Our latest Stick Of The Week! is Leigh Halsema. Leigh is in the NOW as creator and executive producer of The Effect, a thirty minute TV series for tweens. She is also founder and CEO of Shimmer and Shine Productions, a production company that believes content matters. It is their mission to create media that entertains, enlightens and encourages empathy.
Leigh Halsema
Leigh Halsema has been happily married to her husband, Geoff for fifteen years. They have three amazing kids, Ben, Meribelle and Mack and two goofy, sweet dogs, Doofus and Fozzy.
Well-versed in TV & film production as well as associated entertainment industry facets, Leigh Halsema has worked from Los Angeles to Atlanta with companies such as: MTV, Dick Clark Productions and Buena Vista Productions. Steering her career, is Leigh’s true passion to create media for kids that respects, enlightens and enables them towards compassion. Shimmer & Shine Productions was founded by Leigh in 2010 to carry out that mission.
Well-versed in TV & film production as well as associated entertainment industry facets, Leigh Halsema has worked from Los Angeles to Atlanta with companies such as: MTV, Dick Clark Productions and Buena Vista Productions. Steering her career, is Leigh’s true passion to create media for kids that respects, enlightens and enables them towards compassion. Shimmer & Shine Productions was founded by Leigh in 2010 to carry out that mission.
Through her work on The Effect, Leigh Halsema has taken it one step further as founder of KBDB Inc., a non-profit that gives families an easy way to volunteer together through organized and scheduled volunteering activities. KBDB Inc. gives kids and families a chance to put into action what may inspire them in The Effect.
"People of all ages, especially youth, will respond with innate compassion to others needs. Community activism will help us know and understand the challenges that others face. Through volunteering and teamwork, communities will stand shoulder to shoulder to ensure these challenges are not passed to the next generation."
-Leigh Halsema
-Leigh Halsema
Tell us about your NOW (Noodle On the Wall)
The Effect – A thirty minute TV series for tweens. The Effect‘s hybrid format combines a scripted mysterious story line with documentary style interactions. The usage of real people gets kids out of their usual environment and into their communities to explore community and world issues. The Effect gives kids the opportunity to understand others and discover ways to have a positive impact. The show’s fictional framework keeps the viewer engaged while giving the unscripted heart of The Effect, an edgy and awesomely cool foundation.
The Effect – A thirty minute TV series for tweens. The Effect‘s hybrid format combines a scripted mysterious story line with documentary style interactions. The usage of real people gets kids out of their usual environment and into their communities to explore community and world issues. The Effect gives kids the opportunity to understand others and discover ways to have a positive impact. The show’s fictional framework keeps the viewer engaged while giving the unscripted heart of The Effect, an edgy and awesomely cool foundation.
Scenes from The Effect
The Effect just recently recieved an Honorable Mention for Tween Series News and Information at the Cynopsis !magination Kids Awards! Very exciting!
Is your NOW simmering, al dente Or fully cooked and why?
My NOW is al dente. I am so proud of how far we have come on such a tight budget, but we need more water ($$$) to get the noodles boiling enough so we can finish the pasta (create a full season of shows)!
What recipes can you give other Creative Moms Taking On The Creative?
Make sure it is something you are totally committed to, wakes you up at 3 am, makes you miss your exit on the hwy because you are lost in thought about it and then GO FOR IT. Be honest in your intention and follow your gut. And most importantly for me, prayer and quiet time to stay connected to the gift I have been given.
My NOW is al dente. I am so proud of how far we have come on such a tight budget, but we need more water ($$$) to get the noodles boiling enough so we can finish the pasta (create a full season of shows)!
What recipes can you give other Creative Moms Taking On The Creative?
Make sure it is something you are totally committed to, wakes you up at 3 am, makes you miss your exit on the hwy because you are lost in thought about it and then GO FOR IT. Be honest in your intention and follow your gut. And most importantly for me, prayer and quiet time to stay connected to the gift I have been given.
The Halsema Family
What motivated you to throw your noodle?
I was giving my kids the, “You have no idea how lucky you are" speech that I bet every parent or caregiver has delivered at some point. As I looked at my kids, I realized they didn’t know. I needed help on this one. So, I went to Google. I was shocked that I couldn’t find a program that helped me talk to my kids about important community issues and about encouraging understanding and compassion.
What inspires you as a Mom and as a creative person?
As a mom, my ultimate goal for my kids is for them to be kind and compassionate people. To me, that is success as a human being.
I believe in the necessity and importance of good, positive media for kids. Specifically, as a tween. This is the age kids start looking out of the home for cues and ideas on who they want to be. It is my responsibility as a creative and as a mom to provide them with something that has the potential to help them become the person they want to be.
I was giving my kids the, “You have no idea how lucky you are" speech that I bet every parent or caregiver has delivered at some point. As I looked at my kids, I realized they didn’t know. I needed help on this one. So, I went to Google. I was shocked that I couldn’t find a program that helped me talk to my kids about important community issues and about encouraging understanding and compassion.
What inspires you as a Mom and as a creative person?
As a mom, my ultimate goal for my kids is for them to be kind and compassionate people. To me, that is success as a human being.
I believe in the necessity and importance of good, positive media for kids. Specifically, as a tween. This is the age kids start looking out of the home for cues and ideas on who they want to be. It is my responsibility as a creative and as a mom to provide them with something that has the potential to help them become the person they want to be.
How do you juggle Mamahood and your NOW?
The jury is still out. Many days as I am cooking my NOW, I feel and probably look like the Swedish Chef from The Muppet Show! I have definitely not perfected the juggle. I just do the best I can. The kids really do seem excited about the projects I do. I try to include them in conversations about my work and ask their opinions. They provide excellent insight!
The jury is still out. Many days as I am cooking my NOW, I feel and probably look like the Swedish Chef from The Muppet Show! I have definitely not perfected the juggle. I just do the best I can. The kids really do seem excited about the projects I do. I try to include them in conversations about my work and ask their opinions. They provide excellent insight!
THE EFFECT CAST AND CREW
What is your ultimate pasta dish?
I want to start with getting The Effect noodles cooked to perfection. The Effect has the potential to be a global show with casts all over the world brought together via the web. Kids everywhere will be given the opportunity to experience and understand each other’s lives and communities.
From there, I want to cook up lots more healthy and tasty projects for kids and families to enjoy!
I want to start with getting The Effect noodles cooked to perfection. The Effect has the potential to be a global show with casts all over the world brought together via the web. Kids everywhere will be given the opportunity to experience and understand each other’s lives and communities.
From there, I want to cook up lots more healthy and tasty projects for kids and families to enjoy!
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