Amy Grace, a writer and creative producer in Nova Scotia, is fascinated by the creative process. She speaks to Jeff Douglas about how some people are learning to be creative without letting "hustle culture" make them lose sight of the important things in their lives.
Over the Summer, I worked alongside CBC Producer Natalie Dobbin and my good friend from high school playwright, director and writer Megan Piercey Monafu to create a three-episode series that discusses the mementos we make and carry with us.
This series is the outcome of what happens when you sit down with a good best friend from your past over video chat, catch up and discuss what is going on in each other's lives. It led us to reflect on the notes we have kept and created conversations that morphed into this beautiful three-episode series featuring not just ourselves but two other smart, intelligent, and deep women.
recording session for a CBC radio series.
Any podcaster knows the complexities of recording in-house, but I have done a healthy amount of recording, for podcasts, radio etc not needing to handle my own equipment or even handle all the ins and outs of setup.
Until now.
There is nothing like a pandemic to force one to get over their fear of tech, muddle through the necessities and learn a thing or two along the way.
Thankfully, being married to an electrical engineer, I have the advantage of in-house tech support. If everything goes ‘to hell in a hand-basket’ so to speak, I can yell bloody murder from my office and he will trundle in, all nonchalant, while sorting through the latest glitch.
Stuff yourself into a closet (it’s a plus if you have a walk-in)
In our new home, every room as an echo.
Mostly due to being slow to add pictures or rugs to rooms. I like taking my time with decor.
No matter how hard you try, a lawnmower is still a lawnmower.
Wait until all lawnmowers have retreated for the day…or at least rush in quickly and record.
Don’t get me started on this one. It’s not always easy to schedule a peaceful time to record, but you just have to adjust accordingly.
Plan interviews but leave room for spontaneity.
I get self conscious about my own physical voice in any project. It’s so much easier for me to build a spotlight and narrative around others, but lately my work has been more personal, leaving me little room to escape my own voice. Remembering that I can also follow an interesting lead in thought and question while trying to honour the project anchor points is a helpful way to stay loose.
It’s okay to go off book sometimes.
Don’t review material on the same day. Even if you have access to it.
This is something I have learned over a long time of doing interviews / recording film.
As exciting as it is to look over the material that same day, (not all projects is this possible, but for my work, it mostly has been) try to give yourself a day’s breather before reviewing the recordings. Space away from the experience will help you hear things you wouldn’t hear the day of.
I was beyond thrilled with the results and collaboration it inspired.
Take a read and a listen here.
