Mentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industry

Bob Ellis is an American music executive and manager who has worked with musicians including Billy Preston, Chaka Khan, Meat Loaf, Rufus, Rolling Stones’ Ronnie Wood and many others. Bob joins the show to spill about the music industry and how social media has impacted the industry and music quality. Stay tuned in to hear the crazy story of how Bob and Michelle met!

In this episode, we talk about:

•  Meeting and representing Billy Preston while working at a PR agency

•  The story behind Rufus and Chaka Khan’s “Tell Me Something Good”

•  Opening Woody’s club that gave a stage to Spin Doctor, Dave Matthews, Red Hot Chili Peppers and other timeless artists in their early days

•  The evolution of music and how technology and Tik Tok has changed tour life and the music industry

•  Producing Chef Roblé and other shows

•  Being in the right place at the right time

•  How to manage different talent personalities

Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Ellis_Silberstein

Host:

Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller

Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic

Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle

Jay Francis is the Vice President of Current Series and Diversity and Inclusion at Disney Television Animation. He has over 15 years’ experience in managing the creative direction of series’ production, and has worked on award winning shows including Phineas and Ferb, Big City Greens, and Amphibia. Jay plays an important role in driving the push for more authentic storytelling that represents the world in which we live.

In this episode we talk about:

•  The key to a great pitch

• Transitioning from independent animation production to recruitment for primetime animation television

•  How accessible a career in animation can be

•  Working for Disney and how the company has embraced Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in development

•  His first internship at a local ABC affiliate in Boston

•  His first animation internship at DIC Entertainment

•  Leaving his job to launch Little Gangster Entertainment

•  Animation networking opportunities for VO Actors, Animators and more

•  Finding a lucrative kickstart creating video games using what he learned from animation

•  The importance of diverse and authentic storytelling through animation

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-francis-81a3002

Host:

Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller

Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM

Mentors on the Mic Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic

Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle

Jenny Ravitz is a NYC-based casting director at Jonathan Strauss Casting. She is currently casting shows including NBC's hit shows Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, Chicago Med. She has years of knowledge of the casting industry after working at some of the top casting offices in New York City. Jenny is here to share her journey and provide an inside look at what it is like to help create a Chicago universe that reaches over 8 million home viewers per episode.

In this episode, we talk about:

•  Finding her passion as a Casting Director through working as an Assistant Director

•  Working 80 hours a week while interning at Telsey + Company and Cindy Tolan casting offices and bartending at a local sports bar

•  The movie that connected Jenny and Michelle for the first time

•  The important role of identity, visibility, and authentic representation in casting

•  An inside look at how Jenny reviews auditions, makes selects, and presents an offer

•  How agent pitches can help or hurt an actor (and if she reads all of them!)

•  The benefit of self tapes over actor reels

•  Whether she likes slate shots

•  The national reach of the shows she casts

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5989503/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/jennyravitzcasting

If you like this episode, check out Episode 2.2 to hear about Emmy winning Casting Director Julie Schubert (The Departed, Marvel shows on Netflix, Devil Wears Prada, etc)

Host:

Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller

Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM

Mentors on the Mic Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic

Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle

Chris Mann is a vocalist, musician, and actor who has performed as the lead in just under 700 shows of “The Phantom of the Opera” during his first major acting debut. He got fourth place on The Voice in 2012 and has continued to soar through the music industry with Billboard charting releases of his studio albums Roads, Constellation, and his most recent release, Noise. Chris joins the show to share how he has achieved his success despite facing devastating setbacks along the way.

In this episode we talk about:

If you like this episode, check out Episode 2.1 to hear about Emmy nominated Musician and Composer Beau Black (Disney's The Lion Guard, The Mickey Show, etc)

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Mann_(singer)

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4985711/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_3

Website: https://chrismannmusic.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialchrismann/?hl=en

Host:

Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller

Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM

Mentors on the Mic Facebook page

Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle

Jill Hoppenheim is the owner and creative director at Bagg Street Productions, an award winning creative content agency known for creating captivating marketing campaigns, branded content, and  scripted series for TV/Film including 24, Homeland, The Handmaid’s Tale, Glow, Family Guy and more. Jill has over ten year’s experience in entertainment marketing and breaks down her track to success.

In this episode we talk about:

If you like this episode, check out Episode 1.14 to hear about Award Winning Producer Damon Lee.

Resources:

Website: https://www.baggstreet.com/

Imdb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1673836/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-hoppenheim/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baggstreet/

Host:

Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller

Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM

Mentors on the Mic Facebook page

Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle

13:57 starting a company is like a newborn you couldn’t take your eyes off of it

37:45 2 things that she learned and reminded and kept with her

38:38 your greatest thing as a producer to have is material. you have to love it

41:20 - be creative in pitching and getting meetings

Julie Schubert is an Emmy award-winning Casting Director. She has brought some of the best actors to beloved movies and shows. Some of her most notable credits include House of Cards, Daredevil, Luke Cage, Manifest, The Departed, The Devil Wears Prada, 50 Shades Darker, 50 Shades Freed and more. Julie has climbed the ladder from intern to director and is joining us to spill some of her secrets to success.

In this episode we talk about:

Resources:

IMDB

Emmy Awards and Nominations

If you like this episode, check out Episode 1.12 to hear about Casting Director Kim Graham (who cast me in SHOWTIME's Homeland)

Host:

Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller

Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM

Facebook page Website Youtube

Beau Black is currently writing music for 3 shows and 2 TV Features for Disney. He is an Emmy nominated composer, songwriter, musician, voice actor, and producer.  

In this episode, we talk about:

•  Being nominated for a 2017 Daytime Emmy Creative Arts Award for composing the song “Sisi Ni Sawa” from The Lion Guard

•  Writing music for Commercials including m Commercials such as Aveeno (with Jennifer Aniston), Sally Hansen, HP, Google Play, Mercedes, Target, Samsung, McDonalds, Wendy’s

•  Working on music for Miles from Tomorrowland (opening song), Penn Zero: Part time Hero (composed with Ryan Shore), The Lion Guard —> went to Number 2 on Billboard’s Top Soundtrack Albums chart, Mickey and the Roadster Racers, The Rocketeer (2019 TV Series) 11 episodes, Mickey Mouse Mixed Up Adventures, Jake and the Neverending Pirates

•  Composing 93 songs for Disney's The Lion Guard

•  Music Video for theme song for The Lion Guard with over 9 million views

•  First album "Meant to Be"

•  Singing on stage for thousands as a kid with his Dad, Jay Black from Jay and the Americans (responsible for "This Magic Moment" and "Cara Mia")

Resources: 

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beau_Black

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6872541/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/beaublack5

Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQt9M4E4nXA

Host:

Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller

Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic

Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle

In Napolean Hill's book Think and Grow Rich, he describes Mastermind Groups as: “A friendly alliance with one or more persons who will encourage one to follow through with both plan and purpose.” Mastermind Groups are a valuable form of peer-to-peer mentorship, uniting you with your colleagues in an effort to grow and build your business. What better way to share the importance of Mastermind Groups than by sharing with you a discussion with my own?

Twice a month, I get together with 4 intelligent, savvy, badass female podcast hosts:

Abby Zufelt is a digital marketing and social media strategist. She is also the Host of Working Girl Talk podcast.

Anna Keenan is the Regional Marketing and Philanthropic Manager at Kendra Scott and Host of the Self Made Sister Podcast.

Christine O' Donnell is an Emmy Nominated Journalist, Founder of Bright Sighted Podcasting, and Host of the Podcast Coaching with Christine podcast.

Megan Accardo is a former CAA Executive turned Business Coach and Host of Power Your Purpose podcast.

In this episode, we talk about:

•  The importance of Mastermind Groups

•  Creative Marketing Tips to build audience for Podcasts: Pinterest, Tik Toks, Clubhouse

•  Acquiring Interns for our Business

•  My awesome Clubhouse story

•  Clubhouse Best Practices

•  How to grow your brand by leveraging your expertise

•  Naming your podcasts

•  Finding the Best Guests and what do you look for (How to Book yourself on Podcasts)

•  Being a Speaker at various Podcasting Events like Podcast Movement

Michelle was a Guest on Megan's Podcast recently! Network Like a Pro: Make Connections & Move your Career Forward with Michelle Mille‪r‬

Anna Keenan's Instagram

Megan Accardo's Instagram

Abby Zufelt's Instagram

Christine O'Donnell's Instagram

If you like this episode, check out Bonus Episode 3 on How to get a Mentor

Host:

Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller

Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM

Mentors on the Mic Facebook page

Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle

This episode was recorded LIVE on Facebook.

In this episode, we talk about:

•  4 Tips on How to get a Mentor

• How to cultivate a relationship with a Mentor over time

Episodes Referenced:

Episode 1 - Stan Brooks - From the Mailroom to Hollywood Producer & Director

Episode 21 - Linda Mendoza - From page to Comedy TV/Film Director of Scrubs, The Good Place, Blackish, and more

If you like this episode, check out Bonus Episode 4 on The Importance of a Mastermind Group

Host:

Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller

Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM

Mentors on the Mic Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic

Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle