Brit MacRae is a fast-rising actor, producer, and Co-Founder of KINO, a film-tech company seeking to make a more equitable film & tv industry.
In this conversation, we dive into her journey into the wild-west of the entertainment industry and how she best finds balance while pursuing a career in the creative space; how do you find balance financially; how do you balance creative work for the soul and creative work for the roof over your head; how do you maintain your sanity; how do you find elements of control in a space that can feel so uncontrollable?

While this conversation may be geared towards creatives (especially actors!), there are nuggets of gold for anyone who is looking to explore a creative pursuit or find balance in a space that isn't 100% within our control. 
Meet Brit MacRae
Hailing from Toronto, Canada, Brit MacRae is a fast-rising actor/producer based in Los Angeles, California. Brit had her sights on the entertainment industry at the young age of 15 when she moved out on her own to attend the Etobicoke School of the Arts, to major in Theatre and trained through Conservatory Canada in Classical Voice.

After a quick artistic pause to pursue a science degree, Brit made the big move to Los Angeles where she continued to hone her craft, training with Lesly Kahn, Anthony Meindl, and UCB.

In 2018, Brit booked her first role as Jamie in the sci-fi thriller THE EDEN THEORY alongside Jeffrey Weissman (BACK TO THE FUTURE) and Carel Struycken (THE ADDAMS FAMILY). Her big break came in 2021, when she was cast as Jessica Hicks; a series regular in the highly- acclaimed television series DEPARTURE (Global/Peacock) starring opposite Emmy Award-winning actor Archie Panjabi (THE GOOD WIFE) and Eric McCormack (WILL AND GRACE). Since then, Brit has amassed a growing number of works in major film and television productions including NEON LIGHTS (Netflix) and HUDSON & REX (Citytv).

She can also be seen in the new romantic film WRITING A LOVE SONG and mystery sci-fi series HIDDEN SPRINGS.

In 2022, Brit co-founded KINO, a venture-backed film tech company with the mission to create greater equitability for artists in the film and television industry. Outside of acting and tech, Brit’s many interests include travel surfing, reading, and boxing.

Robin Hunting, aka @DutchInTheUSA, is a former Royal Marine and survival expert. His Escape and Evade tactics are being used by thousands, saving multiple people's lives. He aims to empower people with knowledge and confidence to protect themselves.

Robin shares practical tips on how to evade and escape dangerous situations, emphasizing the importance of problem-solving, understanding the mechanics behind restraints, and maintaining a calm mindset under pressure. They discuss common restraints like zip ties, duct tape, handcuffs, and chains, and Robin demonstrates how to break free using everyday items.

The conversation also touches on the psychological aspect of dealing with fear and the importance of being prepared for emergencies.

Follow Robin @DutchInTheUSA on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram.

Jeffrey Garriock, @jeffreygarrioock, is a Cinematographer specializing in natural history and science-based projects, particularly underwater work. The conversation covers his career, advice on creating a thriving, creative work environment, notable projects with National Geographic, Rolex and Giants of Africa, and his passion for underwater cinematography.

In this episode, we dive into Kelly Tyndall’s story. Kelly shares how her life was upended by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading her to join a three-person crew on a 38-foot yacht. While detailing her journey, Kelly explores the mental and physical challenges she faced, the importance of saying yes to unexpected opportunities, and finding strength in adversity. This episode is a testament to stepping out of comfort zones, embracing failure, and realizing one's full potential through unexpected adventures.

00:00 Introduction to Kelly Tindall's Adventure

Keysi Sayago is a model, mechanical engineer, and former Miss Venezuela, where she went on to place in the Top 3 at Miss Universe. In this episode, she shares her road to winning the crown, the difference of what she's noticed of the world of pageants there versus in North America. She shares insights that are applicable to anyone in any industry - how to handle criticism with grace for personal growth, the importance of self-belief and staying grounded in the face of competition.

Keysi and Lauren reflect on their experiences in pageantry, advocating for holistic judging systems and critiquing the industry's shallow beauty standards. They emphasize the need for personal and professional growth opportunities for contestants beyond titles, and share tips for managing online criticism and stress. Keysi expresses her passion for empowering young girls in the pageant industry through coaching, highlighting the importance of confidence and uniqueness.

Chapters

0:00 - Episode Preview

1:24 - Introduction

2:40 - Start of Interview with Keysi Sayago

3:04 - Breaking Down the World of Pageants

3:34 - Unique Paths to Pageantry and Insecurities

5:35 - Entry into Miss Venezuela Pageant

8:17 - Draw to Engineering and Career Choices

9:39 - Pageant Intimidation and Confidence

10:08 - Unexpected Win at Miss Venezuela

14:52 - Enjoying the Competitive Ride

16:06 - The Value of Pageant Experiences

18:47 - Subjectivity in Beauty Judging

20:24 - Freshness in Pageant Scoring Systems

22:04 - Beauty's Role in Pageants and Judging Systems

33:28 - Elevating the Pageantry Experience

39:41 - Dealing with Criticism and Self-Confidence

43:10 - Rule Changes in Pageantry

How to Improve Your Posture with Dr. Liza Egbogah

In this episode, the discussion centers on shark conservation and features guests Brian and Sandy Stewart, parents of Rob Stewart, co-founders of Tribute Entertainment Media Group and the Rob Stewart Sharkwater Foundation. The conversation pays tribute to their late son, Rob Stewart, a biologist, activist, and filmmaker dedicated to conservation, exploring his impactful works like 'Sharkwater,' 'Revolution,' and 'Sharkwater Extinction.' These films brought global awareness to issues like shark finning and ocean acidification, influencing policy changes and inspiring conservation efforts. The Stewarts also discuss Rob's passion for wildlife, the influence of his work, and ongoing efforts to protect sharks through initiatives such as the Shark Free campaign, highlighting the critical role sharks play in marine ecosystems and the importance of consumer awareness in conservation.

00:00 Introduction to Shark Conservation

Dave Stern is an entertainment lawyer who provides creative and practical solutions for complex matters in the areas of Sports, Entertainment and Corporate/Commercial Law. In particular, Dave’s practice focuses on audio-visual production, distribution and exploitation (films, television series, digital media projects), brand licensing, influencer representation and commercial transactions. Dave also represents labels, bands, producers and artists in the negotiation of recording, management and publishing agreements. In addition, Dave is involved in establishing optimal corporate structuring for his clients.

Dave has a unique sports background, as he previously worked in the legal departments of both the Oakland Raiders and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd., where he was regularly involved in software licencing, the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights, sponsorships, contests and promotions, collective bargaining, athlete/player contracts, broadcasting and distribution.

He has counselled 36 film & tv projects, including Blackberry, Seven Veils, Humane, and many more.

In this conversation, we dive into his journey and the world of movie-making. While having a strong story matters, it is important also to understand how to make a "successful" film, from a legal and business perspective.

Using the example of an independent film with less than 5 million in funding, we explore what is needed to get a film off the ground, including what legal protections you should have in place, the intricacies of film financing, attracting talent (both in front of and behind the camera), maximizing distribution opportunities, and more.

Lastly, as this was recorded during the writer & actor strikes, we discuss two main sticking points in those conversations - the future of residuals and AI in film and television.

Howe To with Lauren Howe is a show for those who are curious at heart and love to ask the question "but... how?".

Join us once a week for a new episode of Howe To.

About the Host

Lauren Howe balances the worlds of entertainment and technology.

In entertainment, she is an actress, TV host, photographer, and former Miss Universe Canada, where she placed in the Top 10 at Miss Universe Canada. In technology, she holds a degree in Industrial Engineering and applies, focusing her work on process optimization, strategic development, and digital marketing.

Whether it's through storytelling or emerging technologies, Lauren is passionate about solutions that enhance the human experience.