Meet the Periscope Class of 2021! Each week we will be introducing this year’s creative class leading up to the culminating Periscope Pitch + Artist Entrepreneur Showcase on Sept. 8! Meet Bradley Montesi, Cassis Pitman, Hunter Perschbacher, and Mimi McCarley!
Sponsored by Piedmont Natural Gas Foundation and Fifth Third Bank.
Bradley Montesi
Film/Television, VR/360 content development
My name is Bradley Montesi, and I own Unsportsmanlike Content, a full service video production and livestreaming company. We concept and create branded video campaigns for companies small and large, local and national, anything from Instagram story videos to scoping and scaling an entire YouTube channel.
During the pandemic, I’ve had to pivot my business model to offer products and services I never thought I would be making. 2020 challenged me as a business owner as well as a creative. Going through the Periscope program equipped me with lasting tools and creative insight to merge the business acumen and enhance the effectiveness of Unsportsmanlike Content’s creative output, maximizing both sides of what we offer as a company. To be able to learn and converse in an environment with other artists in similar situations allowed me to be honest with what was working and what wasn’t. I didn’t feel alone in the questions I had and the struggles I faced. In addition to that, having local artists and creatives who have been through the same situations and successfully navigated through them has been a tremendous help. Having access to the mentor network, creative professionals sharing their insights and how to work the Nashville creative industry has made me feel more confident as a creator, and has given me an incredible foothold on where to take my business next in Nashville.
Cassis Pitman
Visual Art, wearable ceramics
I am Cassis! The creative behind The Tile Tower.
I’m a 30yr old entrepreneur artist. I collaborate with a local Handmade Tile Factory, taking their 2nds tile that doesn’t meet quality control and making wearable and decorative art. I turn wall tiles into earings and pendents, decorative totems and magnets. Every single piece is unique and chaotic and sharing that is part of what I love about my pieces.
Periscope really helped me focus. I had a general idea of what I wanted to do and how I wanted to structure my art business, but I didn’t have the confidence to pursue that. Since the classes ended I have spent the summer actively vending at markets, changing my displays and pricing and practicing my pitch to passers-by, taking the opportunity to explore what works.
I would say the benefit for any artist looking to build their business is that periscope teaches you how to see your art as a product and how to learn to market something you are passionate about and communication that passion to a focused group of dedicated patrons. Plus the community you become a part of is tight knit and supportive. Making connections with other alumni in and around Nashville is great.
Hunter Perschbacher
Visual Art, wearable ceramics
My name is Hunter Perschbacher and I’m the writer/director of the feature-length fantasy film “DIMMER STAR: Day 7”. My films offer apocalyptic tales for apocalyptic times, using local on- and off-screen talent to bring strange and prescient worlds to life. My experience with Periscope was excellent. I learned about so many topics from diverse and experienced voices from our arts and business communities. The best part was meeting my fellow artists and becoming inspired by their art, passion, and kindness. I would wholeheartedly suggest Periscope to another artist for the networking and spirit-feeding experience of learning from other artists. The information and points of view offered by Periscope and its participants act as bellows to stoke the fire of creativity.
Mimi McCarley
Music, Music Publishing, Business Development
My name is Mimi McCarley and I develop songwriters and partners with publishers to help launch music careers in sync. I am inspired by creatives who have the audacity to believe in themselves.
Periscope helped me to see my business in black and white, which helped me to make better business decisions. Jonathan was available, accessible, and an advocate. The instructors, information, resources, and tools that the program provided are invaluable. I would participate again if I could. I am a Periscope ambassador. If you are a creative or service creatives, I would highly recommend this program.