In the 97th episode of the Moonshine Moonshot podcast, Sue is back with director and impact filmmaker Mike Hill. A slight twist this week, as it's Mike's turn to interview Sue, and the topic is building audiences for independent film projects.Have you ever tried to drum up an audience for your own projects? It's not as easy as it sounds. So Sue is sharing how to get into the driving seat and get underway with building a thriving audience for your next film. Because that's wh...

“...one of the beauties that I’ve experienced in making documentary films over 20 years, is that what you get, is usually better than what you imagine.”- a little pearl from Mike Hill, Director, Impact Filmmaker and special guest on this week's Moonshine Moonshot podcast. This ep dives into Mike's unique approach to directing, and how trusting in the filmmaking process can often lead to unexpected and powerful outcomes.Listen now and you'll be inspired to follow your instincts and get curious...

In the name of lights, camera, action - and CUT 🎬 In the 95th episode of the Moonshine Moonshot podcast, your host Sue Collins talks about the importance of clear comms and the Production Bible - the ultimate assets for any production. A Production Bible is… well… “the” bible - it’s the gospel for your production. The production bible you create will be the ultimate documentation resource that houses every piece of info required to get your film underway. It will essentially become an instruc...

“Simplicity is the Ultimate Sophistication”- Leonardo da VinciIn the 94th episode of the Moonshine Moonshot podcast, host Sue Collins discusses the beauty of simplicity; an art that is at times overlooked or not considered, but in reality, keeping things simple may just be the key ingredient you need to make things happen.Do you have a goal in mind but not sure how to achieve it? The answer is simple - planning. It’s pretty hard to get your production off the ground without a clear plan...

In the 93rd episode of the Moonshine Moonshot podcast, host Sue Collins discusses the fundamentals that make a story impactful in filmmaking, and how YOU can use impact storytelling to create films that inspire real-world change.From the importance of a compelling narrative to the significance of a call to action - Sue explores how impactful storytelling can go above and beyond the “entertainment value” to engage and inspire audiences and highlights the use of storytelling to drive action and...

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 h...

So - you've got a script, a vision, and the passion to tell your story - what next?The 91st episode outlines the importance of planning your production journey before setting foot on the set. That's so your film has the best chance of success. If the idea of planning is making your eyes glaze over, you're not alone. But as you embark on your next cinematic adventure, it's crucial to think through exactly what you want your film to achieve. And plan how you're go...

Welcome to your first Moonshine Moonshot podcast for 2024!In the 90th episode, I'm (Sue Collins) reflecting on my own journey in the film industry, and discussing 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.I'm sharing some of the learnings I have from starting out as a freelancer filmmaker to spending the last 14 years running successful impact film production house Moonshine Ag...

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 ...

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 sha...

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, an...

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...

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 ...

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 ...

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...

Be adaptable and roll with the opportunities: One of the key lessons shared in this ep is the importance of being adaptable as a filmmaker. Sometimes, unexpected opportunities arise, like filming an unplanned interview when talent comes to town or encountering unforeseen delays. By embracing these opportunities and rolling with the punches, you can create a better film and find greater satisfaction as a filmmaker. 🎬Listen in to find out why Mr Messy and indie filmmaking have more i...

In this episode, Sue dives deep into a topic that not typically covered in film school - the business of filmmaking. 🎥💼Here are three key takeaways from this episode:1️⃣ The Craft vs. The Business: While film school teaches us a lot about the art and technique of filmmaking, it often doesn't teach us about the essential business aspects. Producing work in the film industry involves much more than just the craft of making the film. But don't be discouraged! If you aspire to be your own boss an...

In this episode, Host Sue Collins does a dive deep into the world of impact filmmaking and how to make movies that truly matter. If you're someone who is passionate about creating meaningful work and making a positive impact on your audience, then this episode is definitely for you.One of the key takeaways from this episode is the importance of exploring topics through documentary filmmaking. It is a truly rewarding experience that allows you to meet amazing people and go to places you never ...

Are you a filmmaker struggling to find your way? Join me for this episode as I discuss how to have a long-term career in the industry. Filmmaking has so many parts and I'm sharing what I've learned over the past 15 years in producing impact films that reach their intended audience and support real-world change. 📩 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 t...

In this episode, Sue Collins takes you through a 12-step plan to produce an indie film. The inspiration for this episode came from a post on the @MoonshineCommunicationsAcademy Instagram page, which had a basic outline of the 12 steps. However, due to the limited space on Instagram, the post didn't expand on each step and so that's what Sue does in this episode. Overall, the 12 steps discussed in this episode provide a roadmap for turning an idea into a cinematic reality.The steps and r...