Camera Ready & Abel

The Secrets to Creating Social Video that Gets Noticed with Kim Rittberg

On this episode of Camera Ready & Abel the highly engaging Kim Rittberg teaches how to crack the code of creating social video that gets noticed.

Because as Kim says, if you're hiding from the camera, you're hiding from clients.

Kim's simple strategy is based on her Four Cs:

• Confidence
• Concise
• Consistency
• Creativity

and she gives a big permission to let go of perfection, focus on value and don't get hung up on all the technology. Keep it simple with a ring light and a microphone and easy, user-friendly apps like CapCut and InShot - or outsource!

Kim is a digital marketing strategist, social media and video expert, an on-camera media coach and public speaker with a proven track record and 500 million video views. Kim formerly launched and ran the video unit for US Weekly and is now the Founder & Principal at Henry Street Media which helps companies, individuals and publishers of all sizes expand their brand and maximize revenue through unforgettable content and communications.

Learn more about Kim and her services and download her Top Ten Tips to Create Awesome Video at www.kimrittberg.com.

Lights Camera Cash with Nicole Sellars

Relationships: It’s Who Knows You!

The topic of relationships come up often in my conversations on Camera Ready & Abel. This is no surprise since media and entertainment are relationship-driven industries. People like to work with people they know and trust to to get the work done on time, on budget and well executed. It's also a fact that media and entertainment are referral driven businesses, and people recommend people they know, like, and trust.

So I've pulled together a best-of featuring snippets from my conversations with Emily Grace, J.D. Durkin, Buki Elegbede, and Matthew Hoffman who all advanced their careers in MAJOR ways by nurturing relationships that turned into opportunities because of the people who knew them. 

Career coach and Sundance award-winning actress, Emily Grace, tells us how she got her break as an actor, in the role that won her the award at Sundance, without an agent!

J.D. Durkin, host and reporter at the New York Stock Exchange for the financial news site The Street who previously created the Washington Bureau for Cheddar News when he was their White House correspondent explains how he came to Washington as an outsider with zero contacts and developed key relationships by being patient and doing simple things that no one else seemed to be doing.

Television host, producer and journalist, Buki Elegbede, moved from behind the camera to in front when he won PBS’ Create Cooking Challenge and it was the relationships that were formed there that helped launch him to the next level and create Table For All with Buki Elegbede which was nominated for multiple Emmy awards this year!

TV host, media personality and popular narrator, Matthew Hoffman, got his big break when he was invited to audition to be the official narrator of the US version of the UK TV smash Love Island. Matthew was competing with household name talent and felt there was absolutely no way he was ever going to book the job, but he was so honored to be invited to audition that he decided to go all out for it, not to get hired, but to maintain his relationship with the casting team and production company so that they would call him again for the next opportunity. Matthew's story inspires me every time I listen to it. Matthew, like Buki, knows his being industrious is a superpower.

My conversations with Emily, J.D., Buki, and Matthew are bound together by the phrase, Relationships: It’s Who Knows You! 

If you are looking for help tapping into your super-powers and advancing your career, I am here for you! Please send me a note via my website abelintermedia.com and be sure to download my free ebook, 12 Tips for Success on Camera.

Play to Your Strengths with Sean DeSimone

My dear friend, Sean De Simone, is back on the podcast and we are discussing the phrase, Play to Your Strengths. This comes up in all areas of our business from coaching to casting to the courses we teach.

My favorite definition of Play to Your Strengths is: Do what you are able to do well, instead of trying to do other things. Sounds simple but so often we waste energy on trying to conform to a narrow ideal - The Shoulds - that we miss the opportunity to highlight our unique value and what makes us stand out.

Preparing for this episode I stumbled on playtoyourstrengths.org, a not-for-profit with a mission to help people thrive in life - my kind of people! - and they say understanding your unique strengths empowers you to greater success; working within your strengths produces energy and passion. 

If you haven't met Sean, he is a casting director and TV hosting coach who has cast all of the hosts for QVC and HSN for the past 15 years and works with major brands in the beauty, fashion, cook and tech spaces.

Key takeaway: Identifying your strengths is not bragging. It's smart, strategic and helpful.

Camera Ready and Confident with Barbara Barna Abel & Vinnie Potestivo

Camera Ready and Confident is a rebroadcast of my guest appearance on Vinnie Potestivo's I Have a Podcast two years ago, shortly after the launch of Camera Ready and Abel.

Vinnie is my dear friend, co-conspirator and Emmy Award-winning media advisor who helps people and their business get seen and heard. Vinnie and I met years ago when we were talent executives at MTV Networks. 

Listening back to this episode I can hear how far I've come as a podcaster which is reminder that consistent practice pays off.

In our conversation we take a trip down memory lane about our years at MTV Networks, and then get down to it with tips and insights on how to be camera ready and confident, including: 

• breaking through your fears
• breathing
• practicing out loud
• taming your gremlin
• developing the stamina to be on camera

If you're looking for help with how you can be more confident and camera ready, please shoot me a note via my website abelintermedia.com. And be sure to download my free ebook, 12 Tips for Success On-Camera (And Off).

Listen to more episodes of I Have A Podcast with Vinnie Potestivo at ihaveapodcast.com.

Daily Disciplines with J.D. Durkin

This episode of Camera Ready & Abel is brought to you by the phrase Daily Disciplines. According to success.com being a high performer is the result of your daily disciplines.

Here to discuss is my friend, journalist, J.D. Durkin, who opens up and shares the personal details of how developing his daily disciplines with intention helped him navigate his career, work through challenging times in his life and evolve as a human being.

J.D. is a host and reporter at the New York Stock Exchange for the financial news site The Street, the investment app Public, and a regular guest on CBS News. He previously served as the White House and Capitol Hill correspondent for Cheddar, and anchored a nightly national news show after hosting and co-creating the documentary series The Pivot Counties. He is a moderator and host at various fintech and business conferences, including Collision, Politicon, and Web Summit in both Brazil and Portugal. Before his time in Washington, he was Senior Editor for Mediaite. 

Key takeaways:

• Understanding urgency vs importance
• Having the time vs making the time
• Loving the climb up the mountain
• Study those who have gone before you
• Everyone's trying to figure it out (you're not alone)
• The will to win is a mindset
• Every battle's won before it's even begun

Get more J.D. at www.instagram.com/jd_durkin + www.linkedin.com/in/j-d-durkin

Am I Allowed to Say That with Karith Foster

I get asked all the time by clients and students Am I allowed to say that??

It used to be we were afraid of causing offense or being inappropriate, now add to that the very real fear of being canceled.

I'm very happy to have this timely conversation with a bonafide expert on the subject, Karith Foster, who is a diversity engagement specialist and creator of the groundbreaking INVERSITY™ methodology and other signature programs. 

Karith is also a humorist, author, television and radio personality, producer and entrepreneur who's been on all sides of this issue and is revolutionizing the way we address issues of diversity and leadership.

Key Takeaways:

• Deepen the impact of DEI by adding Belonging
• Call someone in versus call someone out
• Choose: You can be perfect or you can be happy
• Remember: If you can laugh at it, you can get through it.

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C.A.R.E 

• Conscious Empathy
• Active Listening
• Responsible Reactions
• Environmental Awareness. 

Learn more at www.inversitysolutions.com + https://www.instagram.com/karithfoster/

How to Talk to Anyone with Crystal Jones

Humans are social creatures and yet it can be mighty hard to talk to people. It's a serious challenge - when you Google, how to talk to anyone, 455 million hits come up.

Here to discuss is my dear friend Crystal Jones, who is the associate director of Major Gifts for the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and who talks to people all day, every day for a living and talks them into making serious donations.

The alternative title to this episode of Camera Ready & Abel could have been How to talk to anyone...and get them to give you money because what Crystal expertly shares is invaluable advice if you are looking for financing for your project.

 

You hear a lot of nos on the road to yes. Crystal says the key to talking to anybody and building relationships is shared values, strategy, and integrity. And persistence.

Takeaways

• Good communication begins with active listening 
• Be curious and create connection
• Do your research
• Be ready when someone asks how can I help you?
• Tune into energy
• Demonstrate empathy
• Stay grounded and humble
• Always say thank you

Connect with Crystal on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-k-jones-she-her-a373114/

Question Everything with Danielle Robay

Everyone from Socrates to Euripedes to Virgil Abloh has commanded us to Question Everything. My guest for this episode, television host and professional interviewer Danielle Robay, figured out early on that questions are a superpower - and all of us can develop and tap into it. 

At a critical time in Danielle's career, when she was rebounding from the dream job that turned out to be a soul crushing mistake, she turned her superpower inward, asking herself five thoughtful questions per day, and emerged more confident and more clear and committed to her path.

Danielle shares...

• what she learned from her worst interview ever 
• what she learned from her mentor Larry King
• how to prepare for an interview
• how to ask for an interview

and her favorite quote from Shirley Chisholm: Service is the rent you pay for a room on this earth.

Watch and listen to Danielle's video podcast PRETTYSMART, her love letter to bold, inquisitive women who have something to say.

Stay in touch with Danielle on Instagram at @daniellerobay and check out her other offerings:

QUESTION EVERYTHING CARD GAME link for purchase: https://prettysmartshop.com/collections/shop/products/question-everything-card-deck-1

PRETTYSMART podcast link: https://pod.link/prettysmart

The 3 M’s: Mastery, Marketing & Mindset with Wendy Alane Wright

Mastery = deep, comprehensive knowledge or skill which is the difference between knowing how to do something and doing that something extremely well.

Marketing = the activity or business of promoting and selling products or services.

Mindset = the established set of attitudes held by someone

Here to discuss the 3 M’s is Wendy Alane Wright - acting career coach, Hollywood talent manager and founder of the Hollywood Winners Circle Academy and the Talent Managers for Actors (TMFA) conference. Wendy knows what she's talking about. She coaches tens of thousands of actors around the world through her immensely popular YouTube channel, secrets of a Hollywood Talent Manager, as well as the over 100,000 members in her Facebook group. Wendy is also a writer for Backstage.com and a frequent guest on industry podcasts.

In our conversation Wendy shares the importance of training the courage muscle by taking contrary action; doing the opposite of what your fear is telling you to do.  Her message is powerful and her tips are tangible.

If you want something you've never had, you need to do something you've never done.

Wendy has created a proven strategy for replicating success and has converted hundreds of coaching clients into network series regulars, guest stars, co-stars, supporting and lead actors in feature films. Learn more at hollywoodwinnerscircle.com.

Interested in joining the Hollywood Winners Circle Academy? Wendy is offering a 50% off sale right now, so don’t miss out!

Follow Wendy on Instagram at @Wendyalane1.

Work Ethic is a Superpower with Buki Elegbede

Several guests have said this to me: Working harder IS working smarter. 

My guest for this episode of Camera Ready & Abel - multi Emmy nominated Television Host, Producer and journalist, Buki Elegbede - says his Work Ethic is his Superpower.

Buki believes his work ethic is what has given him a competitive advantage in an industry that is saturated with talent. As he says, quoting Milton Berle, “when opportunity doesn't knock, build your own door.”

More takeaways:

• Work ethic includes working smart and trusting your gut
• As a producer putting together the right team is everything
• Learn what everybody does, the value to the team and respect it
• With the right team in place you can go to the stratosphere
• Preparation, preparation, preparation

Buki also jokes that for Christmas he's going to ask Santa for audacity.

Buki is the Creator/Host/Executive Producer of Emmy-nominated Table for All, which takes you into NJ restaurants and home kitchens to try new cuisines, meet the people and hear their fascinating stories behind the recipes, serving up a cinematic docu-series focusing on culture and diversity. 

Buki has also produced content for ABC, ESPN, Create TV, PBS, Disney and Health Magazine + has produced & hosted docu-series, talk shows, panel shows and LIVE events. 

You can check out Table for All episodes at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiZ284L7DnPGhaAOLNpUmup807brb2iGS

Follow Buki on IG @thebukishow

Write Your Dream Role with Emily Grace

This episode of Camera Ready & Abel is brought to you by the phrase Write Your Dream Role, an action at the heart of creating opportunity. A core principle of being camera ready.

My guest for this episode is Emily Grace - a career coach and Sundance award-winning actress - who lives the mantra:

Why wait? Don't ask for permission. Go do.

Because that's what Emily did. She learned hard lessons as an actor going from making a big splash to fizzle and went on a mission to figure out how the industry actually works, identify what she didn't know and needed to learn and create her own success.

7 Key Takeaways:      

• The hardest part of getting started is getting started
• Take the first step – even if it’s in the wrong direction because you’ll gain clarity and valuable information
• You can create something out of nothing
• You really don’t know what you don’t know so find a coach, take a class, read books, study
• Get out of The Frustration Loop by asking for help
• Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Issa Rae are inspiring case studies of people who wrote their dream roles to success
• An essential part of building relationships is following up

+

Emily explains how she got her first lead in a film without an agent (25:14)

Learn more about Emily’s programs

Write Your Dream Role https://pickfordwest.lpages.co/write-your-dream-role-free-video/  

Short Film Digital Lab https://pickfordwest.lpages.co/short-film-lab-digital/

Reach out and connect with Emily on her Instagram @theonlyemilygrace.

Industry Trends with Mark Turner

Trends and market changes - like emerging technologies and shifts in consumer behavior impact every industry -  and are hitting entertainment and media particularly hard right now. 

 

Here to discuss both the opportunities and challenges of current industry trends is legendary agent Mark Turner, who currently serves as a Partner and Vice President of programming, digital media licensing, branding and head of unscripted talent at A3 Artists Agency. 

 

Mark started his storied career after graduating from Connecticut College as an assistant to the head of the commercial department at Abrams Artist Agency in New York, and was quickly promoted to agent and started the Host/Broadcast Division. Over the last two decades, that department has morphed into a one-stop shop for all things under the non-fiction umbrella. Mark has represented top on-air host experts, personalities, producers, and digital influencers in all aspects of unscripted TV and digital, and has placed talent literally everywhere.

Learn more about Mark https://www.a3artistsagency.com/.

Balance with Erin Palinski-Wade

I grew up with an imbalanced idea of what life balance is, thinking all the different parts had to be in equal amounts. What a huge relief and step forward when I met my guest for this episode, Erin Palinski-Wade, who helped me understand balance is about having the correct proportions.

Erin is the ultimate multi-hyphenate:  a nationally recognized nutrition, diabetes, and fitness expert, author, TEDx speaker, business owner, frequent television guest, and busy mom of three, who also happens to be a huge content creator sharing real life nutrition advice and recipes on her successful TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram channels. 

Key takeaways:

• figure out how to make it work for you when the opportunity arises
• preparation through trial and error allows you to say yes to last-minute opportunities
• Don't be afraid to say NO if you are not well-versed and credible in a topic even if it would be "great exposure"
• Look at your adaptable skills 
• As a content creator, prioritize discoverability over likes

Keep up with Erin and follow on any of the platforms below:

Instagram: http://instagram.com/erinpalinskiwade

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@tiktoknutritionist

YouTube: https://youtube.com/healthymomhappyfamily 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HealthyMomHappierFamily 

Learn more about her books by visiting www.erinpalinski.com: "Belly Fat Diet For Dummies," "2 Day Diabetes Diet," "Walking the Weight Off For Dummies"

On Message with Johanna Maska

Being on message means saying things that agree with the official position of a political party, organization, business, or brand…and most importantly, being true to your own message!

My guest for this episode, Johanna Maska, is an expert bar none on the how and why of being On Message.

Johanna shaped the message and image of Barack Obama, beginning with the Iowa caucuses in 2007, all the way through being White House Director of Press advance until 2015, and recently launched her podcast, Press Advance, which debuted in the top ten and is getting rave reviews from both Democrats and Republicans.

Johanna lives the motto of the first Obama campaign: Respect, Empower, Include and says the message of her podcast is listening - listening to really smart people who I disagree with or who I agree with, but it's listening and trying to figure out how in this moment we actually press advance to tackle the big issues that really matter.

More takeaways:

• open your heart and mind to other perspectives and points of view, especially those you disagree with
• hold space to let others speak for themselves
• pay attention to the news that actually matters (even if you have to search for it)
• intention: always try to do better
• understand the difference between opinions and facts
• don't be afraid to break some eggs!

Johanna is the CEO of Global Situation Room - a highly respected public relations firm - and is a political contributor to NewsNation, appearing frequently on their 5pm (eastern) program, The Hill.

Listen to Press Advance

Connect with Johanna on LinkedIn

Learn more at Global Situation Room and JohannaMaska.com