Podcasting offers people a powerful way to share their thoughts, their creativity, their music and whatever else they can generate.
For some, podcasting becomes a personal soapbox. For St. Albert’s Marvin Polis and his colleague, Vancouver-based Fred Keating, it’s a medium to promote the voices of successful, behind-the-scenes artists in the entertainment field.
The two co-producers operate Monetizing Your Creativity, an ongoing podcast now live on iTunes. Polis and Keating interview producers, directors, writers, cinematographers, actors, animators, designers and photographers to discover the story behind their success.
Several of the high-profile interviewees include Carl Potts, former executive editor for Marvel Comics, Mitch Dubin, Steven Spielberg’s go-to camera operator, and stuntman Jodi Stecyk (Revenant/Inception).
Broadcast to an international audience searching for a foothold in the entertainment industry, the podcasts shot to iTunes Canada’s Top 10.
“We’ve been as high as No. 2 and in the business section as high as No. 7 and that’s a tough category to compete,” says Polis.
Although he would not reveal the actual listenership numbers for competitive reasons, Polis states the most successful podcasts receive tens of thousands of listeners per week – anywhere from 50,000 to 100,000.
The project was initially launched as a means of providing mentorship. For more than 35 years, Polis and Keating developed a complementary skill set and collaborated on numerous projects, at times saving each other’s butt.
Polis, a film editor, marketing and advertising director, and video specialist, now runs his own multi-platform company Stimulant. Keating, an actor, producer, writer and public speaker is at the helm of Lindisfarne Productions.
Both are recognized as experts in their field and many younger aspirants approach them for mentorship.
“But you can only mentor so many people over cups of coffee,” Polis said.
The podcast was conceived after the colleagues realized that between their two contact lists, they had a broad spread of all ages, in different levels of success and all had compelling stories.
Keating stepped in saying, “We didn’t want people just to take our words or tips for success. That’s why we called a broad spectrum of friends.”
“By bringing in people we know or met in our career, it makes it a much stronger podcast,” added Polis.
To date about 22 interviews are posted on iTunes with close to 80 still in reserve.
Keating cautions that the podcasts are not a playbook on how to succeed in the business.
“It’s not about overnight success, but with persistence and training you can generate a decent living – that it is possible. With skill, talent and reasonable personal traits you can succeed.”
“If there was one way only, everybody would be a success. But we’re trying to impress people have to write their own story.”
From the interviews, many of the guests listed similar skills – resilience, flexibility, patience, teamwork, knowing when to speak up and when to accept the hard facts.
In their younger days, both Polis and Keating were frustrated after being discouraged from earning a living through creative endeavours.
“And this from family members that had your best interests at heart,” Keating said. “We wanted to show people how you can do it and teach them the pitfalls.”
Although both podcasters are at the top of their game, they remain in awe of their guests.
There’s camera operator Mitch Dubin (Bridge of Spies). Polis interviewed the Hollywood camera master at the Banff Centre where Dubin was a summit speaker.
“His mantra is be good at what you do and be nice to people. And he’s one heck of a nice guy, kind, and with grace under pressure. On set you could see he would get the job done with a certain calmness. It was an honour to interview him.”
On the other hand, casting director Peter Muschamp has developed Sizzle Reels, a successful business that creates three to five minute promo videos of a film that producers pitch to prospective festivals.
“He basically creates characters and stories about things that don’t exist, but you need for funding,” Polis explained.
One story that hit home for Polis was Steve Franco’s (Scandal/Sons of Anarchy) life.
“He started at the bottom and worked his way up. He shares the philosophy of being a team player and being nice. He comes from Small Town, U.S.A. He has humble beginnings yet made it all the way to Hollywood. It shows anyone can make it with the right skills and attitude. You don’t have to be born into a powerful family.”
Another is Calgary-based Adam Bidochka, who has received 600 million views on YouTube for his radio controlled boat and car snippets.
“It’s become a full-time job for him and his wife. YouTube even gives him a percentage of the ad revenue.”
Monetizing Your Creativity podcasts are uploaded every Wednesday and Saturday and are free for public viewing.
