Calling all Williams Lake storytellers! Apply for $12k in funding and support through STORYHIVE’s Video Podcast program
Daniel Soares. Photo credit: Meagan Howard-Gibbon, producer of Phantom Rivers.
Do you have a story to tell? Since 2013, content creators across B.C. and Alberta have been sharing unique stories from small towns and underrepresented voices, through passionate perspectives with support from TELUS STORYHIVE. These stories have sparked conversations, changed narratives and transformed the careers of emerging content creators.
STORYHIVE is currently looking for new and emerging podcasters, as well as STORYHIVE alumni, to apply for their new Video Podcast program. This is your chance to share your unique stories, inspire community conversations through candid discussions and deep dives on topics that you feel inspired about.
“We’re very excited to introduce the new TELUS STORYHIVE Video Podcast program,” says Audrey Kiss, STORYHIVE Interior B.C. Territory Manager.
Your Mic, Your Platform. Apply by January 31, 2024 to be a part of this amazing new program!
Meet Daniel Soares, a B.C. storyteller whose creativity has thrived with support from a past TELUS STORYHIVE program.
Daniel Soares. Photo credit: Meagan Howard-Gibbon, producer of Phantom Rivers.
“I was in complete disbelief when I learned that I got the funding and could only think, ‘Oh my god… I actually gotta make this thing now!’”
Daniel Soares has always been interested in the paranormal but never felt he had enough knowledge to step outside of his comfort zone and explore the topic further, let alone share his passion with other people.
When he learned about the STORYHIVE Voices program, he thought ‘What’s the worst that can happen?’
“I was sure TELUS wouldn’t have any interest in funding someone with zero past experience in content creation, to tell ghost stories no less, but here we are!” Daniel says.
Daniel’s documentary series Phantom Rivers showcases his research in paranormal activity in Northern B.C., and features interviews with individuals who’d experienced these haunted locations first-hand.
“I was eager to explore all aspects of ghost hunting, even turning the lens on the ghost hunters themselves,” Daniel says. “I reached out to interview a sizable, active ghost-hunting group as well as a PhD professor who studies the phenomenon of individuals who dedicate themselves to finding paranormal evidence.”
STORYHIVE helped Daniel find and connect with these community members, and he was “genuinely surprised by how open people were in sharing their personal experiences and stories,” he says.
“The paranormal is such a fascinating topic that it can spark a conversation with anyone,” Daniel says. “It seems everyone has had an unexplainable experience at some point in their lives. These conversations not only enriched my project but also reaffirmed the power of storytelling to connect us all through shared experiences.”
While STORYHIVE’s funding helped him acquire the special gear he needed, Daniel, like many STORYHIVE alumni, feels it’s the support and education he’s received that ultimately had the most value.
Daniel Soares. Photo credit: Meagan Howard-Gibbon, producer of Phantom Rivers.
“The training sessions, along with having a dedicated team member from TELUS, gave me the solid start I needed for this journey. By the end of the project I had learned so many new skills and gained so much experience. STORYHIVE pushed me to my limits and in doing so it transformed me into a far more resilient storyteller,” Daniel says. “I’m incredibly grateful for the chance to have made the connections that I did.”
For prospective new podcasters and content creators interested in STORYHIVE’s Video Podcast program, Daniel suggests they “be prepared to roll up their sleeves and get creative. The challenges will be tough but the learning opportunities will be huge. If they keep an open mind and ask for help when they need it, they’ll find themselves on the path to success.”
He says to “embrace the process with an open heart and don’t shy away from sharing that unique niche story, no matter how unconventional it may feel.”
Tell your own stories through STORYHIVE’s Video Podcast program
Selected applicants will receive $12,000 in production funding, gain access to more than one million viewers on TELUS Optik TV and TELUS STORYHIVE’s YouTube channel, join a community of like-minded creatives in B.C. and Alberta, share resources, and learn and grow with each other. They can also look forward to customized online training sessions.
The Create or Die Podcast, produced by Indy Mandhar. TELUS STORYHIVE.
Making an impact in B.C. and Alberta for the past decade
Over the past decade, TELUS STORYHIVE has distributed more than $59 million in production funding, supporting 1,200+ screen-based projects, with over 117,000 hours of robust training and one-on-one mentorship. STORYHIVE has also supported 270+ communities across B.C. and Alberta. Through innovative programs they provide production funding, training, mentorship and distribution on TELUS Optik TV and online platforms. STORYHIVE remains committed to supporting and empowering the next generation of Canadian content creators and storytellers.
“At STORYHIVE, we’re continuing to expand our program offerings to support all kinds of content creators to tell their local stories,” shares Kiss. “We encourage aspiring video podcasters in B.C. and Alberta, including Williams Lake, to apply to this brand new program. We want to hear from you!”
STORYHIVE’s new Video Podcast program is open to new and emerging podcasters and STORYHIVE alumni. Applications for the Video Podcast program must be submitted online at storyhive.com/apply by Jan. 31, 2024.
Stay connected with STORYHIVE and learn about future funding opportunities on their social media channels Facebook, Instagram, X (formally known as Twitter), TikTok and YouTube.