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A New Kind of “Live Documentary” Honors the Temporary Jun 23, 2024

Show notes

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to Sam Green, a documentary filmmaker who has pioneered a new kind of performance called “live documentary,” which involves presenting ideas and images on-stage, accompanied by live music. In the interview, Sam explains why he started designing his films this way and why the temporary nature of these performances makes them so special. He also talks about researching and structuring his performances, learning to script and memorize his lines, and the joys of feeding off the audience’s energy.

After the interview, Isaac and co-host June Thomas discuss whether more people should try to remix artistic mediums.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Sam talks about how much he loves traveling around the country and the world presenting his work.

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Working. Sign up now at slate.com/workingplus to help support our work.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How a Colonial Williamsburg Actor Humanizes History Jun 16, 2024

Show notes

This week, guest-host Kristen Meinzer talks to Stephen Seals, an actor and historical interpreter at Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia. In the interview, Stephen breaks down his process for researching and portraying Revolutionary War double-agent James Lafayette, a notable Black American whose story is seldom told. Stephen explains what it’s like to write for his character on the fly, to answer audience questions, and to add meaning and texture to an important historical figure.

After the interview, Kristen and co-host Isaac Butler talk about how to handle harsh audience feedback.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Stephen describes a philosophy of “social history” which centers individual experiences instead of dry data alone. He also shares which historical figures he would like to play in the future.

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Working Overtime: Storing and Revisiting Your Old Ideas Jun 13, 2024

Show notes

For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, hosts June Thomas and Ronald Young Jr dive into the work of PKM (Personal Knowledge Management) and the different means of gathering one's thoughts. June, a PKM evangelist, breaks down some of the many apps and processes for collating one’s notes into an organized web of insights and connections. She also explains German scholar Niklas Luhmann’s system of capturing and regenerating ideas with a zettelkasten. Both hosts agree that while new systems of organization can be wonderful tools, obsessing over them can eat away some of your creative time.

Do you have questions or advice of your own about the creative process? Reach out at (304) 933-9675 or email us at working@slate.com.

Podcast production by Kevin Bendis and Cameron Drews.

Hosts: Ronald Young Jr. and June Thomas

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Master Class in Character Description Jun 09, 2024

Show notes

This week, host Ronald Young Jr. talks to writer Emma Copley Eisenberg about her new novel Housemates, which features a burgeoning friendship between two artists who decide to road trip across Pennsylvania together. In the interview, Emma explains how her nonfiction writing and her interest in history influenced this new work of fiction. She also talks about her “feast or famine” approach to productivity, her desire to document her community, and her belief that physical descriptions of people are crucial to good fiction writing.

After the interview, Ronald and co-host June Thomas ponder why the most difficult projects can be the most exciting. They also talk about how rare it is to see good depictions of fat people in fiction.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Emma talks about a toxic mentor character in Housemates and why it’s so troubling when teachers of the arts abuse their positions of power.

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Working Overtime: Money Advice for Freelancers Jun 06, 2024

Show notes

This week on Working Overtime, host Isaac Butler talks to AJ Ayers, a personal finance expert who specializes in helping creative people manage their money better. In the interview, AJ offers tips on everything from retirement accounts and taxes to homeownership and family planning.

Do you have questions or advice of your own about the creative process? Reach out at (304) 933-9675 or email us at working@slate.com.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Broadway Hit That Defies Genre Jun 02, 2024

Show notes

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to Justin Peck, a dancer and choreographer who helped create the hit Broadway show Illinoise, which is based on a classic album with a similar name by Sufjan Stevens. In the interview, Justin breaks down how he adapted Sufjan’s album into a narrative dance piece, with clear characters and storylines. He also talks about his process for feeling out dance moves with his body, teaching those moves to other dancers, and then tweaking them based on the strengths of the performers.

After the interview, Isaac and co-host Ronald Young Jr. talk about the thrill of live performances and what it means to define success for a project.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Justin explains how the show varied in previous iterations before Broadway. Then he talks about his biggest dance influences.

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Working Overtime: When Life Gets in the Way May 30, 2024

Show notes

For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, hosts June Thomas and Ronald Young Jr, unpack how to deal with life’s unexpected challenges and their effect on your work. A car accident, a sick child, or even a bad breakup can seem to be a bolt from the blue when you’re not expecting it. Currently, Ronald and his family are caring for his sick mom, and jumping between work and care can be a massive challenge. Both hosts discuss how to communicate your needs to a supervisor and how to take the time you need outside of work.

Do you have questions or advice of your own about the creative process? Reach out at (304) 933-9675 or email us at working@slate.com.

Podcast production by Kevin Bendis and Cameron Drews.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Classic Opera Gets an Overdue Update May 26, 2024

Show notes

This week, host June Thomas talks to Francesca Zambello, artistic director of the Washington National Opera. In the interview, Francesca discusses the process of creating a brand new ending for Puccini’s unfinished final opera Turandot, from recruiting a composer and librettist to deciding on the visual language of the show. She also talks about her early career working overseas, the wide range of productions at the National Opera, and the kinds of shows that attract new opera fans.

After the interview, June and co-host Ronald Young Jr. talk about the ethics of changing or updating an artist’s work after their death.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, June asks Francesca if there are any other operas that she’d like to update or re-frame.

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Much-Needed History of Queer Women’s Spaces May 19, 2024

Show notes

This week, host Ronald Young Jr. talks to June Thomas about her new book A Place of Our Own: Six Spaces That Shaped Queer Women’s Culture. In the interview, June explains what it was like to bring journalistic rigor to a world that’s close to her heart. She also discusses her pivot to full-time book writing, the importance of passing history to future generations, and her use of the phrase “queer women” to describe a group that goes well beyond that label.

After the interview, Ronald and co-host Isaac Butler talk about culture and identity in their art.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, June designs her ideal queer space.

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Working Overtime: Keeping the Faith May 16, 2024

Show notes

For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, hosts June Thomas and Isaac Butler are joined by author Justin Taylor, to discuss the process behind his new novel, Reboot. Taylor published numerous short pieces, as well as a memoir, during the years he spent writing this novel, yet it took multiple iterations before this book felt right. Later they share tips for persevering through long creative processes and discuss how to find the finish line.

Do you have questions or advice of your own about the creative process? Reach out at (304) 933-9675 or email us at working@slate.com.

Podcast production by Kevin Bendis and Cameron Drews.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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