Select+CT Podcast

Guests: David Noble, UConn's Peter J. Werth Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation Host: David DesRoches, Quinnipiac University  "Select+CT" is a Digital Media Connecticut (DMCT) podcast series connecting you to Connecticut's Digital Media industry! This episode -season 2, episode 3- covers what is needed to embark on a successful entrepreneurship in the digital media space. It is easier than you’d think to start your own business in CT. David Noble from UConn's Peter J. Werth Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation revealed important information for digital media students in this state. David said that the important next step is to increase the cross disciplinarity of students with certain skills. Non-digital media students need more digital media skills, and digital media students need more than just the art side of that skill set.  “I think more non-digital media students need more digital media skills, and digital media need more than just the art side of the skill set.” - David Noble, UConn's Peter J. Werth Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation

Guests: Lauren Komrosky - Chief Digital Officer, Connecticut Public | Jake Volckso, Connecticut Public Host: David DesRoches, Quinnipiac University  "Select+CT" is a Digital Media Connecticut (DMCT) podcast series connecting you to Connecticut's Digital Media industry!

Guests: Steve Harper - Assistant Professor of Motion Design & Animation, University of Connecticut Host: David DesRoches, Quinnipiac University  "Select+CT" is a Digital Media Connecticut (DMCT) podcast series connecting you to Connecticut's Digital Media industry! In 2020, we were thinking about what our schools' post covid would look like. In 2022, we can think of what post school looks like with covid (mostly) out of the equation. That said, it’s no secret that graduating students tend to experience a range of emotions: from pride and anticipation, to fear and discouragement, all or any I failed to mention are relatively normal. Select + CT’s season 2, episode 9 covers that post graduation scenario in what I think is in a more appealing light. Guest speaker Steve Harper provided a great perspective on both post covid, and post school, post covid (sorry, that was a mouthful).

Guests: Bridget Costa - Motion Designer, Craftsman+ | Samantha Olschan - Assistant Professor of Motion Design & Animation, University of Connecticut Host: David DesRoches, Quinnipiac University  "Select+CT" is a Digital Media Connecticut (DMCT) podcast series connecting you to Connecticut's Digital Media industry! According to a recent study conducted by Zippia, there are over 7,091 known animators employed in the U.S.. 71.9% of those animators are men. That leaves 28.1% of women, which is not super encouraging for young women. Samantha Olschan is an assistant professor of motion design & animation. She and Bridget Costa -another motion designer- conversed about the troubles of being a woman in the animation industry, specifically within the younger generations.. 

Guests: Chelsey Trowbridge - SVP of Post Production, Wheelhouse Host: David DesRoches, Quinnipiac University  "Select+CT" is a Digital Media Connecticut (DMCT) podcast series connecting you to Connecticut's Digital Media industry! The Village, in Stamford, CT, is one of the hidden gems of CT. That said, this episode of Select + CT is a little different than the others. We’re getting an inside look as to how The Village operates from their parent company -The Wheelhouse- and how that routine can be applied to any standard successful business. Guest Chelsey Trowbridge - SVP of Post Production, is an employee at this gem. She kindly offered to speak about what the business side of the beautiful location accomplishes.

Guests: Chris Argento - VP of Audio, WWE | Justin Matley - Re-Recording Mixer & Sound Designer, Freelance Host: David DesRoches, Quinnipiac University  "Select+CT" is a Digital Media Connecticut (DMCT) podcast series connecting you to Connecticut's Digital Media industry Did you know that audio media such as cassette tapes are making a re-appearance in terms of sales? I suppose this is due to the need we now feel to disconnect from our constant online-lives. Though audio production is popularly known as the making of music, it’s actually super prominent in other forms of media. From movies ranking 100% on the “rotten tomatoes' ' score, to pesky advertisements, or the news, the audio industry seeps into most everything we consume (and that’s a good thing). Season 2, episode 5 of Select CT’s podcast interviews Chris Argento - VP of Audio, WWE, and Justin Matley - Re-Recording Mixer & Sound Designer, Freelance, to discuss what consumer presentable audio can manifest for a media project.

Guests: John Murphy, University of Connecticut, Digital Media Department Host: David DesRoches, Quinnipiac University  "Select+CT" is a Digital Media Connecticut (DMCT) podcast series connecting you to Connecticut's Digital Media industry! Social media listening companies have agreements with Reddit, Twitter, ect. to gain insight on what we transfer from our mind to the screen. When you’re employed by one of these info-seeking-agencies, being able to balance social media listening so that it doesn't carry over into cyber stalking (a crime) is important. From a company perspective, John emphasizes that you need to know from an ethical standpoint what you’re going to do with collecting that legal & public information. “Rule of thumb is if it feels icky, don’t do it.” he added.

Guests: Kenneth Thompson, University of Connecticut | Joshua Steffenson, Manchester Public School | Jason Chung, University of New Haven Host: David DesRoches, Quinnipiac University  "Select+CT" is a Digital Media Connecticut (DMCT) podcast series connecting you to Connecticut's Digital Media industry! Did you know that you can make playing video games into a career? E-sports has had an “incredible growth” according to research done by Influencer Marketing Hub. Jason Chung, who runs the E-sports business program at University of New Haven, explained how you can make a living off of playing video games! Select + CT’s Host -David DesRoches- also interviewed Kenneth Thompson, a professor at UCONN, and Joshua Steffenson, an Assistant Principal at Manchester Public School.  Though Connecticut has made a big contribution to the phenomenon of E-sports, the first (known) video game tournament occurred back in 1972 at Stanford University in California. Since that event, E-sports have incentivized local people in various countries to set up Internet cafes. Teens & young adults tend to play video games whilst downing too much caffeine; so this was perfect. Publishers quickly realized it’s a way to increase fandoms in their games. E-sports became a marketing tool for companies in the 80’s… “Have the openness to look at something and say, just because it’s a new industry doesn’t mean that it doesn’t deserve study.” - Jason Chung, University of New Haven

Guests: Bryan Murphy, NBC Sports Group | Leah Myers, WTNH-TV | Erick Jean, The Game Agency Host: David DesRoches, Quinnipiac University  "Select+CT" is a Digital Media Connecticut (DMCT) podcast series connecting you to Connecticut's Digital Media industry! What is it like in the world after graduating college? It’s a lot of connection making.. Like, a lot. If we as students have an idea of where we want to work, it’s still challenging to pinpoint if what we think we want will actually work out. Having the status of being an undergrad can be overwhelming because we don’t know what will happen after we surpass it. The first episode of season two invites three Connecticut College’s alumni who open up about their experience after leaving their schooling and going into the workforce. Bryan Murphy from NBC Sports Group explains that it is hard to break into the industry. I will use Bryan's experience as an example, because he had a harder time.. He says he applied to more jobs than he could count and only got 2-3 interviews. And the job he ended up landing actually didn't require an interview because he'd interned there before. He doesn't know where he’d be working if he hadn't made the connections in his prior internship.. “Especially at this point and time in the pandemic, connections really are a huge part of this industry.'' - Bryan Murphy, NBC Sports Group Takeaways from Brian, Leah, and Erick: There are many good digital media jobs in Connecticut. Even though it may be difficult to break into the industry -especially without establishing connections first- CT especially has an abundance of opportunity. Internships are SO important. Especially making connections through them. You could end up getting hired to work there full time after graduation!!

Guests: Jon Winkel - CEO, The Stamford Partnership Host: David DesRoches, Quinnipiac University  "Select+CT" is a Digital Media Connecticut (DMCT) podcast series connecting you to Connecticut's Digital Media industry! By definition, community engagement is working collaboratively with groups of people (hence the community part) in order to attain some sort of goal or aspiration. Host of Select + CT -David DesRoches- explains that there is however a different type of engagement within the digital media space. The episode “Community Engagement” was recorded in December of 2021. Jon Winkel - CEO, The Stamford Partnership, mentioned that for the past 18 months everyone has been exclusively online until recently. He says everyone has faced the question: how do you find an audience to engage with? David and Jon reveal how this digital engagement can manifest itself outside of the digital world.

Host: David DesRoches, Quinnipiac University Guests: David Salinas, Co-Founder of Digital Surgeons and Innovation District in New Haven / Pete Sena, Co-Founder and CEO of Digital Surgeons "Select+CT" is a Digital Media Connecticut (DMCT) podcast series dedicated to Connecticut's Digital Media industry! Though this is a Connecticut inclined podcast, I found that the contents of this episode (episode 12, season 1), can apply to anyone in any state. David Salinas, Co-Founder of Digital Surgeons and Innovation District in New Haven / Pete Sena, Co-Founder and CEO of Digital Surgeons, spoke with host David DesRoches, Quinnipiac University about the importance of a business partnership.  “I think it really just comes down to starting a vision in your dorm room and being able to get great people around you.” - Pete Sena, Co-Founder and CEO of Digital Surgeons Takeaways from David and Pete:  Your network can sometimes equate to your networth. You need to make connections with people, even if you don’t like them! Partnership between two individuals who want to move an arrow in the same direction is what can make or break a business venture. Sometimes it only takes two people, but other times it can take many There is a need for how design and tech come together now more than ever. Everything is digital. 

Host: David DesRoches, Quinnipiac University Guests: Derek Amrosi, National Emmy Award-Winning Editor / Gary Cohen, Executive Director, Triple Threat Television "Select+CT" is a Digital Media Connecticut (DMCT) podcast series dedicated to Connecticut's Digital Media industry! What makes a good intern? Better yet, how do you even become one?  With an internship, you get to prove yourself and perform at a high standard, that's what can move your career forward. You have to have self respect for your work, but you also need to take criticism and improve it in order to move up in the industry you seek. A good intern is someone who is bound to get hired for an even slightly bigger role in the company.  Interns who outreach typically excel. If that outreach is a certain level of creativity, ingenuity, and ambition, you will rise above the others. Sometimes if you’re too good, you can earn the title of being an Emmy award winner! “You need to be your own advocate, your own agent, your own corporation,” said Derek.   Takeaways from Gary & Derek:  It helps to make a portfolio of items you’ve created in the last decade or so, of course, if you think they are of quality. Use the criticism from your internship to look at those projects differently.  Have self respect for your work, but also need to take criticism and improve it in order to move up in the industry you seek.  You have to prove yourself and perform at a high standard during an internship, that's what can move your career forward. The more effort you put into your work, the more effort the company will put into you succeeding with them.

Host: David DesRoches, Quinnipiac University Guests: Marc Wisniewski, Design Producer at IBM / Martin Misiaszek, Content Designer at IBM / Lauren Ciulla, Visual Designer at IBM "Select+CT" is a Digital Media Connecticut (DMCT) podcast series dedicated to Connecticut's Digital Media industry! What goes on within the walls of IBM? Or other digital media based companies for that matter? Design thinking.  Companies have been integrating the method of design thinking into their workforce. IBM is a good example. Their mission is to  provide solutions and experiences for their fellow IBMers to use everyday with the goal of decreasing friction. Employing nearly 350,000 “IBMers” (people who work at IBM), three of those hundred thousand employees spoke about what they do & what their company has to offer. David DesRoches interviews Marc Winiewski, Design Producer, Martin Misiaszek, Content Designer, and Lauren Ciulla, Visual Designer: All employed by the Chief Information office at IBM. “Every time you design something like an interface or a physical product, someones going to be using it to complete a goal or a task to make their lives easier,” said Lauren Ciulla, Visual Designer Takeaways from Marc, Martin, and Lauren: Design thinking strives for empathy. Empathizing with users, constantly being thoughtful of them = design thinking.  Every time you design something like an interface or a physical product, someones going to be using it to complete a goal or a task to make their lives easier.  Design thinking workshops put employees in the shoes of their users to better grasp what they’re experiencing. Enabling designers, engineers, and stakeholders to rally around an idea of what they're looking to create in order to meet their users' needs, these workshops have become popular amongst both IBMers and other digital media based companies.

Host: David DesRoches, Quinnipiac University Guests: Bernard François, PreviewLabs / Elena Bertozzi, Quinnipiac University / Kimberly Hieftje, Yale School of Medicine  "Select+CT" is a Digital Media Connecticut (DMCT) podcast series dedicated to Connecticut's Digital Media industry! What is the thought process behind game development? There isn’t exactly one narrow answer to this question, but listening to this episode may help define the possibilities.  Right now there is a huge market in developing serious or applied games. These are effective ways of teaching and training children, teens, and young adults.  David DesRoches interviews Bernard Francois, Preview Labs, Elena Bertozzi, Quinnipiac University, and Kimberly Hieftje, Yale School of Medicine. Each developer gave their take on what thoughts are behind a fully functioning game. Bernard prototyped a game where the player was operating a forklift: This seemingly simple action is another way that an employer can train future employees to operate pieces of machinery. This practice also helps eliminate the risk of getting hurt if the trainee had made a mistake. Bernard's prototype is an example of how games can make for a safer learning process. Elena’s work is about how to give people the tools to make changes in their lives in order to benefit them. Kimberly’s lab focuses on increasing behavior change in both teens and young adults through whatever storyline they come up with. Takeaways from Bernard, Elena, and Kimberly:  Playing the most popular game doesn’t necessarily mean that you are getting the most out of it. Health prevention and promotion games tend to receive the least amount of attention, but they are the most helpful.  Games are a very safe space for kids to practice decision making. Developers learn how to build a game that's seeking to achieve a specific goal, and later check to see whether or not they've achieved it.

Host: David DesRoches, Quinnipiac University Guests: Timothy Suarez, Blue Sky Studios "Select+CT" is a Digital Media Connecticut (DMCT) podcast series dedicated to Connecticut's Digital Media industry! Why do some animators with the same degree get hired to create for Disney, whilst others do not? Specialization. Especially if you’re applying to a well-known studio such as Bluesky or Dreamworks. You must specialize in one particular area of animation. Episode 8 of the Select+CT podcast covers the transfer from college dorm to hollywood. Interviewer David DesRoches spoke with Blue Sky Studio Animator Timothy Suarez about how to land a highly regarded position in the animation industry. Tim has worked on productions such as The Peanuts Movie and Ice Age. Suarez emphasizes that your path as a creator will vary depending on the studio you apply to. He highlighted that having a background in figure drawing can significantly improve your chances of being hired; Prior figure drawing experience helps improve the believability of your character.  “It's more likely that you’re going to get into one of these bigger studios if you just commit to one specialty,” said Tim. If you're an animator, they'll prefer it if you specialize in 3D performances. Animation studios look for people who specialize in one thing because they can work with a diverse team who also individually specialize in one thing. Takeaways from Tim: Figure drawing, learning posing, or studying the anatomy of a pose are all useful skills to attain before starting your animation career. Prior figure drawing experience helps give weight to a character so their body moves in a more believable, accurate way.  Larger studios like Dreamworks and Bluesky are seeking students who specialize in one particular area of the field. Choose one area of specialization and focus on that, you are more likely to be hired at that fancy studio if you do.

Host: David DesRoches, Quinnipiac University Guests: Colleen Sherry, Henkel "Select+CT" is a Digital Media Connecticut (DMCT) podcast series dedicated to Connecticut's Digital Media industry! Why are some advertisement commericals more tolerable than others? What makes a great ad? Value.  As gen-z and millennial consumers develop more sophisticated and personal views on ad preferences, digital landscapes have evolved. Brands must be evolving alongside their consumers. Instead of just advertising out to someone with a product, feature and price, ads should bring content to the consumer that they're going to enjoy, while still valuing that core information of price, product & feature.   Colleen Sherry -US Digital Marketing Lead at Henkel- reviews ad trends with David DesRoches. From the psychology behind the average viewer, to insight on the mind of their advertiser, Colleen’s marketing position at Henkel provides her with knowledge unavailable to many. “People don't just want to see an ad anymore, they want to see content that means something to them.” she said.  Takeaways from Colleen: Millennials don't trust traditional ads. So it's not just that companies targeting millenials don't want to do traditional advertising.. It's that not they’re not going to get through to their consumers if they do.  If you're wearing a brand's t-shirt with their logo on it, you are essentially advertising them for free unknowingly.  71 percent of people are turned off by “sales-y” content. 63 percent said they’d think more positively of a brand if it was more valuable, relevant or interesting to them.

Host: David DesRoches, Quinnipiac University Guests: George Norfleet, Connecticut Office of Film Television & Digital Media / Danielle Bibbo, ITV America Select+CT is a Digital Media Connecticut (DMCT) podcast series dedicated to Connecticut's Digital Media industry! Why consider moving your business to Connecticut, apart from Boston or NYC? The short answer is tax incentives.. and it’s probably the main answer. But, there are other reasons.. Guests George Norfleet, Connecticut Office of Film Television & Digital Media, and Danielle Bibbo, ITV America, spoke with David DesRoches about the future of CT. Though not exactly Boston or NYC, George and Danielle emphasize that Connecticut’s job field for digital media students has been expanding in parallel to Connecticut’s steady economic momentum. By luring companies here (within reason), Connecticut’s economy greatly benefits. “They’re renting cars, buying hotel rooms, food, renting equipment, there’s a multiplier effect for every dollar that they spend.. trying to pump up the revenue generating gauge,” George said in light of those companies already here. Takeaways from George and Danielle: Film production companies specifically are the main focus digital-media wise. The sectors of digital media will expand though, and this doesn’t mean there aren't already wonderful opportunities for those sectors.  CT has been a bit of an underdog in the workforce, but that title is predicted to change.  Infrastructure tax credit programs and Tax incentives are given to companies willing to relocate to Connecticut. This again is for both economic development and the strengthening of Connecticut's future.

Host: David DesRoches, Quinnipiac University Guests: Heather Elliot-Famularo, University of Connecticut / Karyl Evans, CPTV "Select+CT" is a Digital Media Connecticut (DMCT) podcast series dedicated to Connecticut's Digital Media industry! Why is it that women generations before us were able to secure jobs in the film production industry? The answer is not as simple as inclusivity: “women in film” were hired to be taken advantage of monetarily.  David DesRoches interviewed two women in film themselves: Heather Elliot-Famularo, University of Connecticut, and Karyl Evans, CPTV. They’ve both won numerous awards for their film-making.  “There’s less money involved in documentary film-making, so back in the day, women would be considered “safe” with less money.” Karyl said in reference to roles women play now and then in the film industry.  Takeaways from Heather and Karyl:  If you plan to stick with filmmaking, you have to be persistent. It is a tougher industry because there is so much competition. Stay at that low-ranked position until a better opportunity presents itself, the wait will be worthwhile.  Though it has taken much time, women are a lot more respected through the lense.  What some productions will do now is build awareness around the potential that their female employees have to create.. Helping them believe that they are just as capable as their male colleagues. From there, companies make an effort to empower those women and encourage them whilst making sure everybody has equal time on the equipment.  Giving male-dominated roles to women helps more women see that they too are capable of performing them.

Host: David DesRoches, Quinnipiac University  Guest: Sebastian Oddo, Octagon "Select+CT" is a Digital Media Connecticut (DMCT) podcast series dedicated to Connecticut's Digital Media Industry! Why are some companies more successful than others? What makes one network rise above the other? Creative technology is the common denominator. Multi sensory experiences such as sound, gesture, and other things relevant to consumers are utilized to generate more. Episode 4 of the Select + CT podcast tackles how we can twist technology to give ourselves a creative advantage. David DesRoches spoke with Sebastian Oddo, SVP of Innovations for Octagon. He’s a creative technologist who has helped numerous brands and athletes think about how they can use tech and emerging trends to put forth creative thinking into the world for both consumers and their fans to access.  A Creative Technologist's purpose in Sebastian's words: “..Takes emerging trends, figures out how they can be relevant to their clients objectives. And then puts them into action. Get those things built.”  Celebrating his ten year anniversary, Oddo gives digital media students proper insight on how creative technology operates. He also unravels how that operation has helped him succeed in his career. Takeaways from Sebastian:  Creative Tech not only helps the expansion of the brand it is being applied to, but it also gives that brand massive insight into the audience itself.  Construct your portfolio based on what interests you, because you are more likely to succeed if you actually like what you’re creating.

Host: David DesRoches, Quinnipiac University  Guest: Stefanie Toigo, NBC Sports "Select+CT" is a Digital Media Connecticut (DMCT) podcast series dedicated to Connecticut's Digital Media Industry! How do motion graphics professionals actually become professionals? And why is it that some animators land jobs at major cartoon networks, whilst others don’t? This episode of the Select + CT podcast unravels the answers to many questions surrounding the moving artwork industry.  David DesRoches interviewed Stefanie Toigo from NBC Sports. She has been a motion graphics designer for over a decade. “The whole idea of telling a story without using real people.. it just really was interesting.” - Stefanie Toigo A day's work can change depending on what time of year it is, which is especially true for those working in sports entertainment. There is a balance between slower times, and busier times. Stephanie, for example, was working on the Olympics during the time of this recording. She was designing a stage for all of the athletes so that they could be on each set. Each athlete has 7 minutes of screentime, so she had to come up with something very expressive. Down the line this expression will hold its power, and has to remain a strong design.  Takeaways from Stephanie: In a creative position, usually you are being directed to conduct a project, but you do it creatively, that’s what they’re paying for. You are being directed to accomplish something, but with your own creative spin. Not asking questions in any position can potentially hold you back from escalating in that position. Don’t be afraid to inquire.  Motion GFX is highly regarded, so aiming for a job in this field is worthwhile. The demand for motion designers and animators is escalating, but so are the platforms used to express them.