The Futur Podcast is a show that explores the interesting overlap between design, marketing, and business. Our host (and CEO of The Futur), Chris Do, hold candid conversations with inspirational people from the worlds of design, technology, marketing, business, philosophy and personal development. These conversations go deep. With the aim of understanding who these incredible people are, what drives them to do what they do, and what can we--the listener--learn from it all. Visit thefutur.com/podcast for show notes and additional information from each episode.
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The Futur Podcast is a show that explores the interesting overlap between design, marketing, and business. Our host (and CEO of The Futur), Chris Do, hold candid conversations with inspirational people from the worlds of design, technology, marketing, business, philosophy and personal development. These conversations go deep. With the aim of understanding who these incredible people are, what drives them to do what they do, and what can we--the listener--learn from it all. Visit thefutur.com/podcast for show notes and additional information from each episode.
Free Work That Actually Pays w/ Troy Plota | Ep 377
The Futur with Chris Do
46 minutes
2 months ago
Free Work That Actually Pays w/ Troy Plota | Ep 377
From Atlanta studios to Hollywood sets to inventing new technology, Troy Plota has built a career on persistence and reinvention. In this conversation with Chris Do, he shares how he went from organizing model books to shooting celebrities, the $35K day that changed everything, and the app that transformed still photos into living motion.
But the story doesn’t stop there. Troy opens up about clients who refused to pay, platforms that exploited his work, and why he believes DAOs could finally give artists ownership and fair compensation. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to build, lose, and rebuild again in the creative industry, this episode is for you.
Timestamps:
(00:00) – Intro
(03:29) – Shooting Mariah Carey and Usher
(05:00) – Fashion “testing” explained
(09:37) – $250 shoots to $35K payday
(11:12) – Free work lands a big client
(13:33) – Catalog jobs and cashflow struggles
(15:58) – Tony Braxton photos used without pay
(20:21) – Playboy shoots: nine lights, full precision
(22:16) – Investor backs out of VR startup
(23:54) – Beta launch earns $230K
(24:37) – App turns stills into motion
(26:54) – Slammed-fist meeting with acquirers
(38:21) – Platforms profit while creators don’t
(45:50) – Where to Learn More
Check Out Today's Guest, Troy Plota:
Website: https://troyplota.com
Plotaverse (his app/platform): https://plotaverse.com
X (Twitter): @troyplota
Instagram: @Plotagraph
Check out The Futur:
Website: https://www.thefutur.com/
Courses: https://www.thefutur.com/shop
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-futur/
Podcasts: https://thefutur.com/podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefuturishere/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theFuturisHere/
Twitter/X: https://x.com/thefuturishere
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thefuturishere
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thefuturishere
Check out Chris Do:
Website: https://zaap.bio/thechrisdo
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thechrisdo/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BizOfDesign
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechrisdo/
Twitter/X: https://x.com/thechrisdo
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thechrisdo
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@thechrisdo
Behance: https://www.behance.net/chrisdo
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The Futur with Chris Do
The Futur Podcast is a show that explores the interesting overlap between design, marketing, and business. Our host (and CEO of The Futur), Chris Do, hold candid conversations with inspirational people from the worlds of design, technology, marketing, business, philosophy and personal development. These conversations go deep. With the aim of understanding who these incredible people are, what drives them to do what they do, and what can we--the listener--learn from it all. Visit thefutur.com/podcast for show notes and additional information from each episode.
