She kept singing (even when the mic cut out)
Stepping out of your comfort zone even when it's terrifying
My very introverted daughter shocked us all a few weeks ago.
She proudly announced she was going to sing “Mystical Magical” by Benson Boone at her school’s talent show.
This is the kid who I only have sour faces for in pictures because she hates when I take her picture.
But she was determined and practiced that song multiple times a day. She was ready.
Then the day came. She walked on stage and the mic stopped working.
I watched her freeze for half a second and then she locked eyes with my musician husband and I in the audience. He nodded to just keep going and… she did.
She sang the entire song. The music came back on. Her beautiful voice rang through and at the end the entire school applauded loudly.
I’ve never been more proud.
Here’s why I’m telling you this
Because watching her step so far outside her comfort zone to do something she’d been dreaming about for weeks gave me the courage to finally do the same.
(Before you unsubscribe because this is turning into a sales email - I promise this feels just as weird for me to write.)
For years, I’ve been sitting on an idea I couldn’t shake.
I’ve watched talented indie filmmakers pour everything into production only to discover in post that they’re $30K-$50K (or more) short of finishing their film. Not because they didn’t raise enough money, but because nobody taught them what it actually costs to finish the film BEFORE they started shooting.
And I’ve wanted to build something to fix that. But I kept waiting for the “right time” (or to just have time to do it but let’s be real there’s never a perfect time.)
Then I watched my introverted daughter sing in front of a couple hundred people with messed up music and keep going anyways.
So here’s the truth: this feels really weird and completely out of my comfort zone to be doing this.
But I’ve decided there are too many great stories out there not being finished in the way that does them justice, and I want to be able to directly work with those up-and-coming filmmakers who actually care about getting it right.
So on March 1st, I’m launching The Film Finishing Cohort.
It’s a cohort for independent filmmakers who want to figure out what is really takes to finish a film they’re proud of before they shoot a single frame, so they can actually be proud of the finished film they’ve started.
You’re going to love it if you’ve been craving:
A clear post-production step-by-step breakdown BEFORE you start fundraising
Monthly Film Professional discussions from industry leaders (sound design, colorists, music supervisors)
A community of filmmakers planning their finishing strategy during pre-production (not hoping it works out later)
Real numbers from someone who’s delivered 300+ hours of TV and film to major networks and studios and knows exactly what it takes make your film something you’re proud of in post-production and something people actually want to see
But here’s where you come in:
I want to co-create this with people like you. Your questions will become our film post mortem case studies. Your challenges will shape our reverse budgeting templates. I’ll develop resources based on your specific needs.
That’s why, today, I’m inviting a few filmmakers to become founding members.
I’m opening a limited number of annual spots at 60% off—locked in for life.
A full year of access. No monthly payments. And you’ll have a voice in shaping the experience from day one.
The catch? This is only available for the next week. After that, I’m going to allow the initial group to work through this space with me before I open the doors fully and the cost increases.
The full cohort opens on April 20, but if you join now, you’ll get immediate access to the community platform. You’ll connect with me and the other founding members while we build this thing together.
If you’re ready to plan your post-production BEFORE you’re in crisis to make a film you’re proud to show others (and lock in founding member pricing), reply to this email by 2/20 at 6pm ET.
I’ll send you the details.
My daughter kept singing even when the music cut out.
I’m finally stepping out of my comfort zone too. (Even though it’s terrifying.)
Let’s make films together that you’re proud of. 🎬
Until next time,
Shawna Carroll