Pursue your dreams with me as your Creative Careers Consultant

I've posted this ad on Craigslist and Kijiji. I've got satisfied customers. Now it's time for you, dear Blog reader, to reap the benefits of my experience, too:

Been dreaming of trying out a Creative Career but don't know where to start? You're in luck, because Josh Rachlis (Actor, Writer, Director, Comedian, Copywriter, Radio Host,  Movie Reviewer, Cartoonist, Songwriter and more)  is now working as a Creative Careers Consultant.

When I started out as an actor, I thought a casting agent and a talent agent were the same thing. When I was thinking about getting into advertising, I thought that a Senior Copywriter was higher up than Creative Director. (FYI, I was wrong on both counts.) But through my own research and perseverance, I’ve found success, publicity and awards in a unique variety of creative fields. And now literally every day I get asked how to get into voice work. Or screenwriting. Or copywriting. And more. Consulting gives me a chance to answer your questions. I'll meet you for tea (which I call a Creativi-Tea). If you’d prefer, we could also do it by phone, email or Internet messenger. Through discussion with you I’ll find out what creative career would make you happy and whether you're right for the job. Then I’ll tell you how to get into that field, what classes to take, whom to contact, and more. It also doesn’t hurt that, as a Copywriter, I actually hire voices for commercials I write. I love to discover great new talent and hopefully at some point I’ll be able to use you in my own spots.

If you already know what you want to pursue, we can delve deeper into how to make that happen. As an example, voice acting is the field most people ask me about. Common questions are:

How do I get into voice work?

Is it too late for me to get into voice acting?

Do I have the talent to be a voice actor?

What kind of voice acting is there?

What is a voice demo?

What should a voice demo sound like?

Do I need a voice demo?

Should I make a voice demo now?

Should I take classes?

What are the good classes to take?

Who are the good talent agents to send my stuff to?

We’ll also go over ways to promote yourself. I’ve been featured in two giant articles in The Toronto Star and the National Post. How did I make that happen? You’ll find out. I’ll talk to you about ways to build a brand for yourself, to create buzz, garner fans, get your work talked about and out there to as many people as possible. After one meeting with me, a girl I know who’s into helping people spiritually has launched a whole multi-media business based on her thoughts and teachings and even has interest now from TV producers. Another girl went from having no idea how to get into voice acting to being repped by Toronto’s top voice talent agency – all in the span of a month.

To show you why I’m qualified to answer your questions, here are just some of my creative achievements:

•Copywriting (15 years writing commercials for the biggest, most prestigious brands in the world)

•On-camera acting (I’m the famous Scottish Mini Man in the Nutri-Grain Minis Commercials)

•Voice work (commercials and animated TV shows in Canada, the US and Europe)

•Screenwriting (winner of the prestigious 2009 Script Showcase in LA)

•Radio Hosting:

-Talk radio host on Canada’s most listened to talk radio station, Toronto’s CFRB Newstalk 1010

-Appearances on CBC Radio’s Go and Definitely Not The Opera

-Regular movie reviews on Toronto’s CINA Radio 1650AM

•TV hosting (4 of my own year-long shows on Rogers Community Cable)

•Illustration (frequent illustrations in The Ottawa Citizen)

•Writing (Humour columns for The Ottawa Citizen and Strategy Magazine)

•Improv (Graduate of Second City Conservatory)

•Stand-up (Yuk's Yuk's, Second City, Laugh Resort)

•Live hosting (Ottawa Ad Awards, Jewish/Arab Comedy Night)

•#91 All-Time Most Viewed Comedian in Canada on YouTube

•Featured in large articles in The Toronto Star and National Post

I spent years trying to figure out how to get into these fields. All you need is an hour with me.

As far as I know, no other Copywriter has starred in his own TV ads. And I don’t know anyone who's got this particular mix of fields on their résumé. So take advantage of this unique storehouse of information and start down the path to the Creative Career you've always dreamed off.

To see my work, watch my videos at http://www.youtube.com/joshrachlis and read my latest news at http://www.joshrachlis.blogspot.com. You can also check out my writing and advertising work at http://www.myspace.com/joshrachlis.

A Creativi-Tea is a tiny price to pay for a valuable investment in your creative future. So email me to set up your Creativi-Tea today at josh.rachlis AT g m a i l . c o m

Radio movie review of She's Out Of My League

Here’s my review of the movie “She's Out Of My League." It aired on 1650AM CINA Radio, Toronto’s South Asian Radio Station, on March 20, 2010. I was excited to see this movie because, from the title, I thought it was going to be a documentary about my life. Because every girl I meet is out of my... Anyway, it wasn't about me. But the main actor, Jay Baruchel, is a geeky guy from Ottawa. So it's kind of about me. Except that Jay has built himself a successful, lucrative career in film and a glamourous, fantastic life in Hollywood. And I'm in Canada, uploading reviews of his movies to my blog. A blog which nobody other than my mother reads. So Jay has succeeded in life and I have failed. Anyway, what I was talking about? Oh, right. The movie review. Listen for future reviews on The Scope Today with Prab, Saturdays 10am-11am on 1650AM in Toronto or at http://www.cinaradio.com. And listen to this one below or at http://vimeo.com/10381791.

Radio movie review of She's Out Of My League from Josh Rachlis on Vimeo.

Radio movie review of The Informant!

Here’s my review of the movie “The Informant!” It aired on 1650AM CINA Radio, Toronto’s South Asian Radio Station, on March 13, 2010. In the spirit of the movie,  which is about a corporate spy in the early 1990's, I called in my review from a pay phone in the street, just like a corporate spy in the early 1990's would have done. This shows how dedicated I am to giving my listeners an authentic experience. It also shows how afraid I am of getting brain cancer from my cell phone. But mostly the dedication thing. Listen for future reviews on The Scope Today with Prab, Saturdays 10am-11am on 1650AM in Toronto or at http://www.cinaradio.com. And listen to this one below or at http://vimeo.com/10380583.

Radio movie review of The Informant! from Josh Rachlis on Vimeo.

Radio movie review of Inglourious Basterds

Here’s my review of the movie “Inglourious Basterds.” It aired on 1650AM CINA Radio, Toronto’s South Asian Radio Station, on March 6, 2010. Did I predict the Best Supporting Actor Oscar won by Christoph Waltz? Did I provide a tribute to my grandfather's brave contribution to World War II? Did I alienate our Nazi listeners? Find out by clicking on the video below or going to http://vimeo.com/10074146. And tune in for future reviews on “The Scope Today with Prab,” Saturdays 10am-11am, at 1650AM in Toronto or at http://cinaradio.com.

Radio movie review of Inglourious Basterds from Josh Rachlis on Vimeo.

My "Mini Man" commercial scripts, for a deaf fan

Recently, a guy requested to be my friend on Facebook. Before accepting, I asked him if I knew him. Our exchange is below. I think it’s a pretty touching story, and he said he’d be cool with me sharing it on my blog. Hopefully it inspires us all to keep smiling in the face of adversity.

friend request

Between Bryan Adam Grant and You

Josh Rachlis 01 February at 09:44

hi, do i know you?

Bryan Adam Grant 01 February at 09:47

Not really. Are you the same Josh Rachlis who's in those Mini-Man commercials?

Josh Rachlis 01 February at 09:52

aye, laddie. that's me!

Bryan Adam Grant 01 February at 09:55

Sweet! :) Can you do me a favour then? I'm deaf you see and I saw those commercials when I still had my hearing but now since I can't hear, I can't remember what's being said. I can remember a bit but not the whole thing. I was wondering if I could get the text for both of them, if it's not too much trouble? I would really appreciate it.

So, for Bryan - obviously a man of bravery and of impeccable taste in comedy - below are the videos, accompanied by the words I wrote and spoke.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ey2kcE3avc

“Mini Man”

MINI MAN: New Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Mini Granola Bites. Chewy granola mixed with delicious flavours… Oh, it’s so true. But I’m not sure why they call them “mini.” Because they’re huge! Here, look at the size of this baby! (Aaah) Pieces of fruit the size of my nephew’s head! Oh, but you can eat a lot or just a little. Who could eat even one of these behemoths! This could feed an army for a year! Oh, hello… Aaaahhh!!

WOMAN: Aaaah!!!!

ANNOUNCER: New Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Mini Granola Bites. They’re mini… If you’re not.

MINI MAN: I’m okay.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAue8sfTNZ4

“Mini Lawyer”

MINI MAN: Ladies and gentlemen. The same Kellogg’s that deceived you with Mini Granola Bites now brings us… this! Oh, the goodness of Nutri-Grain, but mini. Which would be wonderful, aye. If… it… were… TRUE! Does this delicious snack look mini to any of you? “No.” “Why?” Because it’s huge! This is classic size misrepresentation!

ANNOUNCER: Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Mini Cereal Bars. They’re mini… If you’re not.

MINI MAN: I rest my case.

I illustrate the James Ready Beer Newsletter a 3rd time!

I've been called back into illustrating action! This time, a James Ready Beer employee took the computer and printer to Newfoundland and forgot them at his parent's house. So I was asked to hand-write the James Ready Newsletter, and once again took the liberty of adding my own little illustrations, thoughts and comments. Like me, these drawings look a lot better after a James Ready or two. Just sayin'. :-)

Radio movie review of Law Abiding Citizen

Here’s my review of the movie “Law Abiding Citizen.” It aired on 1650AM CINA Radio, Toronto’s South Asian Radio Station, on February 27, 2010. In the interest of full-disclosure, I will admit to having a man-crush on Mr. Gerard Butler. But I want you to know that I in no way let this influence my review. I may be a lovesick puppy, but I'm a professional one. Listen by clicking on the video below or going to http://vimeo.com/9969329. And listen for future reviews on “The Scope Today with Prab,” Saturdays 10am-11am on 1650AM in Toronto or at http://cinaradio.com.

Radio movie review of Law Abiding Citizen from Josh Rachlis on Vimeo.

Radio movie review of Zombieland

Here’s my review of the movie “Zombieland.” It aired on 1650AM CINA Radio, Toronto’s South Asian Radio Station, on February 20, 2010. Don't worry, it's got scary zombies, but it's mostly a comedy. Just like how in the review I talk about my first slow dance with a girl in Grade 6. Scary and funny. Hmm... Now that I think about it, my love life hasn't really changed since then. Listen by clicking on the video below or going to http://vimeo.com/9969143. And listen for future reviews on “The Scope Today with Prab,” Saturdays 10am-11am on 1650AM in Toronto or at http://cinaradio.com.

Radio movie review of Zombieland from Josh Rachlis on Vimeo.