NYWIFT Blog

By Camille Felipe

Welcome to NYWIFT, Mirelle Tinker!

Mirelle is a content strategist and narrative designer with a background spanning television, education, and gaming. With over a decade of experience in media production and development across indie agencies and major networks, she prioritizes innovative storytelling in all her creative work.

After beginning her career as an NBCUniversal Page, Mirelle served as Content Coordinator at Common Sense Networks’ streaming service, Sensical, where she led teams in curating over 80 programs and several creator partnerships.

Mirelle told us about her dynamic approach to content strategy, her journey across multiple media platforms, and her exciting upcoming visual novel game project.

 

Welcome to NYWIFT! Please introduce yourself briefly to our readers.

As someone constantly fascinated by new storytelling medium, I’d describe myself as a dynamic content strategist and producer, capable of recognizing the strengths and logistics of creating media across traditional, digital short-form, and gaming platforms.

When I was little, I loved creating immersive, musical comic books to entertain and encourage my younger brothers. I noticed the unique ways an engaging story can inspire confidence and reinforce learning objectives. Since then, I’ve pursued a goal of finding new ways to reach audiences and strategically make the most out of every format.

Whether working for a large company like NBCUniversal on television shows, or smaller organizations like Hats & Ladders on edutainment programs, I love developing meaningful stories and data-driven campaigns that coalesce to bring impactful, polished programs to audiences of all ages.

 

What brings you to NYWIFT?

As a media professional in New York City, I had been aware of NYWIFT’s impressive presence since I moved here a few years ago. After receiving recommendations from friends, specifically [former NYWIFT intern and now member] Guneet K. Singh, I decided it made complete sense for me to join. I’m excited to become more involved with this supportive community!

 

What initially drew you to content production and game development?

I’ve always loved storytelling, creating comic books and producing films in high school. In college, I majored in Television but gathered internships across publishing, film, marketing, business, and journalism, all of which taught me different but connected skills within storytelling. As a result, I’ve had multiple tools at my disposable to create stories and experiment with their effectiveness. These days, as different forms of media now overlap and intertwine, I’m thrilled at the prospect of working at a unique time in content production.

Game development is a field I pursued independently, particularly during the pandemic. Using my background in video editing, script writing, marketing, and visual design, I found visual novel development relatively simple to pick up and wasable to gain a solid following for my first release.

Afterwards, I found that my experience in game design opened new opportunities to me, especially with industry growing in New York. I love finding new ways to connect with audiences and creating interactive experiences is a natural step in broadening my media perspective.

 

Can you share how your experience spans across gaming, digital short-form media, and television?

While at NBCUniversal, I worked on a variety of programs and channel verticals, learning how to navigate traditional linear television across CNBC and Bravo & Oxygen, later joining the social and editorial team at SyFy Wire. I’m incredibly grateful to the page program for allowing me the opportunity to program, analyze, and create content.

After NBC, I joined Sensical, a streaming service by Common Sense Networks aimed at children 2-10. My role was unique in that I led teams to scout not only traditional content, but also digital short-form content, gaming streams, and partnerships with TikTok and YouTube.

I had to communicate content review guidelines, voice acquisition decisions, and consider programming rollouts when evaluating various forms of media. Like piecing together a giant puzzle, I enjoyed seeing how each, unique story could have a place within our catalogue.

Independently, I also lead Hollow Rose Studios as a solo game developer, creating interactive narrative stories such as An Everyday Love. I spent about two-and-a-half years developing this project, covering all aspects including art, marketing, writing, programming, and game design. The experience was as rewarding as it was demanding.

Most recently I was the Instructional Content Producer for Hats & Ladders, an organization that provides a gamified approach to career development and education for youths 14-24. Using my experience in production, partner relationships, and narrative design, I crafted a video production pipeline and interactive experience for their users.

 

 

How do you approach working with both large organizations like NBC and smaller companies like Hats & Ladders and Common Sense Media?

I find that having a strong sense of self in what you can provide to an organization is the most constant asset in any professional experience. When approaching these organizations, I keep in mind what I bring in my skillset as well as the organization’s priorities, culture, and industry focus.

While NBCUniversal, Hats & Ladders, and Common SenseMedia may differ in their size, audience, and goals, by understanding how I could apply my storytelling experience to their ambitions I was able to find my niche in how I belonged. Communicating effectively, taking ownership of one’s responsibilities, and being willing to dive into new experiences is crucial, no matter what company you join (or lead).

 

 

What has been your most exciting project across your varied background in content production?

That’s a difficult question! I’ve found all my past projects fulfilling. Looking back at the past year specifically, I’ve found Hats & Ladders’ interactive narrative games particularly exciting. There were a variety of components I had to manage, from drawing the visual assets, making the narrative engaging and fun for high schoolers, to ensuring responses to prompts aligned with the organization’s larger goals of mapping out individuals’ career preferences. The fact that there were both strategic and creative aspects to the project kept it interesting to iterate and polish.

 

What advice would you give to others looking to build a diverse career across multiple media platforms?

My advice would be to start creating as soon as you can. Learn from online tutorials and free trials and create your own content: whether that’s a game, video, film, or something else entirely.

Done is better than perfect and the more you create the more opportunities you give yourself to learn and improve. Moreover, you’ll start developing a portfolio that shows people your diverse skillset and interests.

These days, no one is consuming one type of media alone, so don’t be afraid to experiment.

Joining organizations and volunteering is also a great way to collaborate with other creatives and learn from their perspectives as well. There are a great amount of people out there with a wide array of skills, talents, and dreams – among them you’ll find role models, mentors, and friends to join you along your journey.

 

 

Are there any upcoming gaming or media projects you’re particularly passionate about?

I’m currently working on my next visual novel game, a historical fiction mystery and retelling of The Little Mermaid titled, Tazenkwet: The Free Mermaid. I’ve scoped out the gaming mechanics, story outline, and cultural references and am now further polishing my skills in Unity to bring the idea to life. It’s more ambitious than my previous game, but I’m excited to push myself and provide a more layered experience for players.

Connect with Mirelle Tinker at mirelletinker.com, on LinkedIn, and check out her games at Hollow Rose Studios.

(All images courtesy of Mirelle Tinker)