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.

Representation shapes the stories we tell and how they’re told. But what does authentic representation really look like? How do you build a creative team that reflects the world around you? And how do you see the blind spots in your own work?

On this episode of First Frame, hosts Jennifer Park and Cameron Zinger are joined by two champions of diverse, inclusive storytelling; Joy Loewen, the Vice President of Growth & Inclusion at the Canada Media Fund; and Winnie Luk, the Executive Director of the Disability Screen Office. Their no-holds-barred conversation shines a sometimes uncomfortable spotlight on the state of representation in the Canadian media landscape, and the barriers that still exist to persons of colour, the LGBTQ+ community, and people with disabilities, both in front of and behind the scenes. They also explain why it’s important to see or hear oneself represented in media, and take part in a brand new segment called “Nailed It or Failed It”, in which they share the best (or worst) example of representation they’ve ever seen on-screen.

Coming up with a cool concept for a creative project is one thing — getting people to notice it is a different struggle entirely. There’s a lot to consider, from your social media presence, advertising budget, and cross-promotion, to attending events and festivals in person to do some good old-fashioned glad-handing.

On this episode of First Frame, hosts Cameron Zinger and Jennifer Park sit down with two Canadian creators and influencers who have a total of more than 1.5 million followers between them; actor, producer, model, and TV Host Zara Durrani; and actor and content creator Mae Belen. Together, they explore time-tested strategies for getting as many eyes and ears on your work as possible, and flag some common mistakes that emerging creators often run into when trying to market their projects. They also discuss the difference between an engaged audience and a passive one, and share tactics for managing the grind that can come with self-promotion and audience growth.

It used to be seen as the “big leagues” for aspiring creators, and for many it still is: broadcast television. But as you’ll see and hear on this episode of First Frame, there are some specific challenges and misconceptions about landing a deal with a bonafide broadcast network, especially in the Canadian media landscape.

For this conversation, hosts Cameron Zinger and Jennifer Park are joined by two experts on the intersection of content creation and the traditional broadcast business; Scott Benzie, the Executive Director of Digital First Canada, and Corrado Coia, YouTube Consultant and co-founder of Buffer Festival. Together, they help digital creators answer questions like whether or not traditional TV would be a good fit, how a broadcast deal could affect who owns their content, and which platforms are best for discovery versus distribution. They also discuss the potential loss of control that can come with a TV deal, and the importance of owning your audience, regardless of where your content lives.

Are you going to shoot on-location or in-studio? Can you borrow your recording gear or will you need to rent it? How much will you need to spend on food and transportation to keep your crew happy? Those are just a few of the questions creators need to consider when putting together a critical component of any project: the budget!

On this episode of First Frame, hosts Cameron Zinger and Jennifer Park sit down with two creators who have plenty of experience with budgets big and small: producer and filmmaker Nicolas Ayerbe Barona, who is also Senior Program Manager, TELUS STORYHIVE On Location, Livestreaming and Editions; and Maddy Chang, a producer and Senior Production Coordinator at the National Film Board of Canada. Together, they explore how creators can maximize their budgets without compromising on quality, and break down the line items that are more expendable, as well as the ones to guard with your life. They also explore how connecting with your creative community is a great way to share resources and reduce costs, regardless of the size and scope of your project.

Understanding Canada's diverse grant and funding landscape can be daunting for new and emerging creators. There are a lot of different options with a lot of different rules and requirements. So how can you figure out which fund or organization is really right for your project?

On this episode of First Frame, hosts Cameron Zinger and Jennifer Park sit down with Janine Steele, Director of Interactive Digital Media at the Canada Media Fund, to continue their two-part deep dive into the array of funding options that’s available to Canadian creators. Together, they explore how to find the right grant for your project and navigate the application process with confidence. Janine also shares a wide variety of resources creators can rely on for guidance, some common mistakes to avoid when applying for funding, and the importance of seeking out the collaborators and communities that are best-suited to helping you bring your creative vision to life.