Thank you Vermont College of Fine Arts for sponsoring today's episode!
I have a super special episode today that features my dear friend Natalie Lander! Natalie is an actor, writer, and singer. She has been a recurring Guest Star on ABC’s The Middle, for the past five seasons. Natalie can also be heard as the voice of “Goldie” in the Disney Junior's #1 ranked show, "Goldie & Bear". Natalie's journey as an actor led her to co-create her own shows like AwesomenessTV’s "Teen Survival Guide" and The Craigslist Monologues which runs monthly at The Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB). Natalie also co-created, co-wrote, and co-stars in her pilot "The Pick-Up Sticks" for New Form Digital’s Incubator 3 series. In today's episode, Natalie gives you a behind-the-scenes look at a working actor's career and the opportunities she's created for herself by writing her own content!
"It's about caring less, not being careless." -Natalie Lander (click to tweet this quote!)
"Nothing is a free ride or guarantee. It's a constant ebb and flow, constant work." -Natalie Lander (click to tweet this quote!)
What You’ll Learn From This Episode:
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Learning to ‘let go’ as an actor
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Creating your own content for new media
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How Natalie created a short film that opened many doors for her journey as a writer
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Staying positive with your art
Learn More About Natalie Lander
Natalie’s Recommended Books & Resources:
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire: Harnessing the Infinite Power of Coincidence by Deepak Chopra
Say ‘Hi!’ to Natalie
TWITTER
For a list of books and resources Chloe recommends in this episode, head over to her shownotes page here: https://88cupsoftea.com/chloezhao/
We're thrilled to feature award-winning filmmaker and Marvel's "The Eternals" director Chloé Zhao on the podcast. Her feature debut "Songs My Brothers Taught Me" was produced by Forest Whitaker and her film premiered at Sundance Film Festival and Director's Fortnight at Cannes Film Festival. Chloé was named one of the 25 New Faces of Independent Film by Filmmaker Magazine and her film was nominated for Best First Film, Best Cinematography and Someone to Watch Award at the 2016 Independent Spirit Awards. In 2017, she directed "The Rider", a contemporary western drama that follows a young cowboy's journey to discover himself after a near-fatal accident ends his professional riding career. The film premiered at Cannes Film Festival as part of the Directors' Fortnight selection and won the Art Cinema Award. The film earned her nominations for Best Feature and Best Director at the 33rd Independent Spirit Awards. After earning critical acclaim, she is set to direct “The Eternals” for Marvel, starring Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, and Richard Madden.
In this episode that was originally published and released on March 24, 2016, we discuss how her background shapes the work she creates today, the options for funding of films, the benefits and education that come with attending film labs, ideas and inspiration, the importance of letting go, advice for fellow filmmakers, and so much more. Screenwriters, directors, producers, storytellers- you don't want to miss this one!
“Every decision we make, we are completely responsible. We control our destiny.” -Chloe Zhao
“There is something about you that is in that story. Always.” -Chloe Zhao
What You’ll Learn From This Episode:
- The various options on financing your film
- How to communicate with non-actors to deliver performances that serve the scene
- How Chloe builds strong relationships between characters
- We discuss film labs and how it benefits filmmakers
- How online fiction communities help in spreading your stories
Say ‘Hi!’ to Chloe
TWITTER
Thank you Vermont College of Fine Arts for sponsoring today's episode!
After you get the chance to check out today's episode, I'd love to hear your thoughts! Find me on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram!
We have New York Times bestselling author Adam Rubin of “Dragons Love Tacos” on the show today! I know many of you amazing listeners are interested in writing your own children’s books so you’ll definitely want to check out this episode.We discuss his fascinating journey as a children’s author. You’ll learn why it’s so crucial to have an awesome editor in your team and how the editor can take your story to new levels of greatness. Adam breaks down why it’s important to write the stories for yourself, and why it’s necessary to work with an editor and a publisher who’s inspired by your work.
As an aside, Adam is a total goofball who truly enjoys his work and creates what he is genuinely passionate about. We can all learn from that! Have a listen and let me know what you think!
“Just focus on the words.”
“If you do something you’re passionate about, then that’s meaningful.”
What You’ll Learn From This Episode:
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The advantages of having a literary agent and why they make a huge difference in the publishing world
- The importance of finding an editor and a publisher who is inspired by your work
- How teaching improv classes helped to hone Adam’s skill as a writer
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How editors can help to shape your story into the best version of itself
- Why it’s crucial to write your story for yourself
- Advice on writing bilingual children’s books
Learn More About Adam Rubin
Adam’s Recommended Books & Resources:
Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola
The Three Robbers by Tomi Ungerer
Far Out Isn’t Far Enough: The Tomi Ungerer Story by Brad Bernstein
The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith
Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
Say ‘Hi!’ to Adam
Hey Storytellers!
We have author Leigh Bardugo of #1 New York Times Bestseller "Six of Crows" on the show with us today! Entertainment Weekly says, "...it’s one twist after another in a heist at times reminiscent of Inception."
Everyone is talking about the beautiful madness she's created in that book: Magic, thieves, knives, criminals, and a heist. A very, very grand heist. If you're one of the few who haven't read it yet, this is your chance to win an autographed copy of "Six of Crows"! What are the rules for the contest? All you have to do is pay special attention to Leigh's episode and post your favorite quote from the interview on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. Be sure to unblock your account and tag @88CUPSOFTEA and include #88CUPSOFTEA so we can sort through and choose the lucky winner!
Leigh and I chat about everything: Her time as a professional make-up artist, an insider's look at how authors are involved with their own book covers (if at all), the inspiration behind her books, how 'structure' can be an awesome writing tool, and we talk a lot about WRITING RETREATS (my favorite topic).
You're going to love this episode.
“There’s no clear line for creatives."
“I believe very firmly in writing a disastrous first draft."
“Structure is a beautiful thing."
What You'll Learn From This Episode:
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Advice on building an intricate and exciting world for your stories
- How knowing the ending of your story helps with the process of writing the first draft
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Leigh's writing process
- How to find the perfect writing retreat to create a productive environment for you
- The incredible advantages of writing retreats
Learn More About Leigh Bardugo
Leigh's Recommended Books & Resources:
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
Carter Beats the Devil by Glen David Gold
Say 'Hi!' to Leigh
[Loving this episode? Come over and join the conversation. Let me know your thoughts, questions, feedback over on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram!]
Thank you to VCFA for sponsoring today's episode!
Storyteller Tribe!
[Drum roll, please] I am beyond honored to share today’s guest with you: The one and only, the fearless phenomenon, Jacqueline Woodson.
Jacqueline is the shining example of a changemaker. I deeply admire her for courageously writing about the realities of the world we live in. She’s written 30 books for young adults, and in each story, she writes truthfully about society and relationships. Never one to sugarcoat, Jacqueline is also a master in connecting with her young audience by approaching them with empathy and respect through her writings.
Her endless list of achievements and awards is unbelievable. Just a little teaser of the kinds of accolades we’re talking about, Jacqueline was named the Young People’s Poet Laureate, a National Book Award Winner, and she was honored theMargaret A. Edwards Award for lifetime achievement for her contributions to young adult literature. She won four Newbery Honor Awards, two Coretta Scott King Awards, a Caldecott Medal, and the NAACP Image Award.
Incredible, right?
You have no idea how antsy and excited I’ve been to finally share our chat with you!
Xo,
Yin
“I don’t let myself be silenced.” -Jacqueline Woodson
What You’ll Learn From This Episode:
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How Jacqueline raises her children in a society where they face discrimination on a daily basis
- Discussion on race, realities, and injustices
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Fostering and developing an enjoyment of writing at a young age
- Bringing characters to life
- Advice on dealing with an audience (or a society) that challenges your writing
- Why a writer’s group is crucial, even more so than a mentor
Learn More About Jacqueline Woodson
Jacqueline Woodson is the new Young People’s Poet Laureate and the 2014 National Book Award Winner for her memoir BROWN GIRL DREAMING. The book also received a Newbery Honor, The NAACP Image Award, a Sibert Honor for nonfiction and was short-listed for the LA Times Book Prize. The author of thirty books for young adults, middle graders and children, among many awards, she is also a four-time Newbery Honor winner, a three-timeNational Book Award finalist, and two-time Coretta Scott King Award winner. Her books include THE OTHER SIDE, EACH KINDNESS, BENEATH THE METH MOON, the Caldecott Honor Book COMING ON HOME SOON,FEATHERS and MIRACLE’S BOYS, which received the LA Times Book Prizeand was adapted into a miniseries directed by Spike Lee. Jacqueline is also the recipient of the Margaret A. Edwards Award for lifetime achievement for her contributions to young adult literature, the winner of the Jane Addams Children’s Book Award, and was the 2013 United States nominee for the Hans Christian Andersen Award. She lives with her family in Brooklyn, New York.
Jacqueline’s Recommended Books & Resources:
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott
On Becoming a Novelist by John Gardner
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
Raymond Carver
An Na
Cornelius Eady