We Interrupt This Broadcast

Julie chats with emerging screen talent Ally Morgan, creator of the 15-part TikTok musical series Girl Crush. Originally envisioned as a TV series, Girl Crush became a groundbreaking short-form series that reached and resonated with queer audiences online.

Ally opens up about how she greenlit herself, the creative and logistical pivot from television to TikTok, and what the project taught her about episodic structure, vertical storytelling, and building an audience from scratch in the digital age.

Listen to this episode if you’re interested in:

• Why Girl Crush pivoted from long-form TV to a 15-part TikTok musical series
• How Ally mastered writing hooks and sustaining story over one-minute episodes
• The creative constraints—and unexpected freedoms—of vertical storytelling
• Lessons in crafting for short-form platforms, from writing to visual style
• How to cultivate a micro-niche audience instead of chasing viral fame
• Marketing strategies that actually worked (and what didn’t)
• Why authentic, unpolished content often outperforms glossy production on TikTok
• The power of starting today—even without a green light
• What every production company can learn from creators like Ally

Top Takeaways:

• Start early and start raw — audiences value authenticity over polish

• Every second counts — grab attention in under 1 second on TikTok

• Craft still matters — shorter doesn't mean easier, it means sharper

• Find your people — lean into specificity to build a loyal audience

• Marketing is not optional — plan content and community alongside story

• Go cross-platform — TikTok is powerful, but don't skip Instagram and YouTube Shorts

Watch Girl Crush:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@girlcrushseries

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlcrushseries/

Trailer: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3WdAt9PfPx/

Connect with Ally Morgan:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/allymorgan1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allykmorgan/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@allykaymorgan

Website: https://allymorgan.squarespace.com/

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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!

In this episode, Melanie Rowland, co-founder of Lilydale Films, shares how she and her business partner have built a successful independent production company that is totally sustainable, without relying on streamers or broadcasters to greenlight them.

They’ve created seven series, six feature films, and built a loyal audience with no investors, meaning all revenue flows directly to them.

Their flagship show, Flunk, has garnered over 200 million views globally to date, all while operating on a minimal budget. In this episode Melanie discusses Lilydale’s unique approach to self-funding, building community engagement, optimising for YouTube’s algorithm, and creating new content within their highly engaged niche.

Listen to this episode if you are interested in:

• How to build a sustainable production company in the new media landscape.

• How to build and grow a story universe.

• Gaining insights into how to have a truly audience centric approach to screen storytelling

• Understanding sustainable revenue streams that don’t rely on traditional gatekeepers.

In this episode of We Interrupt This Broadcast we wrap up Screen Forever - including Screen Australia’s new strategic direction, discuss the recent federal election and its likely impact on the screen industry, and touch on the Trump tariff announcement.

Plus: Que Minh Luu steps down from Netflix, Hugh Marks speaks out on his role at the ABC and more screen industry news from around the country...

00:00 Intro

00:58 Reflecting on our time at Screen Forever

03:17 Sustainable screen businesses and putting people first

06:15 Feedback on the podcast & where we want to take it

07:09 Screen Forever’s programming focus on the online and digital space

08:36 YouTube as a platform for long-form content & multiple forms of IP use

10:22 Screen Australia’s new strategic direction - the five Es

18:29 Hugh Marks speaks publicly on his new role as Managing Director at the ABC

22:47 Final takeaways from Screen Forever

23:33 Federal election wrap-up & what it means for content quotas

24:32 Trump and his 100% screen content tariffs

26:17 Industry movements & brief news updates

27:07 What’s in production around the country

27:40 Episode wrap-up

28:33 Acknowledgement of Country & Podcast Credits

Links to further info:

Deep Dive Episodes:
Amanda Lotz - Our changing media landscape
Natalie Lynch - Cinch Media
Jasmine Yang - Glitch Productions

Future-Proofing Your Screen Business by Putting People First
Meet the Screen Industry Organisations Putting People First
Bullying in the Workplace

Screen Australia’s new strategic direction:
Screen Australia Chair announces new strategic direction for the agency
Michael Ebeid AM presents Screen Australia’s Future Focus (session video from Screen Forever)

Content Quotas:
We Interrupt This Broadcast bonus episode: Streaming Quotas 101
Screen Producers Australia’s Parliamentarian Meeting Kit: how to email your MP

Trump Tariffs
Donald Trump announces 100 per cent tariffs on movies 'produced in foreign lands'
Screen Wars: Trump vs Global Trade (session video from Screen Forever)

Industry Movements:
Tim Phillips named Managing Director of Werner Film Productions
Mike Jones to BBC Studios as Development Executive, Scripted Production
Drew Grove to Screen Australia as Head of Production
Que Minh Luu steps down from Netflix Director of Content role
Wētā FX establishes permanent Melbourne headquarters
Lana Greenhalgh named Commissioner of the Year at the SPA Awards

In Production:
Penny Lane is Dead | Gnomes
Screen Australia Upcoming Productions | IF In Production

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.

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.

In this episode Julie speaks to acclaimed producer, Imogen Banks, best known for the wildly popular Network Ten series OFFSPRING which, over seven seasons, garnered multiple Logie, AFI, and AACTA wins.

With John Edwards, Imogen developed and produced the Showtime showcase series TANGLE; PUBERTY BLUES and PARTY TRICKS for Network Ten; and GALLIPOLI for the Nine Network. For the ABC, Imogen developed the mini-series PAPER GIANTS and produced THE BEAUTIFUL LIE.

Through her drama division at Endemol Shine, Imogen co-created and produced SISTERS for Network Ten, and RFDS for the Seven Network. Banks also developed and ran an initiative for emerging female writers, in collaboration with Alice Bell. 

Imogen recently founded independent production company, Kindling Pictures. Its debut project, the critically acclaimed mini-series SAFE HOME premiered on SBS in May 2023 and HULU in the US. Most recently, FAKE, a gripping series starring Asher Keddie and David Wenham, premiered on Paramount + in 2024. It has been the streamer’s most successful Australian drama launch to date. 

In this episode Imogen talks about what she has learnt about the post process and the difference it can make to the quality of the story.

She gives great insights on seeing the role of the producer, who she likes to work with and how she chooses projects for her company, Kindling Pictures. 

Listen to this episode if you are interested in:

• Learning about the art of producing from one of the best in the business.

• Mastering post production and practical tips on how to improve this part of the creative process.

• The importance of finding the right visual and sound language to bring characters emotional journey’s to life.

• The role of producer as the defender of the creative vision.

• Fostering strong collaborations and finding the people you want to work with

• Flexibility and growth as a producer 

Website

Kindling Pictures: https://www.kindlingpictures.com/

In this episode, we speak with media scholar, professor, and industry consultant Amanda Lotz, whose expertise includes media industries, internet distribution, the future of television, and the business of media.

She discusses the evolution of media, focusing on the shift from scarcity to abundance in content availability and its implications for audience behaviour.

Listen to this episode if you're interested in:

• What motivates audiences to consume content
• Why fragmented audiences mean that cultural moments are no longer shared as widely
• Why data shouldn't dictate creative decisions
• The power of niche audiences

• How to future-proof your work in an ever-changing industry

Follow Amanda and her work:

• https://www.amandalotz.com/

• https://www.qut.edu.au/about/our-people/academic-profiles/amanda.lotz

Book: Media Industries in the Digital Age

https://www.politybooks.com/bookdetail?book_slug=media-industries-in-the-digital-age-how-media-businesses-work-today--9781509565900

Book: After Mass Media: Storytelling for Microaudiences in the 21st Century 

https://nyupress.org/9781479833900/after-mass-media/

Australian Screen Stories Viewing Report survey [2023]

Part 1: Watching Series and Movies in the 21st Century

Part 2: Streaming Behaviour and Content Discovery

Part 3: Viewing Practices

Part 4: Why We Watch What We Watch

In this episode, we speak with Emmy Award winning international producer Alon Aranya.

With over 15 years experience, Alon is the co-founder of Paper Plane Productions – a company with a unique approach to global co-productions.

He has produced numerous globally successful series including Tehran, Your Honour, Hostages and The Vanishing Triangle.

Alon is deeply focused on the process of script development. His work is driven by a passion for developing premium content that resonates globally.

He talks candidly about what makes shows globally successful and how the opportunities for Australia to step up on the global stage and how we can do this.

Listen to this episode if you are interested in:

• The importance of development

• The impact streamers have had on the global scripted market

• How to balance local stories and global appeal

• The future of the Australian screen industry.

Michelle Melky, Global Creative Director of Amplify, dives into the rapidly evolving landscape of the creator economy and the future of storytelling. Michelle had delivered countless hours of cutting edge online content and has a deep understanding of the “Creator-Verse” and Gen Z audiences.

She talks about creating a hit series on Tik Tok and we discuss how we are moving away from traditional influencers to a new era of creators who are shaping their careers and impacting the entertainment industry.

Listen to this episode if you are interested in:

• The rise of the Creator Economy

• Understanding the “Creatorverse”

• Gen Z’s viewing habits

• The impact for short form content

• The future of the screen industry

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Links:

Michelle on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michellemelky/

Amplify website: https://thisisamplify.com

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00:00 Standing Out in a Sea of Content

00:43 Introduction to Michelle Melky and Amplify

01:10 Amplify's Business Model and Creator Focus

03:23 The Evolution of Entertainment Consumption

05:06 The Future of TikTok and Long-Form Content

06:29 Understanding the Creator Sphere

09:02 The Viral Success of 'Love Songs' on TikTok

13:49 Strategies for TikTok Success

14:59 Building a Conscious Audience Focus

17:50 The Importance of Engagement Over Followers

18:24 The Importance of Diversification for Creators

20:02 Television Industry's Shift in Viewing Habits

20:49 The Rise of Connected TV and Week-to-Week Viewing

24:01 Generational Divide in Screen Entertainment

27:24 Opportunities for Traditional Media with Gen Z

33:41 Advice for Aspiring Content Creators

34:43 The Future of Young Adult Content

37:03 Conclusion and Acknowledgements

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This Deep Dive interview is hosted by ⁠⁠Julie Eckersley⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Produced & edited by ⁠⁠Leonie Marsh⁠⁠.

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This episode is proudly brought to you by ⁠⁠Screen Vixens⁠⁠, ⁠⁠CrewHQ⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠Expanding Media⁠⁠.

Australian screen industry, this is your call to action.

Now is the time to ensure the future of Australian content by advocating for streaming quotas ahead of the upcoming federal election.

In this episode, Julie and Kirsty are joined by special guest Rebecca Barry from Media Stockade, to tell you what the quotas are, why they matter, and how you can make a difference.

The form is managed by Documentary Australia, Media Stockade, Doc Society and SPA (as outlined in the Usage and Consent section) and is part of a grassroots campaign connecting crew and cast across all parts of the film industry - drama, documentary and kids' content.

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Hosted by ⁠⁠Julie Eckersley⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Kirsty Stark⁠⁠.

Produced by ⁠⁠Leonie Marsh⁠⁠.

This episode edited by Kirsty Stark.

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This episode is proudly brought to you by ⁠⁠Screen Vixens⁠⁠, ⁠⁠CrewHQ⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠Expanding Media⁠⁠.

Join the conversation on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠.

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Have industry news, upcoming events or productions to share? Let us know at [email protected].

And remember to subscribe at ⁠⁠http://www.weinterruptthisbroadcast.com.au⁠⁠ to get future episodes in your inbox each month, along with our show notes, links and bonus content.

In this episode of We Interrupt This Broadcast we look at the global state of the screen industry after Series Mania, check in on content quotas in the lead-up to the federal election, look at the results of Screen Australia’s recent industry survey, and discuss 10 years of Netflix in Australia.

Plus: Chris Oliver-Taylor to Totem Global, Matt Vitins to Northern Pictures, the most popular job in Australia, and more...

00:00 Intro

00:58 Reflecting on our first Deep Dive episodes

02:25 Content quotas and the federal election

03:51 Screen Australia industry survey results

06:27 Series Mania wrap-up & a global downturn in production

08:47 A change in genres towards comedy & cozy crime

10:13 Ten years since Netflix arrived in Australia

11:55 Industry movements & the most popular job in the country

12:41 What’s in production around the country

13:50 What we’re watching this month

16:26 What we’re looking forward to at Screen Forever

18:20 Episode wrap-up & our Streaming Quotas bonus episode

18:34 Acknowledgement of Country & Podcast Credits

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Hosted by ⁠⁠Julie Eckersley⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Kirsty Stark⁠⁠.

Produced & edited by ⁠⁠Leonie Marsh⁠⁠.

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This episode is proudly brought to you by ⁠⁠Screen Vixens⁠⁠, ⁠⁠CrewHQ⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠Expanding Media⁠⁠.

Join the conversation about Episode 1 on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠.

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Have industry news, upcoming events or productions to share? Let us know at [email protected].

And remember to subscribe at ⁠⁠http://www.weinterruptthisbroadcast.com.au⁠⁠ to get future episodes in your inbox each month, along with our show notes, links and bonus content.

Glitch Productions are one of the most successful Australian production companies there are – but you may not have ever heard of them. In this episode, Jasmine Yang - COO, Head of Product, and Development Producer at Glitch Productions, takes us behind the scenes of their incredible success.

Their latest show -  The Amazing Digital Circus, has garnered over 400 million views. It plays first on You Tube and then has a second window on Netflix. In this interview Jasmine talks about how they have used You Tube to build their global success, marketing to a global audience on a limited budget and as an animation company with over 100 employees you will not believe what their biggest revenue earner is.

Listen to this episode if you are interested in:

• How to build and grow a global audience

• Just how powerful niche audiences can be

• What is possible if you really know and stay true to your audience

• Using merchandise to create meaningful revenue
• Why You Tube needs to be a central part of your business

• 
  

  
  

  Social Media:

  LinkedIn

  Twitter/X

  Instagram

  You Tube

  
  

  Website:

  Glitch Website

  
  

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  00:00 Introduction to Glitch's unique Netflix Deal

  00:36 Meet Jasmine Yang: COO and Head of Product at Glitch Productions

  00:48 The Success of Glitch Productions and The Amazing Digital Circus

  04:52 The Origins and Growth of Glitch Productions

  06:26 The Creation and Impact of Meta Runner

  10:35 The Amazing Digital Circus: Concept and Release Strategy

  19:19 Monetising Through Merchandise and Multiple Revenue Streams

  22:48 The Role of YouTube in Glitch Productions' Success

  25:58 Community Engagement and Marketing Strategies

  29:57 The Future of Animation and AI Concerns

  34:57 Advice for Aspiring Animators and Final Thoughts
  

  
  

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  This Deep Dive interview is hosted by ⁠⁠Julie Eckersley⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

  Produced & edited by ⁠⁠Leonie Marsh⁠⁠.

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  This episode is proudly brought to you by ⁠⁠Screen Vixens⁠⁠, ⁠⁠CrewHQ⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠Expanding Media⁠⁠.