Today we’d like to introduce you to Alan Greenstein.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Origination story AKA How I got here: I wanted to be a part of the entertainment industry since I was young. I would take vacations in Los Angeles just so I could be in the audience of TV shows to learn how they are made. But there was no more forward movement in realizing my passion until …
Social Media, which changed everything! After I joined Twitter in 2009, producers of content started reaching out to me. In the beginning it was just as a funder for credit, but as I learned more about the industry, I began to have a deeper artistic involvement.
I developed long term relationships with producers; and through Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, the former Periscope, and Clubhouse, I have made valuable connections with creatives of all kinds, resulting in additional opportunities, primarily as a producer, executive producer, and associate producer. I am involved with projects all over the world.
The projects I am a part of include web series, films, stage plays, podcasts, and music videos.
Most of my activity is conducted remotely. However, since 2015, I have also participated in person on projects produced in the Washington, DC and Baltimore, MD areas – in pre-production activities, and on-set during principal photography on the crew as production assistant, script supervisor, and other roles; and I has appeared, or will appear, on screen – in background, a scripted speaking role, an improvised speaking role, and a featured role.
I founded my “passion project” Support Our #creatives® in 2016 as an umbrella over all my entertainment-related activities and to blog about my experiences.
In 2021 I began my interview show Support Our #creatives on the Clubhouse App, where the goal is to bring supporters and creatives together to foster a greater chance to have successful projects.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
These are challenges I continue to face: Learning to say NO. There are always people asking me to be on their projects. I must learn how to prioritize to ensure I do not shortchange existing clients with “hot” projects by taking on new ones.
Learning to manage time as I compete with hours devoted to my “9-to5.” Related to the previous one, I must smoothly traverse the project lifecycle with each client, such as scheduling the initial phone call or reading a script in a timely manner.
My organization is me and I am the organization. In other words, it is just me. That limits what I can do, in the services I can provide, albeit artistic or financial. To quote myself: “I do what I can, but I cannot do everything. I believe in being open and honest with potential clients. I will not over-promise and will commit only to what I know I can deliver, both financially and artistically.”
Determining if is to my benefit to turn Support Our #creatives into a business. And deciding if I want to form an LLC or NPO.
Lining up guests for my Clubhouse show. No one is asking to be on the show. I also must contend with the small number of listeners.
Overcoming my fear of public speaking. I am terrified of being recorded, especially video. I am a mess trying to speak extemporaneously – I need a script.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I am the executive producer and founder of the organization Support Our #creatives®. Its mission is to level the playing field for under-represented creators and artists so that they have the same opportunities as everyone else to get their works created, distributed, and seen. My organization finances, provides artistic input, creates and/or manage IMDb pages and social media pages, and participates in all phases of the lifecycle for creatives’ projects.
What I am known for:
Being recognized by my colleagues in a way I could not have predicted when I started out in entertainment – Most of my clients are from under-represented demographics, albeit women or BIPOC or LGBTQ. Clients have told me more than once that I am genuine and sincere in my dealings with people in those demographics and how I conduct myself with clients, in general. That inspired my organization Support Our #creatives mission statement: We level the playing field for under-represented creators and artists so that they have the same opportunities as everyone else to get their works created, distributed, and seen.
What sets me apart?
Once I start working with a client, I stick around. It’s not just financial for me. I will publicize the client’s work on social media. I will provide critical artistic input. I will be there for the entire project lifecycle, attending events such as planning meetings, table reads and auditions. I will be on-set for projects being produced near where I live.
What am I most proud of:
There are three things I am most proud of:
First, see “What I am known for” above.
In addition:
Holding my Support Our #creatives room on the Clubhouse App – Joining Clubhouse has gotten me into the audio space in a way I could never do on other social media platforms. I have made so many connections on the platform.
Being on the board of directors of the non-profit Bella Levy Foundation. Its objective is to fight human trafficking and provide a safe space for its warriors.
Alright, so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Creatives can contact me directly by email at alan@supportourcreatives.com or by going to my website http://supportourcreatives.com and filling out the contact form.
I reach out to creatives myself if I come upon a project that is to my liking.
I rely on past and current clients to mention/introduce me to others that they have worked with, as another way to gain new clients. I will arrange to speak with the potential client.
When working on a client’s project, I expect to get a personal credit as well as a credit for Support Our #creatives. And also, to similarly be mentioned on any publicity for the project such as a press release or event program.
My process is to arrange a call (regular, Zoom, whatever) with the potential client so we can learn more about each other. If the potential client has a current project in progress, I request to review all the information such as scripts, budgets, treatments, bible, pitch deck, etc. Hopefully, we can come to an arrangement.
While I might work with a client only once or occasionally, what I really consider success is establishing a long-term relationship with a client, wherein working with the client on their new project is a given. Two examples are filmmaker Danielle Earle’s PL Entertainment Tiara Williams’ The Reel Network.
I actively seek opportunities to be interviewed on podcasts, print media, etc.
Other collaborations include:
I am on the board of directors of the non-profit Bella Levy Foundation. Its objective is to fight human trafficking and provide a safe space for its warriors.
I am on the board of London Glossy, a UK publication that focuses on news, sports, lifestyle, business, and society, published by Deborah Thomas.
I am on the Story Committee for Wi-Moto Nyoka’s podcast “Black Women Are Scary.”
Contact Info:
- Website: http://supportourcreatives.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/supportourcreatives
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SupportOurHashtagCreatives
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/sptourcreatives
- Other: https://www.imdb.me/alangreenstein
Image Credits
Alan Greenstein
June Daguiso
