First Frame

TELUS STORYHIVE

First Frame celebrates the journey of Canadian and Indigenous Content Creators. Whether you’re just starting out or looking for fresh perspectives, co-hosts Cameron Zinger and Jennifer Park bring you inspiring stories, actionable tips, and candid conversations with both emerging creators and established creative leaders, to help you on your own content creation journey. From securing funding to navigating burnout, First Frame tackles the real challenges creators face, offering a roadmap to success that’s as unique as their creative visions. Whether you’re scripting your first short film or getting ready to go viral on YouTube, this show is for you.

  1. 9時間前

    How Do I Legally Protect My Work?

    What happens if your idea gets copied before you’ve had a chance to bring it to life? Do you actually “own” your work the moment you create it? And when does sharing your project turn from a collaboration into a risky proposition? On this episode of First Frame, hosts Jennifer Park and Cameron Zinger sit down with entertainment lawyer Mark Edwards, Managing Partner at Edwards Creative Law, to unpack the legal realities every creator eventually runs into whether they’re ready or not. From copyright fundamentals and the myths around “mailing it to yourself,” to the difference between legal and moral rights, Mark breaks down how ownership and protection actually work in practice. Their conversation also covers fair dealing, the role of option agreements, and some common contractual red flags that can quietly reshape a deal in ways creators don’t expect. Mark also shares what happens when disputes do arise, and why documentation is often the difference between resolution and escalation when things go sideways. Timecodes: (1:57) What is Edwards Creative Law? (2:36) What is copyright, and what are the biggest misconceptions surrounding it? (6:19) Legal rights vs. moral rights in copyright law (9:35) Fair dealing/Fair use: how and when it comes into play (11:49) Real examples of creators getting into legal trouble (13:17) Legal resources every creator should have in their toolkit (14:08) The first legal things to consider when starting a production (18:04) Options agreements explained, and the role they play in a project (20:25) The number one contract red flag all creators should watch out for (22:34) Breaking down the dispute resolution process (24:45) When should a creator call in lawyers? (27:04) Final takeaways for creators

    27分
  2. 6月16日

    How Do I Build a Real Community Online?

    How do you move beyond clicks and follower counts to create a space your listeners and viewers actually want to be part of? On this episode of First Frame, hosts Jennifer Park and Cameron Zinger take a deep dive into the topic of community-building, with the help of Stephanie Dacre, the creator of The Shroom Boom, and Ryan Fisher (aka Dandy), an Emmy-winning actor and drag performer. They each share how they’ve fostered growing, vibrant, engaged communities, both online and in-person. From responding thoughtfully to DMs to hosting unique in-person experiences, Stephanie and Ryan reveal strategies that go beyond likes and clicks to create meaningful engagement. They also discuss managing burnout, lessons learned from flopped content, and whether it’s better to post consistently or take intentional breaks. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to deepen your bond with your audience, this episode is packed with actionable insights on fostering authentic relationships that are sure to keep your own followers coming back for more. Timecodes: (2:20) - Stephanie Dacre & Ryan Fisher’s individual creator origin stories (5:49) - Followers vs. community: what actually builds an engaged audience? (8:53) - Creator burnout: how to stay consistent without losing yourself (10:59) - Biggest community-building mistakes creators make (12:20) - When your content flops: how successful creators respond (16:14) - The cutting room floor: content regrets, editing mistakes & lessons learned (18:51) - How to make your online community feel seen & valued (21:50) - Proven community-building strategies that actually work (28:44) - Best advice for creators who want to build a real community online (34:18) - Final reflections for creators

    35分
  3. 6月2日

    How Can I Tell Indigenous Stories Authentically and Respectfully?

    What does it really mean to tell someone else’s story? Where’s the line between representation and harm? And how can creators move beyond good intentions to create work that’s truly respectful and authentic? On this episode of First Frame, hosts Jennifer Park and Cameron Zinger explore the responsibilities that come along with telling Indigenous stories, where voice, consent, and collaboration are essential from the very beginning. To help them unpack this nuanced topic, they’re joined by writer and filmmaker Shaelyn Johnston, who shares practical, experience-driven insights on how to approach this work with care using powerful examples from her own career. From the principle of “no stories about us without us”, to the importance of building real relationships, their conversation breaks down common missteps and what doing it right actually looks like. Shaelyn also offers a behind-the-scenes look at her own projects, and how authenticity is built through lived experience, language, and community. Timecodes:  (3:04) “Nothing about us without us” (3:42) The harm of inauthentic storytelling (4:29) What authentic Indigenous filmmaking looks lik (8:10) Why collaboration must start early (9:49) Biggest storytelling mistakes creators make (12:02) Tokenism vs real representation (17:50) Reciprocity with elders & knowledge keepers (19:46) Indigenous storytelling protocols & resources (21:40) Where the industry still falls short (23:36) Final advice for creators

    27分
  4. 5月19日

    What is Ethical Storytelling and Why Does it Matter?

    Have you ever wondered if telling a story could do more harm than good? Or how creators can navigate complex, emotional, and even traumatic narratives responsibly?  On this episode of First Frame, hosts Jennifer Park and Cameron Zinger explore the intricacies of ethical storytelling with the help of Larissa Maxwell, the founder and CEO of Maxwell Consulting Group. Larissa shares insights from her years of experience working with social services, documentary projects, and marginalized communities to help creators tell stories with honesty, integrity, and care. From understanding power dynamics and consent to avoiding sensationalism and “time dishonesty,” this episode is packed with practical guidance for emerging and seasoned creators alike. You’ll also learn about best practices like trauma-informed story work and “living consent,” and find out why ethical storytelling isn’t just the right thing to do, it also builds trust, credibility, and lasting impact for both creators and their audiences. Timecodes: (02:08) What is an ethical storytelling consultant (06:00) Real-world examples of harmful storytelling (09:24) The risks and harms creators often miss (11:45) How to know if your story is ethical (14:41) Topics that require extra care (trauma, identity, youth) (17:31) One Minute Mentor: Powerful advice for creators (18:59) “Living consent” and evolving best practices (22:13) Avoiding exploitation in the attention economy (25:01) What accountability looks like when you get it wrong (29:33) Why ethical storytelling makes better content (32:11) Final takeaways for creators

    33分
  5. 4月21日

    Can I Create Great Content Without Harming the Planet?

    Are your video shoots quietly increasing your carbon footprint? Can you create great content without excess waste or cost? What are the simplest ways to make your production more sustainable? On this episode of First Frame, hosts Jennifer Park and Cameron Zinger explore how creators can reduce their environmental impact without sacrificing quality or driving up their budget, with the help of Angelica Siegel from Producing for the Planet. Together, they break down what “green production” really means, from cutting fuel use and material waste to making smarter creative choices on and off screen. You’ll also learn why small productions actually have a sustainability advantage, how virtual production and AI factor into the equation, and the best place to start if you want to make your work more green. Plus, you’ll get practical tips about everything from battery-powered gear to reducing food waste, and how to avoid any accusations of greenwashing along the way. (3:01) What is a “green production?” (3:20) Biggest mistakes creators make going sustainable (5:17) The most wasteful production habits (and how to fix them) (7:43) Do smaller and lower-budget productions have an advantage when it comes to sustainability? (9:30) Why low-budget content is more sustainable (11:46) AI & virtual production: is it better for the planet? (16:30) Best advice for creators (this changes everything) (17:40) Where to start with sustainable content creation (18:50) #1 way to reduce your carbon footprint (20:36) How to avoid the perception of “greenwashing”. (21:15) How to show sustainability without changing your story (28:30) Can you create without harming the planet?

    28分
  6. 4月7日

    What’s the Point of Doing a Podcast?

    The Podcasting market might feel oversaturated right now, but creating a podcast can still be a valuable experience for creators. It can do more than amplify your voice — it can strengthen your skills, expand your network, and create a lasting community. But knowing how to launch, sustain, and grow a show isn’t always obvious, especially for first-timers.  On this episode of First Frame, hosts Jennifer Park and Cameron Zinger sit down with Kristina Lao and Raquelle Roodenberg, the co-founders and co-hosts of the Bombshell Brunches podcast. They discuss how their project evolved from a small monthly brunch meetup into a multi-season show with over 150 interviews, and discuss the challenges they faced along the way, from tech fears and perfectionism to balancing multiple commitments. They also share practical advice on building community, collaborating effectively, creating sustainable workflows, and how your podcast can open doors by attracting new clients, collaborators, and opportunities. Timestamps (01:16) Why a podcast can become your “living portfolio” (02:04) Meet the creators behind Bombshell Brunches (03:30) How a simple brunch meetup turned into a podcast community (05:53) The biggest learning curves when starting a podcast (08:39) Why finding the right podcast partner matters (09:55) How do you commit to a podcast long-term? (13:23) The batching strategy that makes podcasting sustainable (14:45) How podcasters actually make their shows financially sustainable (18:33) Podcast gear & tools creators swear by (21:17) What skills do you actually gain from podcasting? (23:08) How podcasting builds real community and networks (25:00) Can a podcast lead to clients, collaborations, and opportunities? (28:12) What’s the real point of starting a podcast today?

    32分
  7. 3月24日

    Do I Really Need a Mentor and How do I Work With One?

    Finding the right mentor can be a game-changer for creators, but knowing how to seek guidance, give feedback, and grow from the experience isn’t always obvious. Mentorship isn’t just for beginners — it can benefit creators at any stage, helping you navigate projects, build skills, and expand your creative community. On this episode of First Frame, hosts Jennifer Park and Cameron Zinger explore the art and impact of mentorship with Mariah Braun, the CEO and founder of M3M Marketing, and one of her former mentees; Darryl Haugen, an emerging filmmaker based in Morinville, Alberta. Together they discuss the differences between formal and informal mentorship, how to approach potential mentors, and strategies for giving and receiving constructive feedback. You’ll also get insights on building lasting creative relationships, knowing which advice to follow, and how mentorship can accelerate growth and opportunity. Whether you’re looking for guidance or hoping to guide others, this episode offers practical, real-world advice every creator can use. Timestamps: (01:11) What mentorship really looks like (and why it’s not one-size-fits-all) (02:45) What mentorship means — from both sides (05:00) How to find a mentor (and why cold outreach works) (07:36) How to know if a mentor is the right fit (10:00) Common mentorship pitfalls and how to avoid them (12:55) When mentor advice doesn’t feel right (14:24) One Minute Mentor: best career advice (15:58) Formal vs informal mentorship explained (17:26) How mentors benefit from the relationship too (20:00) Trust, honesty, and giving constructive feedback (21:50) What makes a great mentor (real example) (24:17) Do you really need a mentor? (25:08) Resources for finding mentors and community

    31分

番組について

First Frame celebrates the journey of Canadian and Indigenous Content Creators. Whether you’re just starting out or looking for fresh perspectives, co-hosts Cameron Zinger and Jennifer Park bring you inspiring stories, actionable tips, and candid conversations with both emerging creators and established creative leaders, to help you on your own content creation journey. From securing funding to navigating burnout, First Frame tackles the real challenges creators face, offering a roadmap to success that’s as unique as their creative visions. Whether you’re scripting your first short film or getting ready to go viral on YouTube, this show is for you.