Creator/Shift

Join us on this episode of Creator/Shift as we dive into the multifaceted world of writing with our guest, Lauren Matsubara. Lauren explores her journey from literary prose and memoir essays in graduate school to her current passion for writing comedic sketches and fan fiction. She shares insights into how improv classes have shaped her approach to fiction writing, the challenges of balancing a full-time job, personal life, and creative pursuits, and how she maintains her well-being amidst her busy schedule. Whether you're a writer, a creative professional, or just someone looking for inspiration, this episode offers valuable perspectives on managing creativity and life’s demands.Some Questions I ask:What creative medium do you most like writing for? (Stage, screen, scripts, improv, literature, audio dramas)How do you navigate working in multiple disciplines?PROCESS AND DEVELOPMENT: What did you need to learn when you switched from writing prose to writing comedy sketches?What have you learned about writing comedy?Impact of Improv on Everyday Life| Lauren: "I think taking improv classes, at least for me, has helped in all areas of life, because it is such a skill that you have to, you need it everywhere. Everywhere. In every situation, emergency or not, you need to be able to improvise just to go with the flow. I think it makes you more easygoing in general."Feeling the inspiration? Share this slice of creativity with someone who’d appreciate it! 🌟Erika Christie is the host of Creator/Shift and as a Filmmaker/Writer/Producer has worked professionally in many different fields. Erika will be interviewing all types of amazing art-folk and delving into the best ways that artists up skill themselves- meaning, what they do to better themselves and their creative work. We'll also be putting a special focus on transitioning your skills into new artistic mediums and how to best work and collaborate with artists who have very different skill sets from your own. The Creator/Shift Podcast is both Video and Audio. The Audio portion can be found on Apple Podcasts and all major podcast platforms. Live Streamed interviews, workshops, and gear reviews can be found on YouTube and Twitch. To support our growing community, follow us on Patreon at IMAGINE ALLEY https://www.patreon.com/imaginealleyxPatreon will have exclusive interviews, workshops, Q&A sessions, and resources not found anywhere else.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or any major podcast player. Follow Imagine Alley at — >YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ImagineAlleyXTwitch: https://www.twitch.tv/imaginealleydigitalInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/imaginealleyx/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@imaginealleyxFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImagineAlleyDigitalWebsite: https://www.imaginealleydigital.com Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Show Notes

Join us on this episode of Creator/Shift as we dive into the multifaceted world of writing with our guest, Lauren Matsubara. Lauren explores her journey from literary prose and memoir essays in graduate school to her current passion for writing comedic sketches and fan fiction. She shares insights into how improv classes have shaped her approach to fiction writing, the challenges of balancing a full-time job, personal life, and creative pursuits, and how she maintains her well-being amidst her busy schedule. Whether you're a writer, a creative professional, or just someone looking for inspiration, this episode offers valuable perspectives on managing creativity and life’s demands.


Some Questions I ask:

  • What creative medium do you most like writing for? (Stage, screen, scripts, improv, literature, audio dramas)
  • How do you navigate working in multiple disciplines?
  • PROCESS AND DEVELOPMENT: What did you need to learn when you switched from writing prose to writing comedy sketches?
  • What have you learned about writing comedy?

Impact of Improv on Everyday Life| Lauren: "I think taking improv classes, at least for me, has helped in all areas of life, because it is such a skill that you have to, you need it everywhere. Everywhere. In every situation, emergency or not, you need to be able to improvise just to go with the flow. I think it makes you more easygoing in general."

Feeling the inspiration? Share this slice of creativity with someone who’d appreciate it! 🌟


Erika Christie is the host of Creator/Shift and as a Filmmaker/Writer/Producer has worked professionally in many different fields. Erika will be interviewing all types of amazing art-folk and delving into the best ways that artists up skill themselves- meaning, what they do to better themselves and their creative work. We'll also be putting a special focus on transitioning your skills into new artistic mediums and how to best work and collaborate with artists who have very different skill sets from your own.

The Creator/Shift Podcast is both Video and Audio. The Audio portion can be found on Apple Podcasts and all major podcast platforms. Live Streamed interviews, workshops, and gear reviews can be found on YouTube and Twitch.


To support our growing community, follow us on Patreon at IMAGINE ALLEY https://www.patreon.com/imaginealleyx

Patreon will have exclusive interviews, workshops, Q&A sessions, and resources not found anywhere else.


Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or any major podcast player.


Follow Imagine Alley at — >

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ImagineAlleyX

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/imaginealleydigital

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imaginealleyx/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@imaginealleyx

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImagineAlleyDigital

Website: https://www.imaginealleydigital.com

Get bonus content on Patreon

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is Creator/Shift?

What is the magic behind creative collaboration? How does a filmmaker work with a musician? A graphic designer speak to a voice over artist? A photographer collaborate with a writer? Or a choreographer work with an illustrator?
As creatives we have unique production requirements and a specific language for each of our disciplines, but our skills are much more closely connected than what we may realize. 
Our focus here is on learning new tools, skills, and procedures to tell a better story. Learn how to get your ideas across clearly and succinctly, and how to categorize and utilize different types of resources.
Learn to shift from writing screenplays to writing scrips for audio drams or comic books. Use your filmmaking skills to write a novel, storyboard a design project, or transfer into gaming. Propel your musician skills into the film or theater industry, or collaborate with street artists and dancers. A lot of these artistic mediums I have quite a bit of experience in - video photography writing podcasts multicam setups - and some of them I’ll be learning right along with you as we bring in an expert. You may find your one true passion, you will CERTAINLY gain a better understanding of how different art disciplines work together. Up-skill yourself, learn tips and tricks, and find out exactly what you need to know to work with creatives outside of your medium to have the best collaboration possible! 
This is … Creator/Shift.