We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Brandon Joyner a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Brandon, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
For me, creativity is like a wellspring of inspiration that I strive to keep flowing. It all starts with a deep love for reading, not just within my preferred genre but across the literary spectrum. Seeing it from all perspectives, no matter your opinion on the subject matter, is a great way to keep an open mind and approach on various topics. Not acknowledging what’s come before doesn’t make sense to me.
I’ve made writing a part of my daily life. Even if it’s sitting in front of a blank page until something gets carved onto that same page, this is my challenge each and every single day. I’ve heard a ton of writers say “Do it daily” and thought that was a load of hooey. Then, doing it every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes? The personal results speak for themselves. I know how I feel pushing that creative boulder up the hill once again after not doing so for a few days, a week… It’s starting from the bottom all over again in most cases.
I find tremendous value in challenging myself with different writing prompts and exercises. Stepping outside my comfort zone and experimenting with new techniques often leads to unexpected and exciting storylines and characters. During the pandemic-who-must-not-be-named, all I (and many other people) had was time. I would write a short film between 5 and 15 pages daily with a genre prompt and three random words. Are they good? That remains to be seen…
Research is another pillar of my creative process. Even in the realm of fiction, delving into relevant topics adds depth and authenticity to my narratives. With Shortwave Kitsch, we have six different overarching narrative shows. Hitting the correct note tonally for each of these is important. But those little intersecting moments of truth are just as important. Did I spend two hours researching different phrases that they used in the mid-nineteenth century for our western “A Hog Killin’ Time?” for a three-line dialog exchange? Sure did. Did I go down a rabbit hole of Nazi mysticism one afternoon for a single joke in our World War II/Alien Thriller/Comedy “Extra Intelligence?” Absolutely. And for me, it’s worth it.
I think probably the most important thing to help foster creativity has been building and being a part of our writer’s group. It’s so important to be in a safe space where you can share with others what you’ve created. Having those who will push you forward to greater success or objectively tell you that you’re barking up the wrong tree is important. Feedback from fellow writers, critique partners, and equally creative friends is priceless. Their input helps me refine my work and see it from fresh perspectives, fostering growth as a writer. My only caveat to that is making sure that I listen and remember they’re trying to be constructive, not destructive.
And, perhaps most importantly, I celebrate every achievement, no matter how small. Recognizing my milestones boosts my motivation and reminds me why I embarked on this creative writing journey in the first place. As a writer, I understand that creativity is an ongoing, ever-evolving journey. I keep experimenting, sharpening my skills, and exploring new horizons to keep my creative juices flowing, ensuring that my passion for writing burns as brightly as ever.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m thrilled to share the story of Shortwave Kitsch and what makes it so special. This has been an amazing journey into the realm of radio drama, and Shortwave Kitsch is the culmination of this passion. SWK is not just a brand; it’s a captivating experience that takes audiences on a nostalgic adventure through the golden-age of radio.
We’re dedicated to reviving the cherished tradition of radio drama, where each episode is a new work of art, brought to life by resident writers, performed by talented actors, and complemented by original music from our pool of gifted local musicians. Pedro Toro and Joanna Norwood create music for us in the moment that you would swear was being composed for weeks and weeks on end.
My coowners create staged productions that are unlike anything else in our day and time. Kristen Granet runs the business as well as edits the scripts. I get to perform with Maddie Casto in between her creating all of the social media. And Brooke Rash creates any and all sound effects that you hear live on stage!
The entire process is meticulously curated by a team of dedicated local professionals, all performed in front of a live and enthusiastic audience.
Shortwave Kitsch is in an exciting phase of growth and evolution. Beyond our live performances, we’re thrilled to announce a new dimension to our journey – the launch of our podcast. This podcast will be a treasure trove of our captivating live shows, allowing our audience to relive the magic of radio drama whenever and wherever they choose.
What’s most exciting and special to us is our shows transport listeners back in time, offering a unique blend of nostalgia and modern entertainment. The fact that we can capture the essence of live performances and share them across various media platforms ensures that our stories reach a local, national or even a global audience, making this journey even more remarkable.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Creativity: Creativity has been the driving force behind Shortwave Kitsch. From crafting compelling narratives to designing unique radio drama experiences, it’s the foundation of our work. Know what you are attempting to do. If it’s something like SWK, know what came before, but don’t be so married to the original idea that you refuse to innovate. Seek inspiration from various sources and don’t be afraid to take risks. Experimentation often leads to the most innovative and memorable creations.
Collaboration: Building Shortwave Kitsch has been a collaborative effort involving writers, actors, musicians, and professionals from various fields. Everyone has a different set of experiences and brings a new perspective which is so important. Effective collaboration is essential in any creative endeavor. Value and cultivate strong working relationships. Listen actively, be open to feedback, and be a reliable team player. Networking and forming partnerships can open doors to new opportunities and enhance the quality of your work. With Shortwave, community is a key part of our core values.
Adaptability and Learning: The world of entertainment and storytelling is ever-evolving, and staying relevant requires adaptability and continuous learning. Embrace change and be willing to acquire new skills and knowledge. Any time in your day that you can take in either bits and pieces that add up to a larger whole or those larger rabbit holes that won’t distract you from the task at hand, take that time to learn. Attend workshops, read widely, and seek mentors and collaborators who can guide and/or accompany you through your journey.
Additionally, when it comes to completing projects, the ability to see things through to the finish line is crucial. Often, the creative journey can be challenging, and projects may not turn out exactly as envisioned. However, my advice is to persevere and maintain your commitment to finishing what you start. No matter how it evolves, it teaches valuable lessons and ultimately contributes to your growth as a creator. The project won’t be what you intended and it will never be as good as you hoped, but you did it! You finished. That’s literally half the battle.
If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?
One of the main challenges we are facing revolves around the ‘iron triangle of service,’ which encompasses the interplay between cost, scope, and quality. In the realm of Shortwave Kitsch, this triangle translates to financial constraints, the extent of our creative scope, and the level of excellence we aim to achieve in our productions.
Managing and balancing these elements can be quite demanding. Running and expanding a creative venture like Shortwave Kitsch requires resources for various aspects, including production, talent, marketing, and equipment. While we are passionate about what we do, ensuring that we stay within budget, maintain the scope of our projects, and deliver top-notch quality can be a complex task.
However, we view these challenges as opportunities for growth and innovation. But if anyone wants to support us, please don’t hesitate. Whether it be through seeing a show, listening to our podcast or simply donating directly, everything we take in goes directly back into the show in which we believe. (This is true of any independent venture that you love!)
By addressing this ‘iron triangle of service,’ we aim to strike a delicate equilibrium that allows us to continue pursuing our creative vision while delivering exceptional value to our audience.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shortwavekitsch.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swkradioshow
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swkradio
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/swkradioshow
- Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@swkradioshow
Image Credits
all taken by Rose Newman
