In this episode of FILMESQUE, host, researcher, and filmmaker Sage (https://www.rocketshot.tv/rocketshot-tv/) sits down with director-producer-cinematographer Nathaniel Jackson, the powerhouse behind Jackson Speed Video Productions.

Nathaniel shares what it took to capture the raw, relentless beauty of Lisa Blair’s record-breaking solo sail around Antarctica — a feat of endurance, isolation, and sheer willpower. From shooting at sea in unforgiving conditions to shaping a story that reflects both the danger and poetry of Lisa’s journey, this conversation dives into the ethics, logistics, and emotional weight of independent documentary filmmaking at the edge of the world.

We talk creative resilience, tech survival kits, and why stories like Lisa’s — of courageous, uncompromising women — are more vital than ever.

🎧 Tune in to hear what it really takes to film history in motion — with salt spray in your face and minimal room for retakes.

#FILMESQUE #DocumentaryFilmmaking #LisaBlair #AntarcticaSailing #NathanielJackson #IndieFilm #WomenInAdventure #CinematographyInExtremeConditions

Sage a researcher, writer & founder of Rocketshot TV sat down with the creators of the new Australian comedy-horror film SNATCHERS. The feature film is having its world premiere on Saturday, the 21st of June at Vue Piccadilly, UK. The film follows a pair of lifelong friends and hospital orderlies trying to make a quick buck in the organ-selling trade. They’re thrown a curveball when a corpse wakes up on the operating table, with comedic chaos the result.

“I think UK audiences will really respond to this film.” Said Shelly Higgs, Producer. “They’ll get the humor and understand the undercurrent of social commentary.” 

Starring Craig Alexander (TOTAL CONTROL, THE CODE), Justin Hosking (CRIME & PUNISHMENT, THE BROKEN SHORE) with Hannah McKenzie (LOVE FOREVER), SNATCHERS is a dark comedy film with a deeper message. Co-directed and produced by Canberra-based husband and wife duo Craig Alexander and Shelly Higgs, the film intertwines irreverence, humour, and vibrant characters to deliver a thrilling experience with a distinct social conscience. At its core, the film confronts the issue of exploitation, shedding light on the harsh reality of a late-stage capitalist society where the working class bears the brunt of inequality, whilst examining the inherently toxic structures that perpetuate the class divide. 

“It’s been a long journey and a lot of blind faith to get through to this point when pretty much everything says it’s not going to happen.” Said Craig Alexander, Writer, Director, Producer and Editor. “You really just have to see it through and hope for the best - this is a validation of that journey.”
Beyond the socio-political commentary, SNATCHERS is a profound, and often hilarious, examination of friendship, showcasing the secrets we protect, the sacrifices we make, and the fragile bonds that hold us together. Raindance Film Festival is the largest independent film festival in the UK based in the heart of London’s buzzing West End film district. The Festival is officially recognised by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences USA, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts and the British Independent Film Awards, making this a very special selection for this Indie Aussie feature. 

The film has been shot with 90% Canberra crew and filmed entirely in the capital city with SNATCHERS delivering (ironically) a wickedly entertaining tale of greed, deception and the raw unpredictability of humans. The film is a rollercoaster ride filled with unexpected twists, dark humour and a chilling game of survival. Produced by Canberra-based production company The Horse, SNATCHERS was made on a small budget but packs a big comedy punch and will have its world premiere in London. Screen Inc has recently been appointed as distributor and will release the film in Australia this coming Spring. (Blurb taken from Little Train PR's press release)

SOCIAL MEDIA
Instagram: @snatchers_film

Film Freeway: Snatchers Film

Sage an award-winning writer and researcher, sat down with Screen Vixens founder and film producer Leonie Marsh in this episode. Leonie shared insights from working on Hollywood films in London in her early career.

(Listen to the episode to find out which ones)

She also discusses work-life balance and deciding to have children as her career was taking off. Leonie decided to launch Screen Vixens a filmmaking networking and mentoring community for women, which is in its 10th year. She shares the benefits of joining Screen Vixens, including the community available at film markets like Screen Forever, finding collaborators and staying connected to the sector even when you are producing part-time or in an ad hoc fashion.

To find out more about Screen Vixens and Leonie Marsh, head to the website.

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This episode hosted by filmmaker and researcher Sage, features Luke Sparke from Sparke Films who has spent his life around the entertainment industry. His family business, supplying and working on historically based films, TV and theatre, has seen him travel the country and work with some of the biggest stars and filmmakers, including Steven Spielberg and the forces at HBO on The Pacific  and Hugh Jackman on X-Men Origins: Wolverine, before moving into writing, producing and directing his own films, and recently won Best Director of the Season (2024) at the Montreal Independent Film Festival and Best Director for Bring Him To Me at the 23rd Chicago Indie Film Awards.  (bio from Supanova website)

To find out more about the Primitive War feature film release due around September 2025 in Australia and overseas, follow Luke Sparke on Instagram

Watch the Primitive War film trailer

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Charlotte George is an award-winning writer and director celebrated for her ability to tackle challenging subjects with wit and warmth. Her storytelling prowess shines in the AACTA-winning series BURIED a darkly comedic thriller co-created with Miriam Glaser and produced by Fran Derham.

Charlotte's career spans notable projects, including directing episodes of EastEnders: E20 (BBC3) and Hollyoaks (Channel 4/Directors UK scheme). She served as second unit director on the Netflix/BBC series Giri/Haji and directed the short film Lurker, sponsored by Arri and Directors UK.

In 2022, she directed an episode of Netflix's Surviving Summer and the comedy short ASSETS. Beyond directing, Charlotte contributes to the US comedy/history podcast The Dollop and has multiple TV and film projects in development.

Charlotte George's dynamic career and unique voice make her a standout figure in contemporary filmmaking.

Charlotte has generously shared valuable insights specific to Screen Australia production funding and development of comedy at the itemised timecodes below:

16:00 Production funding for online content

19:38 Unique TV tropes in the AACTA award-winning series Buried

21:00 Attributes of comedy: where drama and comedy intersect.

25:15 Cutting back a script to get the best version. Seeing a script as a blueprint for a bigger collaborative project

Hosted by award-winning writer & founder of Rocketshot TV Sage.

Filmesque is hosted by Sage Godrei an award-winning writer and actor who explores all things story-driven with filmmakers and producers. Today's discussion is centred around the premiere of new Australian feature film Carmen & Bolude. Michela Carattini and Bolude Watson are the co-creators and stars of this new film which had its world premiere is LA and its Australian premiere in Sydney 19th March.

Bolude Watson is a Nigerian-born, American-raised actress. Her move from Los Angeles to Sydney led to a flourishing film career, including a starring role in the Sci-fi feature “Blue World Order,” a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the Australian Academy Awards for the feature drama “Hearts and Bones” - in which she starred opposite Hugo Weaving, and a series regular role in the Netflix hit series "Heartbreak High." Bolude has been awarded CGA Rising Star, a prestigious award given by the Casting Guild Australia. As an African-American with a deep passion for storytelling, Bolude's goal is to be part of the movement that creates space for diverse voices in film and television. "Carmen & Bolude" is based on her love story.

Michela Carattini is a Panamanian-Australian filmmaker and human rights activist who believes in the power of story to influence thinking and still be downright fun. She graduated magna cum laude from Columbia University with a BA in Psychology and Creative Writing, and from the University of Sydney Law School with a Masters in Criminology. A professional actor of stage and screen for over 30 years, her simultaneous work in the area of reducing “violence against women” globally brought her to writing and directing her own films, including the documentary "When Home is Where the Hurt Is" highlighting the diversity of domestic violence survivors in Australia, "Unspoiled by Feminism” based on research she conducted while working in anti-human-trafficking in Prague, Czech Republic, the cyber-harassment thriller "Remote Access" and the social media comedy series “Americans in Oz”. "Carmen & Bolude" is based on her identity story and is her auteurial feature debut.

IMDb page (including Awards & Nominations): https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1522668/

Sage an award-winning writer and filmmaker met with Katharine Ruth Rogers Film Gal in Purple an award-winning, director/producer who teaches at Sydney's prestigious film school AFTRS to discuss her accolades in filmmaking, photography and writing children's books.

In this episode, we sit down with Katharine Ruth Rogers, a multidisciplinary storyteller and award-winning filmmaker whose work spans global festivals, in-flight entertainment, and digital content creation for platforms like the Sydney Opera House and ABC Kids. We delve into her diverse creative endeavors, including her debut picture book "Cockatoo Magic," her role as a wildlife photographer with features by ABC Australia and the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney, and her experience as a Family Films Programmer and Film Advisory Panel member at the Sydney Film Festival. Katharine also shares her insights from tutoring emerging filmmakers at Bus Stop Films, discussing the importance of inclusivity and diversity in the film industry.

You can purchase Kathaine's children's book Cockatoo Magic via this link Buy Cockatoo Magic

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Sage an award-winning writer, and founder of the Australian streaming channel Rocketshot.tv met with the creators of new documentary GOD BLESS BITCOIN for this episode of Filmesque.

GOD BLESS BITCOIN was written, directed and executive produced by the husband-and-wife duo Brian and Kelly Estes. GOD BLESS BITCOIN takes a deep dive into the moral and ethical aspects of bitcoin and the impact that this money can have on the world.  The documentary is currently available for free at GodBlessBitcoin.com in eight different languages – English, Arabic, Chinese, French, Hindi, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish – making it easy to watch and learn the basic moral and ethical aspects of bitcoin, along with seeing the impact that this money can have on the world in these native languages.  

**DISCLAIMER**

This is not financial advice.

GOD BLESS BITCOIN first screened in July 2024 at the Bitcoin Convention in Nashville, Tennessee. The film asks the timely question: How do we fix our broken money? Through in-depth conversations with bitcoin and interfaith religious leaders, the film exposes the broken, unjust, and immoral nature of a fiat-based monetary system, positing the view that existing systems are intimately connected to the military industrial complex and the propagation of war.

Brian Estes is the CIO of Off the Chain Capital and Kelly Estes is founder and President of the Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow Foundation, a non-profit that provides bridge scholarships to private high schools and colleges.

(Blurb shared from the films press release)

Official Film Trailer

Instagram @godblessbtcfilm

Facebook @GodBlessBTCfilm

X @godblessBTCfilm

TikTok @godblessbtcfilm

 www.godblessbitcoin.com

Watch Rocketshot TV for free, where we aim to pay independent filmmakers advertising income through a peer-to-peer business model.

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Sage a researcher and emerging writer / actor talks to Jeff Gomez an industry expert in transmedia entertainment and campaigns. He is the CEO of Starlight Runner Entertainment based on the East Coast of America. He has worked with brands such as Coca-Cola “Happiness Factory,” Pepperidge Farm “Goldfish,” Reebok “Be Human,” and Spartan Race, as well as various social impact projects. He has also analysed and contributed on transmedia campaigns for entertainment blockbusters such as Avatar, Pirates of the Caribbean, Halo, and currently in September 2023 Ultraman.

It is an exciting time to connect with Jeff Gomez as he is about to release a White Paper on his work in transmedia and hold a webinar so connect with him on LinkedIn - @Jeff Gomez and Twitter (X) - @Jeff_Gomez

Find out more about the featured guest at Starlight Runner Entertainment's website: https://starlightrunner.com/#projects

Find out more about the host Sage Godrei at her websites: www.onthecuspprod.net and www.sagegodreiactor.com or www.facebook.com/onthecuspproductions

Phil Greig an accomplished multi-disciplinary artist shares insight from his journey which began working as a projectionist at the local multiplex cinema to supervising Oscar-winning VFX teams for Hollywood films including the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

He is based in Wellington, New Zealand where he operates a photography studio www.philmhaus.com and shoots celebrities for entertainment magazines.

It was an honour and a privilege to hear about Phil's work and the dedication and learning that goes into developing a high-caliber career in filmmaking.

This is an episode not to miss if you are interested in filmmaking and the artist's journey.

Hosted by Sage Godrei a researcher and emerging writer and filmmaker.

www.onthecuspprod.net