At the heart of TELUS STORYHIVE’s First Frame podcast is a simple but powerful idea: every creator deserves accessible, relevant and inspiring guidance as they build their craft. Launched in May 2025, First Frame was developed to fill a gap in the Canadian creative landscape—there was no dedicated educational podcast designed specifically to support new and emerging Canadian and Indigenous content creators.
Our vision was to build a podcast that not only celebrates creator journeys but also equips listeners with practical, actionable knowledge they can apply immediately. Co-hosts Cameron Zinger and Jennifer Park guide listeners through candid conversations with emerging creators and established creative leaders. From securing funding and developing story structure, to navigating burnout and building sustainable digital careers, each episode aims to demystify the creative process and offer a roadmap that feels authentic, empowering and attainable. Whether someone is scripting their first short film or preparing to launch a YouTube channel, First Frame serves as a trusted companion along their journey.
Since 2013, TELUS STORYHIVE has supported thousands of creators across BC and Alberta—investing over $66.9 million in local stories and providing a safe, inclusive space for filmmakers and digital creators to grow. First Frame was built to extend that mission: to meet creators where they are, uplift their voices and help them take the very first steps—or bold next steps—towards the careers they dream of.
At TELUS STORYHIVE, we saw a clear gap: there was no dedicated educational podcast designed to support new and emerging Canadian content creators. The First Frame podcast was created to change that. Our vision was to build a fresh, accessible and inspiring podcast that empowers Canadian and Indigenous storytellers to launch and grow the creative careers they’ve always imagined.
To ensure the podcast truly reflected the needs of our community, we began by asking our STORYHIVE community directly. We invited them to share the topics they were most curious about and what guidance they felt would meaningfully support their creative journeys. Their insights became the foundation for our video podcast’s direction.
From there, we partnered with Jar Podcast Solutions to design a strategic 13-episode season focused on the topics that matter most to new and emerging creators across Canada. We also connected and engaged with key organizations across the sector—from the Canada Media Fund, Digital First Canada, Documentary Organization of Canada, the Disability Screen Office and more. Creative industries can sometimes feel gatekept, with vital information accessible to only a few. First Frame removes those barriers, making content creation approachable and attainable for anyone, regardless of socioeconomic background.
This podcast came to life through an extraordinary collaborative effort. . From guest chasers, producers and editors to graphic designers, social media specialists, marketing managers, merchandising and content leads, digital design teams, and the hosts themselves, First Frame was built by a dedicated community.
As first-time podcast hosts, Jennifer Park and Cameron Zinger embraced the challenge with openness and vulnerability, allowing listeners to follow their learning journey in real time. Through conversations with TELUS STORYHIVE Alumni and industry experts, Jennifer and Cameron grew more confident with each episode, and their audience grew with them. Their season finale reflected on the most impactful insights shared by guests and highlighted their favourite takeaways from the experience.
First Frame is more than a podcast—it’s a learning space, a community resource and a launchpad for the next generation of Canadian storytellers.
First Frame is a success because it delivered real value to emerging creators, deepened community engagement, strengthened our brand and established a scalable learning channel that didn’t exist before. Just as importantly, we made learning about the Canadian TV and film industry accessible to anyone, anywhere—with nothing more than an internet connection. By reducing as many barriers as possible, we ensured that creators who don’t live near major urban centres could still learn how to get involved, develop their skills and find community. Our goal was to bring content creation to everyone, and First Frame meaningfully advanced that vision.
We filled a real educational gap for emerging creators.
Our primary goal was to provide accessible, high-quality learning resources for new and emerging creators across Canada. Audience feedback made it clear that we succeeded. Creators shared that the episodes helped them understand industry processes, build confidence and feel less alone in their journey—confirming that we delivered meaningful, community-driven education.
“I just stumbled upon [the First Frame] podcast and sat and watched the first four episodes. They are fantastic!!! I am an emerging producer in Calgary and just completed my 3rd short film. We need a podcast like this in Canada. I am learning so much.” — Viewer
We strengthened trust and connection with the creative community.
By shaping the season around real creator feedback, we demonstrated that community voices guide our decisions. This deepened engagement across our platforms and reinforced trust in our brand as a supportive partner to emerging talent.
