In 2008, Kurt Squiers and friend Gregg Ferguson of Current Motion set out to create a feature-length documentary film called AC/DC Beyond the Thunder, spotlighting well-known AC/DC fans paying homage to these iconic Rock and Roll Hall of Famers. From actors and athletes, and comedians to CEOs, Ivy League professors to military war heroes, the duo found no shortage of inspirational stories.
After shooting on the Highway to Hell for two years, Squiers and Ferguson approached AC/DC’s management to seek partnership with the band for a world-wide commercial release. And while the band said they, “weren’t quite ready to make a historic piece while we're still making history,” AC/DC liked what they saw.
Apparently so did others. Covered in Adweek, Spin, Kerrang! and even as a cover story in Classic Rock Magazine featuring an insert of the film’s trailer, AC/DC Beyond the Thunder was gaining significant traction. A special screening of the film previewed in London during The Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards in front of members of The Who, The Rolling Stones, Black Sabbath, Aerosmith, ZZ Top, Led Zeppelin, among others, with Squiers accepting the album of the year award for AC/DC’s 'Black Ice' on behalf of the fans. The film's promotional trailer was then asked to go on tour with The Melbourne Arts Centre, Brisbane Gallery of Modern Art, and at the AC/DC endorsed Australia’s Family Jewels Exhibition touring Sydney, Melbourne, Glasgow and Seattle. All of a sudden, the industry began discussing distribution deals for a film that didn’t quite yet exist.
But without the band’s full partnership, Kurt and Gregg decided that their feature film was...Shot Down in Flames.
Driven by the ethos instilled by AC/DC, Kurt and Gregg, along with compadre and sound engineer, Eric Kielb, decided to redirect their energy into a podcast. Since 2019, the podcast has gained global recognition and hundreds of thousands of listeners, consistently delivering engaging and thought-provoking conversations with a diverse array of notable guests who’ve been Thunderstruck.
Now through ACDCpodcast.org, 100% of listener contributions goes directly to two charities that make a meaningful difference in the lives of others: the Make-A-Wish and Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Foundations.
Launch here: BeyondTheThunder, or listen on any major streaming platform
Listen to Kurt Squiers discuss AC/DC Beyond the Thunder on Brands In Action: Spotify or Apple Podcast.
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AC/DC ‘Beyond the Thunder’ Feature Documentary: Producer | Director | Cinematographer | Editor | Animation | Copy | Creative Direction | with Current Motion | Filmed on the Highway to Hell
