We Interrupt This Broadcast

In this episode of We Interrupt This Broadcast, Julie and Kirsty wrap up this month's industry news, from distributors making AI edits and Tilly Norwood's debut through to shifting audience habits and some great industry opportunities to apply for.

Plus: all of your October screen industry news headlines from around the country...

This episode is sponsored by ⁠AFTRS⁠, the Australian Film, Television and Radio School.

00:00 Intro

00:41 Exciting news! Our new sponsor & a new partnership.

03:01 Critters - a $30m "AI-integrated" animated feature film

05:39 AI "actress" Tilly Norwood

07:40 Tropfest's stance on AI

08:20 Trump, Tiktok & Tariffs

09:46 Gen Z watching TV through social clips

14:23 Do fans move from YouTube to TV?

17:46 Industry news, key appointments & opportunities

09:20 Opportunities & upcoming events

20:17 What we've been watching

22:43 What’s in production around Australia

23:24 Wrap-Up & Acknowledgement of Country

Podcast News

• Say hello to our new podcast sponsor AFTRS and use the code INTENSIVE2025 for a 20% discount⁠ on all “intensive” courses until the end of the year: https://www.aftrs.edu.au
• Learn more about the upcoming AACTA Festival. We'll be there as official media partners: https://www.aacta.org/p/2025-aacta-festival

AI Round-Up

• ⁠⁠Deep Dive with Clayton Jacobson: https://weinterruptthisbroadcast.substack.com/p/ep-30-reimagining-filmmaking-with

Critterz "AI-integrated" Feature Animation

• https://www.critterz.tv/ 

• https://www.screendaily.com/news/ai-integrated-animation-critterz-in-production-for-uks-vertigo-films/5208690.article

Unauthorised AI Editing

• https://www.linkedin.com/posts/activity-7376751430831079425-t5Yg/
• https://deadline.com/2025/09/together-china-gay-scene-ai-edit-neon-1236554804/ 
• https://variety.com/2025/film/news/ai-actress-tilly-norwood-talent-agents-zurich-summit-1236533454/ 

Tilly Norwood

• https://variety.com/2025/film/news/tilly-norwood-ai-eline-van-der-velden-1236543362/ 

• https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/tilly-norwood-ai-actress-betty-gilpin-guest-essay-1236396217/

• https://www.sagaftra.org/sag-aftra-statement-synthetic-performer

AI "not out of the question" at Tropfest

• ⁠https://www.screenhub.com.au/news/interviews/tropfest-founder-john-polson-says-ai-not-out-of-the-question-in-2026-festival-return-2678406/⁠

Trump, TikTok & Tariffs

• https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/25/trump-approves-tiktok-deal-through-executive-order.html

• https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2025/10/10/barron-trump-tipped-top-tiktok-job
• https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-30/fears-trump-film-tariff-could-hurt-australian-film-industry/105834582

Audience Shifts

• GenZ only watches TV through social clips: https://theankler.com/p/gen-z-only-watches-your-show-through
• Do Creator Fans Move from YouTube to TV? https://businessoftv.substack.com/p/do-creator-fans-move-from-youtube

Industry News & Opportunities

• ⁠AACTA Screen Careers Expo

• ⁠AACTA Young Stars ⁠
• Reg Grundy Award
• AIF Insider Sessions: Writers Room
• AGSC Scoring Summit

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.

In this episode, Kirsty talks to Creative Producer Nicholas Colla from LateNite Films in Melbourne about how he and his business partner Chris Hocking have built a slate of work that balances great storytelling with highly accomplished VFX and animation.

Nick shares their approach to production, including integrating post production workflows and using technology in their planning and development process, plus the lessons they've brought into live action from their animation work.

Listen to hear Nick discuss:

In this episode, Julie talks to prolific producer Steve Jaggi, founder of Jaggi Entertainment, about how he has built one of Australia’s busiest independent studios. Steve unpacks his cradle-to-grave business model - spanning development, financing, production, post, VFX and distribution - and why being relentlessly audience-focused has been key to his global success.

He shares candid insights into why legacy systems are struggling, how micro dramas and influencer-led casting are reshaping the industry, and why Australian producers must urgently rethink cost structures and audience engagement. Steve also reflects on AI, direct-to-consumer models, and what kind of leadership is needed to stop the industry’s “slow-moving train” from derailing.

Listen to hear Steve discuss:

• The rise of vertical drama and mobile-first storytelling.

• Why influencer-driven casting is transforming audience definitions of quality.

• Rethinking cost, scale and sustainability in production.

• Preparing for disruption from AI, D2C models, and shifting global power.

In this episode, Julie talks to award-winning filmmaker Clayton Jacobson, best known for Kenny, about his pioneering work with AI in film.

Clayton shares how AI is helping him bypass traditional gatekeepers, transform creative workflows, and unlock decades of unrealised ideas.

He speaks candidly about the opportunities and challenges of this rapidly evolving technology, how it can democratise creativity, and why he believes it will change the way we make and experience stories.

Listen to hear Clayton discuss:

• How AI is transforming filmmaking and creative workflows.

• The future of storytelling beyond traditional gatekeepers.
• Iterative creative processes using AI tools.
• Rethinking collaboration, production, and budgets in screen content.
• The broader cultural impact of AI on creativity and human connection.

Follow Clayton and his work:

• LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/clayton-jacobson-13453841

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clayton.jacobson.79

• Youtube (portfolio): https://www.www.youtube.com/@GUNSHYCOWBOYS-285

• Escape AI: https://escape.ai/profile/gunshycowboys285 

In this episode, Julie Eckersley talks to Lee Naimo, Head of Creative for Grouse House at Haven’t You Done Well Productions, about the growth of online screen businesses in Australia and how to build a sustainable business model that works for you and your audience.

Previously managing the Online and Games Unit at Screen Australia, Lee worked with Australian producers, writers, directors and gamemakers to elevate their projects and careers, and has great insight into how they’re succeeding in the marketplace.

Even for those companies working in traditional media, online opportunities will need to make up at least one component of your future business strategy, so this is an episode not to miss!

Listen to hear Lee discuss:

• The evolution of online content in Australia

• Innovative companies in the online space

• How Grouse House is building opportunities for comedians to get their work in front of audiences

• How revenue stacking leads to sustainable business models

• Why you should repurpose your existing content to find new audiences

• What’s happening in the games space in Australia

In this episode of We Interrupt This Broadcast, Julie and Kirsty wrap up this month's industry news, from the announcement of Tropfest 2.0 and an audience shift back to cinemas, through to Netflix's new staff announcements and some international successes for Australian work.

Plus: all of your September screen industry news headlines from around the country...

00:00 Intro

00:41 Julie on Stake Out & Kirsty on holidays!

03:46 Tropfest is back!

05:49 The re-emergence of cinema 

08:18 Industry news & key appointments

09:20 Opportunities & upcoming events

11:04 Netflix releases AI guidelines

12:37 Australian successes overseas: The Emmys & Hollow Knight: Silksong

17:03 What we've been watching

19:13 What’s in production around Australia

21:11 Wrap-Up & Acknowledgement of Country

What We've Been Up To

• Stake Out
• Deep Dive with Jonathon Dutton
• Deep Dive with Sam Jockel
• Screen Well’s Psychosocial Safety course

Audience Trends

• 
  
  
• Deep Dive with Sam Jennings
• Adelaide Film Festival
• Melbourne Is Getting Another Independent Cinema
• A24 Buys Cherry Lane Theater
• The Mercury
• Can Gen Alpha Save the Box Office?
• Aunty Donna / Grouse House’s New Streaming Service
• How Dropout went from College Humor to multi-media powerhouse

Industry News & Opportunities

• Netflix Appointments

• Leanne Tonks appointed WIFT Chair
• AACTA Entries Now Open
• AACTA Young Stars
• CinefestOZ Feature Winner
• CinefestOZ Shorts Winners
• Netflix AI Guidelines
• Netflix Clipping Feature
• Aquarius Films to Close
• Love on the Spectrum Wins Two Emmys
• Screenrights Cultural Fund Recipients
• Screen Forever Session Call Out
• SPA GENR8 Conference
• Hollow Knight: Silksong

• Team Cherry

What We're Watching

• Lesbian Space Princess: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nra14aUNYS8 
• Went Up the Hill: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ngflg43TKUI 
• Top End Bub: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDIbYTsWSqw 
• Pasa Faho: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZQln1EvjeA 
• CEEBS: https://www.tiktok.com/@ceebsseries 
• HOOPS: https://www.tiktok.com/@transathletica.series 
• Kangaroo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvmaXOvLJNc 
• Mystery Road: Origin S2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zETZw4w-Hbs 

What's in Production

• Stake Out: https://deadline.com/2025/08/brenton-thwaites-charlee-fraser-horror-stake-out-1236500324/ 
• The Dispatcher: https://vicscreen.vic.gov.au/news/new-thriller-series-the-dispatcher-wraps-in-victoria 
• Dog Park: https://www.filmink.com.au/public-notice/sit-stay-laugh-abcs-new-comedy-dog-park-begins-filming/ 
• Happy House & Caper Crew: https://www.abc.net.au/about/media-centre/publicity-media-room/abc-unveils-two-new-original-children-s-series/105702130 
• Her Aussie Romance - Jaggi Entertainment:  https://if.com.au/colin-budds-her-aussie-romance-sets-melbourne-backdrop-with-mallory-jansen-ryan-corr-dannii-minogue/ 
• Prima Facie: https://www.screendaily.com/news/prima-facie-starring-cynthia-erivo-gearing-up-to-shoot-at-londons-story-works-studios 

SXSW Sydney: https://www.sxswsydney.com/ 

Sony Scenescape: https://scene.sonyanz.com/sne-hub/explore-all/scenescape 

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 Expanding Media & CrewHQ.

In this episode, Kirsty Stark talks to Jonathon Dutton, Managing Partner of Screen Well, about mental health and wellbeing in the Australian screen industry.

Screen Well's mission is to improve the mental health and wellbeing outcomes of the Australian Screen industry - not an easy task when their recent survey in partnership with Griffith University found that 25% of our workforce is looking to leave the industry within the next 6 months!

This is a must-listen episode for anyone wanting to better look after our people - on an individual, production / workplace and industry-wide level.

Listen to hear Jonathon discuss:

• The structural challenges in our industry that make wellbeing so much harder to maintain
• What you can do to manage your own mental health and wellbeing, or 'put your own life jacket on first.'
• How Town Hall meetings on productions can help to shift the culture on set and make policies 'real.'

• Mental Health First Aid Training and the impact it makes when people are trained across a production.
• Why you should have the Support Act number on your callsheets.

• Psychosocial safety, and your responsibility as an employer under new legislation.
• Screen Well's Mental Health Summit, and upcoming Mental Health Action Plan

Follow Screen Well and their work:

• Screen Well's website: ⁠https://www.screenwell.com.au

• Psychosocial Safety training: https://www.screenwell.com.au/creative-workplaces
• Mental Health First Aid training: https://www.screenwell.com.au/mhfa-training

• Screen Well on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/screenwell.com.au

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

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 conceived

• How much she raised at the film’s first fundraising event, and why it was so important

• Her choice to build a distribution plan around community screenings, instead of targeting individual ticket sales

• Her initial reaction to the distribution models she was presented with

• The difficulty of managing an impact campaign alone, and whether it was worth it

• How Seen planned and managed their release, including the tools and platforms they used, how they ran events and the benefit of their website

• What she would pitch to the film industry as an outsider, to make it better for everyone

  
  

Sam 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.com

• Seen Resources: https://seentheresources.com

• Seen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seendocumentary

  
  

• Sam Jockel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samjockel

  
  

• ParentTV: https://parenttv.com

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ParentTV

  
  

Official 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

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 time

• How to approach casting and packaging for features

• The ideal budgets for feature films that Causeway will look to take on

• The detail to which the directors they work with understand the audiences for their projects

• Why proof of concept shorts aren’t always the best pathway to directing features

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 Intro

00:59 Julie’s production & Kirsty’s First Day UK launch

2:01 Future Visions, The Logies & the Hottest 100 

8:20 YouTube in the under 16 social media ban

12:10 AI Updates: Productivity Commission, Netflix uses AI to cut costs in post; Amazon invests in Fable

14:48 Industry news round-up: SBS, Netflix gossip & new Screen Australia guidelines

16:48 Short film renaissance & other opportunities 

17:41 Vale David Stratton

18:02 What we've been watching

21:15 What’s in production around the country

22:08 Wrap-Up & Acknowledgement of Country

What We've Been Up To

First Day (now on YouTube in the UK): https://www.firstdayseries.com

Future Vision Summit, The Logies and the Hottest 100

The 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-dnXP

Under 16 Social Media Ban

Australia 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 Updates

Productivity Commission Considers a Copyright Exception for AI Companies

https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/arts-in-30/productivity-tdm-exception-apra-amcos-aava-natsiaa-rudi-bremer/105588574

Netflix uses AI effects for first time to cut costs: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9vr4rymlw9o

Amazon Invests in Fable

https://variety.com/2025/digital/news/netflix-of-ai-amazon-invests-fable-showrunner-launch-1236471989/

Industry News

James 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/

Opportunities

Screen 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-initiative

AACTA 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-a1f9-43f2-9ca1-5639baf0c887

SPA Pitch on Demand: https://www.screenproducers.org.au/events/details/?id=35134e97-9c55-42cc-a217-10a1f224a375

Vale David Stratton

https://if.com.au/vale-david-stratton-beloved-australian-film-critic-and-writer/

What We've Been Watching

MIFF 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-aSf4

What's in Production

Mosquito 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.