This interview is featured in the book, "Clarity for your Creative Career". Available NOW!
Managing our emotions, grief, pain and disappointment can be overwhelming, but we don’t have to do it alone. Have you ever considered therapy? How about art therapy? This is not an intervention, I promise.... but a peek into what’s out there that could help heal our wounds. As founder of Wholehearted Creative Arts Therapy, Arta Cakaj gives us a look her special combination of psychotherapy and artmaking. Even if you don’t think you’re creative, this process provides a non-judgemental space to uncover your emotions while creating something uniquely you. We discuss her background in the corporate world and how art therapy inspired her to start her own practice. Arta says, “This is my calling- I felt it in myself and I wanna help other people heal”. She also has great tips for transitioning careers, running your own business, and how to not take other people’s drama onto yourself. Also, art therapy techniques you can do at home. Links: http://www.wholeheartedarttherapy.com Listen to more episodes of the LoudaVision Podcast HERE
Tips to cultivate your creativity! Listen to my guest spot on the Indoob Podcast
Returning guest Laura Meoli of the LoudaVision Podcast returns to discuss and offer advice about the creative process, creative blocks, and what drives us to do the things that we do. Laura also discusses recent projects and ventures, some of which you can find on her website loudavision.com and her podcast!
This interview is featured in the book, "Clarity for your Creative Career". Available NOW!
“Think about the toughest times in your life. Usually in those times you go to a good movie, song, or book… you confide in those things that artists create to get you through the hardest times in your life- and they shape the way you look at the world.”- Eternal Optimist, Alex Bondarev. Music was always the dream for today’s guest, who shares his story of being a refugee from Chechnya, immigrating to India and then the United States as a child. With music as his anchor, Alex is the lead singer of “A Moment’s Worth” along with his four best friends. AMW won the Elfenworks Social Justice Award for their uplifting song “Dedicate” and partnered with this non-profit group. Alex discusses the secrets behind their success and longevity in the music industry. With nearly two decades as a musician, Alex has invaluable tips for balancing passions with responsibilities, becoming more disciplined in your creative process, and how to overcome the fear of releasing your work into the world. Speaking of new work, his solo project is called “Conversing with Oceans” and is quickly making waves- landing a one-on-one showcase with Randy Jackson at SXSW. His second single features a collaboration with the Grammy-nominated John Forté, who co-wrote and produced Fugees’ groundbreaking LP The Score. Alex uses his art to help others in need by volunteering with the non-profit “Musicians on Call” and inspires me to think about how my art can be of service to others. I hope he does the same for you. Links: Conversing with Oceans: www.conversingwithoceans.com A Moment’s Worth: www.aMomentsWorth.com Elfenworks Social Justice Award: www.elfenworks.org/amomentsworth Musicians on Call: www.musiciansoncall.org Photo Credit: Rosemarie Elizabeth Photography Listen to more episodes of the LoudaVision Podcast HERE
This interview is featured in the book, "Clarity for your Creative Career". Available NOW!
Are you a creative person struggling to turn your passion into a career? Mayra Ramales has figured out the recipe for success. She turned her love of music into a fun experience with huge potential for growth, which gives other artists an opportunity to succeed as well. Mayra Ramales is a talented music journalist and concert photographer for Next Mosh, Tri State Indie and Metal Machine. She also writes for Low Kick MMA. Wanting to be her own boss, she developed theSoundLive.com- her own music website where readers can discover new artists. The Sound Live also gives local photographers and journalists an opportunity to expand their portfolio. “The best way to learn is to put yourself in that position and just trying it out. That’s how you grow” she says. This podcast gives tips to start a blog, create a website, shoot video interviews on a budget and for professional concert photography. Hint: It doesn’t matter how much your lens costs, it’s based on the angles, your vision and style. We discuss her journey, and her future as an audiologist where she hopes to bring music to the deaf community. “It’s really important to have everyone experience music and the arts, no matter what”. Mayra’s top 3 Favorite Albums: Apple by Mother Love Bone Blackbird by Alterbridge Around the Fur by Deftones Laura’s top 3 Favorite Albums: Futures by Jimmy Eat World Mandala by Rx Bandits Absolution by Muse The Sound Live: www.TheSoundLive.com Follow TSL: www.Instagram.com/TheSoundLive Listen to more episodes of the LoudaVision Podcast HERE
This interview is featured in the book, "Clarity for your Creative Career". Available NOW!
For many filmmakers and artists, the elusive world of Television Production can seem intimidating and impossible to penetrate. In my chat with Janis Vogel, we demystify post production and editing, discussing secret tricks of the trade. Janis Vogel is an editor (and assistant editor) for feature films, music videos, documentaries, and her impressive TV work includes credits on MTV’s “Teen Mom”, “16 and Pregnant”, AMC’s “Feed the Beast” and most recently a TNT series pilot called “Civil”. When she first started in the industry, Janis thought, “This is too fun, this is a passion. I can’t do this for money!”– She was wrong. We’ll uncover some of the industry’s best kept secrets, including a union which offers freelance editors perks like health insurance. Janis describes the process of editing for reality shows, and at major post houses. We also compare and contrast how editing varies between industries, formats and genres. Tips for editing like a pro, organizing your projects, and overcoming the physical pain of sitting down all day. NERD ALERT! We get super technical. Which application does Janis call the “Grand Piano of NLE’s”? Find out what is industry standard and how to transition into whatever genre or position you desire. As co-president of the Blue Collar Post Collective, she also gives us the lowdown about Post Production education, tech talks, editor conversations, troubleshooting help, networking opportunities and lots of great programs that can get you hired. Links: FREE Photoshop tutorial: www.LauraMeoli.com/FREEBIE The Sound Live: www.TheSoundLive.com Today’s Guest: JanisVogel.com www.BlueCollarPostCollective.com BPCP Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BCPANY/ Editor’s union: www.editorsguild.com “In the Blink of an Eye” Editing book: http://amzn.to/2blfCvS Fitness in Post: www.fitnessinpost.com Listen to more episodes of the LoudaVision Podcast HERE
This interview is featured in the book, "Clarity for your Creative Career". Available NOW!
As filmmakers and artists, we all want to know how to start a production company. We’re dreaming of the great content we’ll produce, all the money we’d make, working flexible hours, being our own boss… SBA.gov and SCORE.org offer step by step instructions for starting your own business. Step 1 is to Create your Business Plan, but it’s that first step that stops most of us dead in our tracks. This simple phrase is a daunting task which includes everything from marketing to how you’re going to make money. It certainly was overwhelming for me, so I sat down with someone who actually has a legit, official production company, to walk us through this most difficult step.Lina Lansky is a self taught filmmaker and producer with her own production company, Landsky Media Productions LLC. Even with an MBA degree, it’s not easy being an entrepreneur, and she talks about her own missteps starting out. “Having a business degree doesn’t mean jack. Hands-on experience is far more important”, she says. After listening this podcast you’ll be jotting down ideas for your own business in no time, or perhaps deciding that it’s not for you. Filmmaking is a tough business and entrepreneurship is not for everyone. Lina says, “we’re all these little engines that could, and sometimes we’re little engines that can’t, and really shouldn’t”. We also give tips for people who want to break into a creative field of work, without having to get another degree. What I learned from this interview is that we have to create our own opportunities, and there are many paths to success. Surround yourself with the right people and think about both your personal & professional goals before you run out to start a business. Listen to more episodes of the LoudaVision Podcast HERE
This interview is featured in the book, "Clarity for your Creative Career". Available NOW!
Gabrielle Hawkins is a filmmaker and artist who pulls inspiration from politics, art, dance and every day life. She has worked on music videos with Beyonce, The Roots and John Legend and the Chris Rock film “Top Five”. I know Gabby from the Brooklyn College Film Production Degree Program. Like myself, it wasn’t a straight path to success for this fellow female filmmaker, who found herself unable to get a job after graduation. While working a full time job to pay the bills, she still makes time for her passion of filmmaking. She’s currently directing her first feature film “Criminals”. We talk about some of the roadblocks, setbacks and struggles she’s going through, so you don’t have to! I break down my absolute WORST filmmaking experience, and what I learned from it. We share tips on how to be a better director, avoid losing footage, the most important person to have on set and who you should kick out immediately! We discuss Steven Pressfield’s book “The War of Art” and how it relates to us as filmmakers. When making a film resistance comes in many forms, but trust that if you are encountering setbacks and struggles with your process, it means that you are on to something good. Gabby says, “There’s always going to be some kind of nightmare… Filmmaking is never smooth”. Gabrielle Hawkins’ website: www.gabriellealikehawkins.com Feature Film Criminals: www.criminalsthemovie.com My thesis Film Perspective: www.laurameoli.com/perspective Listen to more episodes of the LoudaVision Podcast HERE
This interview is featured in the book, "Clarity for your Creative Career". Available NOW!
Do you feel like there are so many things you would like to do in your lifetime? Or that it would be absolutely mind numbing to pick one location, career, partner or passion for the rest of your life? Maybe you have many varied talents, and picking just one would cause the world to miss out on all your other gifts? If you’ve taken the Meyer’s Briggs personality test, you might have rated as an INFP or ENFP. Regardless of your tendency towards introvert or extrovert (it’s a scale not a choice) it’s the intuitive, feeling, perceiving part of your personality that gives you special gifts. Those special gifts don’t deserve to be cooped-up in an office working a traditional nine to five! So spread your wings and raise your hand along with me and Alex Wood- as we declare ourselves Variety Seekers! No worries, you are not alone in this search for your purpose as a creative entrepreneur. Alex co-founded HoneLife which hosts the variety seeker tribe of like-minded free-spirits. In this interview we talk about the struggles and joys of being Variety Seekers. He shares tips for balancing our passions in life and business. In fact, having your own business can actually be a great option for Variety Seekers. When starting a new career or venture, Alex Wood describes his strategy much like mastering a video game. Like most variety seekers, when he’s beat that game, it’s on to the next. In reality, Alex worked his way up the ranks in the military by identifying his unique strengths, and his competition’s weakness (Sorry Brad). Despite his success, when asked about his future there Alex says, “I love the fact that I don’t know, that my life will change and I will try something new. The possibility, the unknown, no obligations or limitations is a good feeling. I’m excited about that.” With endless possibilities for our future, we should be excited too. There’s no better security in life than options. Variety Seeker Quiz: http://bit.ly/1OjDdeL Facebook Variety Seeker Tribe: http://bit.ly/1NiQJwP Listen to more episodes of the LoudaVision Podcast HERE
This interview is featured in the book, "Clarity for your Creative Career". Available NOW!
Multi-talented funny-lady Angela Star is cracking me up on this episode of the LoudaVision Podcast! This Stand-up Comedian shares a cringe-worthy story about what inspired her to get into comedy, and even tells us about the entrepreneurial ventures she explored (*cough*DRUG DEALER*cough*) before pursuing stand-up comedy. Fast-Forward three years later- she’s now performing at major comedy clubs and is the founder of “Stars of Comedy”, teaching kids about her craft. Angela shares advice for overcoming stage-fright, and we discuss her process for coming up with jokes and adjusting her set to various audiences, anywhere from churches to China. Angela is a female in a sea of men… in the field of comedy, a male dominated industry (you’re dirty!). She says, “I felt the pressure of being very vulgar to try to keep up with the men”. This didn’t mesh too well with her as a Christian. Her advice to other stand-ups trying to keep up with the competition is to BE YOURSELF… “We live in a society where everyone encourages you to be like everyone else, but if you’re like everyone else than how do you stand out?” Camera-dude Tony is in this episode too. He’s filming me for a women’s history month video profile on Code 360. If you want to see some behind the scenes footage of this episode and find out more about me, your host, you can watch the video here: https://vimeo.com/163189566 Angela Star’s links: Facebook: on.fb.me/1UkP2mr Instagram: bit.ly/1R2TN0o Snapchat: @astarsmentality Listen to more episodes of the LoudaVision Podcast HERE
If you’re anything like me, you are eagerly anticipating the start of House of Cards Season 4 on Netflix. Regardless of when you binged on earlier seasons, it’s felt like forever, and you may need a refresher course. You’re in luck!
Before you watch Season 4 take a listen to this chat with my guest, pop-culture expert and fellow podcaster T. Sterling Watson. We’ll cover everything you may have forgotten from Season 3 including Frank Underwood’s past (and hopefully future) murders, his sexuality, his war with Claire, AND which characters are deserving of a spinoff vs which ones we want thrown in front of a train. We’ll also break down the Season 4 trailer, what to expect and what we want more of (#threesomes)! What do you think Prez Underwood would do if he was faced with some of today’s real-life issues? #blacklivesmatter #DonaldDrumpf #FlintWaterCrisis Join the conversation on Twitter @LoudaVision House of Cards theme song by Jeff Beal, Hollywood Studio Symphony You can listen to the Indoob!Podcast here: www.indoob.podbean.com Listen to more episodes of the LoudaVision Podcast HERE
This interview is featured in the book, "Clarity for your Creative Career". Available NOW!
She’s been called the “female John Leguizamo… without the bitterness”. Elaine DelValle runs DelValle Productions and her own casting company. Among her many filmmaking ventures, this multi-talented superstar currently has shows on HBO Latino and Comedy Central. She says, “Filmmaking is not easy. It’s not all fun. It’s not glamorous. You’re in the worst places sometimes. It’s cramped. It’s hot. It’s a long day…. It’s wonderful!” In this podcast: perfecting your elevator pitch, going from script to screen, how to get an agent, branding yourself, how to fund your films and even casting tips! We also discuss the importance of building a successful team. “Work with good people, MEAN what you say and DO what you say, and REPRESENT!” This seasoned professional even schools me on gratitude! There’s something for everyone: writers, actors, filmmakers, or those who wear as many hats as Elaine and I do. You’ll want to write this stuff down. Go get a pen… I’ll wait…Elaine’s website: www.DelValleProductions.com Find out more about me at www.LauraMeoli.com Follow me on Twitter @LoudaVision Listen to more episodes of the LoudaVision Podcast HERE
This interview is featured in the book, "Clarity for your Creative Career". Available NOW!
Anahita stood out to me at NYC’s social media week as someone who is centered, peaceful and balanced. Her coaching practice Neural Beings helps companies and individuals identify their purpose and build a roadmap to navigate there. Anahita believes that if we learn the language of the body, and truly listen to it, we can find the innate happiness and love within. For artists and creatives struggling to pay the bills, it can be tempting to stay on vacation permanently, or take on a soul-damaging job just because it’s stable, easy or safe. Finding her zen in every moment, Anahita assures us, “there are infinite creative possibilities to live, and to live well”. She advises that we “practice self care and give yourself whatever it is you need to be your best”. #MentalSuperpowers More about Anahita’s coaching: www.neuralbeings.com Here’s the Entrepreneur.com article we reference: entm.ag/1yczIhV Check out Laura’s videos and artwork: www.LauraMeoli.com Tweet me @LoudaVision Shoutouts and Special Thanks to… Indoob Podcast: www.indoob.podbean.com Top$Raz New Album: www.topdollaraz.bandcamp.com Listen to more episodes of the LoudaVision Podcast HERE
This interview is featured in the book, "Clarity for your Creative Career". Available NOW!
Michelle has been an inspiration to me ever since we met over ten years ago. In fact, this is the “Michelle” that inspired the character from my short film, “Perspective”. With a spirit and drive like hers, I’m not surprised that Michelle Engberg is doing big things.Listen to the first ever LoudaVision podcast to hear how she became a pro-photographer for big brands like H&M, Neman Marcus, Victoria Secret and Chevrolet just four years after teaching herself photography. We talk about her early life in NYC foster care and how this wife and mother built a lucrative photography career. She also shares tips for starting your own artistic venture. Michelle is proof that “in anything you do, you’re gonna see results if you work hard”. Take a look her photography, tutorials, modeling and artwork at www.MichelleEngberg.com Here’s the blog we reference: bit.ly/1Mu0Ldq Listen to more episodes of the LoudaVision Podcast HERE |
AuthorWelcome. Check out more of my articles on Medium.com! Categories |