In this episode of Managing Creative Studios, I sit down with Carl Moody, co-founder of Bootleg Design, the workshop behind some of New Zealand’s most iconic large-scale builds. From restoring Auckland’s infamous “Creepy Santa” to transporting a giant Shaun the Sheep across the country, or building a 5 tonne lolly jar for Air NZ, Carl shares how his team brings wild ideas to life.

We talk about the balance between creativity and practicality, the constant challenge of budgets and timelines, and why the best projects start with early collaboration. Carl also opens up about the artistry behind making things by hand, the technical problem-solving that goes into massive structures, and the satisfaction his team gets from transforming concepts into reality.

With over 36 years in the industry, Carl’s stories offer valuable lessons on planning, design thinking, and the magic of execution.

If you want to get in touch with Bootleg Design, find them here: https://bootleg.co.nz/

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In this episode, I sit down with animator Fraser Munro to trace his journey from a latchkey kid watching cartoons to becoming a seasoned animator and freelancer. Fraser shares how his early love of animation led him to train at Freelance Animation School, his 13-year stint in NZ animation studios, and eventually his transition to freelancing from Foxton Beach.

We talk about the realities of shifting from studio life to working independently, and what it truly means to be your own boss — from managing stress and health, to shouldering full responsibility for clients, projects, and business growth. Fraser reflects on how freelancing pushed him to expand his skills, build stronger client relationships, and rediscover his creativity. He also opens up about working alongside his partner, adapting to industry changes like social media content and AI, and why “making things look cool” still has a place in animation. We also chat about the amazing connections he has made by being a part of the Motion Designers Guild Aotearoa!

This is an inspiring and practical conversation for anyone navigating the creative industry, whether you’re in a studio or carving out your own path as a freelancer.

Check out Frasers work here: https://character.ninja/

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When you think “landscape architect,” you might picture someone planting a back lawn—but as Lisa reveals in this episode of Managing Creative Studios, the work goes far deeper (and sometimes even involves creating hotels for bats!).

Lisa, Studio Manager at Harrison Grierson, takes us inside the world of large-scale design where ecology, culture, and community all intersect. She shares how she worked with conservationists and ecologists to design a Hamilton project that doubled as accommodation and a buffet for native bat populations—proving that good design can support both people and wildlife.

We also get a peek behind the curtain of the profession, including the surprising “dirty little secret” that many landscape architects like to deny: deep down, they really do love flowers. In fact, Lisa’s passion project, The Memory Botanist, transforms special-occasion blooms into art that lasts a lifetime.

This episode blends ecology, leadership, and creativity—showing how landscape architecture shapes the spaces we live in, while quietly influencing how we connect with nature (and each other).

Find out more about Lisa's workplace here: https://www.harrisongrierson.com/

Check out Lisa's side hustle The Memory Botanist here: https://www.instagram.com/thememorybotanist/

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In this episode Amanda Chambers takes us on a rich journey through her remarkable career in advertising and production—from her early days at Flux Animation working with her brother Brent, to executive roles at Saatchi & Saatchi, Assembly, and True. Amanda shares heartfelt stories about building creative teams, navigating agency life, and balancing compassion with leadership in high-pressure environments.

She opens up about the joys and challenges of working with family, launching her agency ANTI alongside her daughter Nico and creative partner Jane Langley, and what it means to build a female-founded business doing things completely differently with a 'no douchebags' approach.

We explore how she’s making advertising fun again, integrating AI into creative workflows, and fostering a culture of collaboration, fairness, and shared success. It’s a conversation filled with humour, industry gossip, and genuine inspiration for anyone navigating the advertising game.

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In this episode, we talk with David and Jamie, the co-founders of One to One Hundred (OTOH), a leading architectural visualisation studio. From their first meeting at architecture school to moonlighting as grad architects and launching a startup from a dilapidated office, their journey is a story of grit, experimentation, and creative evolution.

They reflect on early career missteps, the value of artistic intuition in hiring, the changing landscape of 3D rendering, and lessons learned from side ventures like Little Lot and offplan.kiwi. The duo also open up about maintaining passion over two decades, the challenges of scaling a niche business, and the rise of AI in ArchViz. With candour and humour, they discuss leadership, workaholism, creative ownership, and what really makes a great render.

This episode is a must-listen for any 3D artists, aspiring founders, or those curious about what it takes to build and sustain a purpose-driven studio in a constantly evolving field.

This episode is proudly sponsored by 5 Digital. Check out the talented team at https://5digital.co.nz/ for all your digital printing needs!

You can also find out more about OTOH on their website: https://www.otoh.studio/

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In this episode we sit down with the incredibly talented Claire deZoete—animator, illustrator, and now studio manager at SkyCity Entertainment Group. Claire takes us through her journey from hand-animating Belle for Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas to leading one of New Zealand’s busiest in-house design teams. We chat about finding your creative voice, navigating career pivots, motherhood, imposter syndrome, and how to keep the spark alive in a high-output studio environment. This one’s for the dreamers and the doers.

This episode is proudly sponsored by the amazing team at 5 Digital! Check them out at 5digital.co.nz for all digital print jobs!

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