We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Laura Brogan Browne a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Laura , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Innovation comes in all shapes, sizes and across all industries, so we’d love to hear about something you’ve done that you feel was particularly innovative.

Its interesting- when I went to acting school we learned how much of a product we really are. And this is a concept I didn’t exactly feel comfortable with. As an artist ( and yes, a large part of me winces when I say this) I feel like my work is something that holds a mirror to myself and the world around me.

This isn’t an easy pill to swollow when as an actor, you are merely a cog in the productions greater machine. So instead of being a cog, I decided to be the machine. At least for my debut short film, ‘Allegedly’.

I wrote and directed this film for a multitude of reasons. Firstly, to spread awareness of grooming within highschools. And secondly, to place work in my own hands.

I used the experience I had on set as an actor to direct, I bootstrapped the funds with the generous help of my community and used my own trauma to create a film that can make victims feel seen.

Despite the commonly frowned upon slang of being a ‘slashy’ in the film industry, I happily wear it with pride.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Laura Brogan Browne, a filmmaker from Sydney. Raised in the country, I draw my work from the complexities of my upbringing into womanhood. My Short Film, Allegedly [2023], is my directorial debut of which explores sexuality, grief and grooming. As a creative, I am committed to exploring the female experience in an authentic, transparent and uncomfortable way through film. I have been lucky enough to star in A Place to Call Home, Ten Pound Poms and Kiah Roache Turners next film ‘ Beast Of War’.

I wanted to create my own work as someone who manages different mental health diagnoses, to showcase that these qualities are gifts, not inhibitors.

I’m unafraid to talk about my mental health, I know how important it is to be transparent and demystify these topics. I plan to keep on making films that I feel are relevent and explored in a way that opens doors to new perspectives.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

If I had to define my drive in my career, it would to be to create the work I wish I saw as a teenager. I’m not alone in saying that my teenage years were challenging. And I found that film was a language I could identify with. When faced with grief, confusion and heartbreak I had no vocabulary or tools to digest the events happening to me in my life. However when I watched film, despite the stories being completely contextually different to my own reality- I felt seen and comforted by them.

So as I continue my work in film, whether it be through acting, writing or directing, I want to create something that ignites that younger version of me. Whether that be exploring themes that are ugly, empowering, inspiring or just plainly entertaining and amusing. And this in turn, will engage other people like me. Helping those who feel alone feel like they have company.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I suppose this isn’t a ‘lesson’ persey, but more of a limiting belief.

I had to unlearn the mindset that my mental health diagnosis was a crutch.

When trying to explain the impact of complex post traumatic stress disorder, I used to use the analogy of a race. I once said that it feels like we all start on the same gun, but these traumtic events cause you to jump over heardles, slowing you down. You feel like everybody else is ahead, despite working just as hard, but you have to manage your mental health and triggers in a way that doesn’t allow you to prioritise your career or relationships as your internal demand is so high.

I chose, recently, to reject and unlearn this mindset. I live to prove this mindset isn’t what CPTSD does to oneself in their career. And instead of letting it be a hurdle, I used my experiences to my advantage and created work from it. Something that can make others feel seen and validate their experience.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: laurabroganbrowne

Image Credits

Calum Riddell, Monique Placko, Bryn Chapman Parish