Creativity Unraveled

They perform in front of energetic, live audiences. Their videos have been viewed by millions. But when comedians create their art, they do it alone and in a vacuum. Comedian Rajiv Satyal describes his process of taking jokes from their creation to presentation in front of an audience that will instantly pass judgment. Rajiv also discusses his wild career, from his very first performance (to an audience of one: a VERY famous athlete) to opening for comedy legends (like Dave Chapelle, Tim Allen, and Kevin Nealon to name a few) to creating the viral video I Am Indian (which has been viewed over 50 million times) to performing on all seven continents (yes, that includes Antarctica). And naturally, there are more than a few laughs along the way.

A trail-blazer is someone who cuts their own path in life, and that aptly defines the infectiously positive Tia Smith, who says that while growing up only Oprah Winfrey and TV news anchor Maureen Bunyan were the only women of color in broadcasting and production. Tia shares her journey from studying production in college to a career as a producer, director and consultant, making music videos, creating narrative and non-fiction television series and programs, and incorporating faith and family in the projects she chooses to make. She also discusses the tough aspect of working money jobs and what happens when a project conflicts with her beliefs and positive outlook. Tia wants all of us to “put our sprinkle on it!”

Based in Tokyo, Jimmy Cohrssen travels the world taking photos, predominantly of architecture, for leading designers, architects and magazines worldwide. His travel photography has made the cover of Conde Nast Traveler, featured in Vogue, books for Louis Vuitton, and campaigns for Air France, Louis XIII, and Le Meridien. Jimmy talks about taking pictures as a kid, owning a popular record store in Northern Virginia in the 1990s, documenting favelas in Brazil, and what he REALLY thinks of amateurs taking pictures on iPhones.

Evan Marshall / Alex Goldberg

Producer Evan Marshall and Playwright/Screenwriter/Director Alex Goldberg were high school friends, and following decades forging their own creative paths, reunite here to learn about the creative process of artists in different mediums. In this introductory episode, Evan and Alex revisit their careers and how they have pivoted...and pivoted... Evan spent more than a decade as a producer at America’s Most Wanted and then started making documentaries and museum multimedia and installations before landing in the agency world. Alex started as an actor, writer, and sketch and improv comedian in New York before moving to Los Angeles and focusing on playwriting, screenwriting, and directing.

Joe Cortina is a classically trained painter. Also, he designs experiential environments at museums as varied as The Smithsonian, Presidential Libraries, professional sports stadiums and Hall of Fames. Also, he is a five time EMMY winner and directed the 1992 Barcelona Olympic coverage for NBC. And probably most challenging, he was Evan’s boss for seven years. Joe talks about his wide-ranging career and shatters some myths, such as the customer is not always right, and when it’s okay to do business with friends and family.