By Creative Blood
Join us as we delve deep into the personal journeys of culture-defining creatives and industry insiders from the world of fashion, music, film, photography and more.
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The podcast currently has 27 episodes available.
When Emma Westenberg landed the job directing the music video for Janelle Monae’s track, PYNK, it opened a Narnia-like door to a whole new world of creative possibility. The video – which featured Monae wearing those iconic vulva trousers – went viral, clocking up more than 16M views to date, earning Emma both a Grammy and MTV Music Video Award-nomination, and perhaps best of all, being described as “a Queen” by Janelle herself.
Since then, her career has accelerated in all directions—from a Super Bowl ad spot featuring Zoe Kravitz, to music videos for Troye Sivan, Princess Nokia and Rico Nasty, to commercial work for clients from ASOS to Vogue, to directing a feature starring celebrated Scottish actor, Ewan McGregor (OBE!) and his real-life daughter Clara in Bleeding Love—and it doesn’t stop there!
No matter what the scale and nature, Emma brings her distinctly witty and whimsical aesthetic to every project, and, in this beautifully candid episode, she talks us through some of the challenges, lessons and moments of magic along the way—from working with tricky collaborators under pressure, to the simple joy of making art for art’s sake.
“I think only the crazy ideas are the brilliant ones. I like things that are unexpected, or offbeat, or that rattle you in some way. You want art to do that, to show you something new or exciting” — Emma Westenberg
Follow Emma @emma.westenberg
EPISODE INSIGHTS
Thoughts on the episode? Drop us a DM @creativebloodworld
EPISODE CREDITS
Episode hosted by Laura Conway
Produced by Scenery Studios
Show music by Ben Tarrant-Brown
Video by Nicola Collins
Welcome to the Creative Blood Experience. One culture-defining creative guest… One passionate host… And a deck of fifty question cards designed to yield incredible creative tips, real life experiences and untold stories from the artists working across the creative industries today!
Shantell Martin is not your average artist. She’s also a public speaker, cultural facilitator, curator, choreographer, songwriter, performer and mentor. And it’s this all-embracing, boundary-blurring approach to creativity and artmaking that forms the basis of this episode.
“For those of us who didn’t grow up going to museums and galleries, the art around us is what people are wearing. For us, the museum is the postcard on your fridge, it’s the t-shirt you’re wearing, it’s the sneakers you’re wearing”.
Originally from Thamesmead in South East London – the iconic brutalist housing estate where A Clockwork Orange was famously filmed – and now based in LA, Shantell is known for her signature, stream-of-consciousness line drawings, murals and ‘who are you?’ slogan. Her kaleidoscopic CV has seen her collaborate with brands including Max Mara, The North Face, Tiffany and Co., as well as institutions MIT, The Whitney and Boston Ballet (where she also choreographed) and establish her own podcast series What’s the Point? She even has her own open source font ‘Shantell Sans’! And that, if you can believe it, that’s just for starters!
Having navigated her way through the murky waters of the ‘art’ world and got to a place where she now has the creative freedom to explore, in this episode she generously and candidly shares her experiences, learnings and insights picked up along the way. From why every artist needs a cocktail of skills, to what feedback to ignore, Shantell shines a light on the practical, proactive mindset needed to thrive within an opaque system.
Follow Shantell @shantell_martin
EPISODE INSIGHTS
Thoughts on the episode? DM us @creativebloodworld
EPISODE CREDITS
Hosted by Laura Conway
Produced by Scenery Studios
Show music by Ben Tarrant-Brown
Welcome to the Creative Blood Experience. One culture-defining creative guest… One passionate host… And a deck of fifty question cards designed to yield incredible creative tips, real life experiences and untold stories from the artists working across the creative industries today!
Originally from the gritty favelas of São Paulo, Brazil, Emerson Miller moved to Los Angeles to chase his dream of becoming a photographer. While working at a car wash on Hollywood Blvd, he had a chance encounter with Nicole Muirbrook – the wife of Taylor Sheridan, creator of smash-hit TV show Yellowstone – which landed him the gig as the show’s on-set photographer, rapidly transforming dream into reality.
Since then, he’s shot everyone from Angelina Jolie to Kevin Costner to Dame Helen Mirren and Sam Elliott, with his work appearing in Vogue, GQ and Elle and on billboards all over the world.
The job of an on-set photographer is a little-known, but integral role for any TV show and film, with their photographs used across everything promotional – including billboards, social media, magazines, you name it! Here, Emerson shares his personal experience of how he works on set (spoiler: it may involve interrupting Kevin Costner’s reverie!), how he picks his moments between takes, plus, the charisma, talent and nerve needed to get that shot.
“Angelina Jolie said to me “buddy your job here is literally 99% of the marketing and if you want me to climb a tree, I probably will, because we are helping each other””
Follow Emerson @emersonmiller
EPISODE INSIGHTS
Thoughts on the episode? Drop us a DM @creativebloodworld
EPISODE CREDITS
Hosted by Laura Conway
Produced by Scenery Studios
Show music by Ben Tarrant-Brown
Creatively Down and Dirty is our new podcast series where we deep-dive with one creator into one project. Prepare to hear it all, from what sparked the initial idea from the high-highs to the low-lows during the making of it and ultimately, how it got released out into the wide world.
For anyone considering making a brave and bold leap into new territory, welcome to the perfect case study! In this episode, we delve into the story behind Proshine—a portable, natural, high-shine body oil that Ciara, and, as it turned out, the industry, was missing.
“I needed a solid body oil. I needed it to be portable, I needed it to be natural, I needed it to be high-shine under direct light. No shimmer, no glitter, no colour…I had such a clear idea”
From fear of failure to huge personal financial risks, to the passion, persistence and tenacity needed to reap the rewards, Ciara describes with fierce candour the organic journey she went on to get her product made and onto the shelves. She talks us through how she landed on the idea, perfected the formula, navigated branding and marketing, right through to getting stocked — and all while juggling a demanding career.
Originally from Tipperary, Ireland, Ciara has worked with Madonna, Liv Tyler, Millie Bobby Brown, and Alexa Chung, to name a few! Plus brands from J.W. Anderson and Ralph Lauren to Miu Miu and Agent Provocateur, with her work featured on covers for Perfect, Dazed & Confused, Vogue, POP and LOVE magazines.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about the graft behind the glamour, and a rare insight into bringing a product to life!
Follow @ciaradoesmakeup / @proshine_by_cdm for stockists
EPISODE INSIGHTS
Thoughts on the episode? Drop us a DM @creativebloodworld
EPISODE CREDITS
Hosted by Laura Conway
Produced by Scenery Studios
Creatively Down and Dirty is our new podcast series where we deep-dive with one creator into one project. Prepare to hear it all, from what sparked the initial idea from the high-highs to the low-lows during the making of it and ultimately, how it got released out into the wide world.
What began as a commission for a tour documentary turned into Antony Crook’s debut feature film, and all because of a global pandemic! In this very special episode, we caught up with Antony amidst the madness of SXSW, where he premiered If the Stars had a Sound, celebrating legendary Scottish band Mogwai.
Originally from Manchester and now based in Upstate New York with his family, Antony started out as a photographer, and has shot icons from David Hockney to Snoop Dogg. He then made the leap into filmmaking with a music video for his friend’s band, Mogwai, which went viral on Nowness over a decade ago. Now he’s come full circle with this film that reflects the personal relationships, integrity and creativity that went into the making of it, and it’s been perfectly summarised by The Austin Chronicle as “A true underdog story and a breathtaking look at community-building”.
From throwing out the rulebook to being given Mogwai’s music stems, from sifting through days of GoPro footage to sourcing funding to inviting fans to be part of the journey…Antony reveals the depth, detail and devotion it takes to get a project of this scale off the ground and into the world.
“I didn't want the film to be like anything else out there. Mogwai have always done their own thing, their way, and this film had to be consistent with that”
If the Stars had a Sound is a must-watch and screens later this month at various festivals, including Sheffield DocFest and Raindance Film Festival. Follow @AntonyCrook and @Mogwaiband for the latest!
EPISODE INSIGHTS
Thoughts on the episode? DM us @creativebloodworld
EPISODE CREDITS
Hosted by Laura Conway
Produced by Scenery Studios
Welcome to the Creative Blood Experience. One culture-defining creative guest… One passionate host… And a deck of 50 question cards designed to yield incredible creative tips, real life experiences and untold stories from the artists working across the creative industries today!
New York-based Casey Brooks began her visual career shooting stills of friends in her dance community, and as her photographic technique developed so did her keen eye for movement and motion.
She’s gone on to collaborate with some of the greatest talent in the dance world. To give a flavour: Beyoncé’s choreographer Dana Foglia, MacArthur Genius Grant recipient Michelle Dorrance, Emma Portner, Soraya Lundy, and principal dancers from The Royal Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Shen Wei, and Cedar Lake Ballet.
In this episode, Casey explains how she navigates between creative and commercially viable projects, the importance of an awe-inspiring outdoor location and what’s next on her artistic agenda. She reveals the preparation, communication and creative pragmatism that goes into getting a job done on schedule and within budget – from ensuring shots are set up precisely to playing your part in a team.
EPISODE INSIGHTS
Find out more about Casey @caseybrooks_
Thoughts on the episode? Drop us a DM @creativebloodworld
Hosted by Laura Conway
Produced by Ben Tarrant-Brown
Music by Ben Tarrant-Brown
Welcome to the Creative Blood Experience. One culture-defining creative guest… One passionate host… And a deck of 50 question cards designed to yield incredible creative tips, real life experiences and untold stories from the artists working across the creative industries today!
Globally renowned for creating iconic hairstyles on famous names and faces across music, film, fashion and art – from supermodels to Hollywood A-listers – session hair stylist Raphael Salley has amassed an awe-inspiring roll-call of devoted clients and collaborators during his expansive career.
We’re talking Claudia Schiffer, Kate Moss, Helena Bonham Carter, Charlotte Tilbury, Givenchy, The Vampire's Wife, Versace, Agent Provocateur, Isabel Marant, Juergen Teller, Harley Weir, Nick Knight and Edward Enninful…as well as fashion publications – Dazed, AnOther Magazine and Vogue.
From serendipitously bumping into fashion hair legend Eugene Souleiman in make-up mecca Screen Face in West London, to getting approached by global creative talent agency Streeters, to this Dazed and Confused shoot that would lead to hair consultancies for Hollywood directors Jane Campion and Matthew Vaughn, Raph tells us about the moments that shaped his career and lets us in on his secrets for getting the best out of a subject in the styling seat.
During the episode, Raph also opens up to us about how he rebuilt his confidence and his career after overcoming a life-changing trauma and the lessons he learned along the way.
“Once the trust is gained with the artist, once that person is feeling comfortable in your chair, you can pretty much do anything! They'll say, yeah, go for it”.
Wondering what that book of healing poetry Raph mentioned a certain actor read to him was? Wonder no further.
EPISODE INSIGHTS
Find out more about Raph @raphaelsalley
We’d love to know what you thought of the episode @creativebloodworld
EPISODE CREDITS
Hosted by Laura Conway
Produced by Ben Tarrant-Brown
Music by Ben Tarrant-Brown
Welcome to the Creative Blood Experience. One culture-defining creative guest… One passionate host… And a deck of 50 question cards designed to yield incredible creative tips, real life experiences and untold stories from the artists working across the creative industries today!
Over twenty years Becky Smith has become a renowned figure within the intertwining worlds of fashion and beauty.
Her edgy, powerful and feminine vision and keen eye for new talent has led to her becoming one of London’s most sought-after creative directors, working with leading fashion magazines and major brands including Stella McCartney, Nike, Prada and Balenciaga among many many others.
“Figure out who you are and what you want to achieve. Once you've found that, everything else will click into place."
In 2009, she founded Twin Magazine, a biannual hardback set up to showcase disobedient, rebellious and visionary creative voices through art and cultural features, and creative agency Twin Studio. Constantly breaking new ground, she’s recently turned her attention to visual art, with her new Surrey-based Gallery 13.
During this episode, Becky remembers how she got her foot in the door at i-D Magazine, the experience of working with top-tier talent (check out one of her favourite shoots, Michelle Yeoh x La Mer) and reveals how she tells the difference between a good photographer and a great one.
Prepare for a no-nonsense masterclass in decision-making within a high-pressure environment, getting noticed in a crowded industry and why being able to execute your vision, from moodboard to reality, is essential.
EPISODE INSIGHTS
Follow @Twin.studio
What did you think of this episode? Drop us a DM @creativebloodworld
EPISODE CREDITS
Hosted by Laura Conway
Produced and mixed by Scenery Studios
Show music by Ben Tarrant-Brown
Welcome to the Creative Blood Experience. One culture-defining creative guest… One passionate host… And a deck of 50 question cards designed to yield incredible creative tips, real life experiences and untold stories from the artists working across the creative industries today!
A self-confessed studio nerd, Georgia Barnes began her career drumming for Kwes, Kae Tempest and Micachu before signing with Domino records and releasing her self-titled debut album in 2015 to critical acclaim. She earned a Mercury nomination for her second album, Seeking Thrills, and has since gone on to collaborate with everyone from Years and Years’ frontman Olly Alexander and Gorillaz to Shania Twain and Vampire Weekend.
We joined the deeply down-to-earth, multi-talented musician for an intimate chat in her home studio. During the episode, Georgia shares the female music influences who’ve shaped her career from Kate Bush to Missy Elliott, waxes lyrical about the joys of analogue, explains how a 9-5 approach can be surprisingly conducive to creativity, and spills the T on how Shania Twain takes her tea, and that’s not even the half of it!
“I started out with an idea that I wanted to be this one thing. Over the years, I’ve had to let that go, and I’ve got so much I can offer in different areas”
This episode is an audio goldmine of creative insights, personal reflections and industry anecdotes from the mind of an artist who eats, sleeps and breathes music. Has Georgia euphoria rubbed off on us? Absolutely.
Check out Georgia's latest single, Too much, too little.
Follow Georgia @GeorgiaUK
What did you think of this episode? Drop us a DM @creativebloodworld
EPISODE INSIGHTS
EPISODE CREDITS
Welcome to the Creative Blood Experience. One culture-defining creative guest… One passionate host… And a deck of 50 question cards designed to yield incredible creative tips, real life experiences and untold stories from the artists working across the creative industries today!
Last year Max Osinski had barely touched a soccer ball in his life. Now, thanks to his turn in Ted Lasso as spiritual diva and football legend Zava, he’s a fully playable character on FIFA.
Born in an Austrian refugee camp, raised in Chicago and now living in London Max’s approach to auditions, preparing for a role being on set and working with legends such as Tom Hanks has seen him in Marvel’s Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., The Walking Dead: World Beyond as well as the movies “In Time” and “Love and Other Drugs”.
This Summer, he came into our Shoreditch Studio, and pulled ten cards from The Creative Blood Experience deck and in the process, revealed the art of navigating the uncertainty of the acting profession whilst maintaining not just resilience, but a sense of wonder and awe along the way.
Here’s Max on insta and his partner in art + life, wife Dichen Lachman.
This profile in Vanity Fair gives more insight into the Ted Lasso experience.
Improve your own accent game in the The International Dialects of English Archive
And join Max (sort of) on the sofa and try Idris Elba’s Hijack.
This episode was created in partnership with the brilliant humans here Creative Blood and Scenery Studios.
Say hello @creativebloodworld
Music by Ben Tarrant-Brown
Producer Lina Prestwood
Mixed by Rob Martland
The podcast currently has 27 episodes available.