Mentorship Program
Every great producer has a team behind them.
The Moonshot Collective is yours.
A year long collective for producers and filmmakers redefining what's possible.
JOIN THE WAITLIST
Are you a producer or filmmaker who leads with your heart?
Are you a producer or filmmaker who leads with your heart?
The Moonshot Collective is for creatives who see producing as art, craft, and calling.
This is more than logistics and deadlines. We focus on the spiritual, strategic, and tactical sides so you get clarity, direction, and practical next steps.
You’ll find community, momentum, and a way to keep going with less burnout and more purpose.
Read on for details. If you’re thinking, this is my people, let’s chat.
JOIN THE WAITLIST
Hey, I’m Laverne!
I’m a career strategist, Master Certified Coach (MCC), and grief recovery specialist with over 25 years of experience in the entertainment industry.
As an executive producer on the Netflix series GIRLBOSS and former SVP at CBS and EVP at EPIX, I've tasted sweet sweet success — and face-planted hard enough to taste the dirt. Those experiences shaped how I lead and coach today — with a mix of strategy, humor, and deep respect for what it really takes to build a meaningful career.
Beyond coaching, I’m a speaker and mentor. As a faculty member at Northwestern University, I teach Persuasion & Pitching, a course that helps students frame their ideas in ways that inspire action. Feedback on my approach has been described as “life-changing,” “deeply intuitive,” and “a powerful catalyst for change.” I promise I didn’t write those myself, nor paid anyone.
LEARN MOREWe all started somewhere.
This photo is from one of my first gigs as a producer. And boy, did I wish I had someone to ask all the “stupid questions.” Trust me, I had plenty.
Since then, I’ve learned it’s impossible to know everything. And yet, we’re expected to which is really annoying and unrealistic. What we really need is a space to be vulnerable, swap wisdom, ask tricky questions, and celebrate the hard-fought wins.
That’s what The Moonshot Collective is. A small, generous community for filmmakers and producers who want to grow their craft, lead with purpose and keep their sanity and humanity intact while doing it.
What’s possible inside The Collective
In just the past year, members of The Moonshot Collective have:
- Premiered films at Tribeca, Rotterdam, Santa Barbara, and Cascadia
- Been selected for WIF Film Lab, Film Independent Producing Lab, Stowe Pilot Lab, and Whistler Film Lab
- Earned recognition as an Athena Festival semi-finalist and received grants—including one for $85K
- Earned an Emmy nomination and celebrated an Off-Broadway premiere
- Shot proofs of concept and secured life rights for new projects
- Built full slates from scratch, attaching directors, talent, and producers
- Developed budgets, financing plans, and distribution strategies that opened new doors
- Found distribution, expanded networks, and started meetings with dream producers
- Learned how to build decks that sell—and why they matter
- Represented their work at AFM, Cannes, Sundance, SXSW, Edinburgh, and TIFF
Big things happen when producers come together with shared purpose and accountability.
Dream big, build smarter, laugh often.
The Moonshot Collective is for you if:
- You want to develop a clear, actionable strategy to get your film or TV project into production with the accountability of a supportive group.
- You’re looking to broaden your network and connect with like-minded producers who offer collaborative problem-solving and fresh perspectives.
- You’re ready to commit to regular, structured sessions that keep you on track and motivated as you work through challenges.
- You need help understanding independent financing models and want access to insider resources that can accelerate your learning.
- You’re seeking confidential, constructive feedback to sharpen your packaging, sales tools, and strategic plan.
- You’re navigating the complexities of budgeting and financing and would benefit from the wisdom and experience of peers who’ve been there.
- You want to build a festival submission strategy that aligns with your project’s goals while benefiting from expert and peer insights.
- You crave a supportive, emotionally safe space where you can openly share professional challenges and receive encouragement and empathy.
- You value the power of shared resources—like festival lists, budgets, and tools—and want access to a community willing to help.
- You’re eager to learn from industry guest speakers and gain actionable insights that move your projects forward.
If you're ready for clarity, courage, and a crew who gets it, The Moonshot Collective is where you’ll find it.
JOIN THE WAITLISTHere’s what to expect inside
The Moonshot Collective
A Strategic Plan
Packaging & Key Elements
Budgeting for Financing
Festival Submission Strategy
Collective Challenge
Leadership Development
Financing Fundamentals
Visual Presentations & Sales Tools
Career Strategy Substack
Why it's worth it
2 In-Person Gatherings
These will be experiential workshops to get us out of our heads and into our bodies. We'll meet in downtown Los Angeles in January and June.
Resource Sharing
Gain access to valuable tools and resources like festival lists, department head insights, apps, budgets, schedules, and more
Guest Speakers
We host a regular speaker series with industry professionals. These sessions, scheduled based on speaker availability, complement our regular group meetings.
Feedback Hub
Receive constructive feedback on your strategic plan to help you move into being in production.
Keepin’ it Fresh
You’ll have your moment in every meeting through individual spotlights—short check-ins to share progress or questions. And when you’re ready for a deeper dive, you can claim a Focused Spotlight—a 30-minute session where the group helps you tackle a challenge or celebrate a milestone.
Ongoing Support
Get advice, compassion, encouragement, and a shoulder to lean on when needed—this group is your network of peers who’ve got your back.
Industry Insights
Stay up-to-date with the latest industry news, insightful articles, podcasts, reading recommendations, and expert perspectives.
Pro Tips
Get expert advice to sharpen your producing skills and keep your project moving forward.
Shared Kajabi Drive
Leverage practical tools for collaboration, organization, and accountability—keeping everything on track and within reach. All recordings, guest sessions, and materials are available on demand, as well.
BONUS! 3 Private Coaching Sessions
($750 value)
Nothing like a deep dive into personalized support to hit your moonshot! You'll have the opp for 1:1 support in January, June and December.
Wisdom Shared,
Not Guarded
We all know the hard truth that talent, grit, and stoicism alone don’t get a film made. You also need a few good humans who share their playbook instead of guarding it.
In The Moonshot Collective, we’ve been fortunate to host a lot of folks who have openly shared their best practices, wisdom and experience.
Previous Guest Speakers Include:
- Peter Dekom / President of Peter J Dekon, a Law Corporation
- Elizabeth Grave / Senior Vice President Production and Development, Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions
- Ted Hope / Producer, Head of Production, Amazon Studios
- Shane Kelly / Senior Vice President, International Sales & Acquisitions, Mister Smith
- Charlotte Koh / Executive Vice-President, Acquisitions & Co-Productions, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group
- Yoni Liebling / Vice President of Development at Red Crown
- Olivia Mascheroni / Agent at Verve Ventures
- Sarah Shepard / Senior Vice President, 20th Century Studio
- Eddie Rubin / Producer, Optimistic Producers (The Farewell, Guilty)
- Lisa Trifone / Publicist, CEO of Bright Iris Film Co
Let’s Talk Commitment
(the fun kind)
Joining The Moonshot Collective is a yearlong commitment to your craft, your community, and your next big leap. The annual membership is $4,800, paid in 12 monthly installments of $400.
I also offer two scholarships each year for creatives who’d benefit from a little financial breathing room.
Scholarship Application
Deadline: TBD December 2026
Before it's official, let's hop on a call!
We'll talk through your goals and see if The Collective is the right fit for your time, energy, and resources. If we both feel it’s aligned, you’ll complete a short agreement and onboarding form to get set up.
Here’s to building what’s next, together!
SCHEDULE A CONSULTATIONFAQs
What’s the format?
Where do we meet?
When is it?
2027 Dates TBA
The person who cheers for everyone else deserves a team, too.
See you inside!
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ABOUT
AIM Method™
Meet Laverne
FAQ
WAYS I HELP
1:1 Coaching
Group Work
Retreats
Speaking
TOPICS
Career Grief
Career Wellness & Fulfillment
Confidence in Leadership
Transitions & Pivots
RESOURCES
Newsletter
TBD
© Laverne McKinnon 2026 • Branding & Design by Good Brand Partners
