We recently connected with AJ Tesler and have shared our conversation below.
AJ, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We love asking folks what they would do differently if they were starting today – how they would speed up the process, etc. We’d love to hear how you would set everything up if you were to start from step 1 today.
My industry has changed pretty dramatically over the 20 years I’ve been working in it. The advent of self distributed content has probably been the biggest game changer of all. Though I was involved in the digital video revolution from its early days, I regularly performed my role in a service or advisory basis without ever really building my own following.
Each and every time a new platform came into existence, I told myself I was too established to start making content for free for a new upstart platform and each and every time I’ve seen many collaborators of mine gain incredible followings which has led to wonderful opportunities for them.
It’s an incredible lesson learned and if I could do it differently, while I wouldn’t change any of my experiences, I definitely would have focused more on building my own audience.
AJ, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
As a producer I find myself extremely passionate about the one thing I can control and the one thing that I’ve always found makes the best work – making sure the process of creating the project is enjoyable for everyone. I’ve always found the best work comes when the people making it are having the most fun.
I’ve had the opportunity to do work I’m incredibly proud of. My production company, Peak Curiosity, continues to grow. I got to tour with people like Jason Bateman, Will Arnett and Sean Hayes to film their shows for Smartless:On The Road. I produce stand up specials for all kinds of incredibly talented folks like Whitney Cummings, Zainab Johnson (her special is coming soon to Amazon), Dan Mintz and others. I’m excited to be launching ORIGIN STORIES as part of the New York Comedy Festival (https://www.slipperroom.com/
The only way anything ever gets done is that one person is so passionate about something that they don’t give up until it’s finished. I aim to be that for the projects I take on in the tv/film space and I know I am that in the fight against Rett Syndrome.
As a producer I find myself extremely passionate about the one thing I can control and the one thing that I’ve always found makes the best work – making sure the process of creating the project is enjoyable for everyone. I’ve always found the best work comes when the people making it are having the most fun.
I’ve had the opportunity to do work I’m incredibly proud of. My production company, Peak Curiosity, continues to grow. I got to tour with people like Jason Bateman, Will Arnett and Sean Hayes to film their shows for Smartless:On The Road. I produce stand up specials for all kinds of incredibly talented folks like Whitney Cummings, Zainab Johnson (her special is coming soon to Amazon), Dan Mintz and others. I’m excited to be launching ORIGIN STORIES as part of the New York Comedy Festival (https://www.slipperroom.com/
The only way anything ever gets done is that one person is so passionate about something that they don’t give up until it’s finished. I aim to be that for the projects I take on in the tv/film space and I know I am that in the fight against Rett Syndrome.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I am a steady and reliable force who can swim in the murky subjective waters of creativity and simultaneously build an objectively sturdy logistical foundation. I relish in being able to use my creativity to solve logistical problems and I love figuring out the puzzles of creative pursuits.
I think being able to use both side of my brain gives me a leg up that separates me from other people who do what I do. Some people look at a budget and see a box, but I look at a budget and see a puzzle to be solved, and that’s true whether I’m looking at it as a producer or a creative.
It’s a valuable skill that is appreciated by all of my partners. There is no such thing as a “no, we can’t do that,” in my world – only an, “of course, let’s figure out how.”
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My mission is to make incredible things that create conversation and keep people connected in an increasingly disjointed media world. But driving everything I do is a need to reach the most amount of people in the least amount of time to help drive donations for and awareness about Rett Syndrome.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.peakcuriosity.us
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ajtesler/
- Facebook: facebook.com/magnoliashope
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajtesler/
- Twitter: twitter.com/ajtesler
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JozeTheGiraffe/
- Other: magnoliashope.com rsrt.org