Partnering with Nike for the launch of NYC By You is Cultivator, a platform where creative people can tell their story through a unique medium—sneakers. The 28 limited edition sneakers are only available for two weeks.
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“Fantasy Landscapes” Transports You from Avenue of the Americas to Central & South America
PlayLab is refreshing their collaboration with the Avenue of Americas Association for “Fantasy Landscapes.” The large-scale, multi-site, public art installation uses the technique of classic movie backdrops to transport visitors to various environments across Central and South America.
Read MoreAll Hail The Queen, London's Ace Directing Duo
All Hail The Queen, London's Ace Directing Duo
MIKE O'DONNELL / EDITOR
WNW Members Dan Lumb and Crinan Cambell, the directing duo that goes by The Queen, aren't afraid to experiment with different techniques and styles. It's what keeps their work fresh, inviting their audience into the unexpected with each and every project. In our interview below, The Queen takes us on a tour of some portfolio highlights and shares how each endeavor allowed them to hone their collaboration and approach, and add new weapons to their collective visual arsenal.
Dan and Crinan also clearly see the London creative scene as an ideal environment teeming with energy. Their reverence is on full display here: "Production companies, galleries, and agencies are all being priced out of Soho and going east, and these amazing, fun pockets like Hackney Wick and Manor House are cropping up. It’s really competitive because there are so many people chasing the same opportunities, but that’s what gets the best work...The opportunities are coming from all directions, and places you wouldn’t expect."
Tell us a bit about The Queen’s creative background. Who are Dan & Crinan and how did they get here?
It was a bit like a scene from Seven Samurai - we met each other soon after moving to London - both fresh out of art college, doing odd jobs around Soho - camera assisting, editing, and cleaning stains off porcelain. Keen and green, we’d be shooting tests with borrowed kit, working long into the night. First out of necessity, we started helping each other out. The stuff we were making very quickly became more advanced and, well, just better, and we realised that with two heads and four eyes we were more than a specky monster. Many adverts, music videos, short films, and branded-online-advertorial-video-content later, we’ve done all sorts of work in all sorts of amazing places, and are having epic adventures all along the way. High-fives riding into sunset, as credits begin to roll.
What is it about the other’s creative style or personality that made them an ideal creative partner for you?
Generally, Dan’s the one who is very impulsive and just spews out stuff. Crinan has a more calm and logical approach, which aligns everything, then we question and layer things to make them better and better. The creative-ping-pong makes the initial ideas fast, then the refining takes a little longer - we recommend burgers over all other food for late night working. In commercials, with the number of meetings, conversations, and often nervy clients, we find it really helps to sell ideas and concepts as a duo (Crinan flutters his eyelids - Dan rambles).
What do you see as the turning point in The Queen’s creative development and career thus far?
When you’re working from scripts that you’ve been given, it can be quite hard to carve out your style as a director. Most of the times we’ve really made a jump to a new place or direction is when we’ve made something off our own backs - be it a music video, a short film, or just a camera test that you can show people. That’s when you realise how important it is to keep doing those side-projects; otherwise, you end up being typecast and being employed to basically the same job you’ve done before. We haven’t yet been shoved into one of the directing boxes - kids, cars, beauty, food etc. It’s useful to be typecast to get work, but through making our own stuff, we’ve been lucky enough to get a broad range of scripts which we’ve been able to treat with executions that tell those stories in unusual ways that we find fun to watch.
Which of your projects are you proudest of and why?
Virgin Media - Squeezed
It was mega low-budget, but sort of cemented our art direction style. The original script had a drawing of a balloon popping, and that was about it! We were lucky that the creatives totally trusted us. We’re always surprised and amazed when we look back at the first tests and treatments for each job and see what they eventually evolved into. This one’s a prime example of saying ‘yes’ to something and seeing where it can end up.
AARP - Disrupt
The combination of edit style and subtle visual tricks while maintaining a genuine emotion is what we’ve notice in a lot of other people’s stuff we love, and we always try to achieve this where we can. It’s important to layer in those pleasing, unexpected moments which trick the brain, and force you to think more about what you’re watching.
Samsung - Paper Skater
We like this one as everyone thinks it’s CG, but it’s not! The whole thing is stop-motion animated over seven long basement days, with two incredibly talented stop-motion animators. It’s so good to get the chance to push established techniques in new ways. We based the camera work on 90’s skate videos - low angles and fisheye lenses - and all the skate moves were studied frame-by-frame from life, which is why he throws his weight so believably. It was a lovely idea that was incredibly satisfying to craft.
What would be your dream project or job, or is it already on your resume?
We’d love to get a few more narrative projects and combine all the technical stuff that we've developed over the years, which is why we write that sort of stuff into our short films. We really love visual storytelling, so working with lots of actors on a tightly choreographed, technique-driven, narrative number, in multiple countries would be it for us. ..oh, and a feature film.
Who do you see as the best brands, agencies, or studios to work with, in the UK?
We really like the recent Under Armour campaigns and the Nike women stuff has been ace. We’ve seen some really great scripts out of BBH and Havas, recently. Also the Ikea stuff out of Mother and the Volvo stuff out of Grey.
How would you define the London creative scene?
London’s so varied, and constantly evolving, which is the fun of it. Production companies, galleries, and agencies are all being priced out of Soho and going east, and these amazing, fun pockets like Hackney Wick and Manor House are cropping up. It’s really competitive because there are so many people chasing the same opportunities, but that’s what gets the best work.
How do you see the creative landscape shifting in the UK/Europe?
Advertising’s in a massive transition, and everyone’s still trying to figure out what on earth’s going on - it’s brilliant. Content-creation wise, people are slowly realising that asking for one good film will get you a much better result than 4 films for the same budget, but it’s a situation which never really goes away.
The opportunities are coming from all directions, and places you wouldn’t expect: PR companies, small boutique start-up places from one desk, clients and agencies coming straight to us with freelance producers, all mixing in with the big guys. You’ve just gotta keep open to adapting to however they want to work and wearing lots of hats if need be.
If not here, where would you most like to live?
Dan: I’d live in France.
Crinan: Edinburgh would be nice - anywhere with a long history, and lots of space.
We do half-and-half international work at the moment, and Skype from home most of the time, so in theory, we could be wherever we wanted, but unfortunately nothing really beats a face-to-face.
Who are your biggest creative influences?
There’s way too many but here’s a solid few giants: Martin de Thurah, Kasper Tuxen, Tom Kuntz, Koen Mortier, The Daniels, Andreas Nilsson, Bjork, Dougal Wilson, Jacques Audiard, Megaforce, CANADA, Goldie, Egon Schiele, Gustav Klimt, John Hillcoat, Steve Annis, Trevor Robinson, Nirvana, Joanna Newsom, Daniel Wolfe, Paul Thomas Anderson, Martin Krejci, Sam Brown, Chris Hewitt.
What scares you most about making creativity your career?
Losing that thing that made us start doing it in the first place. We were born out of the self-shooting three-men-and-a-van style of filmmaking. The landscape has already shifted massively in this direction, and long may it continue.
One book, one movie, one show, from each of you. Go.
Dan: The Log from the Sea of Cortez, Magnolia, Baywatch
Crinan: The Etymologicon, Natural Born Killers, Crimewatch
What do you do when Not Working?
Cooking, writing, watching early '90s rave videos on Youtube, D.I.Y. Dad Stuff (double denim on the weekends).
What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard or received that all creatives should hear?
Dan asked Ringan Ledwidge for advice a couple of years ago, and he sent some great nuggets. Among others: “Spec ads are kind of a waste of time, as creatives don't really take them seriously and don't really look beyond the idea. Music videos however I think are really worth pursuing; you can show them more of who you guys are. A lot of the guys I now work with were at the bottom of the ladder when we met, we became mates and supported each other and went up together. Basically don't wait for the work to come to you, which I'm sure you're not: go after it.”
Who are some WNW members whose work you admire and why?
There are loads of great photographers and illustrators that are fantastic for inspiration - it’s great to see. Creative-wise, there are some amazing people whose stuff we love: Patrick Burns, Richard Beer, Theo Bayani - all brilliant!
What’s next for you? What are you working on now?
We’re finishing the script on a new short, working on two animated commercials for the US and pitching stuff in the meantime - in for tomorrow. If that happens we’ll be doing that!
Discover more creative talent and projects like this on Working Not Working. If you're a WNW Member with new work, exhibits, products, or news to share, email us.
Artists Honor 2016's Best Albums With Reimagined Cover Art
Artists Honor 2016's Best Albums With Reimagined Cover Art
MIKE O'DONNELL / EDITOR
No one can deny the joy of year-end lists, with their ability to help you both comb through the past 12 months of your life and catch up on all the goods you overlooked. WNW Members and music fanatics Eric R. Mortensen and Richard Perez are here to feed your fix with a unique spin. They're the minds behind 10x, which sees visual artists celebrating their personal top ten albums of the past year with reimagined cover art. This year, Eric & Richard intentionally decided to enlist a total of 19 visual artists. As Eric tell us, "So naturally we bumped it up to 19 artists this year, which was a totally intentional number and had nothing to do with anyone dropping out last minute. Totally meant for it to be 19."
It's amazing how well the project turned out, considering Eric and Richard are constantly trying to one-up and undermine each other in the interview below. They credit the brief they sent out to the artists. By setting certain parameters, the overall collection has an added touch of visual cohesion since the music selections are very eclectic. "We try to keep it simple, but coordinated. Fixed color palette, inclusion of a small logo, some basic rules as far as acceptable selections (no reissues, only releases from the current year, etc.) Some participants bend these rules, but that is half the fun."
Take a look at the past editions of 10x in case your "favorite albums of 2015" Spotify playlist is looking a little underwhelming. And remember that the next edition of 10x is only 12 months away. Eric & Richard are just as excited as you because their friendship depends on it. Because as Eric puts it, "As soon as the clock strikes midnight on December 31st, Richard is back in my crosshairs." That's a natural result of two freelance creatives with similar aesthetics going head-to-head for the same gigs. Richard, firing back with an "I’m shaking in my winter boots," explains: "I think there were at least two times this year where it came down to Eric or us at Skinny Ships. We settled it in the streets."
Tell us a little bit about your creative backgrounds. Who are Eric Mortensen and Richard Perez, and how did they get here?
Eric: I got into graphic design through music. My brother was in a band. All my friends were in bands. Even our mailman was in a band. I don’t know, someone told me The Postal Service was a music group. Anyways, I couldn’t play anything but I knew how to draw cool ska guys in photoshop. Now I get paid to draw cool ska guys for clients like NASA, Google, and Facebook.
Richard: I was introduced to the wonderful world of design in high school when I was the layout editor of the school paper.
Eric: Richard told me he took the layout editor position to impress girls.
Richard: Yeah that didn’t work out. Anyway. I went to SF to study design, snagged a studio gig at Office, before going out on my own. Somewhere along the line, I started focusing more on graphic illustration. Now I work with my partner, Jen DeRosa, under the Skinny Ships moniker. Where we get to do cool stuff for Google, Facebook and not NASA. NawSA.
WNW Member Mark Weaver
What is the 10x project, and how did it get started?
Richard: The 10x is an annual illustrated list of visual artists’ favorite albums of the year. The first was 10x10 in 2010 and originally posted to flickr (remember flickr?). Sharing just a list of my favorite albums seemed a little plain, so I jazzed things up with some illustrations.
In 2014 Eric joined the project and it’s all been downhill from there.
Eric: He means downhill like downhill skiing. You know, jumping off hills in neon colored outfits, crossing skis together in midair while an electric guitar wails kinda stuff. It’s just Richards’ weird way of saying I made the project cool.
Richard: In 2015 we upped the ante and asked a few fellow illustrators and designers to join in, bringing the number up to 10. It was a blast seeing what other creatives were listening to that year.
Eric: So naturally we bumped it up to 19 artists this year, which was a totally intentional number and had nothing to do with anyone dropping out last minute. Totally meant for it to be 19.
Richard: Yes. 19 is a nice round number.
WNW Member Richard Perez
What are the kinds of guidelines that you pass off to the artists?
Eric: We try to keep it simple, but coordinated. Fixed color palette, inclusion of a small logo, some basic rules as far as acceptable selections (no reissues, only releases from the current year, etc.) Some participants bend these rules, but that is half the fun.
What are some of the lessons you learned in previous years that helped the project evolve this year?
Richard: Just general time management. When it was only Eric and I working on this I remember we would both be working the night before to have artwork ready for the next day's post. Eric somehow managed to corral 19 artists this time around.
Eric: We also invested a lot more time into making the website more engaging... 10x16 is a huge leap forward from 10x15. We were lucky to work with Joey Maese to develop something special this year.
WNW Member Jessica Hische
Are you both musicians, or do you just love the ways that music can intersect with the visual arts?
Eric: I don’t play anything but I know Richard has a little OP-1 keyboard. I like to imagine he composes exclusively for the audience of his two cats, and that his shit is really good. Like super progressive shit for cats.
Richard: This is true.
WNW Member Simone Noronha
What are your 3 favorite album covers of all-time?
Eric:
Haha Sound by Broadcast (Artwork by Julian House)
Out of the Blue by Electric Light Orchestra (Artwork by Shusei Nagaoka)
Power, Corruption and Lies by New Order (Artwork by Peter Saville)
Richard:
Court of the Crimson King by King Crimson (Artwork by Barry Godber)
Power, Corruption and Lies by New Order (Artwork by Peter Saville)
Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space by Spiritualized (Artwork by Farrow)
What are your 3 favorite albums of all-time?
Eric:
Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys
Graceland by Paul Simon
Blue Album by Weezer
Richard: This is tough, but at this precise moment:
Odelay by Beck
The Beatles by The Beatles
Low by David Bowie
WNW Member Damien Correll
Are you always listening to music while you work, or do you prefer zero distractions when you listen to music?
Eric: I consider the ability to listen to my own music while doing my job to be one of the greatest luxuries one can be afforded.
Richard: Lately it seems to be 80% music, 20% podcasts coming through the office speakers. But some aural distractions are always needed.
WNW Member Chris Muccioli
WNW Member Eric R. Mortensen
Do you guys collaborate on other projects, or do you just join forces each year for 10x?
Eric: Because of our similar aesthetic approaches we tend to bid against each other on projects throughout the year. 10x is a time when we set down our swords and come together in collaboration to defeat our common enemy: seasonal affect disorder. But let me be clear… as soon as the clock strikes midnight on December 31st Richard is back in my crosshairs.
Richard: I’m shaking in my winter boots. But yeah, we’re usually competing for the same gigs, I think there were at least two times this year where it came down to Eric or us at Skinny Ships. We settled it in the streets.
Who are some other WNW members whose work you admire, and why?
Both: I think we would love the opportunity to highlight some of the amazing 10x participants who are also WNW members:
Mark Weaver, Chris Muccioli, Damien Correll, Jessica Hische, Simone Noronha, Grace Danico, David J. McMillan, Shawna X
Anything else you’d like to add?
Eric: Buy some new records in 2017!
Richard: ✌
WNW Member David J. McMillan