Moonshot Mentor with Laverne McKinnon

At the end of year, there’s a lot of talk about resolutions and the promising big changes and fresh starts we will be making. But studies have shown how resolutions often fizzle out, which impacts our self-esteem and confidence. Reflection takes a different approach. It encourages you to slow down, think about the highs and lows of the past year, and get clear on what matters to you. It’s a powerful and effective tool that can be used after any experience. I’ve put together a simple journal exercise to guide you through reflecting on where you’ve been, where you are now, and what you want to create for the year ahead. It’s a chance to step into the new year with clarity and purpose—without the stress of keeping up with rigid goals. Check out this week’s post! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com/subscribe

The holiday season is here, and with it comes the endless to-do lists, family gatherings, and work deadlines. It’s easy to feel like there’s no time to stop, let alone rest.But here’s the thing: rest is what allows you to show up fully for the people and responsibilities that matter most. Without rest, we risk burnout, poor decisions, and losing sight of what’s truly important during this season of connection and giving.In this week’s blog, I explore why rest is an ethical responsibility which I hope will help you make the best decision about how rest fits into your life. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com/subscribe

I want to start by acknowledging that today’s post is a little different from my usual. While I typically focus on offering insights and reflections for navigating career challenges, this one has a specific purpose: to share details about two groups I’m launching in January. These groups are designed to help producers and creatives tackle some of the most complex decisions in filmmaking. Whether you’re new here or a longtime reader, I hope this post sparks some useful ideas, even if joining isn’t the right fit for you.Choosing how to distribute your film can feel like one of the biggest decisions you’ll make as a producer or filmmaker. It’s about more than just getting your film in front of an audience—it’s about ensuring you and your investors get a return on all that you’ve put into the making of the movie.With traditional distribution, you hand the reins to an established distributor. They have expertise and a depth of experience along with handling the heavy lifting—getting your film onto big platforms, managing marketing, and ensuring wide reach. But this comes at a cost: less control over the process and a smaller share of the profits.With self-distribution you have greater control of the rollout strategy and the marketing plan. The potential for higher profits is there, but so is the workload. And statistically self-distributed films typically do not see as great of a return on investment. You’ll need a significant amount of time, resources, and a good understanding of the distribution landscape to make it work.A good friend of mine worked her ass off for four years to write her screenplay, put financing together and finally make her movie. Unfortunately, she didn’t have a distribution strategy in place and realized very late that she needed additional funds to enter festivals, create marketing materials and hire a publicist. I don’t want anyone to make the same mistakes.That’s why understanding these options is so important. Take the indie movie Columbus, for example. There’s a great case study about it online. After its Sundance premiere, the producers chose self-distribution to maintain creative control. They focused their resources on reaching audiences who would resonate with the film’s themes, tailoring their strategy to smaller theaters and building word of mouth. It’s a great example of how self-distribution, while demanding, can be a smart move if you know your audience and have a clear plan. But it was also very risky.Starting in January, I’ll be launching groups to support producers, writers, directors, and actors to understand and navigate the complexities of getting their movie made.In the Moonshot Mentor Mastermind Producer Group and Moonshot Mentor Hybrid Producer Group, we’ll explore everything from financing to distribution in depth.If you’re ready to make a confident decision about your film’s future, I encourage you to check out these communities. Both are application-based to ensure a committed group of peers who are as invested in their projects as you are. You can learn more about the Mastermind here and the Hybrid Producer Group here.If you like what you’re reading, please subscribe or share. It will help me reach my moonshot of 5000 subscribers. 🙌🏾  Questions? Would you like additional support in accessing resilience? I offer private coaching sessions as well as in-person and virtual group work. Reach out directly here to set up a complimentary consultation.My blog aims to help people achieve their ambitious goals, their moonshot if you will. 😃 Oftentimes, though, we neglect an essential aspect of pursuing our dreams: the inevitable missteps, obstacles, and failures that come our way. Failing to acknowledge and process these losses properly can lead to imposter syndrome, burnout, low self-esteem, confusion, and even result in completely abandoning our dreams. 😟  That's why I strongly advocate for embracing grief awareness (along with other tools like values identification, knowing your why, sharpening executive function, habit forming, and more.) By doing so, we can effectively navigate challenges, regain motivation, and hit our moonshots. ✌🏾️ If you know someone who could benefit, please share this newsletter or recommend me to them. 🙏 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit moonshotmentor.substack.comIs your career where you want it to be? 🌟 Or do you feel stuck, unsure how to move forward? Whether you’re celebrating wins or feeling frustrated by setbacks, this time of year is perfect for taking stock of where you are—and where you want to go.The gap between your current career and your ideal future can feel overwhelming. It might stir up stress about what’s next or anxiety about how to get there. In this week’s blog, you’ll learn how to identify the gap between where you are now and where you want to be, understand the role stress and anxiety play, and discover simple strategies to help you move forward. 

If you’ve been following the journey, you know about the Moonshot Mentor Mastermind Producer Group and Moonshot Mentor Hybrid Producer Group launching this January. These groups bring together producers, writers, directors, and actors who are ready to take control of their projects and connect with a like-minded circle.We’re still accepting applications! If you’re looking to join a curated community where you can gain clarity, build resilience, and start the new year with actionable steps, this is the perfect time to apply. You can learn more about the Mastermind here and the Moonshot Hybrid Producer Group here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com/subscribe

It's totally normal to constantly evaluate the world around us—it’s how we navigate life and make decisions. But when judgment takes over, it can cloud our perspective and keep us stuck in frustration or comparison. Shifting to discernment or assessment offers clarity and growth, helping us align with our values and focus on solutions. In this week's blog and podcast, I’ll explore how these tools can transform how you approach career challenges and decisions. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com/subscribe

I’m back to share more about the Moonshot Mentor Mastermind Producer Group and the Moonshot Mentor Hybrid Producer Group, both starting up in January for film producers, writers, directors, and actors who are ready to step into the world of producing. Here are my past posts about these offerings:Producing a movie is a moonshot—an ambitious leap that demands everything from creativity and vision to resilience and grit. But with moonshots come inevitable setbacks. The truth is, as producers, we hear far more “no’s” than “yes’s.” Rejections and obstacles are part of the path, and studies have shown that when failure goes unprocessed, it can lead to a real loss of resilience—the very quality needed to go the distance in this work.One of the key skills in building resilience is learning to assess situations clearly. There’s a big difference between judgment and assessment. Judgment, especially self-criticism, can weigh us down, adding stress and diminishing confidence. In contrast, assessment is an honest observation of facts without the emotional sting. It’s like looking through a clear lens—seeing what happened for what it is, without adding layers of self-reproach. Learning to assess instead of judge can be a powerful shift, allowing us to process setbacks with clarity rather than emotional burden.If you like what you’re reading, please subscribe or share. It will help me reach my moonshot of 5000 subscribers. Another resilience skill is discernment—a kind of intentional direction-setting rooted in values, purpose, and the ability to learn from others without simply adopting their strategies. In producing, it’s easy to feel pressured to follow someone else’s path just because it worked for them. But discernment helps us make choices aligned with what’s best for our specific project. It allows us to selectively take what works while staying true to the vision and needs of our own film. Discernment is what enables us to keep moving forward constructively, with a clear sense of purpose, rather than getting sidetracked by each setback or trying to replicate someone else’s approach.In the Mastermind Producer Group and Hybrid Producer Group, we focus on building resilience skills like assessment and discernment, giving members the tools to navigate the industry’s highs and lows with a grounded mindset. In the groups, producers can share their experiences openly, gain new perspectives, and process setbacks in a supportive environment.If you’re ready to build the resilience needed to handle the challenges of producing, I encourage you to explore these groups. Both are application-based to ensure a curated, committed circle of peers. You can learn more about the Mastermind here and the Moonshot Hybrid Producer Group here.Next week, I’ll introduce each group fully, explaining who they’re for and what you can expect. But if you’re looking to build resilience alongside like-minded producers, consider applying today.🙌🏾  Questions? Would you like additional support in accessing resilience? I offer private coaching sessions as well as in-person and virtual group work. Reach out directly here to set up a complimentary consultation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com/subscribe

As we close out the year, I want to say how much I’ve appreciated your presence here—your thoughtful questions, comments, and insights have made this space so meaningful.To show my gratitude, I’m hosting the Great Journal Jam, a free end-of-year Zoom session where we’ll reflect on 2024 and dream big for 2025. Think of it as a moment to pause, breathe, and focus on what’s next—with journal prompts, poetry, and a guided meditation to center us.📅 When: Friday, December 13, at 10 am or 1 pm PST 📍 Where: On ZoomWhether you’re new to journaling or it’s already a part of your life, this is your chance to set aside intentional time for yourself before the new year. Grab a notebook, a favorite drink, and join me. Link in bio to RSVP—I’d love to see you there. RSVP LINK This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit moonshotmentor.substack.comImagine feeling confident in your decisions, knowing they're guided by a sense of inner knowing rather than fear. Understanding the difference between instinct and intuition is key.While instinct is rooted in fear and survival, intuition taps into your deeper wisdom to help you make decisions that align with your true purpose and open yourself up to more meaningful opportunities for growth.In this week’s blog, I explore how to distinguish between instinct and intuition and offer practical steps to strengthen your connection with that deeper voice so you can make decisions that propel you forward.

It’s Black Friday, a day all about deals and opportunities—and for producers, the financing landscape is much the same: a crowded market full of options, each with its own promises and potential challenges. Securing financing isn’t just about finding the right people to pitch; it’s about understanding a spectrum of models that can make or break your project.Crowdfunding, for example, can be a great way to generate buzz and secure partial or full funding, while gap financing leverages a film’s unsold rights to raise funds. Equity financing gives investors a stake in the film, meaning they need to be paid back before filmmakers see a profit. Grants and loans each offer unique benefits and limitations, depending on the project’s focus and goals. And that’s just the beginning—there are many paths, from co-productions to negative pickup deals, each with its own nuances.In the Moonshot Mentor Mastermind Producer Group and Moonshot Mentor Hybrid Producer Group, we’ll explore these financing models together, helping members determine which options align best with their projects and how to leverage each one effectively. Think of it as finding your way through the Black Friday of film financing—a crowded space with a lot to navigate, but much easier with a group of like-minded producers by your side.If tackling financing alone has felt overwhelming, consider exploring these groups. Both are application-based to ensure a curated, committed cohort of peers dedicated to seeing projects through. you can learn more about the Mastermind here and the Moonshot Hybrid Producer Group here.Next week, I’ll talk about the resilience needed in this role — a skill set that goes hand-in-hand with the ups and downs of securing financing. But if you’re ready to dive into strategic financing with a community, consider applying now.If you like what you’re reading, please subscribe or share. It will help me reach my moonshot of 5000 subscribers. 🙌🏾  Questions? Would you like additional support in accessing resilience? I offer private coaching sessions as well as in-person and virtual group work. Reach out directly here to set up a complimentary consultation.If you’re resonating with what you’re reading, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. What’s that mean?* You’ll receive weekly blogs with tools and resources to help you reconnect with your resilience after experiencing a professional loss or failure so you come back even stronger in your career.* These newsletters are available to read, listen or watch — I’m a big believer in accessibility for all. You can also listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. You can also watch on YouTube.* Be in conversation with me and a beautiful, supportive community through comments, threads and chats.* Access to the full archive of posts. * Early bird 20% premium discount for in-person workshops and retreats.My blog aims to help people achieve their ambitious goals, their moonshot if you will. 😃 Oftentimes, though, we neglect an essential aspect of pursuing our dreams: the inevitable missteps, obstacles, and failures that come our way. Failing to acknowledge and process these losses properly can lead to imposter syndrome, burnout, low self-esteem, confusion, and even result in completely abandoning our dreams. 😟  That's why I strongly advocate for embracing grief awareness (along with other tools like values identification, knowing your why, sharpening executive function, habit forming, and more.) By doing so, we can effectively navigate challenges, regain motivation, and hit our moonshots. ✌🏾️ If you know someone who could benefit, please share this newsletter or recommend me to them. 🙏 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com/subscribe