Select+CT Podcast

Episode 12 - Building a Digital Media Company

Host: David DesRoches, Quinnipiac University
Guests: David Salinas, Co-Founder of Digital Surgeons and Innovation District in New Haven / Pete Sena, Co-Founder and CEO of Digital Surgeons
"Select+CT" is a Digital Media Connecticut (DMCT) podcast series dedicated to Connecticut's Digital Media industry!
Though this is a Connecticut inclined podcast, I found that the contents of this episode (episode 12, season 1), can apply to anyone in any state. David Salinas, Co-Founder of Digital Surgeons and Innovation District in New Haven / Pete Sena, Co-Founder and CEO of Digital Surgeons, spoke with host David DesRoches, Quinnipiac University about the importance of a business partnership. 
“I think it really just comes down to starting a vision in your dorm room and being able to get great people around you.” - Pete Sena, Co-Founder and CEO of Digital Surgeons
Takeaways from David and Pete: 
Your network can sometimes equate to your networth. You need to make connections with people, even if you don’t like them!
Partnership between two individuals who want to move an arrow in the same direction is what can make or break a business venture. Sometimes it only takes two people, but other times it can take many
There is a need for how design and tech come together now more than ever. Everything is digital. 

Episode 11 - Freelancing & Internships

Host: David DesRoches, Quinnipiac University
Guests: Derek Amrosi, National Emmy Award-Winning Editor / Gary Cohen, Executive Director, Triple Threat Television
"Select+CT" is a Digital Media Connecticut (DMCT) podcast series dedicated to Connecticut's Digital Media industry!
What makes a good intern? Better yet, how do you even become one? 
With an internship, you get to prove yourself and perform at a high standard, that's what can move your career forward. You have to have self respect for your work, but you also need to take criticism and improve it in order to move up in the industry you seek. A good intern is someone who is bound to get hired for an even slightly bigger role in the company.  Interns who outreach typically excel. If that outreach is a certain level of creativity, ingenuity, and ambition, you will rise above the others. Sometimes if you’re too good, you can earn the title of being an Emmy award winner!
“You need to be your own advocate, your own agent, your own corporation,” said Derek.  
Takeaways from Gary & Derek: 
It helps to make a portfolio of items you’ve created in the last decade or so, of course, if you think they are of quality. Use the criticism from your internship to look at those projects differently. 
Have self respect for your work, but also need to take criticism and improve it in order to move up in the industry you seek. 
You have to prove yourself and perform at a high standard during an internship, that's what can move your career forward. The more effort you put into your work, the more effort the company will put into you succeeding with them.

Episode 10 - Beyond the Tech/IBM

Host: David DesRoches, Quinnipiac University
Guests: Marc Wisniewski, Design Producer at IBM / Martin Misiaszek, Content Designer at IBM / Lauren Ciulla, Visual Designer at IBM
"Select+CT" is a Digital Media Connecticut (DMCT) podcast series dedicated to Connecticut's Digital Media industry!
What goes on within the walls of IBM? Or other digital media based companies for that matter? Design thinking. 
Companies have been integrating the method of design thinking into their workforce. IBM is a good example. Their mission is to  provide solutions and experiences for their fellow IBMers to use everyday with the goal of decreasing friction. Employing nearly 350,000 “IBMers” (people who work at IBM), three of those hundred thousand employees spoke about what they do & what their company has to offer. David DesRoches interviews Marc Winiewski, Design Producer, Martin Misiaszek, Content Designer, and Lauren Ciulla, Visual Designer: All employed by the Chief Information office at IBM.
“Every time you design something like an interface or a physical product, someones going to be using it to complete a goal or a task to make their lives easier,” said Lauren Ciulla, Visual Designer
Takeaways from Marc, Martin, and Lauren:
Design thinking strives for empathy. Empathizing with users, constantly being thoughtful of them = design thinking. 
Every time you design something like an interface or a physical product, someones going to be using it to complete a goal or a task to make their lives easier. 
Design thinking workshops put employees in the shoes of their users to better grasp what they’re experiencing. Enabling designers, engineers, and stakeholders to rally around an idea of what they're looking to create in order to meet their users' needs, these workshops have become popular amongst both IBMers and other digital media based companies.

Episode 9 -CT Careers in Gaming

Host: David DesRoches, Quinnipiac University
Guests: Bernard François, PreviewLabs / Elena Bertozzi, Quinnipiac University / Kimberly Hieftje, Yale School of Medicine 
"Select+CT" is a Digital Media Connecticut (DMCT) podcast series dedicated to Connecticut's Digital Media industry!
What is the thought process behind game development? There isn’t exactly one narrow answer to this question, but listening to this episode may help define the possibilities. 
Right now there is a huge market in developing serious or applied games. These are effective ways of teaching and training children, teens, and young adults. 
David DesRoches interviews Bernard Francois, Preview Labs, Elena Bertozzi, Quinnipiac University, and Kimberly Hieftje, Yale School of Medicine. Each developer gave their take on what thoughts are behind a fully functioning game. Bernard prototyped a game where the player was operating a forklift: This seemingly simple action is another way that an employer can train future employees to operate pieces of machinery. This practice also helps eliminate the risk of getting hurt if the trainee had made a mistake. Bernard's prototype is an example of how games can make for a safer learning process. Elena’s work is about how to give people the tools to make changes in their lives in order to benefit them. Kimberly’s lab focuses on increasing behavior change in both teens and young adults through whatever storyline they come up with.
Takeaways from Bernard, Elena, and Kimberly: 
Playing the most popular game doesn’t necessarily mean that you are getting the most out of it. Health prevention and promotion games tend to receive the least amount of attention, but they are the most helpful. 
Games are a very safe space for kids to practice decision making.
Developers learn how to build a game that's seeking to achieve a specific goal, and later check to see whether or not they've achieved it.

Episode 8 - University to Hollywood

Host: David DesRoches, Quinnipiac University
Guests: Timothy Suarez, Blue Sky Studios
"Select+CT" is a Digital Media Connecticut (DMCT) podcast series dedicated to Connecticut's Digital Media industry!
Why do some animators with the same degree get hired to create for Disney, whilst others do not? Specialization. Especially if you’re applying to a well-known studio such as Bluesky or Dreamworks. You must specialize in one particular area of animation. Episode 8 of the Select+CT podcast covers the transfer from college dorm to hollywood.
Interviewer David DesRoches spoke with Blue Sky Studio Animator Timothy Suarez about how to land a highly regarded position in the animation industry. Tim has worked on productions such as The Peanuts Movie and Ice Age. Suarez emphasizes that your path as a creator will vary depending on the studio you apply to. He highlighted that having a background in figure drawing can significantly improve your chances of being hired; Prior figure drawing experience helps improve the believability of your character. 
“It's more likely that you’re going to get into one of these bigger studios if you just commit to one specialty,” said Tim. If you're an animator, they'll prefer it if you specialize in 3D performances. Animation studios look for people who specialize in one thing because they can work with a diverse team who also individually specialize in one thing.
Takeaways from Tim:
Figure drawing, learning posing, or studying the anatomy of a pose are all useful skills to attain before starting your animation career. Prior figure drawing experience helps give weight to a character so their body moves in a more believable, accurate way. 
Larger studios like Dreamworks and Bluesky are seeking students who specialize in one particular area of the field. Choose one area of specialization and focus on that, you are more likely to be hired at that fancy studio if you do.

Episode 7 - Content Marketing

Host: David DesRoches, Quinnipiac University
Guests: Colleen Sherry, Henkel
"Select+CT" is a Digital Media Connecticut (DMCT) podcast series dedicated to Connecticut's Digital Media industry!
Why are some advertisement commericals more tolerable than others? What makes a great ad? Value. 
As gen-z and millennial consumers develop more sophisticated and personal views on ad preferences, digital landscapes have evolved. Brands must be evolving alongside their consumers. Instead of just advertising out to someone with a product, feature and price, ads should bring content to the consumer that they're going to enjoy, while still valuing that core information of price, product & feature.  
Colleen Sherry -US Digital Marketing Lead at Henkel- reviews ad trends with David DesRoches. From the psychology behind the average viewer, to insight on the mind of their advertiser, Colleen’s marketing position at Henkel provides her with knowledge unavailable to many. “People don't just want to see an ad anymore, they want to see content that means something to them.” she said. 
Takeaways from Colleen:
Millennials don't trust traditional ads. So it's not just that companies targeting millenials don't want to do traditional advertising.. It's that not they’re not going to get through to their consumers if they do. 
If you're wearing a brand's t-shirt with their logo on it, you are essentially advertising them for free unknowingly. 
71 percent of people are turned off by “sales-y” content. 63 percent said they’d think more positively of a brand if it was more valuable, relevant or interesting to them.

Episode 6 - Building CT’s Future

Host: David DesRoches, Quinnipiac University
Guests: George Norfleet, Connecticut Office of Film Television & Digital Media / Danielle Bibbo, ITV America
Select+CT is a Digital Media Connecticut (DMCT) podcast series dedicated to Connecticut's Digital Media industry!
Why consider moving your business to Connecticut, apart from Boston or NYC? The short answer is tax incentives.. and it’s probably the main answer. But, there are other reasons..
Guests George Norfleet, Connecticut Office of Film Television & Digital Media, and Danielle Bibbo, ITV America, spoke with David DesRoches about the future of CT. Though not exactly Boston or NYC, George and Danielle emphasize that Connecticut’s job field for digital media students has been expanding in parallel to Connecticut’s steady economic momentum.
By luring companies here (within reason), Connecticut’s economy greatly benefits. “They’re renting cars, buying hotel rooms, food, renting equipment, there’s a multiplier effect for every dollar that they spend.. trying to pump up the revenue generating gauge,” George said in light of those companies already here.
Takeaways from George and Danielle:
Film production companies specifically are the main focus digital-media wise. The sectors of digital media will expand though, and this doesn’t mean there aren't already wonderful opportunities for those sectors. 
CT has been a bit of an underdog in the workforce, but that title is predicted to change. 
Infrastructure tax credit programs and Tax incentives are given to companies willing to relocate to Connecticut. This again is for both economic development and the strengthening of Connecticut's future.

Episode 5 - Women in Film

Host: David DesRoches, Quinnipiac University
Guests: Heather Elliot-Famularo, University of Connecticut / Karyl Evans, CPTV
"Select+CT" is a Digital Media Connecticut (DMCT) podcast series dedicated to Connecticut's Digital Media industry!
Why is it that women generations before us were able to secure jobs in the film production industry? The answer is not as simple as inclusivity: “women in film” were hired to be taken advantage of monetarily. 
David DesRoches interviewed two women in film themselves: Heather Elliot-Famularo, University of Connecticut, and Karyl Evans, CPTV. They’ve both won numerous awards for their film-making. 
“There’s less money involved in documentary film-making, so back in the day, women would be considered “safe” with less money.” Karyl said in reference to roles women play now and then in the film industry. 
Takeaways from Heather and Karyl: 
If you plan to stick with filmmaking, you have to be persistent. It is a tougher industry because there is so much competition. Stay at that low-ranked position until a better opportunity presents itself, the wait will be worthwhile. 
Though it has taken much time, women are a lot more respected through the lense. 
What some productions will do now is build awareness around the potential that their female employees have to create.. Helping them believe that they are just as capable as their male colleagues. From there, companies make an effort to empower those women and encourage them whilst making sure everybody has equal time on the equipment. 
Giving male-dominated roles to women helps more women see that they too are capable of performing them.

Episode 4 - Careers in Creative Technology

Host: David DesRoches, Quinnipiac University 
Guest: Sebastian Oddo, Octagon
"Select+CT" is a Digital Media Connecticut (DMCT) podcast series dedicated to Connecticut's Digital Media Industry!
Why are some companies more successful than others? What makes one network rise above the other? Creative technology is the common denominator. Multi sensory experiences such as sound, gesture, and other things relevant to consumers are utilized to generate more. Episode 4 of the Select + CT podcast tackles how we can twist technology to give ourselves a creative advantage.
David DesRoches spoke with Sebastian Oddo, SVP of Innovations for Octagon. He’s a creative technologist who has helped numerous brands and athletes think about how they can use tech and emerging trends to put forth creative thinking into the world for both consumers and their fans to access. 

A Creative Technologist's purpose in Sebastian's words: “..Takes emerging trends, figures out how they can be relevant to their clients objectives. And then puts them into action. Get those things built.” 
Celebrating his ten year anniversary, Oddo gives digital media students proper insight on how creative technology operates. He also unravels how that operation has helped him succeed in his career.
Takeaways from Sebastian: 
Creative Tech not only helps the expansion of the brand it is being applied to, but it also gives that brand massive insight into the audience itself. 
Construct your portfolio based on what interests you, because you are more likely to succeed if you actually like what you’re creating.

Episode 3 - Careers in Motion GFX

Host: David DesRoches, Quinnipiac University 
Guest: Stefanie Toigo, NBC Sports
"Select+CT" is a Digital Media Connecticut (DMCT) podcast series dedicated to Connecticut's Digital Media Industry!
How do motion graphics professionals actually become professionals? And why is it that some animators land jobs at major cartoon networks, whilst others don’t? This episode of the Select + CT podcast unravels the answers to many questions surrounding the moving artwork industry. 
David DesRoches interviewed Stefanie Toigo from NBC Sports. She has been a motion graphics designer for over a decade.
“The whole idea of telling a story without using real people.. it just really was interesting.” - Stefanie Toigo
A day's work can change depending on what time of year it is, which is especially true for those working in sports entertainment. There is a balance between slower times, and busier times. Stephanie, for example, was working on the Olympics during the time of this recording. She was designing a stage for all of the athletes so that they could be on each set. Each athlete has 7 minutes of screentime, so she had to come up with something very expressive. Down the line this expression will hold its power, and has to remain a strong design. 
Takeaways from Stephanie:
In a creative position, usually you are being directed to conduct a project, but you do it creatively, that’s what they’re paying for. You are being directed to accomplish something, but with your own creative spin.
Not asking questions in any position can potentially hold you back from escalating in that position. Don’t be afraid to inquire. 
Motion GFX is highly regarded, so aiming for a job in this field is worthwhile. The demand for motion designers and animators is escalating, but so are the platforms used to express them.