We recently connected with Ted Pickell and have shared our conversation below.
Ted, so great to have you on the platform and excited to have you share your wisdom with our community today. Communication skills often play a powerful role in our ability to be effective and so we’d love to hear about how you developed your communication skills.
I was very fortunate that from the time I was a child, I was a naturally gifted communicator. Even as my parents would have dinner parties or invite work colleagues over, I was always able to hold conversations at a high aptitude from a very young age. However, being able to foster that skill and utilize it in the workplace has been a lifelong pursuit. Leveraging your skills to generate usefulness within the workforce is a wholely different challenge and one that has not been as easy. I frquently find myself translating between my skills from my performance background to communicate effectively as a business leader. What I have learned is that to really be an effective communicator is not just saying the right things, but also being a truly mindful listener. If you can undertsand nuanced social queues it will lead you in the right direction and give you a competitive edge in your communcations and hopefully all your endeavors!
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
In the early days of the pandemic, a fateful encounter between two creative minds, myself and my colleague Johann Reed, set in motion a remarkable journey that not only weathered the storm of COVID-19 but redefined the very essence of artistic expression. As the world grappled with uncertainty, we found ourselves with a shared vision and a pair of cameras, poised to embark on an extraordinary endeavor.
The spark that ignited our journey was a simple question: “Hey, we both have cameras, can we try shooting two cam?” Little did we know that this seemingly casual remark would lead to the birth of Conduit Studios, a thriving enterprise that has illuminated the path for countless artists over the past four years.
At its core, Conduit Studios is not just a business; it is a testament to the resilience and creativity that can emerge from the most challenging of circumstances. As the pandemic brought live-performance productions to a standstill, we seized the opportunity to craft a new narrative. Our studio became a beacon of hope, pioneering the art of audition videos, particularly for classical musicians, and setting a new industry standard.
In a time when the world was starved for artistic expression, Conduit Studios reshaped how artists presented themselves to the world. Through strategic partnerships with management firms like Stratagem Artists and Magnum Opus, as well as collaborations with esteemed arts organizations such as Santa Fe Opera and San Diego Opera, we breathed life into the music industry through the captivating medium of video.
Our mission extended beyond artistic excellence; it was about revitalizing communities and creating opportunities for talented individuals. Thanks to Conduit Studios, singers found jobs and fresh horizons, breathing new life into their careers.
Currently, our creative journey has brought us to a heartwarming collaboration with CHOC (Community Housing Opportunities Corporation), an organization dedicated to making affordable housing a reality in the Coachella Valley. Through the lens of our cameras, we will showcase the incredible work they do, shedding light on a critical issue facing this remarkable community.
Conduit Studios has not only enriched our artistic souls but has allowed us to engage with key stakeholders and politicians across the state. Together, we are working towards a much-needed change, an oasis of affordable housing in the midst of the Coachella Valley.
As we look to the future, Conduit Studios remains steadfast in its commitment to being Southern California’s premier producer of artistic, narrative, and commercial content. Our doors are open to artists and corporations alike, eager to collaborate and craft compelling stories. Contact us at conduit.studios1@gmail.com or visit conduitstudiosllc.com to embark on a creative journey that knows no bounds.
In the face of adversity, Conduit Studios has become a symbol of artistic resilience, community empowerment, and limitless creativity, proving that even in the darkest of times, the human spirit can shine brilliantly.
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?
I think being able to perpetually learn is a tenant of anyone who has any success in anything. Becoming stagnant is the death knell of creativity and advancement. I also think a sense of perservance and being able to block out the noise of those who do not have your best interest at heart is of peak importance. Lastly, being able to advocate for yourself when no one else will. Sincerely, I mean that no one will look out for you like you will. If you have an idea or venture you want to foster, than make yourself have the skills to achieve it and never let anyone tell you that you can’t do something.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Yes! Conduit Studios would absolutely be seeking additional editors and potential interns in the San Diego/Long Beach regions and would love to encounter some talent to scale our business wholistically from what was previously a travel based studios to one that has become more localized. Please feel free to reach out with interest at conduit.studios1@gmail.com
Contact Info:
- Website: conduitstudiosllc.com
- Instagram: @conduitstudios
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ted-pickell/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@conduitstudios1623
