Monetizing Your Creativity - Pursuing A Career In Film, Television, Writing, Theatre, Music & Design With Your Talents

Many people think of the term “arts administration” as an oxymoron. Similar to “deafening silence”, “living dead” or “jumbo shrimp”. People wonder what arts have to do with administration and what administration has to do with arts. Plenty. And the proof is personified in Julian Mayne, a musician who has capitalized on his management expertise to enhance the performances of many great stars by producing their concerts, converting and creating space where art can take place in a city, and pulling teams together for massive arts infrastructure projects. Yet, he still finds time for the personal pursuit and pleasure of his own performance talents. Julian shares with you some very personal decisions as to why his particularly stable (and successful) career has given him and other artists the opportunity to create more spaces and involve more faces in a city’s active arts scene. Arts administration gives an artist an opportunity to stay gainfully employed and keep his or her talent flourishing just as it giv

“I pay attention to life.” So says a documentary filmmaker who actually gets “the shivers” when she senses the spark of a story that needs to be told. Some have been taught to follow their bliss. Viveka Melki (After Circus) taught herself to follow her instinct. And that has led to some incredible stories being shared with audiences around the world. Can history disappear? Are we doomed to forget? What if stories have been told and retold by millions but you have yet to do your version? Trust your vision. Use your voice. Find the stories that resonate with you and tell them from your perspective. What is YOUR perspective? (Ah, that’s the question!) Where is your community and who are you in that community? Viveka shares her perspective with you. Your move. Your turn. SUBSCRIBE TO THE FREE MONETIZING YOUR CREATIVITY PODCAST: itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/monet…d1082894462?mt=2 While you're there, please leave your comments and suggestions for future episodes. We love your feedback! Or search for Mon

Want a case study in crowdfunding for creative projects? You've come to the right place! Producer Kelly Wolfert of Leven Creative describes SpiderMable The Film, a full length feature documentary about a six-year old kid with cancer who has morphed into a heroic seven-year old global ambassador for charitable fundraising. As we've said many times, if you have a compelling story to tell, people will support you. Kelly reveals some of the details of the story, the challenges of crowdfunding and how similar projects could be developed by creative teams contributing their time and talents to the development of great stories. Long story short: this particular tale is a terrific example of how you can put your talents into the production of someone else's great story or cause. Your participation, in turn, showcases your talent, develops your own professional network and increases opportunities for your own career. Everyone wins! Just sayin’. BTW, although the lessons in this episode are timeless, you really sh

In this episode, Marvin is on the loose in Montreal where he visits le maison de Mark Krupa (White House Down, Sum of All Fears, Assassin's Creed, The Wild Hunt). Mark is a fluently bilingual (French and English) photographer, actor, producer, screenwriter and reality television host. As Marv chats with Mark, it becomes clear that V stands for victory. And V stands for versatility. And often one V leads to another! The phrase "One river, many streams!" comes to mind. Mark Krupa refuses to be out of work. He explains to you how and why he has created so many options for himself. From his acting in "White House Down" to voicing and mo-cap (motion capture) work for numerous characters in the "Assassin's Creed" video game, Mark enjoys all aspects of creative adventure. Mark's motto: "You need to do what you need to do!" Should you have a Plan B or leap without a parachute? It's a question we ask a lot of our guests. Find out which approach Mark prefers. SUBSCRIBE TO THE FREE MONETIZING YOUR CREATIVITY PODCA

Content is King! If you are pursuing a career in a creative activity, what kind of content are you creating to take to the marketplace? What have you written, painted, composed, photographed, played or recorded lately? Are you using social media tools such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, IMDb and/or Twitter to share that content with the world? Have you done a TED Talk? Consultant and author Eric Termuende (pronounced Tur–Monday) does all of the above. And so can you. Eric is one of the founding principals of Dryver. The team at Dryver helps organizations find people who fit their organizational culture and also shape the culture that keeps team members happy and productive. In this episode of our podcast, Eric describes an important insight. If your work is what defines you, finding the right place to do that work is essential to your well-being and the quality of your work. Creative people know that work isn't drudgery that you HAVE to do. Work is what you GET to do and look forward to doing. If yo

Need answers to questions from caring friends and family about the usefulness or transferability of training in theatre? Well, creative artists are some of the most independent, entrepreneurial and strategic individuals inside or outside of major organizations and industries. Just ask the many doctors, politicians, union stewards, lawyers, teachers and other professionals who have studied improv, acting or other basic performance skills. They will tell you they've increased the quality of their interactions with clients, industry audiences and co-workers. This can be really effective in interviews, meetings and presentations. In this episode of the Monetizing Your Creativity mentorship podcast, Marvin is in Montreal, Quebec, one of North America’s most cosmopolitan of cultural bastions with a distinctly Continental flair. And like a moth drawn to a flame, Marvin flies into a tour of the nooks, crannies and corridors of creativity at the National Theatre School of Canada. His guest is the English Section’s

OK, here's a really interesting twist on a creative career. Go to film school and then don't actually produce films. Instead, get into marketing for the creative industries! Promoting major international media events for people who often produce major international media events themselves is quite a challenge and a great career. Scott Benzie tells you all about it. Scott is the Director of Marketing at Brunico Communications where he arranges the websites, promotional content, media releases and marketing strategies for the company, as well as facilitating business meetings and opportunities for delegates at events such as the annual legendary Banff World Media Festival. Scott finds the appeal of marketing is that your success can be measured objectively in the numbers achieved in the various tasks you are assigned. And one can still do business and socialize with the movers and shakers in media as “they often need your services as much as you need their business." Describing the many steppingstones to hi

How often do you as an artist contribute in practical ways to the success of other artists? And how will those supportive activities contribute to your own success, generate revenue for your business and fuel your own creative output? In this episode, Marvin is on the move in Montreal with custom guitar maker for the stars, Michael Greenfield. Marv tours the workshop of this musician and craftsman who has created unique instruments for some of the outstanding musical artists of our time. Michael shares the story of how Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones became a return customer! Michael also describes the challenges of keeping a business alive with such a narrow niche of purchasers of his high-end instruments. Agreements with artists regarding their support for his business as well as opening his workshop several times a year for well known musicians to play small informal concerts are among the marketing strategies Michael uses. And how does your own approach to your creative business resemble a freig

Welcome to the Red Carpet episode from the 37th Annual Banff World Media Festival! In June 2016, Marvin and Fred interviewed some amazing award-winning celebrities at the internationally coveted Rockie Awards. Tip of the Iceberg cubes are listed here. The full context will be unleashed when you listen to this fantastic mentorship episode. “Don’t burn bridges!” Gerry Dee (Comedian and Co-creator of CBC TV’s “Mr. D”). “Help that guy. Follow that guy!” Don Carmody (Producer of the Resident Evil films, Pompeii, the Meatballs and Porky’s franchises). “Expect criticism. Use it to improve! Share your talent.” Producer Louise Lynch and Director David Barnes (Award-winning Sleeping Lions - BBC 2 drama for youth). “I heard the word ‘no’ but I didn’t really hear it!” Matthew Rodrigues (Reporter and Producer at POPSUGAR, the international media current events blockbuster series on television and the web). “What’s funny is honesty. When it’s about you, nobody can steal it.” Russell Peters (Global funny man/movie sta

Not everyone can say they fired their music teacher at age 6 and then went on to compose music for a worldwide audience of 4 billion people! But Jan Randall can. Jan uses his "perfect pitch" to create, produce, direct and perform music for radio, film, television and live events (we'll let him tell you the story about the audience of 4 billion). His skills allow him to work where and when he wants. In addition to his many contract gigs in the entertainment industry, he currently teaches at the Victoria Conservatory of Music on Vancouver Island, Canada. On the outside, Jan Randall is a real person. But inside, he is a world of music. He doesn't "live" in a world of music. He IS a world of music. Jan may have started earlier than most on the road to his music career and that road has had its own unique collection of twists, turns and bumpy stretches ... but his success was no accident. He tells a compelling story about how his fine-tuned networking skills, plus a keen understanding of a producer's vision, ca

Two. Two. Two generations for the price of one! Sometimes a business passes from father to son when father retires and son takes over. And sometimes … there is a delightful overlap. Such is the case with Rantdog Animation Studios duo Norm and Chris Fassbender. Marv and Fred tracked down the talented twosome at the annual Banff World Media Festival. After many years spent pitching ideas at Banff, this year father Norm hands the reins to son Chris who takes the lead with the pitching. The in-house intergenerational dynamics are refereed by producer (and mother!) Kate Holowach. Mother, father and son all bring perspectives to Rantdog that are influenced by their unique life experiences. It's a complex dynamic that creates fantastic results. Don’t have a parent in the business to give and take advice? That’s what mentors are for. You might be surprised at the ways your youthful energy and approach to your craft might contribute to a veteran’s creative output. Network, Network! Network! Create your own a

What does it take to develop marvelous harmonies in your music career ... or any creative career for that matter? The three singing-songwriting sisters who make up The Staves share their thoughts with you in this episode. Marvin caught up with the UK-born trio in Canada at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival where Emily, Jessica and Camilla Stavely-Taylor describe the organic growth to the development of their group and the popularity gained over several years before finding a record deal, manager and producer. They also talk about the importance of collaboration. You can't do it alone! They talk about collaborating with Justin Vernon of Grammy-winning Bon Iver. Justin himself has been a collaborator with Kanye West (one of the most awarded artists of all time). It's all a virtuous circle. The women each share their own perspective on creative careers. Some of the lessons have to do with the unproductive practice of comparing yourself to others rather than focusing on finding your own voice. The story is sti

What can we tell you? The woman likes to make people happy. From improv onstage (TheatreSports League) to writing comic sketches on radio (CBC Radio’s The Irrelevant Show) or working as part of a team in television series writing rooms, Diana Frances knows what she needs to keep herself happy as well. Apparently there’s a lot to be learned waiting tables! In this interview from the Banff World Media Festival, Diana talks about taking responsibility for other peoples’ experience. She also shares thoughts on passive-aggressive workplaces and what it takes to please individuals in an audience who are paying to be served … whether the product is French fries or a side order of satire. Diana is serious about being funny. And very honest about how hard it can be to juggle what you love to do with what you have to do until you can make a decent living doing what you love to do. So do what you need to do to make that happen. Run yourself like you are your own business. Cuz you are! Diana Frances is a story th

One man. Many voices. Bryce Papenbrook is a martial arts warrior who morphed into the man of many voices for hit TV series and video games including Call of Duty, Attack on Titan and Sword Art Online. Marvin and Fred caught up with Bryce after an autograph session at Animethon in Edmonton, Canada. At this annual conference, anime fans (10,000 on this day) get to meet the people who voice their favorite anime films, TV series and games. The same skills of discipline, practice and repetition that fuelled Bryce's martial arts career come into good use in the sound booth. Knowing how to deliver (and take!) a punch helps Bryce provide realistic vocal and physical reactions that bring authenticity to fight scenes. His stamina and energy allow Bryce to move easily from one booth and story to another in what can sometimes turn into an eight-hour day voicing eight or more characters. Bryce shares his approach to finding and staying in character in the booth, as well as staying collaborative during the audition ses

Keena Herman is one of a team of writers, animators and designers called Castle Acadia in Calgary, Canada. The group provides services to corporate clients as well as developing their own original projects. Having won a major competition for seed money for their latest animated fantasy adventure series called “Noonright”, Keena and team attended the Banff World Media Festival to pitch their concept to broadcasters and production studios. That's where Marvin had Keena pitch the series to him as she put it to her prospective buyers. There are certain principles of pitching to keep in mind prior to, during and after you put your project on the table. Keena describes for you the preparation process and the items one should have on hand to share with potential funders. Do you have a sizzle reel that demonstrates your proposed story and execution, should people ask to see samples of your work? Could you create a video portfolio so that the work can be seen and experienced? Yes, you could. Remember the old

To some, he’s the master of the horses from the Lord of the Rings. Yes, Lord of the Rings! Those famous battle scenes? John Scott was the genius behind them. Yet to others, John is the ultimate western gentleman ... a western legend. More than 25 motion pictures, TV series and commercials have been shot on his ranch in southern Alberta, Canada where he had three western towns built for this very purpose. How did one of the world's most sought after stunt coordinators and head wranglers get his start? By cleaning out horse trailers in Hollywood ... for free! Over the years, John rose through the ranks training thousands of horses and riders for blockbuster movies like Lord of the Rings, Legends of the Fall (Brad Pitt) and Unforgiven (Clint Eastwood) ... to name just a few. John Scott has positioned himself in the film industry as the provider of services from livestock, riders, stunt coordination, western locations and set decoration pieces such as tack, weapons and period furniture. In this interview from

Ashley Comeau’s advice to you all: “Never fail the John Cleese test!” We’ll let her share with you the story behind the quote. Ashley has cobbled together a career in a variety of creative endeavours. All of which have contributed in some way to her current success. She has worked in writing, performing and producing for the prestigious Second City troupe in Toronto, as well as at Montreal’s Just for Laughs Festival. In this interview from the Banff World Media festival, you'll learn how Ashley manages the hard work and intermittent income of the entertainment business. On the one hand, there may be months of six nights and eight shows per week. Then there might be months of working at a desk job or restaurant serving gig to pay the bills and fund your upcoming creative project. All these life experiences can sharpen the mind and body to remain alert to improv opportunities both on stage and off. And Ashley has certainly exercised her own performing and writing skills in both arenas. You might find it i

We know there is a business side to show business. How much do you know about the business side in the art world? And what can you learn about the mindset of an agent, regardless of your creative discipline? Your best insurance for success is to understand how the business or administrative side of your art form works to promote your success and access to wider audiences. Barbara Pelham, owner and director of the world famous Canada House Gallery in Banff, Canada gives us a peek behind the canvas at the interactions between the artists, collectors and agents (galleries) that facilitate the movement of art from artists’ studios and galleries to the homes, offices and museums of collectors around the world. Dedicated to serving Canadian artists and a global network of art collectors, Barbara’s staff coordinates the marketing and promotion of artists and the pricing of their works globally in a unique win/win/win situation. One of the more successful practices is to arrange gatherings where artists and poten

Can you get hired to do professional work while you are still in university? Caitlin Glass did! On a tour of a large voice recording company, she stepped into a booth, read a line of dialogue for a producer and embarked on a dream career as a voice artist in anime and video games. In addition to voicing lead or large roles in anime classics such as the Fullmetal Alchemist series, Caitlin can be heard as various characters in video games such as Street Fighter V, Battleborn, Dragon Ball and Pokemon the Movie: Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction. She has sharpened her related skills in writing dialogue and directing ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement). ADR takes place after the original recording of voices to assist in matching the English dialogue with the mouth movements of animated characters. In this interview from Animethon in Edmonton, Canada, Caitlin reminds us that there is often no such thing as a “typical day” in the voice and animation business. And that a positive attitude among co-workers

“Jump!” “Take that Risk!” “Leave your comfort zone!” Those are the key messages, but comedian / sitcom writer / supervising producer Andrew Carr (CTV's Corner Gas)will fill you in on the details in this incisive interview about life in the writer’s room on a hit comedy series. Another key insight in this interview from the Banff World Media Festival ... stuff your ego in a sack and throw it in the lake. Get used to the fact that people are going to shred your best ideas and produce a much better script than you could ever have done on your own. Whether you're writing comedy or any other genre. Hard to swallow? Yes. Part of the process? Yes. What’s the lesson? No ONE of us is as smart as ALL of us! It's a very different mindset than doing stand-up comedy where the audience reaction, applause and gratification are immediate. Not even the great comedians fly solo. They have teams that require intense collaboration and mutual respect for every aspect of the presentation and the people who make it w