We recently connected with Amber Genuske & Cassandra Klepac Red Riding Hood Productions and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Amber Genuske & Cassandra Klepac , so happy you were able to devote some time to sharing your thoughts and wisdom with our community. So, we’ve always admired how you have seemingly never let nay-sayers or haters keep you down. Can you talk to us about how to persist despite the negative energy that so often is thrown at folks trying to do something special with their lives?
We love the quote, “If they’re not talking about you, you’re not doing something; you’re not doing anything. So if they’re talking about you, you may be doing something right. And when they talk bad about you, you just use it for motivation.” Paul Piere, a basketball player said this, lol go sports! But we really do love this quote and the meaning behind it. No matter what you do, if you’re doing it wholeheartedly and are vocal, visible, and passionate about it, someone somewhere is going to have a bone to pick with you, or at least be a hater. But we’re OK with that because we’re staying in our own lane, staying true to what fuels our passions and business, and we’re also being nice along the way. We believe in what Red Riding Hood Productions is doing and can’t be bothered by the haters or the naysayers! Ultimately, we hope that people are more inspired than intimidated by us because we truly support all of the incredible creators putting their heart and soul into their work and art. We also understand why people are going to hate, like on a human level – haters are going to hate out of insecurity, and their own shortcomings. Just because someone says sh*t about you doesn’t mean it has anything to actually do with you, it actually is more about them.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Red Riding Hood Productions is a full-service video, photo, and content production company. We offer end-to-end services, guiding clients from initial creative concepts to final delivery. Our team is passionate about collaborating closely with our clients every step of the way, ensuring their vision is brought to life. We craft branded videos, photos, and content for various campaigns, including social media, display, TV, and pre-roll. We offer creative development services, digging deep into research to create daring and strategic content that grabs attention. With our expertise in 360-degree campaigns, social-first initiatives, and product, lifestyle, and brand photography, we’re here to help our clients amplify their brand’s message across multiple platforms.
We’re not just another production company; we’re a force that defies the norm and sets new industry standards. Our approach is rooted in collaboration and working hand-in-hand with our clients because we understand that the most remarkable projects are born from a shared vision.
What sets us apart? It’s our incredible team that brings together diverse talents and perspectives. We’re not afraid to challenge conventions, reshape the face of production, and amplify the voices of underrepresented communities. We believe in the power of empathy and emotional intelligence, infusing every project with heart and a genuine connection. Our commitment to compassionate business practices is reflected in our holistic approach to work-life balance and the prioritization of our team’s well-being.
On top of our full production services, we now offer social-focused content packages which is super exciting!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Communication & Interpersonal Relationship Stuff – Knowing how to interact with people, level with them, connect with them, and ultimately make them feel seen and heard is so valuable in our field. There is a viewer experience, collaborator/talent experience, and, of course, the client experience, all wrapped up in the production process so being OK with just opening up, being warm, deeply listening, and being comfortable expressing your expertise is so necessary.
Newness – We’ve talked about this before in this interview (https://canvasrebel.com/meet-
Doing The Work – You’re work will only become better if you are actually doing the work. And we mean “the work” in the physical sense of the phrase – creating, putting it out there, reiterating, learning how to do it better, messing up and making mistakes, picking yourself back up, and creating all over again. Being a creative can be so self-contained – you have an idea and it lives in your head forever. Instead, get that idea out of your head and onto paper, film, or whatever, and learn and grow from it. Otherwise, you’ll keep getting lost in the vision instead of ever executing it.
So, for advice for folks early in their journey: be bold and learn how to talk to people with confidence, listen deeply (like genuinely listen to what people are saying), ask lots & lots of questions, and don’t be afraid to ask questions because people most of the time are kind and want to help, get out and explore new things, let yourself be inspired, and get your ideas out of your head and into some kind of tangible existence!, allow yourself to mess up and learn and grow from it – we promise it’s not the end of the world or your career
How would you describe your ideal client?
Our ideal client is a person, brand, or business that wants to connect and collaborate. They care about how they do what they do just as much as what they do. They’re into trying new things and don’t want to rush the creative process. They live for the thrill of breaking barriers and setting new trends. They understand the constant demands for captivating content and recognize the importance of reaching potential customers through multiple touchpoints, whether it’s Instagram, YouTube, their website, or any streaming network like Hulu. Having a cohesive brand story across all content forms and platforms is a top priority for them too. It’s not just about checking boxes – it’s about crafting a narrative that resonates and captures hearts. They’re coming to us to partner and create something that can really make a difference, stand out, or just be fun! They are a good and nice person at heart, driven by a desire to create positive change and do good things for others. If they happen to be dog people then we’ll be friends as well as clients
Contact Info:
- Website: https://redridinghoodproductions.co/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redridinghoodproductions/