Creative Full Time

Creative Full Time

A deep dive interview style podcast with Canadian creatives. How they got started and how they're doing the damn thing in Canada. 

  1. Ep. 98 | Danjelani Ellis | Moonlight Schooner & Building a Career in Canadian Theatre

    NOV 19

    Ep. 98 | Danjelani Ellis | Moonlight Schooner & Building a Career in Canadian Theatre

    Send us a text In this episode, Alison sits down with actor Danjelani Ellis to dive into his role in the world premiere of Moonlight Schooner (link to tickets below). Danjelani opens up about the creative freedom of originating a role, the challenges of dialect work, and what it truly takes to bring a new character to life on stage. He shares his journey from auditioning in Jamaica to training at the National Theatre School (NTS), how mentorship shaped his path, and his experience working with Obsidian Theatre Company. Danjelani also discusses his Dora Award nominations, the creation of his personal project Groundwork Redux, and the lessons he’s learned about artistry, identity, and resilience. Whether you're an actor, theatre lover, or emerging creative, this conversation is packed with insight, honesty, and inspiration. https://www.canadianstage.com/show/moonlight-schooner Chapters 00:00 Exploring Moonlight Schooner 02:41 The Pressure of Originating a Character 06:03 The Audition Process and Role Acquisition 08:57 The Rehearsal Journey 11:40 Dialect Challenges and Coaching 14:49 The Impact of National Theatre School 17:31 Accents and Identity 20:36 Takeaways from Theatre School 23:34 Dora Nominations and Recognition 26:43 Shoutouts to Theatre Companies 30:13 The Legacy of Obsidian Theatre Company 34:34 Groundwork Redux: Honoring the Past 40:34 Finding My Path in the Arts 47:22 Moonlight Schooner: Upcoming Production 48:16 Advice to My Younger Self 49:38 The Dangelani Era: A New Chapter

    52 min
  2. Ep. 97: Gina Hara | Building a Kinder Game Industry with Gamerella

    NOV 13

    Ep. 97: Gina Hara | Building a Kinder Game Industry with Gamerella

    Send us a text In this episode of Creative Full Time, host Alison Mullings sits down with Gina Hara, co-director of Gamerella, an initiative that’s been shaping a more inclusive, supportive, and equitable gaming community since 2013. Gina shares her journey into the gaming world and how Gamerella began as a safe space for underrepresented voices in game development. We talk about what goes into organizing these unique game jam events, the mentorship program that helps new creators thrive, and the importance of kindness and empathy in an often competitive industry. If you’ve ever felt like you didn’t fit into traditional spaces in gaming or creative industries, this conversation will remind you that there is room for everyone and that community can be a catalyst for real change. More about Gamerella at www.gamerella.ca  Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Gamerella 03:35 The Structure and Philosophy of Game Jams 06:38 The Evolution of Gamerella 09:49 Gina's Journey into Game Making 12:22 Creating Inclusive Spaces in Gaming 15:36 The Impact of Community and Mentorship 18:34 Lessons Learned and Future Aspirations 25:14 Gamerella: Bridging Communities Online and Offline 26:26 Creating Welcoming Spaces for All 27:54 Inspiring Stories: A Grandmother's Game Jam Journey 29:41 Challenging Toxicity in Gaming Spaces 30:50 Sponsorships and Support for Gamerella 32:13 Innovative Mentorship Programs in Gaming 35:33 Realities of the Gaming Industry 39:22 The Co-Directors of Gamerella 41:17 Advice to Younger Self: Embrace Your Passion 44:36 Building Community and Family in Gaming

    47 min
  3. Ep. 94: HAUI | Identity, Art & Pushing Creative Boundaries in Canadian Theatre

    OCT 24

    Ep. 94: HAUI | Identity, Art & Pushing Creative Boundaries in Canadian Theatre

    Send us a text In this episode of Creative Full Time, Alison Mullings sits down with multidisciplinary artist HAUI to explore the intersection of identity, history, and artistic expression. Through an inspiring and deeply honest conversation, HAUI reflects on his creative evolution across theatre, opera, and visual storytelling. He discusses the challenges of being an artist in Canada, the importance of mentorship and community, and what it means to push creative boundaries while staying grounded in authenticity. HAUI also shares insights into his upcoming aprojects, and the balance between joy, vulnerability, and resilience in artistic work. This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about creativity, representation, and finding purpose in the arts. Chapters 00:00 The Creative Journey Begins 02:57 Navigating Identity and History 06:10 The Evolution of Artistic Expression 08:51 The Role of Education in Creativity 11:51 The Challenges of the Artistic Landscape 14:46 Exploring New Projects and Inspirations 17:47 Pushing Boundaries in Art 20:50 Returning to Acting: A New Perspective 23:49 Upcoming Works and Future Aspirations 30:28 Shifting Narratives and Community Engagement 31:30 Challenges in Creative Production 35:04 The Importance of Mentorship 39:05 Reflections on the Canadian Entertainment Industry 45:35 Future Projects and Personal Growth 49:30 Advice to Younger Self and Life Reflections

    55 min

About

A deep dive interview style podcast with Canadian creatives. How they got started and how they're doing the damn thing in Canada.