11 episodes

Featuring honest conversations with professionals from across the creative industry, Rough Draft explores the creative process, tools and resources used by some of the best in the business. From directors, to journalists, to content creators, we shed light onto what it looks like to break into the industry, make mistakes, collaborate with other creatives, and the essential tools that help us along the way. New episodes are released every two weeks on Thursdays. Visit rev.com/podcast for more content and to join our community of listeners.

The Rough Draft Rev

    • Arts
    • 4.8 • 26 Ratings

Featuring honest conversations with professionals from across the creative industry, Rough Draft explores the creative process, tools and resources used by some of the best in the business. From directors, to journalists, to content creators, we shed light onto what it looks like to break into the industry, make mistakes, collaborate with other creatives, and the essential tools that help us along the way. New episodes are released every two weeks on Thursdays. Visit rev.com/podcast for more content and to join our community of listeners.

    Philip Edsel on the Value of the Risky Bet

    Philip Edsel on the Value of the Risky Bet

    Today we’re joined by Philip Edsel, a Creative Director with a background spanning across the e-commerce, advertising, professional sports, and tech industries. Edsel has led global ad campaigns from conception to creation, working with brands like Nike, Reebok, Red Bull, MTV, and Filson.
    In this podcast episode, Philip talks about his journey to becoming a creative director and the importance of taking risks in the creative industry. We also chat about his work with Austin FC and Ladder, and how he uses Seth Goden’s concept of the "Purple Cow'' to stand out and drive success. 
    Guest Bio:
    Philip Edsel is an artist first and foremost, regardless of medium: a writer, a musician, a photographer, and a director. His visual work is inspired by classical art, modern design, and potential energy capturing empowered people in motion, across fashion, fitness, and portraiture.
    As a creative director, Edsel has led global ad campaigns from conception to creation but is also no stranger to the day-to-day implementation of content. His ultimate goal is to make good art and encourage other artists to do the same.
    Social Media
    Edsel’s LinkedInEdsel’s InstagramEdsel.worksedselphoto.com
    Additional Resources
    Paul Graham's essay "How to Do Great Work"Seth Godin's book "Purple Cow"Ladder Fitness App
    Related Reading
    https://www.rev.com/blog/media-and-entertainment/how-to-build-a-big-film-audience-with-a-small-teamhttps://www.rev.com/blog/media-and-entertainment/accessibility-in-filmhttps://www.rev.com/blog/marketing/content-creation-tools https://www.rev.com/blog/subtitles-blog/benefits-of-subtitles-for-trailers
    Rate and Subscribe
    Be sure to subscribe to Rev's YouTube Channel in order to stay up to date with the latest episodes and watch our video production of The Rough Draft.
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    The Rough Draft is produced by Rev, and releases a new episode every two weeks on Thursday. Subscribe now to stay up to date with the newest episodes, and be sure to check out rev.com/podcasts for more content.

    • 34 min
    Elissa Nadworny on Vulnerability and Collaborative Reporting

    Elissa Nadworny on Vulnerability and Collaborative Reporting

    Today we’re joined by Elissa Nadworny, an NPR correspondent, regularly reporting on international conflict, focusing on children and families. She has spent several months in Ukraine covering the war with Russia and most recently in Israel, covering the war with Hamas and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Elissa also guest hosts acclaimed radio shows, All Things Considered and Weekend Edition.
    Today, we discuss how to lean into the vulnerable side of storytelling, navigating desensitization in media, and how technology has impacted her reporting on the ground. Elissa also shares insights on collaborating with unique creative partners and adapting to the fast-paced nature of modern content production. #storytelling #journalism #reporting
    Guest Bio:
    Elissa Nadworny is an NPR correspondent covering reproductive rights and abortion.
    She also regularly reports on international conflict, with a special focus on children and families. She has spent several months in Ukraine covering the war with Russia and in Israel, covering the war with Hamas and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
    She guest hosts NPR radio shows such as All Things Considered, Weekend Edition, and special election coverage.
    In 2023, she tracked down a classroom of kindergarteners from eastern Ukraine, displaced by the war. The project took eight months, spanned multiple countries and continents, and told the story of children and families dealing with the trauma, loss, and fear that conflict brings.
    Her work has won awards including a James Beard Award, an Edward R. Murrow Award for excellence in innovation, and several Gracie Awards.
    She's a Livingston Award finalist for a story about college students getting their degrees from inside a state prison.
    Other stories that have resonated with her include crawling in the sewers below a college campus to test wastewater for the coronavirus, sitting with the elderly living along the front lines in Ukraine's east, and the story of a pregnant woman in Gaza who gave birth amid abysmal and fast deteriorating hospital conditions.
    In 2018, she went on an epic search for the history behind her own high school's classroom skeleton.
    Before joining NPR in 2014, Nadworny worked at Bloomberg News, reporting from the White House.
    Originally from Erie, Pa., Nadworny has a bachelor's degree in documentary film from Skidmore College and a master's degree in journalism from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.
    Social Media
    Elissa Nadworny's InstagramElissa Nadworny's Twitter
    Additional Resources
    Elissa Nadworny's story about kindergartners in KharkivElissa's story about mothers in GazaElissa Nadworny's Brief Stint newsletter on SubstackNPR's Morning EditionAll Things ConsideredWeekend Editiona href="https://en-us.sennheiser.com/microphones" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    • 33 min
    Lucas Harger on the Cinematic Discipline of Editing

    Lucas Harger on the Cinematic Discipline of Editing

    Today we’re joined by Lucas Harger,  an acclaimed film and commercial editor, supervising editor, and partner at Bruton Stroube Outpost. His documentary portfolio includes work on over ten features — two of which recently made their debut at SXSW, with one securing the Audience Choice Award. Lucas’ intentionality is incredibly contagious and apparent from the moment you begin talking with him. 
    Lucas and Colton talk about that intentionality, and how it helps position him as a storyteller and collaborator with directors. We also chat about his documentary editing mindset and philosophy that set him, his team, and his work up for success with each project. 
    Guest Bio
    Lucas is an acclaimed film and commercial editor, supervising editor, and partner at Bruton Stroube Outpost. 
    Interspersed between long-form editing, Lucas cuts broadcast and web commercials for nationally recognized clients such as but not limited to: Nike, Enterprise, Anheuser-Busch, Uber, Amazon, Apple, and Disney+. 
    With a portfolio that includes editing and supervising over ten feature documentaries, Lucas will be starting post-production in 2024 on a multi-hour doc series for HBO. Priding himself on being a key collaborator across diverse project categories, Lucas brings passion and creativity to every venture. Building timelines and teams are his passion.
    Additional Resources
    lucasjharger.combrutonstroube.com/outpostLions of Mesopotamia Film IMDBClemente FilmLucas' InstagramLucas’ LinkedInPost Notes App for Premiere
    Related Reading:
    https://www.rev.com/blog/transcription-blog/how-to-write-your-own-documentary-pitch-deck-to-secure-fundinghttps://www.rev.com/blog/media-and-entertainment/how-to-make-a-movie-trailer-for-documentary-filmshttps://www.rev.com/blog/transcription-blog/how-to-transcribe-a-documentary-interviewhttps://www.rev.com/blog/media-and-entertainment/documentary-interview-questions-how-to-ask-good-questions-for-a-documentary-interview 
    Rate and Subscribe
    Be sure to subscribe to Rev's YouTube Channel in order to stay up to date with the latest episodes and to watch our video production of The Rough Draft.
    Follow Rev and The Rough Draft on Instagram,a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/rev-com/"...

    • 35 min
    Claire McInerny on Navigating the Podcast Production Lanscape

    Claire McInerny on Navigating the Podcast Production Lanscape

    Today on The Rough Draft, we're joined by Claire McInerny, a former journalist turned podcast producer. Her podcasting repertoire includes the award winning Terrible, Thanks for Asking and It’s Going to Be Ok. She’s the co-creator and producer of Refamulating, a new podcast that celebrates all the different ways to make a family. Prior to podcasting, Claire was a higher education reporter for NPR member stations across Indiana and Texas.  Today we discuss navigating career transition and the podcasting landscape, an industry that’s by all accounts still in its infancy, how to create compelling narratives for audio, and the tools and tactics she relies on the most to find inspiration and creativity. 
    Guest Bio
    Claire McInerny is a podcast producer and writer. She’s a former producer on the award winning podcast “Terrible, Thanks for Asking,” and also produces “It’s Going To Be Okay,” a daily meditation on the okay things in the world. 
    Claire is the co-creator and producer of Refamulating, a new podcast that celebrates different ways to make a family. 
    Before podcasting, Claire was a reporter for NPR stations, telling stories about public education and worked for NPR member stations for about 10 years. 
    Claire also produces audio projects for non-profits, companies and other commercial outlets. 
    Additional Resources
    clairemcinerny.comrefamulating.comRefamulating on SpotifyRefamulating on AppleTerrible, Thanks For AskingIt’s Going to Be OkayClaire’s InstagramClaire’s LinkedIn
    Rate & Subscribe
    Be sure to subscribe to Rev's YouTube Channel in order to stay up to date with the latest episodes and to watch our video production of The Rough Draft.
    Follow Rev and The Rough Draft on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X
    The Rough Draft is produced by Rev, and releases a new episode every two weeks on Thursday. Subscribe now to stay up to date with the newest episodes, and be sure to check out rev.com/podcast for more content.

    • 33 min
    Mark Watters on Orchestrating Storytelling Through Music

    Mark Watters on Orchestrating Storytelling Through Music

    Today on The Rough Draft, we're joined by Mark Watters, a six-time Emmy Award-winning composer and conductor renowned for his work in film, television, video games, global tours such as Star Wars in Concert, and major events like the Olympics. Mark's career spans iconic Disney classics and collaborations with artists like John Legend, Mary Jo Blige, and Beyoncé. In addition, Mark serves as the Associate Professor of Contemporary Media & Film Composition and Director of the Beal Institute for Film Music and Contemporary Media at the prestigious Eastman University in New York. Join us today as we discuss his creative process, how to embrace technology while guarding authenticity, and the deeply emotional resonance of music across all content mediums. 
    Guest Bio
    Mark Watters is a six-time Emmy Award winning composer and conductor whose diverse career spans over 400 television episodes, feature films, DVDs, video games, concert works and music for the theater. 
    He holds the distinct honor of having served as music director and featured composer for two Olympics. First, in 1996 for the Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta and again in 2002 for the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics. For the ’96 games, Mark composed the Emmy nominated song, "Faster, Higher, Stronger." Performed by opera legend, Jessye Norman and featuring lyrics by Grammy-nominated lyricist, Lorraine Feather, the song was the triumphant finale to the Opening Ceremonies. He has served as guest conductor for such orchestras as The Los Angeles Philharmonic, The Tokyo Philharmonic, The London Symphony, The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, The Detroit Symphony, The New York City Pops, The Baltimore Symphony and The Atlanta Symphony. In 2002, film score legend John Williams asked Mark to co-conduct the 74th Academy Awards. He has worked with such artists as Beyonce, Sting, Carrie Underwood, John Legend, Mary J. Blige, Trisha Yearwood, Yo Yo Ma and Broadway star, Brian Stokes Mitchell.
    In addition to his composing and conducting career, Mark is an associate professor at the famed Eastman School of Music where he heads the Media Composition curriculum and is the director of the Beal Institute for Film Music and Contemporary Media.
    Additional Resources
    markwatters.comesm.rochester.edu/directory/watters-mark/
    Rate & Subscribe
    Be sure to subscribe to Rev's YouTube Channel in order to stay up to date with the latest episodes and to watch our video production of The Rough Draft.
    Follow Rev and The Rough Draft on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X
    The Rough Draft is produced by Rev, and releases a new episode every two weeks on Thursday. Subscribe now to stay up to date with the newest episodes, and be sure to check out rev.com/podcast for more content.

    • 35 min
    Al Black on Reaching Global Audiences with Accessible Content

    Al Black on Reaching Global Audiences with Accessible Content

    Today on The Rough Draft, we're joined by Al Black, the COO of Voquent, a company that specializes in talent matching services for global content creators and businesses seeking expert localization solutions. With over 25 years of experience in expanding global reach for brands and creators, Al shares valuable insights into the significance of accessibility in content, offering strategies for effective online localization. We delve into the evolving landscape of AI's impact on creative industries, exploring both its opportunities and challenges. Al underscores the importance of adapting to technological advancements while also emphasizing the need to protect artists' rights in this rapidly changing landscape. 
    Further, Voquent has been kind enough to offer Rev customers 10% off their first order of voiceover or dubbing services. Simply mention “Rev” when making an inquiry.
    Guest Bio
    Al Black, co-founder and COO of Voquent, boasts a 25-year career helping creators reach new global audiences through translations, voiceovers, and dubbing.
    Additional Resources
    voquent.comLinkedIn: Al BlackVoquent YouTube: @VoquentX: voquentEuropean Accessibility Act
    Rate & Subscribe
    Be sure to subscribe to Rev's YouTube Channel in order to stay up to date with the latest episodes and to watch our video production of The Rough Draft.
    Follow Rev and The Rough Draft on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X
    The Rough Draft is produced by Rev, and releases a new episode every two weeks on Thursday. Subscribe now to stay up to date with the newest episodes, and be sure to check out rev.com/podcast for more content.

    • 32 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
26 Ratings

26 Ratings

CreativePodcasts ,

Creative How-To

Love the behind the scenes look into so many different creative processes. Can’t wait for more episodes!

Blueocean254 ,

Love this podcast!

This podcast is so entertaining. Listening to all these content creators is so insightful! Plus, it’s extremely well produced!

ContentMarketer1 ,

Such interesting convos

Really loved the episode with Courtney Johnson! Y’all had great tips for content creators looking to grow

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