97. Carol Trang: Building Community, Not Just Audiences

Community has become one of the most talked-about ideas in the creative industries. But what does it actually mean in practice for storytellers and filmmakers? In this episode, Alex Stolz is joined by community strategist Carol Trang, whose work spans platforms and brands shaping modern creator culture including Unity, TikTok and LEGO. Together they explore how communities form, why creators should think beyond traditional audience engagement, and what storytellers can learn from gaming, fandom and platform culture. Carol shares insights from her work across global creative ecosystems — from the power of rituals and remix culture to the role of authenticity, niche audiences and creator identity in building lasting communities. The conversation also looks at how filmmakers can practically begin building communities around their work today — starting with existing spaces like Reddit, Twitch and live events. For creators navigating an increasingly fragmented media landscape, this episode offers a powerful reframing: Stories don’t just attract audiences anymore, they create worlds people want to live in. About Carol Trang Carol Trang is a community strategist working at the intersection of games, entertainment, and digital platforms. She’s spent her career building creator-first communities at Unity Technologies, TikTok, and The LEGO Group, exploring how fandom, creators, and players shape culture together. We’ve just opened applications for a new programme from Future of Film. Story Founders is an 8-week accelerator designed to help storytellers build projects - and creative practices - that can endure. Applications are now open: 👉 https://futureoffilm.live/storyfounders/ If you’re working on a screen project - or know someone who is - we’d encourage you to take a look.