We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Christopher Moonlight. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Christopher below.
Hi Christopher, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
Finding my purpose wasn’t a lightning bolt moment; it’s been more like assembling a complex, beautiful, and sometimes frustrating puzzle over a lifetime. Honestly, for many years, my purpose felt less like a clear path and more like an insistent, nagging current pulling me in a direction I couldn’t always articulate, especially with the added complexities of navigating the world with diagnosed dyslexia and ADHD. These aren’t just labels; they’ve profoundly shaped how my brain works, how I see patterns, and how I struggle (and succeed!) with traditional structures.
From a young age, I was always a storyteller, drawn to the fantastical, the horrifying, and the deeply human elements within those genres. In the ’90s, when I was pouring my heart into my zine, ‘Mary’s Mother’s Scream,’ and creating ‘The Black Lipstick Curse’ comic, I was unknowingly laying the groundwork. There was this intense desire to build worlds, to explore themes that felt authentic and edgy, and to connect with others who saw the world through a similar, slightly darker, more imaginative lens. That was the raw spark.
But purpose matures with you. As I approached 50, with a family depending on me and a future I want to make secure, that youthful passion fused with a very adult urgency. My purpose solidified into this clear vision: to create meaningful, genre-bending entertainment – films, comics, and stories that don’t just entertain, but resonate on a deeper, metaphorical level. I want to explore love, identity, and the human condition, often wrapped in the visceral thrill of sci-fi, cosmic horror, and dark fantasy.
My dyslexia and ADHD, which once felt like obstacles, have paradoxically become strengths. They’ve forced me to think outside the box, to embrace innovative methods like hybrid animation with AI, and to find unique ways to tell stories that truly stand out. I’ve realized my purpose isn’t just to make movies; it’s to build an entire independent ecosystem around those stories – producing physical media, engaging directly with underserved fans at conventions and through Substack, and leveraging every piece of IP to build something substantial.
Ultimately, my purpose is about creating legacies: for my family, through building a sustainable studio that thrives on authentic storytelling, and for the fans, by delivering the kind of imaginative, respectful, and visually stunning content that the mainstream often overlooks. It’s about showing that you can overcome perceived limitations, work smart, and carve out your own space to ‘win’ and ‘dominate’ by being true to your unique vision and connecting directly with your audience.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
This is a fantastic opportunity to share my story and vision with a wider audience. Here’s how I’d answer that question for Bold Journey:
“Professionally, I’m an independent filmmaker, writer, and a multi-platform IP creator. My focus right now is bringing my animated sci-fi epic, ‘Escape From Planet Omega-12,’ to life. But it’s more than just a movie; I’m building an entire universe around it, expanding into comics, magazines, and eventually collectibles.
My story is probably a bit unconventional. I’ve always been drawn to genre storytelling—sci-fi, cosmic horror, dark fantasy—since I was making zines in the ’90s. But getting here hasn’t been a straight line. With dyslexia and ADHD, my brain processes information differently, which has often felt like navigating a maze. Yet, it’s also given me a unique perspective, forcing me to think outside the box and find innovative solutions. I also balance this artistic pursuit with a full-time job and family responsibilities, which means every moment dedicated to ‘Omega-12’ is incredibly precious and strategic.
What truly excites me and makes what I do special is our approach to both creation and audience engagement. On the creative side, we’re pioneering a **hybrid animation technique** for ‘Escape From Planet Omega-12,’ blending practical effects, miniatures, green screen, and cutting-edge AI. It allows us to achieve a truly cinematic look on an indie budget, creating something visually unique that you won’t see anywhere else. Our stories aren’t just about cool visuals, though; they’re packed with rich metaphor, nuanced themes, and complex characters like Tara, Brio, and Dez, exploring things like marriage, love and family, loss, and lust, and survival on a savage alien world.
On the business side, I’m passionate about building a **direct-to-audience model**. In an industry increasingly dominated by big studios and algorithmic social media, I’m sidestepping the noise. My Substack is the central hub where I connect directly with my paid supporters, sharing exclusive updates, articles, and behind-the-scenes content. We’re also planning to have these fantastic **HOA clubhouse screenings**, which I hope will be an incredibly effective way to engage audiences personally and convert them into loyal subscribers. It’s about building a genuine community that invests in the art because they feel a part of it.
I’m focused on proving that independent creators can not only survive but truly thrive and ‘dominate this space’ by delivering high-quality, authentic, and fan-respecting content. We’re not just aiming to be another indie film; we’re building a sustainable independent studio that provides a true alternative to the mainstream.
As for what’s new, ‘Escape From Planet Omega-12’ is officially in full production on its first scene, and it’s kicking into high gear! We’re currently in a critical fundraising push for a new computer that will significantly accelerate our animation workflow, and our readers are hearing all about ‘The Omega-12 Accelerator Fund.’ My articles on Film Threat continue to drive traffic and build our presence, and we’re exploring how to get dedicated screens specifically to independent films. This is a massive opportunity for filmmakers like me to get theatrical distribution without the traditional studio machine. Looking ahead, I’m also laying the groundwork for exciting publishing ventures, including a ‘Sci-Exploitation’ magazine and unique collectible merchandise from the ‘Omega-12’ universe. It’s an incredibly exciting time to be an independent creator, and I’m just getting started!”
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, it’s tough to narrow it down to just three, because so many qualities intersect and build upon each other. But if I had to pick the most impactful on my journey, they would be:
Unwavering Perseverance (aka Stubborn Grit): This might sound cliché, but for anyone trying to carve out their own path, especially in creative fields, it’s non-negotiable. My journey hasn’t been a sprint; it’s been a marathon with a lot of uphill climbs. Balancing a full-time job, significant family responsibilities, and living with dyslexia and ADHD—which often means working twice as hard to achieve the same output—requires an almost irrational refusal to quit. There are days when every instinct tells you to just stop, that it’s too hard, too slow, too impossible. That’s when perseverance kicks in. It’s the belief that if you just keep showing up, keep putting one foot in front of the other, you will eventually reach your destination.
Advice for early travelers: Don’t underestimate the power of showing up consistently, even for just 15 minutes. Celebrate the smallest victories – finishing a single storyboard panel, writing one paragraph for your Substack, making one phone call. Build a strong ‘why’ that fuels you when motivation wanes, and surround yourself with people who believe in your vision, even when you doubt yourself. This isn’t about being productive every second, but about being persistent every day.
Innovative Adaptability & Problem-Solving: The film industry is constantly changing, and being an indie creator with limited resources means you have to be innovative. My dyslexia and ADHD, while challenging, have paradoxically fostered a unique way of problem-solving—I’m always looking for different angles and unconventional routes. This led me to explore hybrid animation blending practical effects, miniatures, and AI to achieve a cinematic look without a Hollywood budget. It led me to embrace direct-to-audience models like Substack and HOA screenings when traditional social media felt like shouting into the void. It’s about viewing constraints not as roadblocks, but as creative prompts.
Advice for early travelers: Cultivate curiosity. Be a lifelong learner, always exploring new technologies and unconventional methods. Don’t be afraid to experiment and fail quickly; failure is just feedback. Most importantly, embrace your limitations – often, your biggest constraints will force your most creative and original solutions. Learn to love the puzzle.
Authentic Community Building & Relationship Nurturing: In a decentralized world, connection is king. My ‘allergy’ to mainstream social media forced me to focus on deeper, more authentic connections. It’s not about chasing viral trends; it’s about building a loyal community that genuinely believes in your vision. This includes engaging directly with fans on Substack, listening to their feedback, and creating unique experiences like the HOA clubhouse screenings. It also extends to nurturing professional relationships, like the incredible partnership we’re forging with LOOK Dine-In Cinemas. These aren’t just transactions; they’re genuine collaborations built on shared passion and trust.
Advice for early travelers: Focus on quality over quantity in your interactions. Find where your specific audience truly gathers and engage there meaningfully. Listen more than you speak. Provide genuine value before you ever ask for support. Treat every fan, every collaborator, and every contact not as a number, but as an essential part of your journey. Build a network, not just a following.
These three qualities, for me, aren’t just skills; they’re mindsets. They interconnect, making the journey not just possible, but deeply rewarding, even on the toughest days.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
Honestly, it’s just time and money. I only have so much bandwidth and the fact that I need to pay my bills and feed my family like everyone else means that I only have what’s left of the day once I’ve taken care of that. Hopefully, as my projects get more eyeballs I’ll get more support, raise more money, and be able to do all of this full time, soon.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://christophermoonlight.substack.com/
- Twitter: https://x.com/CMoonlightFilms
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@christophermoonlightproduction/featured
Image Credits
Christopher Moonlight
Christopher Moonlight
Christopher Moonlight
Christopher Moonlight
Christopher Moonlight
Christopher Moonlight
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