PIVOTAL SLICE: on writing & composing

David catches up with film and TV composer Denise Santos about her work, creative process and development. They discuss:

• The importance of representing diverse stories
• Staying strong and authentic in a male-dominated industry
• Getting the most out of collaboration
• Cultivating a healthy working routine

Denise is an Emmy-winning Filipino musician and composer based in Los Angeles. Having previously worked as in-house composer at Hans Zimmer and Sony/ATV's Bleeding Fingers Music, her music has been heard in a multitude of movies and TV shows, most recently in Island of the Sea Wolves (Netflix), Eden: Untamed Planet (BBC America), and Primates (BBC One/PBS).

Largely influenced by classical, orchestral, rock, and pop music, Denise loves to blend these different genres to create uniquely powerful compositions that help uplift diverse stories, filmmakers, and creators.

Find out more about Denise on her website / follow her on Instagram

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Music and production by David Mackenzie

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Jade speaks to Zuzu Valla, a fashion and beauty photographer based in the UK who is redefining modern beauty standards. They discuss Zuzu’s process of capturing a person’s ‘soul’, the importance of representing marginalised people in fashion and art, and how Zuzu built her own creative team and studio, starting in her living room.

Follow Zuzu on Instagram / Visit her website

We are raising money for new audio equipment, to get the podcast sounding even better! You can support us here.

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Music and production by David Mackenzie

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Jade and David talk about their experiences with psychedelics, the impact of tripping and microdosing on their mental health/spiritual journeys, and the use of psychedelics to develop consciousness and creativity.

We’d love to hear your thoughts, questions and experiences. Join the conversation by emailing us or reaching out on our social media channels. 

Please make sure you are looking after yourself and seeking support from people you know you can trust before making this journey (and preferably during).

We are raising money for new audio equipment, to get the podcast sounding even better! You can support us here.

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Music and production by David Mackenzie

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Come with us on an immersive journey through sound and stories!

We connect with influential people within the immersive theatre world: Actor and Director Jess-Luisa Flynn and Creative Director Neil Connolly. They discuss the role of immersive art today, removing audiences from their reality, and the re-emergence of more traditional art forms that has factored into the immersive theatre boom.

Throughout the episode you’ll also hear music and sound design from David’s immersive theatre collaborations.

Discover our guests:

Jess-Luisa Flynn
Jessie-Lu Flynn is an actor, host and immersive theatre maker from London. She is the founder of Wide Eyes Immersive. Jess is particularly drawn to comedy and enjoys making work that is heightened, absurd, punk in spirit and infused with a cinematic glamour, inspired by the movies of the 1940s and 50s. She has worked for over fifteen years at festivals, including Glastonbury, Secret Garden Party and Boomtown fair - hosting stages and making immersive installations. She has appeared in political stunts for Channel Four's 'The Ministry of Justice' and Don't Panic TV. She was just elected by Equity members as a spokesperson for ADHD actors, a subject she is very passionate about.

Wide Eyes / Instagram / LinkedIn

Neil Connolly
Having been at the vanguard of playable & immersive theatre since 2007, Neil had a career-defining opportunity in 2019 when he devised, wrote & directed an immersive experience for HRH Elizabeth II as part of Sainsbury's 150th birthday celebrations. This makes him the only immersive theatre & game maker in the world to have the Queen attend one of their experiences. In a distinguished career spanning 18 years, Neil has brought that passion to every facet of themed entertainment in the creative development and production of theatre & attractions. As Creative Director for the Everywhere Group, Neil is working on creative development of show and attraction content for projects across the UK, Europe, North America & Asia.

Immersive Everywhere / Instagram / Twitter

Music and production by David Mackenzie

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TW: discussion of abuse

Jade and David discuss their experiences of exploitation in their creative fields, and offer tips for recognizing potentially dangerous people while seeking representation or collaboration.

They explore:

• Power and co-dependency in creative relationships
• Learning how to state your worth 
• Cultivating professional boundaries
• Spotting ‘red flags’ and ‘green lights’

Book recommendations:

‘Not Nice’ by Dr. Aziz Gazipura
‘Burn it Down’ by Maureen Ryan 
‘The Gift of Fear’ by Gavin de Becker  

Music and production by David Mackenzie

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David speaks to Andrew Morgan Smith, the veteran film composer of the Nicolas Cage Western The Old Way (2023) and over ninety other projects across all media. They discuss Andrew’s journey into the film industry, his creative process while collaborating on large and small projects, and how parenthood has impacted his work life.

Find out more about Andrew through his website, and follow him on Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

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Music and production by David Mackenzie

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TW: Discussion of abuse 

What happens to a piece of work once it is out in the world? Does the audience take ownership? As artists, how do we ‘let go’ of something we have poured so much energy into?

Jade and David explore this process of separation from art. They also discuss how we decide what to do with the work of artists who have caused great harm to other people, and to the industries in which they work.

Music and production by David Mackenzie

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Jade speaks to KB Brookins, a writer, cultural worker, and artist from Texas. They talk about using writing to deal with anxiety, what it takes to call yourself a ‘real’ writer, and how KB is utilizing their creative power to inspire positive change.

KB Brookins is the author of How To Identify Yourself with a Wound (Kallisto Gaia Press, 2022) and Freedom House (Deep Vellum, 2023). KB is a 2023 National Endowment of the Arts fellow. Follow them online at @earthtokb.

Read Jade's latest fiction, The Therapist, over on The Temz Review.

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Music and production by David Mackenzie

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On this episode we discuss the purpose of art in society, and how change starts from within. We explore:

Using art to raise consciousness

The effect of the ‘ego’ mind on creativity

How identifying with your work can lead to crisis

Cultivating healthy detachment from your art

The roles of the right and left brain in the creative process

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Music and production by David Mackenzie

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David and Jade chat to Kristina K, a fashion designer and artist based in New York City who was a finalist on season 19 of Project Runway. They discuss how Kristina found her way to designing, the benefits of having time restraints, and tips for surviving the cutthroat world of fashion.

Visit Kristina's website and follow her on Instagram

Music and production by David Mackenzie

FOLLOW AND SUPPORT US

Buy us a coffee

Join our Patreon for uncut interviews, bonus episodes and exclusive music

Find us on socials:

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Email us at [email protected]

Follow your hosts, Jade Green and David Mackenzie