On Creativity with Paula Wallace

A Lens Into The Personal...

As SCAD prepares for deFINE ART, three days of celebrating the modern masters of visual art, we catch up with a previous deFINE ART guest: celebrated photographer and SCAD alumna, Melissa Spitz. Spitz hit the national stage with her eye opening photography series, "You Have Nothing to Worry About." The photo-scape tells the story of Spitz's mother as she navigates mental illness. Through her exhibitions and Instagram, Spitz touches thousands with similar life circumstances and develops the grounds for honest conversations. TIME Magazine honored Spitz as their 2017 Instagram Photographer of the Year in recognition of her brave artistic expression. In this episode, Paula Wallace celebrates Spitz's successes, delves into the vulnerable nature of her work, and reminds all SCAD alumni that they're never far from the hive.

Sewing Threads of Courage...

A new decade brings ambitious plans and inspires creative evolution. For fashion designer Phillip Lim, this couldn't be more true. As his beloved brand, 3.1 Phillip Lim enters its 15th year, Lim is not resting on his laurels. This week at New York Fashion Week, 3.1 Phillip Lim will forgo their runway show in favor of a "house party" at their New York City retail location, using the shift as a springboard to reclaim spontaneity and focus on sustainability. He has always been concerned with the potential footprint of his company and wants to operate a business that is equally focused on the customers he serves as the world they live in. Lim speaks much about the need for spontaneity in his brand and creative process, and his independent spirit consistently portrays this. SCAD is proud to call Lim a friend and honored him with the Etoile Award in 2019. In this episode, Paula Wallace and Phillip Lim examine Lim's career though his upbringing and family life, and how that's affected his creative process through his life.

Built To Last...

A defining trait among creative professionals, and certainly one shared by SCAD students, is determined entrepreneurialism. Translating bold creative ideas into concrete business strategies and effective client relationships requires artists with dedicated work ethic and communication skills. For many studying to achieve this success, they look to the same person for inspiration: Art Gensler. He is a star in the firmament of architecture and a model creative collaborator, professional, and leader. He made an ideal commencement speaker at SCAD's 2016 ceremony in Savannah and the lessons he imparted that day continue to live on in our alumni. We're proud to share this in depth conversation between Paula Wallace and Art Gensler so everyone can hear directly from the man whose work has affected millions throughout the globe.

Moving The Needle...

In 2019, Olivia Wilde reintroduced herself to the world. We've known her as an actress and admired her artistry in performance after performance, but through "Booksmart" we got swept away by Wilde the director. Her feature film directorial debut has been called the Gen-Z anthem and heralded as a comedy with tremendous heart. Wilde brings perspective to the modern coming of age story with undaunted energy. The film and Wilde's post credits talkback certainly transfixed and inspired the masses at the 2019 SCAD Savannah Film Festival. In this episode, Paula Wallace and Olivia Wilde discuss how women are taking on more leadership roles in the film industry, Wilde's directing style, and where she sees the industry going as more young film students enter the profession.

A Story in Every Note...

A film's score resonates with us long after the credits roll. Upon hearing them, we're transported to our favorite scenes and rejoined with characters we love. Alan Silvestri's outstanding compositions showcase this power with sophisticated energy. Just a few bars put us in the DeLorean with Marty and Doc. Three notes, and we're sharing chocolates on a park bench in Savannah with Forrest Gump. A couple chords, and we're battling Thanos alongside Iron Man. In honor of his decades of artistry, SCAD awarded Alan the Lifetime Achievement Award in Composing at the 2019 SCAD Savannah Film Festival. Listen in as Paula Wallace and Alan discuss what goes into the creation of such iconic scores and how collaboration fuels the film industry.

Embracing Spontaneity...

In this episode, Paula Wallace and Cynthia Rowley explore the adventurous nature of fashion designs, lifestyle brands, and mass media. The two are kindred spirits who believe in the eternal power of self-confidence and the willingness to step out where others have not. In recognition of her trailblazing work and entrepreneurial expressions, Rowley was awarded the 2019 SCAD Etoile award. Wallace and Rowley sat before the award ceremony to discuss what goes into the invention of a unique and successful brand. The two also discuss arts education, embracing adventure, and daring to design what exists only in your mind's eye.

The Envelope Please...

Film and television awards season is officially here! On this episode, Paula Wallace sits with Jharrel Jerome, an actor who is no stranger to accolades since his historic Emmy win for 'When They See Us.' In January 19th, Jharrel is poised to make history again at the 26th Screen Actors Guild Awards. Should Jharrel win the SAG for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie, he will be the youngest person ever to win for the category. Jharrel may be young, but his robust passion for the arts and intelligence provide him the gravitas of a seasoned veteran. Paula and Jharrel sat at the most recent SCAD Savannah Film Festival and the two caught up on his life since the Emmys, his upcoming projects, and where he hopes to go in his career.

Hearing Double...

Today, we celebrate the holiday release of The Bee and The Acorn audiobook. This moment is the ideal occasion with today's guest, voice actor and SCAD alumna Hannah Chiclana. Hannah has voiced Paula Wallace twice, once for SCADstory — the interactive, immersive-experience account of SCAD's founding — and now for Wallace's memoir, The Bee and The Acorn. In their discussion, Paula and Hannah examine the process of voice-over recording, the differences in narrating for various mediums, and the popularity of audio-centric entertainment.

Check out the new Bee and the Acorn audiobook, now available on Audible: https://www.amazon.com/Bee-Acorn-Classics/dp/B081KSQ1WP

There's No "I" In Team...

Animated films and series inspire joy in all of us, and those feelings originate in the scores of people who create animation at production companies large and small. In this episode, Paula Wallace sits with two animation artists: actor Lucas Grabeel and SCAD alumnus Jason Mayer, Head of FX for DreamWorks Animation. Jason and Lucas walk us through how magic is made from pre-production to post and where they contribute along the way.

Taffeta, Tulle, and Tales...

In this week's episode, two old friends reunite. André Leon Talley and Paula Wallace have decades of shared memories and Talley has mentored scores of SCAD students over the years. In this episode, André further proves why he is the greatest living fashion historian and a walking encyclopedia of style, class, and dignity.