Building the OMG Brand
(photo by Steph Cullen - obviously, it’s a selfie)
Aloha and welcome to our second newsletter! For the last few months, I’ve been doing a lot of internal work on what really is #OMGFemaleFilmmakers, OMG Studios Boise, and OMG Media Outlet. It started in June with Full Swing PR’s Star Maker Summit where we dug into the stories that we want to tell, the legacy we want to leave behind, and precisely how to share those stories (I LOVE Full Swing PR, check them out for your PR needs!).
Earlier this month, I had a great conversation with Mike Hanselman of Peribo Marketing. We did a deep dive into who the OMG brand is, what we stand for, what we value, and what type of brand we strive to become through his B.R.A.V.E. analysis, which I highly recommend for any business owner (reach out to him!).
And two weeks ago, I started my final grad school course, which is a capstone project focused on communication and marketing for any company of my choosing. Guess what company I picked to do my capstone on? You’re looking at it! For this project, I’ll really examine my OMG brand and come up with solutions and a communication strategy to showcase the work we do in our community.
The OMG brand, above all, is inclusive and diverse. The above photo says it all, from left to right, we have Aella our visiting YSEALI professional fellow from the Philippines (you can read more about her program below). Next we have Tessa, our social media manager and executive assistant, Colene who is building her nonprofit, Quest for Freedom, and our intern, Zie, a senior at Sage International School, a public charter school here in Boise. Last Tuesday we sat down to chat about the work we do and the brands we are all building together and individually. And of course, I had to take a photo of it - that’s my big face in the corner.
In Frame & Out of Focus: The Everyday Issues of Women in Media
by: Rafaella (Aella) Potestades, visiting YSEALI professional fellow
Historically and within our indigenous origins, women have consistently been the guardians and bearers of culture. Their creative and critical work, although largely undervalued, vastly contributes to nation building and cultural preservation. Maria Ressa, the founder of an independent Philippine news website named Rappler, was imprisoned and politically threatened by former President Rodrigo Duterte for exposing the truth on the extrajudicial killings happening in the country. This case of harassment is just one of the many issues that women in media face.
Behind and in front of the camera, minority women in the US are still underrepresented. According to the Women’s Media Center (2021), in 2022's top-grossing films, women wore only 24% of the industry's key hats, slipping by 1% from 2021. Stories and news, especially ones telling the lived realities of diverse women, are often told by men–and the ‘male gaze’ may violently portray or objectify them. Policies and norms in media work are heavily controlled by rich business people, which largely affect how work culture and environment, sexual violence, and reproductive health policies are implemented in the workplace.
However, women are resilient. They are still fighting for equality and so should you. We, at OMGFemaleFilmmakers, take the story of inspiring diverse women and indigenous people and help tell them how they want it to be told. Because the way we tell our stories matters! Check us out so we can change the world one video at a time!
The Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative Professional Fellows Program (YSEALI PFP) is a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and is supported in its implementation by American Councils for International Education and the Mansfield Center at the University of Montana. None of these organizations are responsible for the views expressed herein.
Quest for Freedom, a New Nonprofit
by: Colene Brewer, Founder/Director Quest for Freedom
Quest for Freedom is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating awareness and support for people who are bound through forms of abuse, sexual assault, addiction, mental illness, and homelessness into freedom by discovering their greatest treasure: themselves. We believe that everyone has the right to live their life to the fullest and be free from oppression. Our team consists of passionate individuals who are committed to making a difference in the lives of those who have been through difficult times. We provide a safe and supportive environment for people to share their stories and connect with others who have had similar experiences. Our goal is to empower individuals to take control of their lives and find their own path to freedom.
Colene, the Founder and Director of Quest for Freedom, is a survivor of religious, psychological, physical and sexual abuse. Quest for Freedom is birthed from her personal journey, oppression to freedom. Colene was listed #8 on YAHOO’S Top 20 People to Follow in 2020, published in New York Weekly, worked with legislation to strengthen victims rights in Idaho, hosted Me Too; Take Back Your Story Rally on the steps of Boise’s Capitol, hosted trainings, a Keynote Speaker to help train lawyers, officers, victim witness coordinators across the state of Idaho with under 5 years of experience in the field of domestic violence, mentored victims in the court system coming out of domestic abuse relationships, helped create a program the first of its kind in the nation to help abusers, worked with artists such as RuffEndz to help victims in the black community, guest speaker on podcasts such as Heidi’s LemonAid Stand.
Quest for Freedom creates events like Trading Colors, a week long event in October domestic violence awareness month, where individuals, students, businesses trade in their normal work attire for the t-shirts I designed creating community awareness while raising funds for victims and their families. This October we are hosting our first annual Freedom Cry 1027 Concert October 17th, with the theme Don’t Put A Period Where A Comma Belongs. Colene’s son, Caleb, took his life October 17th, 2022 at 10:27 pm, our desire is to not only honor Caleb but be a voice, shout out a Freedom Cry for others who are suffering with similar turmoil and pain.
(Note from Steph, Quest for Freedom board treasurer) This event will take place at The Gem Center for the Arts, October 17, 6:30pm-8:30, with musical guest Joy Moore and musical headliner Red Light Challenge. The Gem Center and these amazing musicians are donating their space, time, and talents for this event and we are incredibly grateful for their kindness.
The Art of Content Creation: Utilizing Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly known as Twitter)
by: Tessa Raen, Raen Social
Content creation has become an essential aspect of reaching a wider audience and building a substantial online presence. With various social media platforms at our disposal, it’s vital to understand the nuances of each platform to effectively engage with our audience. In this blog post, we will explore the key differences in content creation strategies for Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly known as Twitter) to help content creators tailor their approach and maximize their impact on these platforms.
Instagram: Visual Storytelling: Instagram is a visually driven platform that allows content creators to express themselves through images, videos, and captions. To succeed on Instagram, content should be visually appealing, high quality, and well-curated. Aesthetics matter and using consistent filters or themes can help maintain your brand identity.
Creators should focus on creating compelling visual content and using engaging captions. Utilize hashtags to maximize discoverability and engage with your audience through comments and direct messages. Instagram Stories and the recently introduced Reels feature are also powerful tools to showcase your creativity and connect with your followers in a more authentic and casual manner. Remember, on Instagram, beautiful visuals and storytelling take the spotlight.
TikTok: Authenticity and Creativity: TikTok has taken the digital world by storm, offering a platform where short-form videos dominate. Content creators on TikTok thrive by embracing authenticity, creativity, and humor. Users enjoy bite-sized, entertaining content that captivates them within seconds.
To excel on TikTok, focus on creating engaging, attention-grabbing videos that are relevant and relatable. Utilize trending hashtags and challenges to boost your visibility. Experiment with special effects, music, and editing tools to make your content stand out. Interact with your audience through duets, stitches, and comments to foster a sense of community.
TikTok’s algorithm often rewards originality and engagement, so prioritize creating unique and shareable content. Remember, TikTok is the platform to let your personality shine, have fun, and not take yourself too seriously.
X (formerly known as Twitter): Concise and Timely: Formerly known as Twitter, X remains a powerful platform for real-time updates, discussions, and quick information sharing. With the character limit, content creators must master being concise yet impactful.
To effectively utilize X, content creators should focus on relevant, timely information. Sharing news, opinions, and participating in ongoing conversations using trending hashtags can significantly boost visibility and engagement. Leveraging visuals, such as images or GIFs, alongside your tweets can enhance their overall appeal.
Engagement is key on X. Responding promptly to comments, retweeting, and interacting with other creators can help build a loyal and engaged following. Additionally, X is an excellent platform for connecting with influencers, industry professionals, and potential collaborators, so take advantage of networking opportunities.
Understanding the specific dynamics of each platform is crucial to effectively engage with your audience and optimize your content. By tailoring your content creation strategies to Instagram, TikTok, and X, content creators can build a strong online presence and connect with their target audience in unique ways.
It’s time for another Mixer!
RSVP to let us know you’re coming!
Join us for our quarterly Mixed Media Mixer! This time we’re celebrating Halloween with our amazing artist friends. Friday, October 27, 6-10pm at OMG Studios Boise in Garden City. We’ll be joined by artists Reham, Britney, Satoita, and GiGi, performance artists Luma and Creatively, and more! We’ll have a pumpkin carving contest (bring your own already carved pumpkins, no injuries at our studio!) and a costume contest.
Upcoming Events & Classes
October Actor’s Workout
OMG Studios Boise presents: October Actors Workout with Matthew Melton and Brandon Freeman
Are you ready to take your acting talents to the next level? Join us October 7th & 8th at OMG Studios Boise.
This class has limited capacity, so register early!
We are taking an 8 week class and jamming it into two days of learning, knowledge sharing, and fun. Registration fee is $200, for both days and includes lunch.
Saturday will run from 9am to 5pm, Sunday will run from 9am to 3pm.
To register, contact studio@omgmediaoutlet.com
Exploring the Magic of SoulCollage®
Friday, October 20, 2023, 7:00pm-9:00pm
Join SoulCollage® facilitator Nova Calverley-Chase for an evening of reflection, awakening, and discovery. During this workshop, you will:
intuitively create two collaged cards
give voice to your cards through guided journaling
deepen your awareness and understanding of the many aspects that make up you
$20 - RSVP by Venmo @Nova-Calverley-Chase
(be sure to include your email address)
Questions? Call/text 801-574-0777
or email selkie.soul.dreams@gmail.com