Clockwork Films Cultivates Career Opportunities for Local Directors

Jamie Cohen, co-founder of Clockwork Films, recognises the inherent desire of every director to share their unique stories. However, navigating the industry to find such opportunities can be challenging.

Jamie and his team at Clockwork Films have devised a method that not only enhances their short-form commercial projects but also paves the way for long-form opportunities for their directors.

Operating as Clockwork Films Entertainment Group, the team has created a pathway for long-form creative work to be more accessible to their directors. Jamie identified an opportunity within the long-form space through podcasting.

“Podcasts allow directors to test the market, build an audience, and further IP development,” he explained.

With this insight, Jamie proposed acquiring true stories via life rights or option agreements with the goal of owning the IP to sell later. This would allow a far more comprehensive development process and higher acquisition rate as it follows the process of podcasting to unscripting to scripting.

“This is crucial for us. We know how difficult it is for directors to branch into long-form media. Creating this vertical funnel with this untapped part of the market helps us continue to develop our directors, which in turn benefits Clockwork Films,” Jamie said.

This approach brings local commercial directors closer to their ultimate goal of producing long-form content, expanding their portfolios, and enhancing Clockwork Films' creative output.

Several projects are underway at Clockwork Films. A notable example is the podcast "The Confessions of Anthony Raimondi," hosted by true crime legend Marc Smerling and has recently been heroed by Apple Podcasts in the US.

The podcast tells the gripping story of a man from one of New York City’s crime families with deep ties to the Italian mafia, who claims to have witnessed the murder of Pope John Paul I. These are the confessions of Anthony Raimondi.

Another success story is director James Medlam, who directed the feature "What If the Future Never Happened?" based on the rise of Australian music icon Daniel Johns of Silverchair fame.

Clockwork Films' initiative to develop stories and provide opportunities for its directors is a commendable effort. The future looks promising for Clockwork Films and its talented directors.