Julian Shaw Interview

Julian Shaw is an actor, filmmaker, model, and documentary producer.

What did you like about filming ‘Looking for Dr. Love’?

For me, it was a blast to travel to Oklahoma and immerse myself in the small-town vibes of Guthrie, where we were filming. My prior film, ‘Use Me,’ was a super dark and kinky psychological thriller, so a lighter story about finding true love was very refreshing.

What will people like about this movie?

It’s an old-fashioned and charming love story that definitely offers an escape from reality—something many of us are looking for right now!

Why did you want to create screen productions?

Since I first came across directors like Alfred Hitchcock as a kid, I realized that telling stories on screen was my calling. I’ve loved visual art, performing, and writing since I was about five or six, and for me, cinema is the art form that brings them all together.

What would you say are your favorite screen productions that you've been involved with?

I would say ‘Use Me’ probably because it was my first narrative feature film as a director. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, and therefore, the most satisfying when it eventually found an appreciative audience.

What do you like about acting?

That’s a great question. I think it’s incredibly difficult to be in the moment. As an introvert and an over-thinker, it challenges me, so there is great satisfaction when I can lose myself in the material. I enjoy the challenge of telling a story well and connecting personal emotions to a fictional character.

What have been some of your most challenging scenes that you've filmed?

I’m a pretty positive person and have sometimes swallowed my anger in the past, often to my detriment. I do not find scenes where I have to cry challenging, but being angry on camera is hard for me.

What do you like about creating documentaries?

I love finding the story. Even though you’re depicting “reality,” there are a hundred different films you can make from your raw material. To me, what is interesting is deciding on the angle that is most authentic. As the storyline and themes gradually reveal themselves, there is immense satisfaction.

What would you say is the most difficult part of creating documentaries?

Without question, funding documentaries is tough. Invariably, you have to self-fund the initial phases of filming to create a sizzle reel or trailer that brings it to life for potential investors. I would also add that I’ve directed three documentaries (I have one in the final stages of editing currently), and they all took four to five years. So, the patience required is key. I think four years is pretty standard unless you start with a full budget and have a compressed and finite time frame - e.g. filming Lady Gaga on a tour, filming an athlete for one season, filming a politician through an election cycle.

What kind of movies or documentaries do you want to create in the future?

I am the subject of a documentary which explores my transition to becoming an OnlyFans creator and the impact on my relationship with my partner.

What do you like and dislike about being on OnlyFans?

There isn’t much I dislike. It’s an amazing platform that has helped me connect with my most dedicated fans.

Do you make much money from non-subscriber avenues like tips and pay-per-view content?

Yes, in fact, it’s how I have sustained myself for the last several years while developing documentaries, auditioning, and writing new screenplays. With the pandemic, writers' strikes, and actors' strikes, I would have been totally wiped out if not for OnlyFans. But in terms of the income, I have had loyal subscribers for years now who keep ‘renew’ on and that is the foundation of my income.

Have you encountered people being judgmental about this aspect of your life?

Only those who have never used the site and don’t understand how important it can be for creators. The reality is that there is a wide range of OnlyFans sites, from SFW to NSFW, and you really don’t know what sort of content someone is creating just by knowing they have an OF account. I see OF accounts that are less risqué than what I see on Instagram on a daily basis!

Roughly how much money are you pulling in overall?

You know, I don’t really get into specifics, particularly as it fluctuates on a monthly basis. I have made some YouTube videos about this topic if people care to take a deeper dive: https://www.julianshaw.com.au/links. But I will say it is more than my last full-time job.

Do you do modeling work regularly?

I have been lucky enough to do modeling work for Columbia Sportswear and some other clients regularly in Portland.

What do you like about being a model, and is there anything you dislike about that industry?

I enjoy the craft of making a good image and think it’s actually a very difficult and demanding job. I’ve been able to use money I’ve made from modeling to invest in creative ventures. As for what I dislike, I wouldn’t say there is much. One knows they are signing up for objectification to some degree, so I went in to that industry with my eyes open! I will say I don’t find it quite as satisfying as directing and acting.

Where can people follow you?

All my links are at https://www.julianshaw.com.au/links - thanks for the great questions!