What if a chance encounter could completely alter your life's trajectory? Bonnie Garvin's journey from public relations to storytelling in TV and Movies was anything but planned. In this episode, she shares how a playwriting class she nearly skipped transformed her career. Bonnie, a remarkable storyteller and educator at USC's School of Cinema Arts, opens up about embracing unexpected turns and the incredible power of storytelling to change lives. Hear firsthand about the hurdles and triumphs of venturing into the film and television industry. This story covers everything from the ambitious leap of moving from Detroit to Los Angeles to the emotional rollercoaster of creative control and the unpredictable influences on a project's success. Learn about the rewarding process of seeing creative visions come to life and the often-overlooked reality that completing a project is just the start of a new chapter filled with promotion and development challenges. You'll also be inspired by Bonnie's work at the Storytelling Lab, where creativity and playfulness take center stage. Discover how reconnecting with your inner child through writing, stand-up comedy, or poetry can spark personal growth and self-expression. Bonnie's insights remind us there's no better time to chase our dreams and inject some fun into our lives.
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Getting people to "know your story" isn't easy for a number of reasons. Part of the value in people knowing your story is trust building. The thinking is that people will trust us if they really understand our story. As video producers, especially former journalists, we realize that a documentary-style approach is highly effective. StoryTeller's Creative Director, Steve Mulholland recently posted this piece on documentary-style videos and explains why this approach is so effective. If you're wondering how best to "tell your story," you may find this post helpful. https://lnkd.in/dBuyWCFn
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🎬 Kickstart Your Career in Film, TV & Content Creation! 🎥 Are you passionate about storytelling, photography, or music but unsure how to break into the film and TV industry? I’m excited to share my free guide, “Navigating the Film, TV & Content Creation Pipeline: A Comprehensive Guide to Industry Roles and Workflows.” 📘 What’s Inside: • Detailed Role Descriptions: Explore key and niche roles across major departments. • Industry Insights: Understand how different positions collaborate to bring projects to life. • Practical Career Advice: Tips on entering the industry, building your skills, and advancing your career. • Workflow Breakdown: Learn the step-by-step processes in both scripted and unscripted productions. As someone who didn’t follow the traditional path—no university degree, just a passion for storytelling, photography, and music—I understand the challenges of breaking into this dynamic industry. Through self-teaching and hands-on experience, I’ve been honoured with nominations for some of the industry’s most prestigious awards. Now, I want to help you achieve your dreams too! 🚀 Why Download? • Comprehensive Knowledge: Gain a thorough understanding of various industry roles and workflows. • Career Clarity: Identify the perfect fit for your skills and passions. • Actionable Steps: Equip yourself with the tools and insights needed to succeed. 👉 Get Your Free Guide Today! Simply enter your email to download and start building your career in the creative world. 🔗 Download Your Free Guide Now Let’s turn your passion into a thriving career together! #FilmIndustry #TVProduction #ContentCreation #CareerGuide #FreeDownload #CreativeCareers #Storytelling #Filmmaking #ContentCreators #CareerAdvice #AndrewQuigleyBFE
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Why do our brands act so pathetic?
I wrote some scripts for ZELLBURY in March, they contacted me through their agency, String PR, and production house, Red Strip film. They locked my shoot dates and then everyone disappeared without paying the creative fee. No one is responding from the brand. The agency is clueless. This is the strangest attitude I've ever received from a brand throughout my 20-year long career. Is this a unique case, or a common occurrence that I'm not aware of?
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I’ve always believed in the power of a well-crafted script—it’s the foundation of any great story. But some of the most unforgettable moments I’ve experienced in content creation came when the script had to take a back seat. In reality TV, live events, or even documentary work, real stories often unfold in ways you can’t predict. A contestant’s raw reaction, an unexpected challenge, or a single unplanned moment can shift the narrative entirely. As a storyteller, the challenge is knowing when to let the unscripted take center stage and how to weave it seamlessly into the bigger picture. It’s a balancing act—staying true to the structure while letting the story breathe, adapt, and surprise you. That’s where the magic of storytelling lives: in those moments you couldn’t plan but couldn’t imagine the story without. This, truly, is when the script takes a back seat.
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Embrace the chaos! 🎉 When you let your kids film, their simple ideas can inspire great content. It doesn’t need to be perfect, just authentic. #contentcreation #parentinghacks #authenticity #freedomtobe
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Who’s your favorite storyteller? My favorite storyteller is Bog Iger, the CEO of Disney. I’ll include a video of his in the comments below so that you can check him out. Who’s your favorite storyteller? Let me know in the comments below!
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I love this! This aligns with a strategy I used at work for a presentation to the city manager. My director wanted to secure buy-in for his strategic vision before going into budget season. He initially asked me to develop a PPT presentation using data that some other team members would send me. I want to offer a different approach. He agreed and followed my advice on using the opportunity to provide data and offer context with compelling stories. This approach provided impact that numbers alone can't. In fact, coupling the stories with data resonated with the city manager, who responded positively. The approach helped set up the need for what would be in our budget request later that year. Compelling storytelling is a game changer.
TV Writer. Filmmaker. CEO. Building HONEY CHILE, the future of media for Black women 40+, and empowering other niche storytellers to tell their stories and reach their audiences.
I had an incredible pitch yesterday for a feature film. To the point that one of the producers was crying! Here are 5 of my pitching principles: 1. Care. This seems obvious, but you have to be passionate about what you're pitching. People can feel genuine passion. And often producers want to work with folk who they know are super passionate about the subject matter. 2. Perform. I perform my pitches. Mind you, I'm horrible at acting. But when I pitch, I am strategic about how I say every single word. The pauses. The inflection. The emotion. And because I have genuine passion, I FEEL it and so do my audience. 3. Connect story with emotion. It is easy to pitch plot by plot points, but often what execs are looking for is the emotional through line. So make the connections for them. Show them how X plot point is connected to X part of the character's emotional journey. 4. Pop your stuff. Be unapologetic when explaining why you're the right person to write this project. In my pitch yesterday, I said I was made to write this film and provided several reasons and receipts. Because I am. 🤷🏾♀️ 5. Set your intention then let go. My intention for every pitch is to have a great time telling a story I love. That is my job. And I work to do my job well. If I do my job well, I am proud. I release all expectations. That doesn't mean I won't feel disappointment if I don't get an opportunity, but I quickly remind myself that what is for me is for me. And that the decision had nothing to do with my performance, because I did my job and I did incredibly well. FYI: The Build Bundle, the complete blueprint of six courses, 25+ lessons to help you sharpen your craft, accelerate your journey, and build your career to last, includes an entire Pitch Bundle. The Pitch Bundle includes a pitch template, a sample recorded pitch for TV and a sample written pitch for Film, which I have NEVER shared before. How I wish I had these resources when I was learning to pitch. Check it out and enroll here: https://lnkd.in/g4T6f2u9.
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Did you know that the average person’s attention span is just 8.25 seconds? Not a lot of time to spare if you’re trying to get your brand message across – whether that’s in the form of a press release, a blog post or an email to a journalist. That’s why it’s critical that the headline or subject line of your latest scoop needs to be as engaging and attention-grabbing as possible. Not quite sure how to go about writing that captivating headline? Well, we’ve actually written a blog post on this very topic – just visit: https://lnkd.in/eDx9_kFd In the spirit of this odd time of the year between Christmas and New Year, when no one is quite sure what day it is (it’s Friday, by the way), we thought we’d play a fun game that all the family can get involved in – one that calls for a bit of guesswork based on some snappy headlines. Give it a go – can you guess the family film? #FestiveFun #PRLife #PRagency #ContentCreation #franchisePR
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I know the feeling of standing on the edge, peering into the vast post-production world. The barriers seem high, and the path is unclear. But let me tell you, breaking through is possible. I started in this industry much like many of you. With doubts and questions and a burning passion to tell stories that matter. Winning an Emmy wasn’t just a recognition of my work, but a testament to the journey. A journey filled with learning, setbacks, and growth. I made it a mission to dismantle barriers and open doors for others. Why? Because I believe every aspiring editor deserves the chance to shine. When I look back, mentorship was a lifeline. Having someone who believed in me when I doubted myself made all the difference. And now, I strive to be that person for others. I see immense talent out there waiting to be nurtured. Remember, it’s not just about mastering the craft. It’s about creating impactful stories that resonate. The world needs your voice and your vision. To those standing on the edge, take that leap. Reach out, seek guidance, and step into your potential. Your story is waiting to be told. What’s your next step in your editing journey? Let’s inspire each other—share your dreams below.
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