Rooted is all about the people and the places that make us proud to call our community home.
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Samanta Izquierdo, a local entrepreneur, is embarking on an exciting new venture in the television industry with an innovative music TV show aimed at showcasing local talent.
"She sent me an email about Bell coming to town to chat with people interested in starting their own show or telling stories about the north, especially North Bay," Izquierdo explained.
The idea of starting a podcast had been on Izquierdo's mind for a few years. Together with her music partner, Sebastian, they envisioned a platform to highlight local musicians, their talents, and their stories. However, when Izquierdo received an email about Bell's visit, she saw a new opportunity.
"We had some plans for the future, but then I received this email and thought, okay, this might be the opportunity to start a show instead of a podcast. There's a lot of podcasts out there, and our idea was to do something more mobile, like going into spaces and finding out what people are doing, capturing the heart of their stories," Izquierdo said.
Despite her lack of experience in film and television, Izquierdo was determined to pursue her vision. She attended a ‘Pitch your show’ event at Canadore College, where she had the chance to pitch her idea to producers.
"Honestly, this is my first time doing something on film. I'm an entrepreneur trying to make this work. I went by myself, unlike others who were there with their crews and their portfolios," she recounted. "I pitched my idea in 10 minutes to the producers, explaining that I've been in the music scene here in North Bay for a long time. I've been diving into the underground music scene, and I see there's a need for these musicians to be heard because they're so talented."
Izquierdo's passion for the local music scene is evident. She sees the potential in giving these musicians a platform.
"These musicians don't have a space where they can share their albums, future plans, and stories. I wanted to create a TV show with five episodes to give them that platform,” she says.
With this new show called ‘Sound Trippers’, Izquierdo aims to shine a light on the vibrant yet often overlooked music scene in North Bay, providing local artists with the recognition they deserve.
"In these five episodes, I will showcase each artist and explain the stories behind them – the real stories, which I find very interesting," said Izquierdo.
Drawing inspiration from the MTV 2000s show "Cribs," Izquierdo aims to create an intimate and engaging experience for viewers.
"They went into these celebrities' houses, which was very intimate. They get in and show their life away from the spotlight. They show their interests and hobbies, different collections. So I was like, OK, why don't we do that? We go into their spaces, and from that space, the artists can tell their stories and feel more at ease," she explained.
The journey to bring this vision to life has been a meticulous process. After attending the meeting at Canadore, Izquierdo was asked to provide more detailed information and a pitch deck.
Izquierdo began assembling her pitch deck with the help of newfound collaborators she met through her music performances.
"I met these two guys because of music – I was performing at the Fraser, and they were doing videos and photos. They really liked my music and asked if they could put my photos on Instagram. We exchanged numbers and started talking about this project," she said.
Despite not initially envisioning Bell's involvement, the project gained momentum.
"We didn't have any idea about having Bell involved initially. But then I said, ‘OK, I have these guys, and I might tell them about this project.’ They really liked the idea, so we started building our pitch deck. We sent it to Bell, and they really liked it. It was kind of a long process," Izquierdo explained.
"We started filming in September, so it's been almost two months of nonstop work. I have another full-time job, I have my band, and now this show. I've been very busy, using my weekends to shoot with my crew. We have been able to get some pretty interesting stories.”
Once filming is complete, Izquierdo plans to deliver the final product to Bell for feedback and potential tweaks. She is excited about the journey from concept to completion.
"By spring, it will be done and available for people to watch," she added.
Izquierdo has taken on multiple roles in the production, turning herself into the host and producer of the show.
"It's been a great experience, to be honest. Musicians, apart from being in the entertainment industry, know how to connect. I really enjoyed chatting with other musicians and reflecting on their stories," she shared. "I'm the host and the producer, and my music partner, Sebastian, has been with me since the beginning as the co-producer."
The show aims to provide a deeper look into the lives of musicians, capturing them in their rehearsal spaces, performances, and homes and she hopes the show will make a significant impact on the community and the musicians it features.
"I hope people enjoy it and that it helps musicians feel supported and heard. When you see musicians, you see a community behind them. We’re showcasing not just the musicians, but the whole town, including places like the waterfront and Lee Park," she explained.
The show will be available across Canada and aims to highlight the talent and charm of North Bay.
"It's a nice way to put North Bay on the map. The more people support us, the more opportunities we’ll have to create a second season. The show will be available Bell TV1. We’re working on our social media presence and a website to go along with the show," Izquierdo shared enthusiastically."
Izquierdo shared enthusiastically.
With her dedication and innovative vision, Samanta Izquierdo is set to bring the rich musical culture of North Bay to a wider audience, providing local artists with a platform to share their talents and stories.
If you have a story idea for "Rooted" send Matt an email at [email protected]
