We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Vaishanavi Raul a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Vaishanavi, appreciate you joining us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?
I come from a family of unpublished writers. Each one of my folks is a gifted storyteller and an even better writer and yet, pursuing writing as a career was never an option for them. I grew up believing that in order to do well in life, one must either be an engineer, a teacher, or a doctor. Of the three, the first two roles were already fulfilled by my parents for theirs, leaving me with the third. But I’ve always known that I want to be read. I want to be read, just as much as I want to be seen and interpreted.
Having a regular job used to terrify me when I was younger. However, as I grew older and began interning as a copywriter at an advertising agency, I quickly realized something important: no matter how much I loved what I did, the structure and consistency of a regular job weren’t just necessary for employers but also crucial for me. They helped me stay disciplined, and consistent in my craft.
Artists may not conform to traditional work hours or even a semblance of work-life balance, but our jobs demand a different kind of regularity—showing up every day and giving our best. In that sense, I embrace the idea of a “regular” job as a path to consistency, growth, and fulfillment in what I love.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Hi, I’m Vaishanavi Raul, and I tell stories.
Telling a tale is easy—making it matter is the art. I make stories matter.
I started as a writer, making sense of the world through prose. Then, I went to school for photography and film, drawn to the way a single frame could say what words couldn’t. And before long as if it were inevitable– theater swept me off my feet. It’s chaotic, electric, and all things wonderful, and I knew I had found my second home.
All this to say—I don’t believe stories should live in one place.
That’s why I’m drawn to Transmedia storytelling. It’s the art of letting a vision stretch across film, theatre, photography, and design, building layers, and finding new ways to connect with an audience. It’s messy and exciting, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
In my seven years of work experience, I have been a copywriter, a story producer, a scriptwriter, and, more recently, an online engagement specialist.
I do a whole lot and I do it well.
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
Books are an incredible resource for gaining insights into a new role. I honed my skills as a story producer through *Reality TV* by Troy DeVolld, and right now, I’m diving into the nuances of stage management with Laurie Kincman’s *The Stage Manager’s Toolkit.* Each book has been a game-changer in its own way!
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I had to unlearn the habit of taking charge of everything and learn the art of delegation. As a stage manager, I’m often the go-to person for everything, and initially, it was difficult to entrust tasks to my assistants. One evening during rehearsal, I found myself overwhelmed with a mountain of work. In my rush to get everything done on time, I completed most tasks at an average level—nothing exceptional, just done.
Later, my director, who’s now a good friend, gave me some invaluable advice: trust your team. There’s a reason they’re there. And if they stumble, it’s an opportunity for them to grow, which ultimately benefits everyone. It’s a win-win. That perspective changed the way I approach collaboration and leadership.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://raulvai.framer.website/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raulvaishanavi/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vaishanavi-raul-creativeproducer/
- Other: Behance- https://www.behance.net/gallery/183381211/Backstage
Image Credits
All the images were captured by me, Vaishanavi Raul. You can link my Behance profile or credit my Instagram username @raulvaishanavi