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

“Life is a rollercoaster!” says Jesca Hoop, an American singer-songwriter whose recordings and live performances have attracted a large following around the world. Jesca's success has been sustained with solo work, plus strong collaborative relationships with other musical artists such as Sam Beam and Tom Waits. In this interview from the Edmonton Folk Music Festival, Jesca discusses the importance of relationships with listeners, agents and record companies. In fact, her career demonstrates a balance between art and business. Jesca's straightforward thoughts and opinions on an artist’s unique combination of preparedness, limitations, satisfaction and the ticking of the clock have been forged from high and low points in her career. What responsibilities and agreements need to be met when you reach a level of success such as Jesca’s? And how do you keep working before, during and after that level of success has been achieved? Work with what you’ve got. Decide what you need and how to get it. Or, perhaps

Garwin Sanford is a professional actor and the Head of the Film Arts Program at Langara College in Vancouver, Canada. He has been cast in hundreds of projects including recurring roles in over 16 television series. The program at Langara College is a very successful example of the kind of short-term intensive production programs available to those who have the time, talent and inclination to take advantage of them. This particular film arts program has actors, writers and directors working together as a group and also in their own separate professional streams. This approach gives each student a broader appreciation of what their colleagues experience and are responsible for in related craft categories. Students arrive from all over the world and the mix of cultures increases exposure to the various ways that stories can be shared with collaborators and audiences. You may need to realize (or be told!) that you’re just not ready for an intensive program such as this. But you won’t really know until you app

Namara Represents is a creative agency founded by agent and producer Natalie MacNamara. The agency represents a stable of experienced photojournalists with expertise in still and moving images. Harnessing the ability for award-winning photojournalism to connect us visually and emotionally with people and places around the world, Natalie’s team explores new approaches to visual storytelling that are now being adopted by corporate enterprises. Everyone has a story. Every place has a story. In this interview from the Banff World Media Festival, Natalie shares with you some tips and techniques for getting started in photojournalism as a career. Spoiler Alert: As in many of our interviews, you’ll hear once again about the importance of relationships in building and sustaining a career in your creative endeavours. “Rapport before representation” is how Natalie puts it. While you master your craft, find out what you can about the current masters and what rules they play by, their ethics, ideals and practices.

Michael Brooks is the CEg (Chief Executive goLancer) at goLance Inc., a global platform that connects freelancers with clients. The ability to trade on your talents in writing, design, animation, editing and many other skill sets allows you to generate work for yourself on an international level ... online through a secure service. If you are putting together your own productions as a producer, goLance allows you to access the skills of a variety of craft categories in a transparent, flexible and accountable manner that may well quicken the process as well as instantly add to your own personal and professional networks. With goLance, you can register as a freelancer, employer or both. Then search the list of talented freelancers to get your project started immediately or post your project to get bids from professional freelancers around the globe. The result? New relationships. New streams of revenue. Practising and sharpening your skills and creating for yourself a digital reputation that will increase o

Derek Heisler is a Creative Director who specializes in photography, working for clients such as National Geographic, Sports Illustrated, NASA and the NHL (National Hockey League). He suggests that you contact those who are successful in your field of interest for information or even to offer assistance on projects they may be working on. In doing so, you can initiate relationships and learn more about your creative pursuit. Do you truly know how some of the big names in your profession would respond to your mentorship request? You’ll never know … unless you ask. As a self-taught photographer who came late to the picture-party (he started his career as an engineer), Derek still relies on advice from others further down the path and now shares with you some of those lessons learned. What is “conceptual development” and why is it important on creative projects? How do you establish credibility in a profession you are just entering? How do you market yourself and your work? What do you need to know about c

Alexandra (Alix) Blum is the Vice President of Global Public Relations and Partnerships at Fairmont and Raffles Hotels International (FRHI). She is responsible for the company’s relationships with the ad agencies, photographers, copywriters and crews who create promotional campaigns celebrating the luxury treatment on offer from FRHI's hotels and resorts. While Alix often deals with large ad agencies that assemble the most appropriate teams for her promotional projects, she has great respect for freelancers who stay sharp and reliable ... and hungry for creative challenges. Her message: You don’t have to relinquish your creative spark and spirit when you work for a corporate organization, either as a staffer or freelancer. You may be exactly the breath of fresh air those businesses need to promote their products or services. For instance, Alix talks about the work Natalie MacNamara's photographic agency (Namara Represents) has done for FRHI. We'll post an interview with Natalie very soon. In this interview

Production Coordinator, Kim Goddard–Rains describes what it takes to coordinate every aspect of a major film or television series. The production coordination team is “first in, last out” in the production process. In between entrance and exit they are the calm in the eye of the production hurricane and interact with every other department in terms of travel, accommodation, immigration issues and a lot more. On a daily basis, Kim specializes in the “business” end of show business. In this Vancouver-area interview, Kim describes for you the specific personality traits it takes to run such a complicated combination of tasks and team needs, all of which seem to require immediate attention. She also discusses how "what goes around comes around" in the area of mentorship and authentic relationships. And how, after years of making the rounds and looking for work, people start looking for you to work with them. Very rarely is there a smooth rise to the top. A small sample of the advice Kim offers you about r

Los Angeles-based actor/director Dave Florek (Seinfeld, Ghostbusters II, Grey's Anatomy)has had the advantage of being on both sides of the audition table – choosing who he wants to direct in a production and, often, hoping to be chosen as part of a cast. Dave's resume reads like a history of television and film over the last four decades (visit his IMDB profile). He's an accomplished actor and director in live theatre as well. In addition to sharing some valuable audition tips to use in your own tryout adventures, Dave reminds us all that you need to remember which elements of the casting process are within your control and which are not. Do your best, leave your audition in the room and let the powers that be ... those wizards behind the curtain who make the final casting decisions ... decide whether or not you will be a part of their team. Staying in the game is half the battle. Each audition, whether you recognize it or not, is taking another step and getting you that much closer to your goals. Liste

Whether you're a fan of Border Security or The Bachelor (Canada) you have been privy to the more than 500 hours of screen time John Ritchie of Vancouver's Force Four Entertainment has put on television around the world. John has pitched (and has been pitched to) for over 30 years. In this Banff World Media Festival interview, John describes for you the importance of: - Preparing your pitch - Delivering your pitch - How the way you take no for an answer determines your future success or failure - How to create authentic, mutually beneficial relationships between you and the potential purchasers of your wonderfully creative ideas John discusses the delicate topic of "polite tenacity" and how it may be your passport to a long and successful series of personal and professional relationships. It's an effective and realistic approach to becoming a long-term player in the media industry. You can learn more about Force Four Entertainment at www.forcefour.com Subscribe to the free Monetizing Your Creativity pod

Erin O’Connor is the General Manger of the shiny new Calgary Film Centre – three huge soundstages and multiple bays on an eight-acre area to service local, national and international television and film productions. In fact, the TV series Tin Star (Kudos Film and Television, UK) was prepping in the background as we recorded this interview. Wow! Erin has a dream job! A unique blend of both performance and technical expertise, Erin has strong opinions about teambuilding and what it takes to make headway in the media industry. That job you hate? Learn what you can from it. What do you love? Learn from that too. You never know when that knowledge will come in handy. Nothing is wasted. It’s all grist for the mill. Erin describes: What it takes to get those entry-level jobs. What information your resume should share with a potential employer. What you can do in a face-to-face interview (or afterwards) to distinguish yourself from the competition. How to keep the job once you get it. Erin speaks to you about

Do it. That’s the two-word mantra of one of the world's most successful YouTube producers, Aaron Bidochka. Your dreams become possible only when you DO something to make them come true. If opportunity isn’t knocking … build a door! (That’s another one of his). This eight-year overnight success has 1.2 million subscribers to his YouTube channel. At the time of this interview, he was closing in on 800 MILLION overall views of the 1,000 episodes he’s posted on his passion for radio-controlled vehicles (trucks, cars, boats, planes, drones) from miniatures to full scale skid steers! Aaron is a total believer in “letting your passion lead your job destiny”. Our Part 1 interview with Aaron (episode 024) took place at the Storytelling Summit at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. In Part 2, we visit Aaron at his Calgary-area ranch (complete with racetrack, lake, canal and film studio). Aaron takes us on a tour and shares tips with you on how to turn your hobby into a business. Instead of costing you money

Evan Greene is the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences – otherwise known as the Grammys. In this episode from the Banff World Media Festival, he gives budding musicians and filmmakers some valuable tips on establishing your place in your chosen art form. And, as we’ve heard from other guests, it’s all about "the story". The story that is shared in each song reveals a bit about each artist. The more listeners identify with those stories, the stronger the connection between audience and artist. The authenticity of these stories is often the gateway to longevity in the business and leads to the creation of generations of fans. Think Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney and Bob Dylan. Ask yourself what you bring to the table when you are seeking some level of representation (agent, manager, record label) or the next step up in your individual stairway to stardom. Evan Greene’s career is built around the marketing and promotion of the annual Grammy Awards. He doe

Raised in a traditional radio family, Marty Forbes has had broadcasting in his blood for decades. Now he's a digital marketing consultant and trailblazer for broadcasters and other corporations looking to make their mark in the near and far reaches of the digital universe. Marty's mentorship advice assists baby boomers in understanding millennial ways of communicating and he counsels millennials on how to get their messages across to professionals who are further along in their careers. Do you have a great career ahead of you in radio, podcasting, or both? Is podcasting the Netflix of radio? We have some excellent advice here from one of North America's most respected radio executives ... someone who walks the talk, tweets the truth and podcasts his point-of-view. So seize Marty's advice! The opportunity is yours! Subscribe to the free Monetizing Your Creativity podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/monetizing-your-creativity/id1082894462?mt=2 While you're there, please leave your comments and

1.7 million subscribers to the YouTube sensation "How To Cake It" have put five full-time people to work. They serve this audience of devoted viewers the kind of information, instructions and tools necessary to create outrageously novel (and edible) works of art. This is an incredibly entertaining baking show with outcomes you won't believe. The best part? The producers are in control of their own destiny. No big-time broadcasters involved. Who says you can't Monetize Your Creativity and happily eat it, too? Sure it takes a lot of work, but you can do it. Yes, you! Co-producer Connie Contardi is proof positive that great concepts, well developed, win the day. Hear about her team's success story on this episode of Monetizing Your Creativity from the 2016 Banff World Media Festival! And now, some poetry from Fred: Sometimes life's a piece of cake Both halved and eaten, too But the bakin' that it's taken Seems too difficult to do! “Fear not!”, cries Connie Contardi. “We'll show you how to make it! Ju

As our vehicle rolled up to the gate, we heard dozens of wolves howling out a wilderness welcome: a real life "Call of the Wild". Among the assembled packs were wolf performers who play direwolves "Ghost" and "Summer" in the Emmy Award winning HBO television series, Game of Thrones. Fun Fact: These hirsute heroes happen to be brother and sister in real life as well as onscreen! We danced with the wolves "Two Toe" and "Digger", two of the pack that ran down the bison in the Oscar winning film, The Revenant. All these onscreen stars were rehearsed and directed by professional animal trainer Andrew Simpson. This globetrotting professional has worked with bears, horses, mice and pelicans (Yes! PELICANS!) from Russia, China and the Greek islands to Europe and Australia (Yep! He's the guy that worked with the dingos in "A Cry in the Dark"!) Andrew has also produced documentaries with behind-the-scenes footage of he and his pupils working on and off–camera. The latest project is "Wolves Unleashed – China", the s

Are you growing in the right garden? If not, move to a garden you can love. And then cultivate the garden you’re in. The seeds of creativity can be planted anywhere. Peter Prince (CBC, National Geographic, National Film Board - NFB), an outdoorsy musician and filmmaker, grew up, learned and practiced his craft in the busy concrete canyons of Toronto, Canada. He loved shooting for well-known clients on trips to beautiful exotic locations but dreaded the hours spent in an urban edit suite putting projects together. So, as his reputation grew, so did his wanderlust and after trotting around the globe on various cinematography assignments, Peter relocated his family to Salt Spring Island off the west coast of Canada, home to a enclave of mutually supportive artists. There, he continued his film career and became a popular singer-songwriter too! It’s a small world after all and the internet makes it even smaller. Peter describes the challenges and triumphs that come from exercising your creative muscles off-sho

We like to do the occasional episode that can best be described as "off the beaten track." This is one of them! There’s a certain art in science and certainly elements of science in art. Wesdyne Otto is one of the rare trans-species known as “adaptive art specialists” or "arts therapists". These individuals work in a variety of therapeutic environments with all the tools of the artist’s trade and the wisdom of psychologists. If you have an appreciation for artistic expression and the benefits it provides for those with physical, mental or emotional limitations, you can earn a living while improving the quality of life in others. In this Edmonton interview, Wesdyne describes the training required and the benefits to be had by the therapist, the clients ... and client families. From developmental disabilities to individuals with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), adaptive art specialists find or restore voices to the voiceless through visual art, movement, drama, music or various combinations of those e

Mark Simon (3,000+ credits including Disney, Nickelodeon, HBO, Spielberg) has a rat-a-tat-tat approach to life requiring no artificial stimulants such as coffee or tea. Animator, artist, designer, ad executive, published author and teacher … Mark Simon wears more hats than Hedda Hopper had. Film people will know exactly what we mean! Non-cinema types should google Hedda Hopper. But it’s Mark’s confident and assertive approach to finding one’s way through the media jungle that is most appealing. Why is “Attitude more important than talent”? In this interview from the Banff World Media Festival, Mark explains the importance of story, confidence vs. arrogance, and doing it first. Have a listen and then ask yourself: When does he sleep? Nobody knows. “Ego is great. If you don’t believe in you, why should anybody?” - Mark Simon Subscribe to the free Monetizing Your Creativity podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/monetizing-your-creativity/id1082894462?mt=2 While you're there, please leave your

As a senior marketing executive for some of the sharpest video game companies in the world (Electronic Arts, Bioware, Eidos, etc.), Ric's advice regarding success in the gaming industry revolves around a message we've heard before from creative types in film and television: STORY FIRST! Writers, artists, animators, sound designers and managers need to put all their effort into creating a great story filled with compelling characters in order to produce a great game. Then professional marketing and promotional experts such as Ric can do their thing to ensure the world becomes aware of and intrigued by this thrilling new gaming experience. If you want to create successful content in any media format, you must begin with your audience in mind. The more you can identify with the eventual consumer, the more you will speak to the hearts and minds of your buyers! Ric recommends that being obsessed by the genre you are working in is a great way to keep your passion for the game and your own particular career bur

What is the most difficult aspect of carving out a career in the media? In this Vancouver interview, producer/writer Bernie Yao states that for him it's "keeping yourself inspired and motivated every day." Happily, Bernie has some tips on how to do that. After training in the film program of an arts school, Bernie had a number of short films accepted into festival competitions around the world. And yet, as a budding writer/director, he kept receiving offers from former classmates and others to produce their short films. And now features. Even a short for Disney! Bernie's professional network consists of former teachers, working artists and many of the young people with whom he studied. His Robert Redford story is a great example of how to leverage opportunities when they present themselves. Never let go of that handshake until you've asked for what you need. And received what you've asked for. Listen and learn. And Google search Bernie Yao. Subscribe to the free Monetizing Your Creativity podcast: htt