Consistency - does it really define success for independent filmmakers? Ep87

With International Women’s Day approaching (on Friday 8th March 2024 to be exact!) we thought this would be a great topic for our 92nd episode. Your host, Sue Collins, discusses gender equality in filmmaking and emphasizes the importance of having women in leadership roles behind the camera (and beyond).

Drawing from over 15 years of experience as a female filmmaker, Sue touches on her juggling act of being a dedicated producer and devoted parent. Since starting Moonshine Agency and running her own show (with the unconditional support of her partner, Mike Hill), Sue found the balance between parenthood and producing films that address human interest stories and drive positive impact - which is what you're here to learn more about!

Fancy reading more about Equality in filmmaking? We reckon you should check out the Inclusion Initiative study HERE (it’s a brilliant read!)

Curious about the Moonshine Agency films mentioned in this episode? Explore them today!
Website: Conquering Cancer Campaign
YouTube: Conquering Cancer
Visit Moonshine Agency for more Impact Films

What would YOU like to hear about next? We’d love to hear your thoughts and burning questions about the constantly evolving filmmaking industry 🔥 Get in touch on Instagram @moonshinecommunicationsacademy or email us at support@moonshinecommunicationsacademy.com.

📩 Want to stay up to date with the latest? Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get all the inside news and resources to make you the best impact filmmaker in the business (plus, we'll send you our free e-book when you sign up - you’re welcome!)

Find & Follow Moonshine Communications Academy on social:
Website: www.moonshinecommunicationsacademy.com
Facebook: Moonshine Communications Academy Page
Instagram: @moonshinecommunicationsacademy
LinkedIn: Sue Collins [Host] || Moonshine Communications Academy Page [ Company Page]
X: @moonshinecomms

In our 91st episode, host Sue Collins outlines the importance of planning your production journey before setting foot on the set. As you embark on your next cinematic adventure, it's crucial to set your sights on your intended destination and plan goals for your film - every step forward should be a stride towards success.

So - you've got a script, a vision, and the passion to tell your story - what next?
Where do you go from here?  How can you ensure your film won't end up on the shelf?  How do you know your film will achieve its intended impact and isn't just "a film on the big screen"?
Believe it or not, it all circles back to - you guessed it - knowing your goals from the get-go. What you set for yourself will guide your decisions - from location to camera type, to edit suite - the circle of filmmaking life.

Curious about the Moonshine Agency films mentioned in this episode? Explore them today!
Website: Conquering Cancer Campaign
YouTube: Conquering Cancer
Visit Moonshine Agency for more Impact Films

What would YOU like to hear about next? We’d love to hear your thoughts and burning questions about the constantly evolving filmmaking industry 🔥 Get in touch on Instagram @moonshinecommunicationsacademy or email us at support@moonshinecommunicationsacademy.com.

📩 Want to stay up to date with the latest? Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get all the inside news and resources to make you the best impact filmmaker in the business (plus, we'll send you our free e-book when you sign up - you’re welcome!)

Find & Follow Moonshine Communications Academy on social:
Website: www.moonshinecommunicationsacademy.com
Facebook: Moonshine Communications Academy Page
Instagram: @moonshinecommunicationsacademy
LinkedIn: Sue Collins [Host] || Moonshine Communications Academy Page [ Company Page]
X: @moonshinecomms

Welcome to your first Moonshine Moonshot podcast for 2024!
In our 90th episode, host Sue Collins reflects on her journey in the film industry, and discusses the different paths you - as a filmmaker - can take to help kickstart your film career: from freelancing, to working for others, or even running your own show.
Drawing from her own experience through Moonshine Agency (now in its 14th year!), Sue shares tremendous insights on  transitioning from the classroom, to being on the front lines of filmmaking and eventually landing on the doorstep of her production company.

This episode aims to provide eager filmmakers with valuable and practical advice on navigating through the film industry, learning beyond film school, and breaking into new opportunities, all while guiding you towards the path that suits your filmmaking needs.
Not sure about which film direction you want to take? Or do you want to know how you can reach your filmmaking destination successfully? Tune in to learn what career path may help you down the track, and how you can make filmmaking a sustainable career, and create meaningful work that makes a positive impact on your audiences.

Curious about the Moonshine Agency films mentioned in this episode? Explore them today!
Website: LIFE Before Death
YouTube: LIFE Before Death
Visit Moonshine Agency for more Impact Films

What would YOU like to hear about next? We’d love to hear your thoughts and questions about the constantly evolving filmmaking industry. You can contact us on Instagram @moonshinecommunicationsacademy or send us an email at support@moonshinecommunicationsacademy.com.

📩 Want to stay up to date with the latest? Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get all the inside news and resources to make you the best impact filmmaker in the business (plus, we'll send you our free e-book when you sign up - you’re welcome!)

Find & Follow Moonshine Communications Academy on social:
Website: www.moonshinecommunicationsacademy.com
Facebook: Moonshine Communications Academy Page
Instagram: @moonshinecommunicationsacademy
LinkedIn: Sue Collins [Host] || Moonshine Communications Academy Page [ Company Page]
X: @moonshinecomms

The part 2 you've been waiting for all week!! Ok, so you may have just landed here and this episode is the second part of how to get views for your film.  

We all know that feeling of putting our heart and soul into creating a film or video, only to be disappointed when the views don't roll in automatically. But fear not, because in this episode, I'm sharing valuable insights and strategies on how to improve the discoverability of your content and find your target audience.

Part 1 was all about the optimising the description and this week is focused on networking, marketing and building your audience.

Let me know what you think?

📩 Want to stay up to date with the latest? Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get all the inside news and resources to make you the best impact filmmaker in the business (plus, we'll send you our free e-book when you sign up - you’re welcome!)

Find & Follow Moonshine Communications Academy on social:
Website: www.moonshinecommunicationsacademy.com
Facebook: Moonshine Communications Academy Page
Instagram: @moonshinecommunicationsacademy
LinkedIn: Sue Collins [Host] || Moonshine Communications Academy Page [ Company Page]
X: @moonshinecomms

This topic is back by popular demand.  And it makes sense because when you create a film and post it to Youtube, you want people to watch it!  But Independent filmmakers didn't get into filmmaking to write copy so it's not second nature.

This Episode 88 is Part 1 on how to write an effective YouTube description to maximise its potential to be discovered and watched.  Part 2 next week will discuss how you can market, network and promote your Youtube video to make sure it gets shared, liked and drives engagement.  

These two parts together, the description along with the marketing and networking, are how you're going to get your video out into the world and help you succeed in getting lots of happy eyeballs watching your content.

I try to always talk about things that I have done myself or that my team have done so that I can speak with genuine experience on the topics.  I worry that there are a lot of folks out there telling filmmakers how to do things but they haven’t done the hard yards or tried out the systems they’re promoting themselves.  They’re just regurgitating what others have said works for them.

So what I talk about in this episode is all based on the experience I've had posting content to YouTube since 2010.  

Please send me your questions, DM @MoonshineCommunicationsAcademy on Insta or send me an email to support@moonshinecommunicationsacademy.com 


How to write an effective YouTube video description https://www.buzzsprout.com/846682/4857530

📩 Want to stay up to date with the latest? Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get all the inside news and resources to make you the best impact filmmaker in the business (plus, we'll send you our free e-book when you sign up - you’re welcome!)

Find & Follow Moonshine Communications Academy on social:
Website: www.moonshinecommunicationsacademy.com
Facebook: Moonshine Communications Academy Page
Instagram: @moonshinecommunicationsacademy
LinkedIn: Sue Collins [Host] || Moonshine Communications Academy Page [ Company Page]
X: @moonshinecomms

This week I'm talking all about consistency and debating if it's really that important to being a successful filmmaker?   If you're like me then consistency isn't your strength, which feels problematic considering so many thought leaders tout that consistency is the key to success.  So what are the benefits of embracing consistency, creativity, innovation, and the power of diverse perspectives? 

If you're interested in making movies that matter, building a sustainable career, and positively impacting your audiences, this episode is for you. Because I have a counterargument for why being consistently inconsistent can work just as well.

Don't forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell to stay updated on all the latest episodes.

📩 Want to stay up to date with the latest? Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get all the inside news and resources to make you the best impact filmmaker in the business (plus, we'll send you our free e-book when you sign up - you’re welcome!)

Find & Follow Moonshine Communications Academy on social:
Website: www.moonshinecommunicationsacademy.com
Facebook: Moonshine Communications Academy Page
Instagram: @moonshinecommunicationsacademy
LinkedIn: Sue Collins [Host] || Moonshine Communications Academy Page [ Company Page]
X: @moonshinecomms

This week host Sue Collins delves into the art of interviewing with special guest, Mike Hill.  Mike's an award-winning documentary filmmaker and interviewer. Mike shares his experiences and advice for aspiring interviewers, emphasizing the importance of being engaged, a better listener, and on a journey of discovery.

Listen in to find out how to conduct impactful interviews that make a difference.
 
00:05:51 Interviewing is about storytelling and discovery.
00:11:20 Active listening is a learnable skill.
00:17:13 Focus on the interviewee.
00:24:22 Online course on interviewing skills.

Whether you're a media professional or simply interested in the art of interviewing, this episode is for you.

You can find the course Mastering the Art of Interviewing for Media Production  here 

📩 Want to stay up to date with the latest? Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get all the inside news and resources to make you the best impact filmmaker in the business (plus, we'll send you our free e-book when you sign up - you’re welcome!)

Find & Follow Moonshine Communications Academy on social:
Website: www.moonshinecommunicationsacademy.com
Facebook: Moonshine Communications Academy Page
Instagram: @moonshinecommunicationsacademy
LinkedIn: Sue Collins [Host] || Moonshine Communications Academy Page [ Company Page]
X: @moonshinecomms

Looking for ways to stay motivated and make progress every day?

We all need a little boost of motivation from time to time, and in this episode, Sue provides some tips and strategies to help you stay inspired and driven. 

So where does motivation come from and how can you harness it when you need it?

Listening to inspiring podcasts and watching films by your favourite filmmakers to surrounding yourself with supportive people and learning new skills, there are ways to keep that fire burning within you.

So where does motivation come from and how can you harness it when you need it? Sue is sharing her insights and how she's stayed motivated over the past 20 years in her filmmaking journey.

📩 Want to stay up to date with the latest? Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get all the inside news and resources to make you the best impact filmmaker in the business (plus, we'll send you our free e-book when you sign up - you’re welcome!)

Find & Follow Moonshine Communications Academy on social:
Website: www.moonshinecommunicationsacademy.com
Facebook: Moonshine Communications Academy Page
Instagram: @moonshinecommunicationsacademy
LinkedIn: Sue Collins [Host] || Moonshine Communications Academy Page [ Company Page]
X: @moonshinecomms

This week is about the steps to go from freelance independent filmmaker to running your own show and building a sustainable career.  Because what got you started isn't the same as what's going to get you to the next level.

Dig in and start listening to learn more of the things they don't teach you at film school and how to produce a successful independent film.

📩 Want to stay up to date with the latest? Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get all the inside news and resources to make you the best impact filmmaker in the business (plus, we'll send you our free e-book when you sign up - you’re welcome!)

Find & Follow Moonshine Communications Academy on social:
Website: www.moonshinecommunicationsacademy.com
Facebook: Moonshine Communications Academy Page
Instagram: @moonshinecommunicationsacademy
LinkedIn: Sue Collins [Host] || Moonshine Communications Academy Page [ Company Page]
X: @moonshinecomms

Are you producing a documentary film?  You'll need to interview people, lots of people from all different walks of life.  Interviewing can be something that people find as scary as public speaking.  Something many people say they would rather die than do.  So don't let a fear of conducting an interview be the thing between you and realising your dream film. In this week's episode host Sue Collins shares her top 3 tips on how to conduct a great interview that will have your interviewee sharing deep and meaningful stories.  Sue has interviewed hundreds of people - everyone from Dr Tedro Ghebreyesus, Director General of the WHO to children in preschool.  Sue is sharing some simple things you can do to improve your own skills.

Interviewing is an art in and of itself.  And you can master it. Tune in to find out how.

📩 Want to stay up to date with the latest? Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get all the inside news and resources to make you the best impact filmmaker in the business (plus, we'll send you our free e-book when you sign up - you’re welcome!)

Find & Follow Moonshine Communications Academy on social:
Website: www.moonshinecommunicationsacademy.com
Facebook: Moonshine Communications Academy Page
Instagram: @moonshinecommunicationsacademy
LinkedIn: Sue Collins [Host] || Moonshine Communications Academy Page [ Company Page]
X: @moonshinecomms