Today we’d like to introduce you to Melinda Ebert.
Hi Melinda, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
How did I get started and how did I get to where I am today? Good question! I’ll give you the abbreviated version but know it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. It’s been more like a rollercoaster ride and a lot of hand holding with Jesus.
One Friday afternoon, a dear friend of mine called and told me to meet her at a garage sale early the next morning. It was at a church and she wanted someone to go with her. I went and discovered the pastor was a classmate of mine and ended up staying to help a few hours. The next day, I returned to see what was next. I was invited to attend a regular church service held on Saturday nights. It was incredible! So many young people and lots of positive encouragement. They spoke about a concert coming up repeatedly. I was curious as no one really held concerts in small town Iowa except during special events for the city like the 5th of July or the county fair.
Concert day arrived. My hospitality brain took over thinking these bands have been on the road and are likely hungry for a home cooked meal. I made them some chili to have after the show. That 5quart crockpot of chili somehow fed around 40 people that night! So after a fun show with people on stage screaming (yes, my first exposure to metal) in our faces about Jesus and just having a good time, a food miracle happened! I wasn’t sure what to think about it all at first but after some time to thought and reflection, I decided I wanted to support this type of activity as it was one of the few experiences I’d had where I felt better leaving than I did going in.
Over time, we hosted many more of these shows and included other genres such as pop, pop punk, punk, and more! Every band member became a reason to serve. They each had their own story to share and the conversations regarding situations encountered in the road combined with seeing their hearts with the fans, win my heart for the independent artists and musicians.
Time progressed and the church closed down. This was met with my discovery of music festivals and how they worked along with learning the details that go into planning them. The bands kept asking for help to find places to play and the stages were limited so I started creating my own stages. So many adventures and stories from that part of the journey!!!!
I eventually felt called to move to Nashville, TN to follow my dream of event planning (I had a BA in it after all) combined with live music. When I arrived, I was in awe of the creative culture in the city. People were so open to meeting and sharing/teaching more to the ones (me) who were hungry to learn more! Instead of hearing, “that’s impossible and will never happen,” I started hearing troubleshooting questions such as, “ have you thought about…” or “ how do you plan to…” or “ what about…” I learned so much those first few years and am continuing to learn 15 years later!
I fought through the learning phase and took it all in while networking my tail off. Opportunities came and went through this but were only possible by putting myself out there and being present instead of holding up in my own space. I helped with a lot of events but was paid for nothing. I saw my education and connections as payment enough. I now see that maybe want the best choice but it is what happened.
As I have been in Nashville, I have also tiptoed into film and television. The process has fascinated me since my first opportunity to be an extra on the tv show Nashville and Christy Knows Best along with some film projects looking for extras. I enjoyed being on screen but the planner and organizer in me was more interested in the behind the camera roles and who did what when. I’m very time, I have connected deeper I tot he film and television world to where I am today.
Today, I am an active member of the Springboard Fest Team, specifically, SpringboardSouth found at Springboardfest.com. I am also producer for upcoming tv series Back From The Dead with Santiago Cirilo, Nation Entertainment, and Rick Prince (find us on Facebook!); Associate Producer for animated comedy Tarnation with Rick Prince; Day of Producer for Stage Lights and Stories with Vinny Ribas and the Saylors Brothers; and am Production Manager for Chalk Outlines Film with Behind The Neon and Fading Appalachia with more to come after that!
I am also working with Music Supervisor learning how to do post production for film and tv partnering with Peggy Routledge and others for some new adventures! Always working to learn more skills to get a better picture of how it all works together! I had no idea how many really work together for a finished project but as I learn, I am awed at all of the many positions and specialties there are in entertainment and how many overlap different parts of the industry. Entertainment as a whole is not a huge family of people so it is neat to see who is doing what in which part of the industry and how coming together sparks new thoughts and ideas as well as how they all stem together to create a giant bouquet of opportunities for marketing and creating new productions! Working as an independent filmmaker as well as independent musician or any other aspect of the industry has its challenges but once you learn the vocabulary, the skills transfer if someone is open to see it!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has been a big rollercoaster ride with canceled projects, funding challenges, people not following through or deciding the job is too much for them. It can be overwhelming at times but it is also routine. Once the basics are figured out, the details are the things that make it special.
I have had financial challenges left and right being single and living alone in the city. Nothing new, but I have had to work through them over and over again and sometimes, wondered if it was worth it, and still do sometimes, but whenever I’m about to give up, someone comes along and shows me the light, I get inspired again, and start moving forward despite it all. The Entertainment industry is not for the weak. It is for the resilient and the ones willing to chase the dream do or die…and learning when it is ok to say no. My motto has become, “say yes until you have to say no.” There is no timeline on it. It requires constant reflection and evaluation but it is worth every moment to be in the team right for you.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I started with my own business but due to it not being as profitable as expected, I closed its doors and am now working as a contract employee. It changes on paper but the job is the same. I put my hands to whatever needs to be done.
My main roles tend to be in the entertainment industry even though I have been known to branch out on occasion. I have found I am good at organizing things and people on paper and through logistics planning. As a result my titles tend to be producer of some sort, production manager, executive assistant, stage manager, event producer, head cat herder, cheerleader, encourager, and so on. I’m the one responsible to keep things moving when direction is needed or an emergency needs addressed before it gets out of hand.
I also really enjoy that aspect. It allows me to have creative input while also making sure things are moving smoothly. Oldest child syndrome? Probably. It takes a certain type of person to keep the cats inline and the monkeys on task and I seem to be it.
I have learned a lot from others. The biggest parts I have learned are which parts of the production are moving, which ones are permanent, and which ones can change at a moments notice. I have also learned how to work with people who need help reading and following directions along the way. So many personality types and how they deal with stress, emergencies, and smooth sailing.
I still have a ton to learn but am proud to say I can hold it together when it needs to be held…and I don’t always need duct tape to do it!
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Networking is the key to the entertainment industry! Get to know everyone in the room! Stay humble, stay kind, be on time. And work hard when you are working. You never know who has the next opportunity for you. You don’t know who has the experience you need to learn from.
Give the white haired people the most respect of the room. These folks have paid their dues. They have the best and most inspiring stories to share, and they are at the event so they have no intention of stopping any time soon! These are the people to learn from as mentors. Take what they share and say with an open mind. Absorb it to its utmost. Then. Use that knowledge to create your next project. You can change the details but use their wisdom as a guide to start. Every project is a living breathing organism and it evolves over time. Be open to it and pay attention to the people around you. They have great ideas as well and may even have solutions to your problems!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Springboardfest.com
- Instagram: @melinda.rocks
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19RQjcQiX5/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melindaebert
