Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Monica Joy. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Monica, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
For me it was quite early on, and it’s amongst one of my earliest and happiest memories. I was probably about four years old, and watching the show that I, like most children at the time, absolutely worshiped, Spongebob. After what felt like the millionth episode, I for once, stayed still and watched the credits. Somehow in my tiny, impressionable mind, recalled that I made the connection that real human beings had made and designed the world and the characters I loved so much. At the time I was already passionate about storytelling, drawing, and as I looked across the room to my tiny desk littered with fan art and Patrick Star plushies, I wondered if maybe I could grow up and make not only Spongebob, but other series that other children would love, find comfort, freedom, and endless laughter in, just as much as I did. And so, I grew up and have worked to do just that.
Monica, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
It’s always hard to self-describe but I’ve always felt that in my soul, I’m just a storyteller and someone who enjoys dreaming, and crafting worlds, who loves the medium of animation, and utilizes it to create content as a way of giving back, as my contribution to the planet: entertainment, comfort, joy, playfulness, and positive social change. It might sound simple but it’s all I’ve ever wanted to do and I’ve made it my mission. It’s my calling, and I’ve always felt that way.
I got into the industry like many others, with blood, sweat, and the occasional tear. Not particularly what you’d expect for an industry that stays afloat by children’s products! My first foray into the entertainment industry was A LOT of unpaid internships by cold applying and networking. In those internships I was often not allowed to make eye contact, spent many an hour lugging actors’ sweaty laundry uphill to the dry cleaners on the backstreets of London, and balancing trays of coffee through busy, bustling cities. Did those internships teach me anything? Not really. But, they did fuel my fire to work my way up the animation ladder, keep telling stories, learn a lot about how to be kinder to others, and that a positive attitude will get you through most situations that seem unbearable and degrading. After many internships, my first foot in the animation door really arrived after thirteen interviews to get a Production Assistant position at the now sadly closed, Blue Sky Studios. Yes by the way…. It was so competitive to be a PA at that period of time that ten plus interviews was the norm. Regardless, I learned an immense amount from my time at that studio. I met amazing, talented, people, made plenty of friends, and was inspired to continue on my animation journey.
After Blue Sky, I spent years at Nickelodeon and Paramount, working my way up the production and development ladder, learning and performing everything from writing scripts, to pitching content, leading and managing vast teams of artists, creatives, and executives, to balancing budgets, managing and creating schedules, to working with external studios and streamers to close deals. Post Paramount, when I was ready to seek more challenges for my personal and professional growth, I left to helm the beloved preschool juggernaut known as CoComelon. There I built and managed national and global studios, created new series, games, and cut deals with massive networks and toy companies, and really felt that I had found a property that children loved as much as I had been enthralled with Spongebob in my earliest days, and was very proud to do so.
But after a few years and the property being sold, I felt that nagging feeling once again it was time to move on. I always strive to feed my creative spirit and keep that inner child who always reminds me to keep pursuing my goals, happy and sustained. It wasn’t an easy decision but it was the right one, and I joined a wonderful animation studio based in Montreal called the Laughing Dragon, where I now helm, write, showrun and executive produce an incredible online series called The Laughing Dragon. Outside of that series, there I also create, develop, write, and pitch original new properties. In addition to working with the wonderful Laughing Dragon, I also consult on Netflix’s hit series, Go Dog Go! Ensuring that the development and production of the content remains to a high creative standard.
In addition, I have launched my own company, Monica Violet Joy Productions, where I create, write, direct, produce, and pitch original animated, gaming content, and children’s books. My work there is focused on IP that not only is uplifting in itself but uplifts my community, and focuses on hiring underrepresented talent. I’m extremely proud of my not very creatively named label, as Pegasus Tales, a property that I’ve made into two animated shorts with the intention of transforming it into a full animated series, has won and been selected for over twenty animated film festivals to date, and led to me being nominated for a Women of Inspiration Award this year… hopefully a sign that I’m doing something right! Outside of my own fulfilling creative work, I also consult for and pick up independent projects for independent clients and studios, to help them achieve their own creative goals and dreams. In addition, through my company I also offer mentorship and educational courses, to help train, inform, guide, and give back to others who are also passionate about animation or interested in getting into the field. I love that my work allows me to do this, and am so grateful that my career both fulfills my creative ambition and also strives to assist others.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
Legislative protection from AI for anyone and everyone. We all deserve to have our rights, creative careers and legacies kept safe and honored with integrity.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
I personally enjoy reading mountains of books from my local library focused mainly on empathy, self-improvement, and history. Authors like Glennon Doyle, Christie Tate, Lucy Worsely, Ruth Goodman, and Greg Jenner have taught me a tremendous amount about the importance of meeting people where they are, being kind to oneself, that history can inspire us and teach us a tremendous amount, to fight for what you believe in, to raise up others, and laugh as well as create along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.monicavioletjoyproductions.com/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monica-violet-joy-97637a5b/