How can you connect with your creative community? Why is it critical to ensure your stories are told authentically? How can creators deepen their commitment to inclusive and representative storytelling? Those are just a handful of the big questions that came up in conversation with Canadian content creators and industry insiders on this inaugural season of First Frame.

In this special retrospective, hosts Cameron Zinger and Jennifer Park look back on the most important themes and takeaways, as well as their favourite memories and moments, from the first 12 episodes of the podcast. You’ll get plenty of valuable advice and resources from familiar faces and STORYHIVE alumni, as well as some new insights from Cam and Jenn as they reflect on their own creative journeys. Stick around until the very end and you’ll also learn about some of the behind-the-scenes challenges they faced along the way to becoming bonafide podcast hosts.

It’s something that’s all too easy to brush aside, especially for busy creators who are more focused on followers, funding, pitches, post-production, and other day-to-day aspects of their careers: taking care of your mental health.

On this episode of First Frame, hosts Jennifer Park and Cameron Zinger are joined by Lindsay Killam, Clinical Director of Counselling Services at TELUS Health MyCare, and Tazeen Ahmed, Operations Manager at the Documentary Organization of Canada, for a frank and open conversation about the unique pressures content creators face. From public scrutiny and pressure to stay relevant, to poor work-life balance caused by the grind of churning out new content, there are many risk factors to contend with… and even today, there can still be a stigma attached to mental health issues in some circles. Thankfully, our guests also have plenty of coping mechanisms, self-care strategies, and resources to share that can benefit both content creators and anyone else who may be struggling with things like anxiety, stress, imposter syndrome, depression, or burnout.

They’re ingredients any creator would love to cook with; a beloved bit of subject matter, a fervent, pre-existing fanbase, and a pinch of nineties nostalgia… but getting the recipe just right also means creating a strong connection with your community.

On this episode of First Frame, hosts Jennifer Park and Cameron Zinger chat with Jacob Weldon and Raquel Lin, the co-directors & co-producers of Reboot Rewind, a documentary series about the groundbreaking computer-animated TV show that ran on YTV from 1994 to 2001. Their conversation covers a lot of ground; from how they first discovered their shared love of Reboot and decided to make a documentary as a love letter to fans, to more tangible tactics that other creators can use to engage with their own communities. They also discuss the importance of soliciting feedback and managing expectations early and often, as well as why sticking to a regular release cadence or content calendar is a great way to keep your community informed and excited about your project’s progress.