Monetizing Your Creativity - Pursuing a career in film, television, writing, theatre, music & design with your talents

125 Hiatus

Hello everyone and welcome to another episode of Monetizing Your Creativity. I’m your host Marvin Polis. This is actually going to be a very short episode because I’m here to let you know that our podcast is going on hiatus for a while. In the meantime, we’d like to suggest that you dive into the archives for some inspirational episodes to help you launch and leverage your creative career. With 125 episodes, there’s something for everyone. Even if an episode seems like it might not apply to you, there are universal lessons everywhere. So for instance, if you’re an actor, do listen to the episodes about music … and so on. On behalf of my co-producer and co-host Fred Keating, we want to encourage you to stay subscribed so you’ll know when we have news to announce. If you want to keep tabs on Fred, you can follow him on Facebook and you really should check out an intriguing project he’s working on called Studio in the Sky. Just go to Vimeo and search for Studio in the Sky, new trailer. As for me, you can check out a professional development podcast that I produce for a local chapter of my professional association, the International Association of Business Communicators, otherwise known as IABC. This podcast also talks about earning a living with your creativity, although the focus is much more narrow than the Monetizing Your Creativity podcast. So if you’re interested in applying your talents specifically to marketing and public relations, go to iTunes or SoundCloud and search for IABC Edmonton. Thanks for listening, everyone.

124 Creativity meets business acumen

Welcome to another themed episode drawing upon the advice and counsel of various guests on a single topic. The topic: When creativity meets business acumen Four multi-talented and experienced entrepreneurs prove it is possible to pursue your creative passion and make a good living from doing so. It helps if one’s passion for a creative career is balanced by an appreciation of (or skills in) the business side of show business. Toronto-based Todd Latham is the President of Actual Media. Growing up along with digital media, Todd’s success story runs from his first newsletter Newd Flash to his current publications on environmental subjects such as ReNew Magazine and Water Canada. He also produces the Canadian Water Summit and Water’s Next Awards as President of Blue Events. Todd discusses the creation and progression of business opportunities and partnerships that have allowed him to make his publishing and environmental conservation dreams come true. Lindy Sisson is a connector. As the presenter and administrator of a large arts society and venue, she connects her community audiences with arts activities and productions that she feels will resonate. Her advice about building trust with stakeholders can be applied to any of the various arts projects you may be trying to get off the ground. Sarah Klodt and Emily Tepper are the Geek Crossing girls. From simply seeking space to create their own geek-themed artwork outside of their already crowded homes, these two self-confessed geeks have created a business that provides them and many other artists with a place with which to earn a living. Geek Crossing is a community centre that boasts studio space, arts supplies, classes and a store through which artists can sell their work. Brian Keating (no relation to Fred) is a multi-media powerhouse. From his love of wildlife and wild places, Brian has built a career that involves speaking programs, writing books for children, creating a television series, regular radio appearances and taking people on tours to fantastic and remote corners of the planet. His success is all based on this own love of storytelling about the wonders of the wild world. If you cannot find a business entity willing to support your work, you may want to consider starting one. Nothing succeeds like success! 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 Monetizing Your Creativity on Stitcher, Google Play Music, Overcast or your other podcast app. SoundCloud: www.monetizingyourcreativity.com Follow us on Instagram: @monetizingyourcreativity www.instagram.com/monetizingyourcreativity

123 Making it in LA

Welcome to another themed episode drawing upon the advice and counsel of various guests on a single topic. The topic: Making it in LA. Four experienced individuals (a media entrepreneur, publicist, film festival founder and talent agent) share their own “Making it in LA” stories with Marv and Fred. They are proof positive that creative people need other creative people in order to earn a living in media industries. Nobody does it alone. Cachita Hynes is the founder of the style-revamp company, Style on the Spot. She’s also a model, TV host, blogger and former Marketing Director of Worldwide Distribution for MGM. Cachita currently serves a roster of clients as a digital marketing consultant, helping other companies and organizations get their stories to a global audience. Kelly Wilson is a connector. She brings together people who have stories to tell with people who need stories to tell. This young publicist has helped arrange some interviews for Marv and Fred at international events and locations. In fact, Kelly was the person who connected us with Cachita Hynes! Daniel Sol brought his event management abilities from Miami to Los Angeles and co-founded the annual Hollywood Shorts Festival that showcases emerging and mature filmmakers along with monthly film-related events. What a way to build a personal and professional network! Michael Levitt, successful businessman from Los Angeles, made a mid-life career change to become a talent agent in Vancouver, Canada. He attracted success through a combination of applying his mentoring skills to young performers and his business skills to casting directors. He's known for his effectiveness in getting his clients auditions and roles in film and television. 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 Monetizing Your Creativity on Stitcher, Google Play Music, Overcast or your other podcast app. SoundCloud: www.monetizingyourcreativity.com Follow us on Instagram: @monetizingyourcreativity www.instagram.com/monetizingyourcreativity

122 Acting careers - stage & screen

Welcome to another themed episode drawing upon the advice and counsel of various guests on a single topic. This week's topic: Acting careers – stage and screen. Four multi-talented and experienced performers share with Marvin and Fred their own career stories and tips for navigating the tumultuous rapids of an acting career. Amy Shostak is a talented theatre artist whose improv skills in performance and directing have taken her to festivals and live special events all around the world. She also performs in the television series Tiny Plastic Men and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s radio series The Irrelevant Show. Amy describes why many professionals could benefit from improv workshops to learn about and sharpen their own abilities in collaborative work situations. Brothers Dann and Dave Florek join Marvin and Fred in Los Angeles to discuss the similarities and differences in technique required for performing on stage and on screen. Valuable tips emerge! Check their track records on imdb.com. The Florek Brothers’ lists of engagements in film and television alone read like the history of screen media over the last 40 years! Not many performers celebrate 25 years in the business at the ripe old age of 31! Vancouver-based actor and musician Travis Turner describes his formal training at the Langara College Film Arts program and his decision to form a company to benefit more from the “business” side of show business. For more information on the Langara College Film Arts program, listen to Episode 084 of our podcast with Garwin Sanford, the Head of Film Arts. 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 Monetizing Your Creativity on Stitcher, Google Play Music, Overcast or your other podcast app. SoundCloud: www.monetizingyourcreativity.com Follow us on Instagram: @monetizingyourcreativity www.instagram.com/monetizingyourcreativity

121 The business of music

Fred and Marvin have put together another themed episode that draws upon the wisdom of various guests on a single topic. Three multi-talented musicians share with you their own particular experiences in "The Business of Music”. Patched in from France, Mark Olson, an American horn player for European orchestras, shares his stories of breaking into the business, getting lessons from the best in the world and the challenges of auditions. And how the horn has been his ticket around the world for more than 30 years! Patrick O’Connell, a California-based musician shares his advice with budding musicians on everything from why musicians should TEACH as soon as possible and the self-managed approach to getting your music sold and listened to in the music business’ constantly shifting environments. Nashville-based Lera Lynn, who plays the bar singer on the HBO series “True Detective”, shares her stories about what happens when you "stay true to you”. She describes what she’s learned from other musicians (k.d. lang, T Bone Burnett) and about the power of relationships, while at the same time relying on yourself. 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 Monetizing Your Creativity on Stitcher, Google Play Music, Overcast or your other podcast app. SoundCloud: www.monetizingyourcreativity.com Follow us on Instagram: @monetizingyourcreativity www.instagram.com/monetizingyourcreativity