Cole Kennedy’s Post

✨Reflecting on the Journey: Leading, Creating, and Growing with the 'Aging Like Fine Wine' Project✨ As I sit back and look at the progress we’ve made on the 'Aging Like Fine Wine' 2025 Calendar Project, I’m filled with immense pride. This journey has been nothing short of transformative, both professionally and personally. Taking on the role of Creative Director and Manager has been an incredible opportunity to stretch myself in ways I never imagined possible. Despite having no formal training or technical background in video editing, graphic design, or social media strategy, I took on these challenges with determination and a deep passion for bringing this project to life. Every edit, every post, every creative decision was driven by the desire to honor the vision of the brilliant artist and project conceptualizer, Heather Doram M.F.A., G.C.M. This experience has taught me that creativity knows no bounds, and that with dedication and a willingness to learn, we can achieve the extraordinary. It has been an honor to lead this team and contribute to a project that celebrates the vibrancy and resilience of our elders. Here’s to stepping out of our comfort zones, embracing growth, and bringing our visions to life. The 'Aging Like Fine Wine' project is a testament to what can be achieved when we believe in ourselves and our ability to learn and create. #in_realyfe 💕 #CreativeJourney #Leadership #GrowthMindset #ProudMoment #Teamwork

Unused creative work is never wasted. Sometimes it sits in a drawer Sometimes it's forgotten But it can help get you To where you need To go with your Larger ideas. I have a story I've worked on for over a decade. I love the concept and I love the voice but I could never get the story to work out. It never had enough stakes or Enough forward action for The readers to get Invested in the Actual story. It had plenty of backstory of the character An interesting world I had created And a specific narrative voice but These things, even when joined Did not create a good story. As I start a new project, I'm finding Elements from that story I loved But would never coalesce Are making their way Into this new project. Does this mean the old project can still work? No. But it means I understand elements of This new project exist in the same world And I can use similar concepts I loved About the old work to inform The new work. No creative project is ever wasted. It may just take you longer to Get where you want to be With plenty of twists And turns along The way. #creativeideas #nothingwasted #storytelling

I struggle with communicating my brand. My marketing coach was talking about how important personal branding is today. He referenced Pixar's 22 rules of storytelling and suggested using them as a guide when writing on social media. I checked them out and found that three of the rules strike me as being the core of communicating a personal brand. I'm going to take these three rules to heart and use them every time I write for my personal brand. I hope these rules will help others, as well. 12. Discount the 1st thing that comes to mind. And the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th – get the obvious out of the way. Surprise yourself. 13. Give your characters opinions. Passive/malleable might seem likable to you as you write, but it’s poison to the audience. 14. Why must you tell THIS story? What’s the belief burning within you that your story feeds off of? That’s the heart of it. #siliconvalleyheadshots #deanbirinyi #personalbrand #pixar #headshots

Every story is comprised of both light and shadow... 💡 Incredible storytelling is as much about what is shown as it is about what is not. As storytellers, we must embrace both light and shadow to truly convey an emotion, elevate a message, or compel people into action. There is no light without darkness...and no darkness without light. It is within the darkness and the shadows that we discover the nuances of meaningful storytelling. What's hiding in the shadows isn't always a monster, an injustice, or a tragedy, either. The majority of shadows we deal with are actually the behind-the-scenes interactions with our clients. The hidden conversations behind the cameras that don't make the final cut are the very things that allow us to really learn what kind of story we need to tell for them - even if they don't know it themselves, initially. So, storytellers... Embrace the shadow, embrace the darkness, embrace the hidden moments and you'll find that the light shines brighter with each story you share. #lumapixel #storytelling #storytellers

Where do birds choose where to alight? Where do good ideas come from? This insightful comic beautifully describes what I experienced myself. There is a process to it too, it isn't really such a mystical thing. I practise : - setting a vague goal first. Know what you want. If there is a target, or a goal, it is easier. In my case, I want to write a book for my kids. - observing and seeing patterns around me - writing down my thoughts on my phone. It could even be simpler, record voice messages to yourself! With a rough goal in mind, an observant mind and an open heart, ideas would flock to you! 🌟🌟🌟 🎥✨ Visual Story Strategist | Crafting powerful narratives through compelling visuals | Simplifying complexity with storytelling expertise 📽️ 💬 If you're looking to explore your own personal branding- let's connect ! 🌟Why Keen🌟 #VisualStorytelling #ContentCreation #DigitalNarratives #StoryStrategy Comic by Grant Snider

Today I launched my first Substack, a place to contain all of my literature and thinking, especially of the last 3-5 years, when a lot of change happened and a lot of you were/ are confused as to how/why I’m no longer called Casper Fitzhue, or why I’ve been moving around so much and posting all sorts of off-brand content. This is the introduction - have a read, see if you connect to any of it, let me know what you think!

Every creative knows the struggle of hitting a wall. I've been there—creative blocks had me in a chokehold! But after years of trial and error, I've found my top 6 ways to break free and get those ideas flowing again. Whether you're an artist, writer, designer, or any kind of creator, these tips might just be the help you need. What hacks have helped you overcome your creative blocks? Share them in the comments.

Ever noticed how some stories fade, while others grow stronger with time? 🤔 The secret? Evolution. 🚀 Mistake Alert: Crafting a single story and leaving it untouched. Stories, like brands, need to evolve. Don't let your narrative gather dust. Revisit, refine, and re-engage. Your story's next chapter could be its best yet.

#15Years: I read a wise LinkedIn post and article the other day talking about valuing the origin story over a mission statement. This put into words what I think I've been trying to do for years. No one wants to read a statement, but everyone craves those human-interest stories that shape a brand into what it is — and what it can be. Those are what I've always craved. They're what I love getting to hear firsthand, then weave into a documentary that attempts to capture the spirit of the brand and everything it can be in a minute, 10 minutes, or 40 minutes like the #documentary we'd just premiered before this picture was taken. Something that connects on an emotional level and human level more than a mission statement ever can (as essential as mission statements are). This was May 16, 2015, a little over half a decade into the life of the business, and right after the premiere of a #documentary we produced called "Busch Gardens: 40 Years of Fun" that took us around the country, from #HiltonHead to SeaWorld San Diego interviewing past park presidents, park leadership, and superfans, and piecing together the story of the brand through the eyes of its people. We'll never forget the memories from this project, or the night of the premiere! The people we met and spent time with were all incredible, and we love keeping in touch with so many of them to this day. #filmmaking #storytelling #brand #bts #behindthescenes #makingof #memorablemoments #productionshoot #creativeagency #content #advertising #marketing #themeparks #experiences

I wish I could bottle creativity and inspiration. I'd fill the pantry with buckets of it. Seriously, they have the worst timing. They never show up when I need them and when they want to play, I'm busy doing other things—critical adulting stuff like laundry and taxes and client work. I know what you're thinking: "Robyn, you're a writer. Doesn't inspiration HELP you with client work?" NO! Coz, the muse that comes, is rarely on topic. It's always about some future things that are due in a month, not 2 days. I've learned to honour the muse by capturing creativity and inspiration when they come. I take a minute to jot down the ideas. Nothing fancy. Nothing elaborate. Just simple notes in a bullet journal or on a post-it. The trick is to capture the moment and store it so you can use it later. And I do. When it's time to sit down and face off against a blank screen, I simply open my bullet journal and dive back into that original space. It's like a time capsule. So tell me, am I the only one who tries to bottle creativity and inspiration, or do you do it, too?