the lifeblood of creativity and how playing it safe can be a dangerous choice Why quality beats quantity when building relationships The two questions he asks every artist to test whether they have real authorship and vision Why people management and conflict resolution matter as much as craft How to keep your eyes on the big picture so one project doesn't box you in Why you don't need millions to make your first film --- If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe & leave a rating or review to help us reach more listeners for We Interrupt This Broadcast. --- Further information about Jairo Alvarado: Jairo Alvarado on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jairoalvarado Redefine Entertainment: https://www.redefineent.com Redefine Entertainment on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/redefine-entertainment Redefine Entertainment on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redefineent --- This Deep Dive interview is hosted and edited by Robbie Miles . 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/weinterruptpodcast⁠ YouTube - ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@weinterruptpodcast⁠ LinkedIn - ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/weinterruptpodcast⁠ --- Thanks to ⁠Getty Images⁠ for sponsoring this episode. If you’re looking for historical, contemporary or creative footage, head to ⁠ ⁠gettyimages.com⁠⁠ .

This episode is sponsored by ⁠Getty Images⁠ , home to market-leading creative and editorial content from the world’s best photographers and videographers. --- Aven and Loani wrap up all of your screen industry news from August, starting with the funding threats facing Screen Queensland and Screen Tasmania, and what deep cuts could mean for productions, crews and small businesses. They cover the ABC's restructure of its Indigenous Department and the fight for First Nations content, Screen Australia's 2026 Screen Currency report, and AI copyright rulings from Germany to Indonesia. Plus, it's festival and market season, with 37 South, TIFF's new financing market and the upcoming BBC Studios Creator Lab Australia. --- Links to topics mentioned in this episode: Qld government $50m commitment to Screen Queensland: https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/105920 Screen Tasmania budget cuts and downsizing: https://pulsetasmania.com.au/news/film-industry-fears-screen-tasmania-could-lose-its-role-attracting-productions Tasmanian Filmmakers Alliance: https://tafa.au/ ABC restructure of Indigenous Department: https://tvtonight.com.au/2026/08/abc-folds-indigenous-department.html Screen Australia Screen Currency 2026 report: https://screencurrency.screenaustralia.gov.au/ Nicole Del Prado's post on kids content hours: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7496353005244538880/ German court ruling against Suno AI (GEMA): https://www.apraamcos.com.au/about-us/news-and-events/german-court-ruling-against-suno-sends-global-warning Getty Images indemnified AI tool and subscriptions for creators: https://www.gettyimages.com.au/ai/generation Indonesia AI copyright law draft: https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/indonesias-copyright-rewrite-puts-google-ai-platforms-notice-2026-07-17/ 37 South Market and Melbourne International Film Festival: https://if.com.au/three-australian-features-selected-for-tiff-financing-market/ BBC Studios Creator Lab Australia applications: https://www.mediaweek.com.au/bbc-studios-launches-creator-lab-australia-with-sbs --- 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. --- This episode of We Interrupt This Broadcast was hosted and edited by Aven Yap and Loani Arman. Follow us on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weinterruptpodcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@weinterruptpodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/weinterruptpodcast --- --- Thanks to ⁠ ⁠Getty Images⁠ ⁠ for sponsoring this episode. If you’re looking for historical, contemporary or creative footage, head to ⁠ ⁠gettyimages.com⁠ ⁠.

This episode is sponsored by ⁠Getty Images⁠, home to market-leading creative and editorial content from the world’s best photographers and videographers. http://www.gettyimages.com --- In this episode, Loani Arman speaks with Rachel Maxine Anderson and Rae Choi about their work on Ina, a six part online series, and how they built an audience without waiting for anyone to green light the series but themselves. They discuss how working in short form for an online audience pushed them to be more personal and more specific with the series, why trusting your audience matters more than trying to protect them, and how creative constraints forced them to make smarter production decisions. They also talk about building a direct relationship with an audience on social media, controlling your own marketing strategy, getting immediate feedback from audiences, and making decisions without waiting for a commissioner’s approval. --- Listen to hear Rachel and Rae discuss: How writing from personal truth and specific experience reaches audiences far more effectively than trying to make something too broad Why there’s no such thing as a spoiler online and how revealing plot points in social clips drove audiences to their series Creating their own fan edits using trending TikTok songs Why format and budget constraints forced smarter production and creative decisionsHow comments online and audience feedback ultimately proved engagement, not rejection --- If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe & leave a rating or review to help us reach more listeners for We Interrupt This Broadcast. --- Further information about Ina and the team: Watch Ina on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ina.series Follow Ina on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ina.series Rachel Maxine Anderson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-maxine-anderson-a815b593 Rae Choi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raechoi Rachel Maxine Anderson on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelmaxinex Rae Choi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raechoi_ --- Websites: rachelmaxine.com liminapictures.com contrastories.com --- This Deep Dive interview is hosted and edited by ⁠⁠Loani Arman.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/weinterruptpodcast YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@weinterruptpodcast LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/weinterruptpodcast --- Thanks to ⁠Getty Images⁠ for sponsoring this episode. If you’re looking for historical, contemporary or creative footage, head to ⁠ gettyimages.com⁠ .

This episode is sponsored by ⁠Getty Images⁠, home to market-leading creative and editorial content from the world’s best photographers and videographers. http://www.gettyimages.com --- In this episode, Aven Yap speaks with Lyanna Kea, a Malaysian Chinese creator, actor and producer with over 15 million fans, about building the viral world of Aunty Kea and turning content creation into a genuine production business. From starting out broke and stuck at home during COVID as an international student, Lyanna shares how a pyjama-friendly “Asian mum” character grew into Kea Productions, a team of 16 people running scripted, animation and lifestyle channels across multiple platforms and languages. --- Listen to hear Lyanna talk about: Why quantity beats quality when you are starting out How she runs pre-production, production, post and development each week Why long form video drives loyalty and revenue, not just views Learning to delegate and build a business that survives when she steps away How her content opened doors to Screen Australia, ABC’s Ground Up and more The shifting relationship between creators and the traditional screen industry --- If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe & leave a rating or review to help us reach more listeners for We Interrupt This Broadcast. --- Further information after listening to the episode: Lyanna on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lyanna-kea-7a557a413 Lyanna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lyanna_kea/?hl=en Lyanna on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LyannaKea Lyanna on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lyannakeaa/ Lyanna on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lyanna_kea?lang=en Kea’s Universe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keasuniverse Kea Plus Ultra on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keaplusultra/ Kea Plus Ultra on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KeaPlusUltra --- This Deep Dive interview is hosted and edited by ⁠⁠Aven Yap. 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/weinterruptpodcast YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@weinterruptpodcast LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/weinterruptpodcast --- Thanks to ⁠Getty Images⁠ for sponsoring this episode. If you’re looking for historical, contemporary or creative footage, head to ⁠ gettyimages.com ⁠.

This episode is sponsored by ⁠Getty Images⁠ , home to market-leading creative and editorial content from the world’s best photographers and videographers. --- Online strategist, writer and producer Alyce Adams joins Robbie Miles to explore what it takes to identify and build an audience for your work in an algorithm-driven world. Drawing on eight years in Screen Australia's Online Department and her work developing and marketing digital-first projects, Alyce explains how audience identification goes hand-in-hand with development and starts long before production, why authenticity matters and a lack of it means death for your project, and why filmmakers need to stop thinking of marketing as something that happens after the edit. Essential listening for writers, producers and creators looking to build genuine communities around their work. --- Listen to hear Alyce discuss: Why audiences can "smell a fake" and how authenticity drives online success The three-second rule and what makes people stop scrolling Why filmmakers should identify their audience before they start making their project How thumbnails, hooks and release strategies shape discoverability Why niche audiences are often the fastest path to broader success Why every film student should start a YouTube channel --- Listen to Episode 66 on ⁠ Spotify ⁠ , ⁠ YouTube ⁠ or ⁠ Apple Podcasts ⁠ . If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe & leave a rating or review to help us reach more listeners for We Interrupt This Broadcast. --- Further information after listening to the episode: Alyce Adams: ⁠https://www.alyceadams.com.au⁠ INA (YouTube): ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@ina.series⁠ Sarah's Channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deLiDLkQzio&list=PLsPVOdZ3LN6emtXsW_JSloI_kVflZzAHW&index=2 --- This Deep Dive interview is hosted and edited by ⁠ Robbie Miles . 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 --- Thanks to ⁠ ⁠Getty Images⁠ ⁠ for sponsoring this episode. If you’re looking for historical, contemporary or creative footage, head to ⁠ ⁠gettyimages.com⁠ ⁠.

This episode is sponsored by Getty Images , home to market-leading creative and editorial content from the world’s best photographers and videographers. --- Have thoughts to share about this episode or want to come and chat about everything going on in the industry? Join Loani, Aven, Robbie and Kirsty this Thursday 30th July at 8:30pm for our monthly Instagram Live: https://www.instagram.com/weinterruptpodcast --- Aven and Kirsty catch up to discuss everything that happened in the industry in July, starting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s speech announcing mandatory national AI standards, with a strong commitment to protecting Australian creators’ IP. They also cover Screen Australia’s new development guidelines, Netflix’s viewer numbers for the first half of 2026, and a big month of festival announcements from CinefestOz to TIFF and Venice. Plus tributes to Sam Neill and Tania Lambert ACS, industry moves at Screenworks and Screen Australia, what we’ve both been watching in cinemas, productions shooting around Australia, and more! --- Links to topics mentioned in this episode: Australia’s AI Policy Update: https://theconversation.com/australia-wants-to-manage-ai-what-will-that-look-like-287496 Can Filmmaking Survive Without AI? (Daniel Maze on LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/can-filmmaking-survive-without-ai-daniel-maze-9j77e Stephen Follows: What Just Happened to TheNumbers.com Should Worry Us All: SPA’s Ones to Watch program: https://www.screenproducers.org.au/ones-to-watch Australians in Film’s Future Vision Forward initiative: https://www.futurevisionsummit.org Sam Neill Dies After 78 Years of Living the Skuxx Life (Betoota Advocate): ⁠https://www.betootaadvocate.com/sam-neill-dies-after-78-years-of-living-the-skux-life ⁠ Tania Lambert ACS Tribute: https://www.instagram.com/p/DbFeVwHE3LW Past episodes of We Interrupt This Broadcast we mentioned: Grainne Brunsdon & Ian Murray (Screen Australia’s Private Investment Toolkit): https://www.weinterruptthisbroadcast.com.au/episodes?grid1-dialog=reco4cIFdWhbwDfs2 Jasmine Yang (The Amazing Digital Circus): https://www.weinterruptthisbroadcast.com.au/episodes?grid1-dialog=recVN5R4R020S0EKn --- 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. --- This episode of We Interrupt This Broadcast was hosted and edited by ⁠Aven Yap⁠ and ⁠Kirsty Stark⁠ . Follow us on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ --- Thanks to ⁠ Getty Images ⁠ for sponsoring this episode. If you’re looking for historical, contemporary or creative footage, head to ⁠ gettyimages.com ⁠.

This episode is sponsored by Getty Images , home to market-leading creative and editorial content from the world’s best photographers and videographers. --- In this special video episode, Kirsty Stark speaks with Grainne Brunsdon, COO of Screen Australia, and Ian Murray, founder of 113 Partners, about the recently released Private Investment Toolkit from Screen Australia: the first resource of its kind designed to help both producers and investors navigate screen finance. Grainne shares where the idea came from and why private investment is a key component of the Australian screen funding landscape, before Ian walks through the toolkit, sharing his screen to talk through the Producer and Investor journeys and all of the tools on offer. With everything from a waterfall analysis tool to investor communication plans, the toolkit is an invaluable asset for anyone financing a screen project. --- This episode includes a video walk-through of the Private Investment Toolkit. Watch the video version on YouTube or Spotify to get the most from the episode. --- Listen to hear Grainne and Ian discuss: Bridging the gap between producers and investors The producer journey vs the investor journey (commercial, impact and philanthropic) How the Waterfall Analysis Tool models recoupment and returns Why communication is the key to investors coming back The massive intergenerational wealth transfer that’s on its way, and what it means for the screen sector --- If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe & leave a rating or review to help us reach more listeners for We Interrupt This Broadcast. --- Screen Australia’s Private Investment Toolkit: https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/private-investment-toolkit Grainne Brunsdon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grainne-brunsdon-a201876a Ian Murray on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/icmurray Ian’s book, Learning the Language: A Guide to Private Investment in Australian Film: https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/1764660803 If you haven’t listened to our recent Deep Dive episode with Ian Murray on Private Investment, it’s a fantastic episode to listen to alongside this one. --- This Deep Dive interview is hosted and edited by 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 --- Thanks to Getty Images for sponsoring this episode. If you’re looking for historical, contemporary or creative footage, head to gettyimages.com .

YouTube strategist Nico Lockhart, founder of Team Falco, joins Aven Yap to pull apart what it really takes to build kids’ IP on a digital-first platform. Nico has a decade of experience across traditional and digital platforms, and facilitated the inaugural Kids IP Incubator run by Screen Australia and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation. He explains why creativity and distribution are now one process, why the best creators start with a thumbnail rather than a script, and why most channels take two to three years to build their audience. This is a practical roadmap for anyone creating in the kids’ space or thinking about how to find your audience on YouTube. --- Listen to hear Nico discuss: How discovery works on YouTube and the friction points that stop people from watching Thumbnail-first ideation and why distribution and creativity are now one process Building flexible formats that never expire How to spot a real trend vs. a passing moment The financial reality of digital-first kids’ IP Why the narrative of viral success hurts creators --- Listen to Episode 65 on Spotify , YouTube or Apple Podcasts . If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe & leave a rating or review to help us reach more listeners for We Interrupt This Broadcast. --- Further information after listening to the episode: Team Falco: https://www.teamfalco.com Nico Lockhart on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolockhart Colin and Samir (creators for creators): https://www.youtube.com/@ColinandSamir We Interrupt This Broadcast Episode 60: David Hutchinson (Boy and Dragon): https://www.weinterruptthisbroadcast.com.au/episodes?grid1-dialog=recofZdKYcJcZV9aB --- This Deep Dive interview is hosted and edited by Aven Yap . 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

Access coordination is fast moving from ‘nice to have’ to non-negotiable, and Stephanie Dower is one of the people building that shift from the ground up. In this Deep Dive episode, Loani Arman speaks with Stephanie about her work as an access coordinator, producer, and CEO of Dower Productions and what it takes to make screen productions genuinely accessible for cast and crew. They also get into the practical stuff like easy-read call sheets, captions, modifying trailers when no accessible ones exist for hire, and why including access requirements in your budget from Day One costs far less than scrambling to fix things when they’re broken. --- Listen to hear Stephanie discuss: The earlier you engage an access coordinator, the better. Why no set is fully accessible, and what to aim for instead. How access coordination widens the talent pool. The real costs of getting it wrong, including burnout, reputational risk and the Disability Discrimination Act. Why access should be a budget line item. --- Listen to Episode 62 on ⁠ Spotify ⁠ , ⁠ YouTube ⁠ or ⁠ Apple Podcasts ⁠ . If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe & leave a rating or review to help us reach more listeners for We Interrupt This Broadcast. --- Further information about Stephanie and Dower Productions: Dower Productions website: https://www.dowerproductions.com Dower Productions on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dower_productions Dower Productions on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dower-productions Stephanie Dower on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-dower-61bb5131 --- This Deep Dive interview is hosted and edited by Loani Arman . 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

Have thoughts to share about this episode, Screen Forever, or anything else happening in the industry? Join Loani, Aven, Robbie and Kirsty this Thursday 2nd June at 8:30pm for our monthly Instagram Live: https://www.instagram.com/weinterruptpodcast --- Robbie and Kirsty catch up to discuss everything that happened in the industry in June, from the release of “YouTube feature films” Backrooms, Obsession and our very own Australian contribution The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act. They also explore the question of fair pay for crew on independent feature films, and break down May’s record Australian box office takings. Plus, a Sydney Film Festival wrap-up, what we’ve both been watching in cinemas, productions currently shooting around Australia, and more! --- Links to topics mentioned in this episode: The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act - Australian YouTube phenomenon just beat Star Wars at the box office: https://thenightly.com.au/culture/film/the-amazing-digital-circus-the-last-act-australian-youtube-phenomenon-just-beat-star-wars-at-the-box-office-c-22403900 ‘Obsession’ Art Director Calls for Industry Reform After Getting Paid Less Than $7,000 as Film Nears $175 Million: https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/movies/obsession-art-director-salary-complaint-sally-choi Australian Box Office Posts Biggest May Results of All Time: https://au.variety.com/2026/film/news/australian-box-office-posts-biggest-may-results-of-all-time-37185/ Netflix Originals and Cultural Memory: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/cinema-netflix-streamingwars-share-7466148857072992256-MPHC/ Kate Separovich’s fabulous Australia in Cinemas blog: https://australiaincinemas.substack.com/ Past episodes of We Interrupt This Broadcast we mentioned: Jasmine Yang (The Amazing Digital Circus): https://www.weinterruptthisbroadcast.com.au/episodes?grid1-dialog=recVN5R4R020S0EKn David Hutchinson (Boy and Dragon): https://www.weinterruptthisbroadcast.com.au/episodes?grid1-dialog=recofZdKYcJcZV9aB Mike Schwarz (Beast): https://www.weinterruptthisbroadcast.com.au/episodes?grid1-dialog=recfh66GZCH5cBHit --- 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. This episode of We Interrupt This Broadcast was hosted and edited by Robbie Miles and Kirsty Stark . Follow us on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, Robbie Miles speaks with producer and director Michael Schwartz of Deeper Water Films about the realities of packaging films, attaching cast, navigating Hollywood agencies and building a sustainable producing career. From his unconventional entry into producing through to working with talent including Sam Worthington, Russell Crowe and Luke Bracey, Mike shares hard-earned lessons about getting projects made in an industry where persistence matters as much as creativity. Listen to hear Michael talk about: Why “every film wants to die” and what it takes to keep them alive Building access, credibility and long-term industry relationships Packaging films and attaching cast in the independent marketplace Working with agents, sales companies and financiers Lessons from projects that almost got made, and why some didn’t Listen to Episode 62 on Spotify , YouTube or Apple Podcasts . If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe & leave a rating or review to help us reach more listeners for We Interrupt This Broadcast. Further information after listening to the episode: Beast (2026): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7708226/ Michael Schwarz imdb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3751903/ This Deep Dive interview is hosted and edited by Robbie Miles . 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

In this episode, Kirsty Stark speaks with Ian Murray, Founder of 113 Partners, about private investment for feature films, and what investors in Australia are looking for when they invest in a project or slate. Ian discusses the challenges of finding private investment, what we can do to make our industry more investable, and where to find potential investors if you don’t have rich parents or friends. Listen to hear Ian talk about: How production businesses can benefit from strategic planning The importance of financial stability in your business Why private investment is vital in the current feature film landscape Private finance in the screen industry Slate financing vs. individual project financing Challenges in attracting Private Investment The three types of investors in film projects Opportunities for private investment in Australia Bridging the gap between producers and investors Audience-centric pitching Financial literacy for producers Screen Australia’s soon to be released Private Investment Toolkit Listen to Episode 61 on Spotify , YouTube or Apple Podcasts . If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe & leave a rating or review to help us reach more listeners for We Interrupt This Broadcast. Further information after listening to the episode: 113 Partners: https://www.113partners.com Ian Murray on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/icmurray Ian’s book, Learning the Language: A Guide to Private Investment in Australian Film (released today!): https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/1764660803/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1 Screen Australia’s Private Investment Toolkit will be released soon, and we’ll update the episode show notes on all platforms once it’s available. This Deep Dive interview is hosted and edited by 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