I met Kurt via Rob Barba – Kurt runs Two Guys Talking, a site focused on interviewing creative people in comics, games, and more. It's a classic project that grew big and fast, and Kurt's had a lot of interesting experiences – so I'm picking his brains!
1) First of all Kurt, tell us about TGT and how it originated.
The Short version:
Two Guys Talking (TGT) started in 2008, as a way to interview creative individuals and collaborators in the Comic, Film, Music and Game Industries. With over hundreds of interviews on iTunes (search TGT Media) and Video interviews (http://tgtmedia.com/videos), the passion for quality interviews focused on the creator has been a consistent strategy employed by TGT.
The 'Story'
"I need your help on a database website I'm putting together for Webcomic websites." my friend said to me one day.
"You know what would be cool, if they could be interviewed." I replied
"I'll be busy with the website, Go for it." he said.
With those words, all those years ago, TGT was born. Sure, it had some stumbling blocks, technology issues and the lack of knowledge in how to interview people, talented people at that about their passion. With a consistent schedule, many hours of trial and error and hardwork, TGT is now a site you can go to for quality interviews with many amazing people.
Hundreds of interviews online in both Audio and Video formats. Tens of thousands of downloads in both mediums. Creative people that I never thought who were possible in interviewing, were virtually sitting across from me in the studio.
While this is still just a one person operation, I have been fortunate enough to work with a great many people from Guest Co-Hosts, to field reporters that go to conventions that TGT isn't able to attend, to Reviewers that have the drive to put together articles about products in these various fields.
2) You've interviewed a lot of creative people – which interviews or interviews was/were the most insightful?
Really all of them have something to offer, depending on what the person is listening / looking for. Let me look at the interview list.
Most insightful…hmm…
- Ryan Sohmer, from Blind Ferret. It was a short interview with Barb Jacobs as a co-host, and it was filled with really insightful content from a business and writing aspect.
- Lar deSouza, Artist from Least I Could Do, Looking For Group, Art Director of The Gutters. 25 years + as an artist. Nicest guy you'll ever want to meet and his Beard.
- Sarah Ellerton, from The Phoenix Requiem, Inverloch, Dreamless, extremely amazing & talented artist that can make digital art look like oil painting.
- David Reddick, from Legend of Bill, Star Trek Comics, Gene's Journal, Garfield. Talent and knowledge of business and art is really up there and great stories
- Gina Biggs (Red String) & Jennie Breeden (The Devil's Panties) Both talented and have been doing the convention circuits for a while. oh the stories!
3) It seems a lot of people are starting online comics, gaming, and other ventures. Do you feel there's more of that these days, are we just noticing it?
Myself, I have been working with computers for a long time, be it as a gamer or in my real life profession.
Maybe because of this I've always seen or been online where I've noticed them.
But, these days there is a surge to get everything and anything onto the internet because it's more accessible to all walks of life. Kids have tablets and iPads, iPhones, iClones, etc. Parents / Grandparents are using the computer more and are interacting more so now than they did ten years ago.
It's the wave of the future, just depends on when as a business you want to join the rest of the future.
4) Have you interviewed anyone that turned their interest, webcomic, etc. into a career? Who was particularly informative?
- Joel Watson from Hijinks Ensue specifically comes to mind. Quit his job to take care of the kids and he made it work. More people seem to be coming and going this route at least once in their life because they have to give it a try. More people like Joel, Lora Innes (The Dreamer), Phil Foglio (Girl Genius), Eldon Cowgur (Astray3).
5) How do people suggest or get interviews with you?
Glad you asked this question.
Anyone in the Comic/Web Industry, TV/Film (Actors/resses, Directors, Producers, indie or studios), Music (Singers, Bands, production studios), Game Publishers can fill out a short survey to schedule an interview: http://tgtmedia.com/scheduleinterview/
6) In closing, after seeing so many creative people, what advice would you give to folks pursuing their dreams?
The most common theme that I hear constantly is this: If you have passion, work ethic, know that you aren't going to make alot of money at all and surround yourself with like-minded creative people, you can accomplish your dreams.
Also, a quick plugs if I could:
First, through these interviews, the comic creators banded together for a common goal, feeding hungry families across North America, a Comic Cookbook was created, 'Webcomics: What's Cooking? Feeding Families: City by City' (http://webcomiccookbook.org/) you get a 100-page full colour custom comic cookbook and all proceeds are donated to the National Food Banks of Feeding America and Food Banks Canada.
Secondly, If you want to be a field reporter for TGT or a Guest Co-Host please feel free to email me: kurt@tgtmedia.com.
Thanks Steve for taking the time to interview me I really appreciate it and what you do on your extremely informative site.
And thanks to you, Kurt!