New mentee alert! Meet Tonia Boies, an Associate Producer and Director at SCADFILM. Day-to-day, Tonia supports the production of SCAD’s videos and events, including film festivals. Tonia is also a choreographer and dancer, and she loves to share her passion for movement with others. She’s looking forward to developing concepts that incorporate dance for brands in order to create more opportunities for performing artists.
We spoke with Tonia about her creative journey and her experience participating in our mentorship program. Read on to meet Tonia. We promise that you'll love her as much as we do!
Tonia, tell us how your creative journey unfolded. How did you get started as a filmmaker?
I took a “Dance in Film” class during my last year of college and fell in love with filmmaking. I applied to graduate school and studied film & TV Production.
What were you studying before you took the class? What made you fall in love with the course, and what were some of the highlights of your grad school experience?
Before I took the “Dance in Film” class, I was studying to obtain my Bachelor of Fine Arts in the Performing Arts. I fell in love with the course because I was able to take one of my favorite things (movement) and find a new way to use it. It was as if film allowed even more freedom and movement. Some of the highlights of my grad school experience center around movement. I was given the opportunity to perform various types of dance: hula, ballet and contemporary. It was the time of my life. There's something about that feeling being backstage right before the curtains open. It's like a mix between wanting to throw up and knowing this is about to be a major highlight of your life.
When you first applied to the Branded Content Mentorship Program, what did you expect to gain from experience? What interested you about learning to develop social suites?
I expected to learn what it meant to create branded content and the dos/don’ts of doing so. Social content isn’t going anywhere, so I wanted to jump in and get involved.
What or who inspired the spec work that you developed for the program? Which lifestyle brands, if any, have influenced your creativity?
My lifestyle inspired my spec work. I know there are moms like me out there: creators balancing motherhood and careers. It’s a challenge but it’s possible and that’s what influenced my creativity.
Can you tell us about an experience you had that influenced the content that you made for this program? What did you want to say or show that other brands have not?
I'm in a very challenging place in my career. I'm trying to find time to balance creating things I like, care about, or am inspired by and the time that I have to spend working a “regular job.” I see my life as art, the good, bad, and the ugly. So when I thought about some of the things that I'm currently facing in my life and how I could use that as inspiration, I centered the challenge of being a single mom vs. a creator vs. everything else I have to be. I wanted to show brands that we -- the multi-hyphenate, busy moms-- are a viable market.
What advice can you lend to parents interested in making content or growing a brand focusing on children?
Find ways to include your children and/or intentionally do an activity with them prior to or right after your creative project. For me, it helps ease that feeling of “mom guilt” when I battle feeling like I’m not giving my child all my attention. With that intentional time set, I not only remind myself of my why, but also kick the thought of not being a good mom right in the teeth.
Here’s a fun one: what television shows or movies have you watched lately?
I just finished Keep Breathing on Netflix. I also watched Minions and Nope. I’m a sucker for the classics too, so I rewatched Love and Basketball now that it’s on Netflix. I plan to check out some more TV this weekend.
Can you tell us about any lessons you’ve learned about yourself after completing the Branded Mentorship Program?
I’ve learned that I can do this and not to count myself out for opportunities. Shifting my focus and doing the work has proven pretty beneficial. That positivity is so important.
Can you name any experiences or moments in the Branded Content Mentorship Program that point to how you came to these conclusions?
When I was initially greenlit, I was thrilled. But then came the actual time to sit down and hash out ideas. With that comes the opportunity for doubt to creep in. I, in particular, faced one of the hardest seasons of my life, losing a family member during pre-production. Focusing was such a challenge. I had a moment with myself where I knew I was feeling sadness but had to decide what to do with it. Was I going to let everything fall by the wayside and slip away from me, or was I going to pick up the pieces and little by little, create with them. I chose to create with them and that shift in mindset gave me the momentum to get started and push through. I'm reminded of the quote that says focus on each step, not the entire staircase. That's literally how I've had to push through the last few months. The momentum of creating and finishing those BCMP videos has inspired me to get back in the game pitching ideas and hoping for the next greenlight.
Last, but not least, we have to ask, how did you learn about Tongal?
I believe it was a Google search many years ago. I knew I wanted to be creative and share my voice with the world.
Interested in joining our Branded Content Mentorship program as a mentor or mentee? Stay tuned for Season 3, launching this year!
