The Loud Whisper Takeover
Featuring interviews with actors, stunts, dancers, filmmakers, action movie directors, athletes, Krav Maga teachers, acting coaches, thriller cinema experts, and more.
Epic tales of changemakers, authentic personal stories, and top tips about the industry, the podcast is a treasure of knowledge helping storytellers of all kinds on their own journeys, and inspiring people to take action upon their own dreams.
Ever heard your inner voice getting louder and louder, urging you towards a new path? When our inner guidance starts to become so loud, we can no longer ignore it, and we MUST take action... This is often a time when life changes direction drastically. We are literally being called to take that leap of faith, make that phone call, write that script, make that film in other words, time to embrace our wildest dreams, shift gear, and grow exponentially.
Let's dive into the art of listening courageously to our inner compass. Because every one of us is destined to live a grand story and adventure while walking on planet Earth!
Headphones on, notebooks out, and buckle up!
Hosted by Cindy Claes (action actress, filmmaker, public speaker)
The Loud Whisper Takeover
34: The Secret to Getting Your Film on Every Podcast
Cindy Claes, host of The Loud Whisper Takeover podcast, shares insider tips on how creatives can land podcast interviews and maximise these opportunities to promote their projects.
• Creating value for both podcast hosts and listeners rather than focusing solely on self-promotion
• Understanding that podcast hosts invest time, money, and energy into their shows
• Researching the podcast format before reaching out - is it journalistic or conversational?
• Preparing three key points you want to communicate regardless of questions asked
• Considering what uncomfortable questions might arise and having strategies to address them
• Recognizing podcasts as "evergreen" content that represents you long after your current project
• Focusing on sharing transformative stories that will resonate with and impact listeners
• Technical preparation: good lighting, clear audio, appropriate attire for recording
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Welcome to the Loud Whisper Takeover podcast. I am Cindy Klaas. I'm the host of this podcast. I'm an action actress, I'm a filmmaker. I have a background in dance and choreography, as well as in fitness, sports, nutrition and combat sports and screen fighting. I've been running this podcast for more than a year now and I've had quite a few interviews so far. More than a year now and I've had quite a few interviews so far.
Speaker 1:So today I would love to talk about how do you land a podcast interview for your project. Maybe you are an actor, maybe you are a filmmaker, maybe you're a choreographer, an artist, a creative, and you just want to get the word out there about what you're doing, what you're up to. Some people also feel they want to tell their story. So how do you get to be invited on a podcast and also, how do you make the most of it? Now, the things I will talk about today are not only for podcasts. It's also for any sort of platform where you could be in interaction with someone that asks you questions about your work and how to make the most of it, because it's great to be interviewed, it's great to talk about your story, about your project, but how can you make the most of it. First, let me tell you how I started this podcast. It is not only important to understand why I will say what. I will tell you later on how to get on a podcast, but if you want to be taken into account by somebody that is going to take their time to interview you, you must know why they started something. It will give you way more chances to be selected to come on the podcast as a guest.
Speaker 1:So I'll tell you how I started my podcast and why. I had had a little voice that had been growing in my heart and soul for a while that told me, cindy, you must start your podcast and it must be a podcast where it's not just you talking, you're also conversating with other people from the industry, with creatives, with artists, with people that you really are in alignment with. But because I am a woman and a creative that has mastered different disciplines I used to be a choreographer in the world of hip-hop and krump and dancehall. I moved into the world of film and making film and acting. I moved into the world of action movies and, you know, becoming a movement nerd when it comes to fighting skills.
Speaker 1:And because I had all these creative expressions, I wasn't really sure what the podcast had to be about. One of my friends said Cindy, you are somebody that is always moving and adapting. What you will want to talk about today might not be what you want to talk about in three months. Or give yourself space and opportunity to talk about a variety of topics, because that will really reflect your creative world. And I thought, yeah, that's right.
Speaker 1:So there has been one driving force in my life which is following my intuition and also teaching myself to listen to that intuition, because intuition is always knocking at the door but we're not always paying attention and the very few times I have not paid attention I really, really, really just crashed into a wall. So listening to intuition, even if it sounds mad, even if it sounds impulsive, taking the moment to really sit with it and see what I must do in a certain particular moment, or which path I must take or which direction I must take, has always been extremely important. So I called the podcast the Loud Whisper Takeover for a reason. There is a loud whisper that is sort of emerging, talking somewhere in the back of our head and in the beginning we notice it but we might not pay attention. Eventually, this loud whisper becomes stronger and louder, and it becomes so loud that we cannot ignore it any longer. We must take action upon it. It takes over your heart, soul, and you must take action. This intuition, this loud whisper, is telling you to write your next script, to make that phone call that you've always been scared about, to try out something new on your artistic path, to go and take a class in a certain country, whatever, whatever, whatever. And so I thought I think that's an amazing starting point as well to have my guests that come on, because I believe a lot of people have kind of made these incredible life changes in a moment where this loud whisper was so loud they could no longer ignore it. It took over and they finally found some sort of alignment when they took the leap, the leap of faith. So that's why I called it the Loud Whisper Takeover.
Speaker 1:I also started this podcast because I was moving around a lot. I lived in the UK for a while, for over a decade actually. I was born in Belgium, I lived in Spain, I studied in Paris, I did a lot of international and cultural exchanges with the United States, same thing with Jamaica and Venezuela, and because my world was so international. At some point you don't know where home is anymore and you have these pockets of friends that are sort of all over the world, but there is no one place where you have everybody together. And to basically counterface this loneliness, but also to expand my network even more, I started a podcast.
Speaker 1:I don't like small talk. I love when we talk about deep, profound things, and so it was also a way to meet new people, to talk about really things that mattered and to have conversations that you know where everybody in the artistic world could benefit from. When I started, I was also on a path of making more of my own films and I thought, well, I'll interview people that have more knowledge than me, or people that are on a similar path, or people that have taken risks and I can learn from. I did interviews with people that had jobs you very rarely hear about, such as a former sniper, and I interviewed this person because that's the kind of characters I want to play in movies. So interviewing him about his real life experiences informed me so much as an actress and it was exciting. But really the podcast for me was a way of having profound conversations about our creative expressions, having an exchange with other artists and peer artists to see how things are working in different parts of the world, inform in my own work and do some research myself, and also share bits and pieces of what I have done throughout my career and what my journey has been to finally come here.
Speaker 1:This is just to give the context. I had had a loud whisper that was telling me to do a podcast for a long time, and for a long time I didn't take action upon it until I encountered some family problems. These family problems basically made that I had to spend a lot of time at home looking after my mom that was sick at the time and because I was kind of stuck, not being able to travel much or take on much projects that required me to be away from my mom's house, I was like, well, this is a good opportunity to start and then all of a sudden, I did a huge amount of interviews in a very short amount of time, and that's how it started and now the podcast is going and ongoing. In the very beginning I was interviewing people that were in my direct environment. Because I've worked internationally, I knew a lot of people in different countries with really interesting stories, really beautiful human values, and I wanted the world to know more about their work and also because how they achieved their goals and their big dreams. It was inspirational and I thought, you know, let's share it so that other artists that are on their journey can benefit too of putting an ad out there. Just a message in a Facebook group, basically trying to find more guests of my industry and you know, around certain particular topics, all of a sudden I had more than 50, five zero 50 people messaging me to be on the podcast.
Speaker 1:So I very quickly understood that a lot of people want to tell their stories, a lot of people want to be interviewed. However, number one, I don't have the resources to interview that amount of people and to put so much content out there, because the podcast for me right now is a part of a personal quest as much as giving a lot of value to people that are listening. But running a podcast, even though it is a small production, it is time. It requires a lot of time to organize it, to edit it, to post it on social media. It is money as well. Even though you want to do a podcast on a very low budget, you still have to put money down for the softwares that you're using for the editing, for that sort of things some equipment, mics, whatever. So it's resources, time and money. Even though the guests are coming on for free, you as the podcast host, you have some costs associated to it.
Speaker 1:So I very quickly learned that I needed some sort of selection process. I learned about experience and number one, it was to be very, very specific around the topics that interested me, like problems that I was trying to solve. So at some point I wanted to solve the problem of how to manage a bigger crew. You know, as a filmmaker, at some point I wanted to solve how do I play the role of a former sniper? Let me find somebody that had that job to interview them. So as actors, we can all benefit to listening to that interview. And also I wanted to share experiences. For example, I had peer actors on the podcast and we both shared of how we landed comedy jobs in a comedy movie and see what the casting process was like. But our conversations was always an exchange and I really insist on that because some podcasts are journalistic work. You will be interviewed and it's a journalist interviewing you. My podcast is not an interview. It's an exchange between artists, and so whenever you want to land a podcast interview or a podcast chat, you must be informed of the kind of podcast you're going on and you must be informed about the host and why they're doing it. Not every podcast host is there to be a journalist absolutely not. Some people are just there to exchange ideas and point of views, and we want this interaction to make the conversation richer.
Speaker 1:So, outside of these 50 people that contacted me at the very beginning of my podcast, I now also receive requests that say hey, I got got a project, I've got a new short film coming out. When can I come on the podcast? Well, um, why would you? Why would I put money and time in having a conversation with you? Like? That kind of message is not productive, neither for me neither for you. How are we matching here? Some people told me oh, I had a friend of mine that was on your podcast. Great interview. If you want to interview me, I'm up for it. Okay, actually, I have no interest Like, why would I? I have no interest Like, why would I? So you need to be generous when you're contacting people that would put resources, time and money in having you as a guest on a podcast. So obviously, make research on the host, be interested in their work.
Speaker 1:Some people want to be on my podcast and have no idea who I am as an artist, and it's fine, you know. You can also say hey, I listened to the podcast. I'm less aware of what you do as an artist. Where can I find your showreel? Where can I, you know, see an extract of a movie you made? Or is your movie being screened at any festival anytime soon? You can ask those questions, but at least I know we're going to have an exchange and you don't want to come on the podcast because you want all the attention on you and your ego will be nourished and fed. I can really see them coming quite easily now when I receive some DMs. So be very aware of that.
Speaker 1:If you want to land a podcast interview, do your research. Some podcasts say anybody is welcome, just shoot us a message. Cool. Other podcasts be aware that's absolutely not the vibe. Not everybody is welcome. It needs to be around specific topics. Sometimes it's more of an exchange and it's not a journalistic interview where it's all about you, you, you, you, you. Maybe it's about an exchange of point of views, an exchange of experiences. That is what makes it interesting. So when you email people, make sure you either do your research or ask a few questions before you even offer to come on board as a guest. Make sure you have similar values, make sure you have stories that would add to their audience as well. Obviously, doing a podcast, we're not just doing it for the host, we're not just doing it for the guest. We're doing it so that the interaction creates something magic that an audience can listen to. What would they get out of our conversation? What would they learn? How would they enrich their way of looking at life after listening to us having a conversation?
Speaker 1:A lot of people as well want to tell their stories. Well, want to tell their stories. Now I want you to really ask yourself what is it about your story that others should hear about? What is it about your story that would impact others in such a way that they will feel transformed, that they will feel more empowered to take action upon something. Some people want to tell their story because they want to feel validated, and I have seen it many times with artists, because I've been coaching a lot of artists and theater makers and choreographers and theater makers and choreographers. They start to create a piece, a theater piece, a piece of choreography, some slam poetry, and it's inspired by a biographical moment and there is beauty in that and there is power in that and there is A huge amount of potential in that. But we must make sure that we can take enough distance with our own personal stories so that we can really really share it in such a way that people that are listening to it or seeing it on stage or reading about it feel impacted in a very positive way. And there is a way that we can share that story. There is a way we have been able to take distance with it so that we can really see what the true life lessons are about that story. And I think that's the moment when you're ready to share it.
Speaker 1:Sometimes I have people contacting me that want to be on the podcast, but I feel they're not there to inspire others. They're there because they feel they need to tell their story. Okay, but why should you tell it and how are you going to tell it? This will make the interview, the podcast, totally different. Are you able to take enough distance with that story? Have you digested everything that is around that story. Have you processed it all? Are you able to articulate it in such a way and with precision so that we can really really nail down what the life lessons were? Are you able to articulate how you have become a better person coming out of it, whether you went through a traumatic event or whether you went through a huge success?
Speaker 1:So when you want to share your project, your next film, your life story on a podcast, don't do it just because you feel you have a need, a personal need, to get it out. Also, ask yourself why would this podcast host put energy, resources, time and money in getting my story out there or having a conversation with me around it or interviewing me about it. Why would they do that? Because obviously themselves or, and surely their audience must take something out of it. So when you're contacting platforms or podcasters to get your story out, make sure that you went through that thinking process.
Speaker 1:Ask yourself what is it in your project, in your next film, in your life story, where listeners can really relate or recognize themselves in? What is it where they feel there is something about them that you just put down on the table, even though it's your project, your film or your life story. Sometimes it's easier to go through this thinking process when you think about your own life story and then when you make the film that is a total fiction. Sometimes it's more difficult to address these questions. But really think about not just the film, but also how this film or this theater piece or this choreographic piece was created, was made, what the behind the scenes was like. All of it, all of it around, is important, but make sure you go through that thinking process before contacting a podcast host or before just, you know, dropping a message like hey, want to interview me, I'm available. It's not enough. Like people will not take you seriously, disregard you even so, drop the ego and really start thinking about why you went through these experiences. So what is the higher purpose of it all? So that when you come and share it, it's really valuable. It's not about validation, it's about being of value to others.
Speaker 1:Okay, once you get invited as a guest on a podcast, as we spoke about before, there is the how you're going to share your story. Be specific, in your mind at least, about what you want to talk about and what you don't want to talk about, and I'm going to give you the reason why Number one is specifically a podcast episode or any sort of content really that is being created nowadays. A podcast episode is an evergreen sort of content really that is being created nowadays. A podcast episode is an evergreen type of content. What does that mean evergreen? It means that people might find this episode in three months time, in three years time, in 10 years time. You want to make sure that you share something that is evergreen, that will always represent what you are, what you do, your artistic approach. Yes, you might change in 10 years time, but there is something at the core that is about the essence of your work.
Speaker 1:So some people sometimes want to come on this podcast and talk about their particular new film. Yeah, it's great, but this particular new film you know, at some point will have done, you know, a festival season and then you're on to something else. But a podcast episode stays alive or will be online for many, many years, and then it will not represent anything about who you are at the core. So I think sometimes it's about saying, okay, I made the film and I want to obviously do a podcast episode, for example, to promote it and be invited as a guest, but there are a thousand and one other topics you could be talking about. For example, maybe you do a lot of sci-fis and VFX is your area of specialty. Maybe you can come and talk about how you got specialized in VFX and how you got passionate about it and all the challenges you had to overcome to actually become a master of VFX, and blah, blah, blah. Then you inspire people and then, during the podcast, here and there you're talking about your most recent project or your next upcoming project, but make sure that what you're sharing is evergreen content. It will be there to get the word out about your creative expression, about you as an artist for a very, very long time.
Speaker 1:As, once you get invited for an interview or a podcast, yes, the podcast will go in a certain direction or the host will ask you certain questions, but you must prepare a few bullet points that you really want to talk about. Whatever the question that is coming at you, make sure that you can always throw in one of your main topics. There are, for example, three things you really want to talk about that you must not miss. Make sure that you have to have it on a post-it note somewhere, and this could be one of your biggest successes. This could be one of your biggest challenges that you had throughout your career. This could be why you did your first dance class, or with whom, and why it transformed your whole life and the direction it took. Whatever. But you must have those three bullet points in your mind and, whatever questions will be put on the table, you know that coming out of this interview, coming out of this podcast chat, you are going to talk about these three topics because you don't want to leave before having talked about it. This also allows you to prepare the storytelling side of it. You know who were you before a certain event, which is the challenge, the conflict you had to face, how did you overcome the conflict or the challenge, and how you became a transformed person afterwards. Prepare these things in advance, because that will really make the episode more interesting and smoother.
Speaker 1:Another way to prepare a podcast episode or any sort of interview is ask yourself what would be the worst question somebody could ask me, for example, me on my podcast episodes. I always tell my guests if there is anything that they shared during the episode that kind of came out of their mouth because it just came out but then they regret it. I want them to tell me so that I can edit it out. I don't want any of my guests to feel bad after the interview. However, some podcasts don't work like that. They just want to have any answer that come out and make sure that anything that's controversial or has a bit of spicy drama in it they want to keep it because maybe it gets them more views on YouTube or on social media. Other podcasts are being recorded live, so obviously if the live is then posted as evergreen content afterwards, there is no editing Some podcasts.
Speaker 1:You can do retakes, you can reformulate what you wanted to say initially. Make sure that you know all these things, because if at some point they ask you a question you feel uncomfortable with, you must know how to answer it. Or you must know if, yes or no, you must distract the host, take them to another topic, or if you can just be very honest with them and say, hey, can we just do something else Because I don't feel comfortable about this particular topic. So ask yourself what is the worst question that could come at me, at me? And then also, how can I turn it around to talk about something that I feel comfortable with?
Speaker 1:I'm just giving a random example, let's say that you were married and you're going through a divorce. Or let's say that you're single but you don't want the people to know that you are single. Or maybe there is something to do with the privacy of your children. Maybe one of your children got into trouble maybe legal trouble, who knows? Maybe one of your close friends or close collaborators got stuck in some sort of drug drama traffic. Maybe you feel uncomfortable to say how you got the money to make your project happening, for whatever reason, because maybe you have an uncle that sponsored it, but you don't want people to know that it was a family member that sponsored your latest film. Or maybe there is something else you feel just uncomfortable talking about.
Speaker 1:Make sure that if that question comes on the table, you know what to answer. Comes on the table, you know what to answer, how to eventually turn it around, and or if this particular moment will be used by the person interviewing you as a moment of dramatic content that can get a lot of clicks, or if you can just say, hey, can we edit this out. Then, of course, a couple of other top tips is when you're being interviewed, especially on Zoom or online, make sure that you have nice lighting, good sound, that you wear something that works well. So, for example, something with patterns usually doesn't really work very well, so make sure plain colors are usually a better bet. Make sure you don't have earrings that make a lot of noise or jewelry that are just like clinging. That sort of things is very important.
Speaker 1:I hope this inspires a couple of you to just reach out to some podcasters and know how to reach out to podcasters. Basically, be generous. Be generous with what you have to offer. Remember that podcasters are also putting time you have to offer. Remember that podcasters are also putting time, money, energy, resources within the making of these interviews. Make sure that you don't come from a place of I want to tell my story. Make sure that you come from a place of I want to give value to everybody involved, and that will literally land you way more opportunities to have a chat about your work. See you in the next episode of the Loud Whisper Takeover podcast.
