131. How to Write a Screenplay - Shannan E. Johnson (2022)
Have you ever wondered how a movie gets made? Or better yet, where do the ideas from movies come from? And if you have your sight on making a short film, wouldn't it be great if someone helped you buff your idea and make the end product simply spectacular? Shannan E. Johnson is that someone! As a former creative executive at NBCU/The Syfy Channel, Shannan left her full-time gig to become a storytelling expert who develops creatives and their ideas for the screen. As a script consultant, teacher, and therapist, she uses her innate understanding of storytelling to make compelling TV and movies. In today's podcast, Shannan walks us through her wide-ranging career and shares what it's like to work in Hollywood. She offers invaluable tips on how to write and tell a great story. I walked away from our conversation with a framework on how to approach fear and how to position my vision to achieve my desired outcomes! As you listen to the interview, the conversation will skip forward here and there - this is because Shannan's audio cut off at certain points, but the insights remain powerful throughout. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Shannan E. Johnson 02:09 The Journey into Storytelling 07:14 Understanding the Craft of Screenwriting 12:23 The Differences in Storytelling Mediums 18:19 Transitioning to Executive Roles in Hollywood 24:15 Navigating the Business of Hollywood 26:48 The Evolution of Storytelling in TV 35:03 Navigating the Transition from Executive to Entrepreneur 41:08 Building Confidence and Leadership Skills 47:09 The Professional Pen: Empowering Screenwriters 51:03 Introducing Truffle Sauce: A New Film Experience Connect with Shannan: Website: http://www.shannanejohnson.com/ The Professional Pen: https://www.awriterforyourwriter.com/bio.html Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannanejohnson/ The Professional Pen IG: https://www.instagram.com/theprofessionalpen/ Connect with your host: Website: Martine Severin Instagram: Martine | This Is How We Create Subscribe to the Newsletter: Martine's Substack This episode of This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin and edited by Ray Abercrombie.
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130. Stop Waiting, Start Creating- Lessons from an Unexpected Practice - Martine Severin
In this mini-episode, we explore the unexpected parallel between toe yoga and creative practice. Through her personal experience with a daily exercises, our host, Martine Severin, reveals how small, consistent efforts lead to remarkable changes over time – both in physical flexibility and creative mastery. Martine challenges the myth of natural talent, showing how persistence and consistent practice often triumph over innate ability. This episode serves as your permission slip to begin that creative project you've been postponing – no matter how small your daily commitment might be. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Creative Journeys 00:27 Understanding Toe Yoga 04:22 The Metaphor of Toe Yoga in Creativity 08:10 Taking Action and Consistency in Practice Key Takeaways: The benefits of toe yoga extend beyond foot health to our entire physical structure Just 1-5 minutes of daily practice can lead to significant improvements in any skill Consistent practice often trumps natural talent in creative pursuits You don't need expensive equipment or extensive training to begin your creative journey Stop waiting for permission and start with small, manageable commitments Stay in touch: Website: MartineSeverin.com Follow on Instagram: @martineseverin | @thisishowwecreate Subscribe to the Newsletter: Martine's Substack - Creative Matters
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129. Honoring Everyday People Through Your Art - Rhonda K. Brown (2020)
We welcome fine art painter Rhonda K Brown, whose artistic story is deeply intertwined with a remarkable family legacy in the art world. Join us as Rhonda pulls back the curtain on her creative journey - from the influential gallery environment of her youth to her eventual return to painting after exploring other paths. How did growing up surrounded by prominent artists shape her artistic vision? What drew her back to the canvas after time away? And what inspired her to create a new platform supporting fellow artists? Tune in for an intimate conversation about art, inspiration, and the mission to elevate diverse creative voices. WHAT YOU'LL HEAR: Rhonda's personal journey as a fine art painter and how she developed her unique style The remarkable legacy of the Malcolm Brown Gallery and its influence on her work Her approach to selecting color palettes and how she trained her artistic eye A treasure trove of recommendations for both historical and contemporary artists worth following The story behind Critique House, a new venture co-founded with her son to support BIPOC artists CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction to Rhonda Brown's Creative Journey 01:31 The Malcolm Brown Gallery: A Family Legacy 10:59 Influences and Inspirations in Art 17:22 Honoring Everyday People Through Art 21:12 Navigating Artistic Challenges and Community Support 24:01 The Evolution of Rhonda's Color Palette 29:05 Sources of Inspiration and Artistic Growth 34:02 The Journey Back to Art and Critique House 38:57 Critique House: Supporting BIPOC Artists KEY MOMENTS: Discover how Rhonda approaches her creative practice and what fuels her artistic vision Learn about the influential Malcolm Brown Gallery and its place in art history Hear how Rhonda celebrates everyday people through her artistic expression Explore the development of her distinctive color palette and artistic eye ABOUT RHONDA K BROWN: Rhonda K Brown is an accomplished fine art painter whose work has garnered recognition for its distinctive style. Beyond her personal artistic practice, she's committed to creating opportunities for other artists. CONNECT & FOLLOW: Rhonda K Brown: @rhondabrownfineart Rhonda’s Website: https://www.rkbfineart.com Martine Séverin: martineseverin.com | @martine.sev This episode has been edited by Casandra Voltolina
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128. Crafting Your Artist Statement: A Comprehensive Guide - Martine Severin
In this essential episode, host Martine Severin draws from her experience creating an artist statement for Scope Miami to provide a practical roadmap for artists struggling with this crucial professional document. From understanding your audience to finding your authentic voice, this episode breaks down the process into manageable steps that will help your work connect with galleries, collectors, and grant committees. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Artist Statements 03:13 Understanding Your Audience and Purpose 06:04 Essential Elements of an Artist Statement 09:09 Approaches to Writing Your Artist Statement 11:58 Common Pitfalls to Avoid 14:47 Refining Your Artist Statement What You'll Learn: How to tailor your statement for different contexts and audiences The five key components that make your statement effective Practical structural approaches to organize your thoughts Common mistakes that undermine your professional presentation Techniques to overcome writer's block and find your authentic voice Free Download: Get the Artist Statement Development Worksheet mentioned in this episode! This step-by-step guide walks you through targeted exercises that help you generate a compelling statement. Key Insights from Martine: "Despite having AI at our disposal, writing an artist statement isn't a breeze. You still need to create a statement that helps collectors and curators understand the context of your work, creates a bridge between your artistic intentions and the viewer's experience, and distinguishes you in a competitive field." "Your statement should sound like you, not an academic journal, not a marketing brochure, not what you think a 'serious artist' should sound like." "The best artist statements aren't written in a single sitting. Give yourself permission to explore, experiment, and refine, just as you would with any creative project." Support the Show: Website: MartineSeverin.com Follow on Instagram: @martineseverin | @thisishowwecreate Subscribe to the Newsletter: Martine's Substack - Creative Matters This episode of This Is How We Create is produced and edited by Martine Severin.
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127. The Principle Can Make Your Unstoppable As an Artist - Tobi Shinobi
This week on This Is How We Create: Award-winning photographer Tobi Shinobi reveals his fascinating journey from courtroom to camera lens. Discover the unique productivity framework that transformed his creative process and catapulted his career to global recognition. Episode Highlights The Name: How a playground nickname evolved into one of photography's most recognizable brands The Pivot: Why Tobi abandoned a successful legal career to pursue photography The Symmetry Connection: How childhood Lego obsessions influenced his distinctive visual style The Game-Changer: Tobi's intriguing "7 out of 10 principle" that revolutionized his workflow The Success Story: From Instagram experiments to Sony ambassador and TikTok creative strategist Sneak Peek: The 7 Out of 10 Principle Tobi introduces his enigmatic productivity framework that helped him post 3-4 quality images daily while maintaining his signature high standards. What are the ten elements he considers, and why is hitting just seven of them the sweet spot? Tune in to find out how this approach might transform your creative practice. Professional Insights Why photographing buildings became Tobi's specialty (hint: they're never late to photoshoots) The small details that separate amateurs from professionals in client relationships How self-taught photographers can bridge the knowledge gap when transitioning to professional work Quotable Moments "The worst piece of advice I've ever received was 'don't become a photographer'... I've been able to travel the world, make long-term friendships, change my life... all because I believed in myself." Connect With This Is How We Create Keep up with your host Martine Severin https://martineseverin.com/ Follow This Is How We Create on IG. https://www.instagram.com/thisishowwecreate_/ Follow Martine on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martine.severin/ Subscribe to the Newsletter: Martine's Substack This is How We Create is produced by and edited by Braila West, Alexis Sanchez and Martine Severin. Connect With Tobi Shinobi Follow Tobi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tobishinobi Website: https://www.tobishinobi.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Tobishinobi
The This is How We Create podcast digs deeper into the creative life of contemporary artists of color. Discover what feeds their creativity and how they found (or are finding) their artistic voice. Through these intimate and candid conversations, you will gain insights into the lives of creative professionals of color that are hard to find anywhere else.