S1, Ep9: Sarah Edwards | Sony Pictures SVP | Creative Instincts

On this special edition of the Unlocking Creativity podcast, listeners of the show send in their questions about how to be creative and stay creative whilst in lockdown and living in these socially distant times.   Three of the many questions we’ll be answering in this episode include: How to find new inspiration whilst locked down and working in isolation. What to do with all those projects we were planning on doing before the pandemic began. And how creativity can make an impact in the world around us, regardless of the industry.      Thank you to special guest contributions from: Elika Gibbs - Stylist. IG: @PracticalPrincess Dan Shipton - Creative Director. IG: @WeAreBlackSkull Nicola Larder - Creator, Marcella (Netflix) and Cobra (Sky)   Thank you for listener questions from: Alexis Strum Vicky Matthews Alex White Andrea Hope Sydney Ling Andrey Psyché Y’all Y’all Christoper Stanley Ebony Arwen Emily Gunawan   Daniel Brookes - Host of Unlocking Creativity Twitter: @danielrbrookes Instagram: @danielrbrookes Website: www.unlockingcreativitypodcast.com

Derren Brown is best known for his mind-altering stage shows and Netflix TV specials. By mixing mentalism, magic, illusion, suggestion, hypnotism and suggestion, Derren’s performances are always innovative, distinct and continually push boundaries. So often surrounded in secrecy, what you're about to find out is the creative process that goes into developing some of his most famous stage shows and effects. Most people ask Derren Brown how his performances are done but what you’re about to discover is even better - how he creates them in the first place. This episode of Unlocking Creativity is packed full of revelation and actionable advice that could be applied to everyone’s life.   Three takeaways from this episode include: How to find meaning at different stages of our life and why a creative endeavour is a great way to do it.  Why becoming who you are is forgetting about who you are supposed to be.  And why we should all be finding something of meaning that’s bigger than ourselves and putting everything into it.    Derren’s Recommendations: Susan Cain - Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking Laurence Scott - Picnic Comma Lightning: In Search of a New Reality John Kaag - Hiking With Nietzsche   Daniel Brookes | Host of the Unlocking Creativity Podcast:  Twitter: @danielrbrookes Instagram: @danielrbrookes Email: [email protected]   Unlocking Creativity Website: www.unlockingcreativitypodcast.com

Nettie Wakefield is one of the most exciting artists around right now. Her distinct style has led to her works being snapped up by collectors and galleries across the globe, as well as being scouted by Banksy. Nettie is the first-ever artist to ever appear on the podcast and she provides some truly unique insights into what goes into making her own pieces, along with all the highs and lows that can come with it.   Three takeaways from this episode include: Why it’s important to develop an individual style and have consistency in your work.  How working in solitude can impact your creativity and how to avoid going crazy in your own company!. And if you’ve ever wondered how to turn a blow-up doll into a bronze sculpture, you’re about to find out...    Nettie’s Recommendation: Grayson Perry - Playing to the Gallery   Daniel Brookes | Host of the Unlocking Creativity Podcast:  Twitter: @danielrbrookes Instagram: @danielrbrookes Email: [email protected]   Unlocking Creativity Website: www.unlockingcreativitypodcast.com        

As the first actor to make an appearance on the show, Jeremy Irvine certainly didn’t disappoint. Many may know Jeremy for his past roles on the likes of the blockbuster movie War Horse, the giant musical franchise that is Mamma Mia and his latest project, Treadstone. The mammoth Amazon Prime Video series is an action-packed thriller set in the world of Jason Bourne amidst a backdrop of spies, assassins and espionage. Jeremy’s credits from film, television and stage have been widely varied and so too has his experience. In this episode, Jeremy provides a brilliantly truthful and honest insight into what it’s really like to be an actor. Sharing the creative challenges that are often faced, the process of getting into a role and the inspiring story of how he got his break in the first place - a perfect case of creating his own luck and which ultimately led to him being cast for his debut role by Steven Spielberg.   THREE TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE INCLUDE: The lessons and advice that Jeremy has been given by the likes of Steven Spielberg and Colin Firth. Why Jeremy finds the term ‘method acting’ ridiculous, despite in his own words "having been accused of it” in the past. How emotion can impact output - a transferrable skill from the world of acting that could be applied to any industry.   JEREMY’S RECOMMENDATION: Succession   Daniel Brookes | Host of the Unlocking Creativity Podcast:  Twitter: @danielrbrookes Instagram: @danielrbrookes Email: [email protected]   Unlocking Creativity Website: www.unlockingcreativitypodcast.com  

The stylish start to the season continues with British GQ’s Editor-in-Chief, Dylan Jones. Not only one of the most inspiring people who I’ve ever had the pleasure to interview but also a man of many creative talents. When he’s not running the monthly bible of all things cutting edge, Dylan is also an accomplished author, a strong advocate for Britain’s creative industries and the Chair of London Fashion Week Men's. He’s won countless awards for his work and in 2011 was granted an OBE for his services to publishing.    Three Takeaways From This Episode Include:  An insight into the reinvention of British GQ that Dylan implemented - including hiring Boris Johnson as a car correspondent and the advice that Dylan gives to new interns at the magazine. How even though Dylan grew up not knowing what he wanted to do and going as far to describe himself as ‘not particularly ambitious’, still managed to go on to reach the levels of success that he has. The reason why your gut instinct is fundamentally the most important thing when making decisions.   Dylan's Recommendation: Podcast - Talking Politics   Daniel Brookes | Host of the Unlocking Creativity Podcast:  Twitter: @danielrbrookes Instagram: @danielrbrookes Email: [email protected]   Unlocking Creativity Website: www.unlockingcreativitypodcast.com

Season Two has landed! We’re certainly kicking off in style with leading creative and Jimmy Choo founder, Tamara Mellon. Not only an incredible businesswoman but also a leader in the world of fashion design, whose innovations continually push the industry forward.  With a fierce and hardened attitude to risk, Tamara’s choices are often ambitious but never fail to create trends that many then proceed to follow. From her designs to how she runs her businesses, the results are always distinct, bold and noteworthy. Tamara has an abundance of wisdom and life experience that led to an interview that’s compelling regardless of whether you consider yourself a creative, an entrepreneur or a balance of both.    Three Takeaways From This Episode Include:  Why being a daydreamer is a good thing and why we should all be encouraged to do it more. What ‘first movers disadvantage’ is and why the most original of ideas often fail spectacularly before going on to succeed. And the mantra that Tamara instils in all of those that work for her — “the risky way is the safe way, and the safe way is the risky way.   Tamara's Recommendations:  Originals - Adam Grant Grit - Angela Duckworth Ralph Lauren Documentary   Daniel Brookes | Host of the Unlocking Creativity Podcast:  Twitter: @danielrbrookes Instagram: @danielrbrookes Email: [email protected]   Unlocking Creativity Website: www.unlockingcreativitypodcast.com

It's the season one finale! Hasn't time flown? Never fear, the recording has begun for series two and we have a knockout, solid-gold, brilliant guest to ensure we see out this season with a bang. Enter the ring, Paul Oakenfold!   Paul is not only known as a top DJ having previously been voted the world's best two years running, but also as a music producer, record label boss and for his scores on TV shows and films, including THAT Big Brother theme tune and Hollywood blockbuster, Swordfish. As well as all of that, he's also the man that created a movement with what became known as The Second Summer of Love which changed both the entire dance music genre, as well as the music industry as a whole.    Three of the many takeaways in this episode include:    How a fake ID and pretending to be a journalist helped Paul get started in the music industry.   How a remix of a U2 song proved to be the launchpad for Paul's career.    And why we should all be asking ourselves what we really love in life.    Paul's Recommendation: Marvin Gaye - What's Going On   

As both a creator of television formats and also someone who looks to find the most original formats globally, Sarah Edwards's creative instincts have to always be on. Whether it's working with her team to devise the next hit show or searching for the seed of something great in another territory, Sarah describes herself as needing to remain open to inspiration at all times.    I met with Sarah at her office in Sony Pictures to talk about what goes into creating a hit show like The Weakest Link and Take Me Out, as well as going from someone who was 'average academically' to one of the most respected and leading figures in the television industry.    Three Takeaways From This Episode Include:   The troubles of trying to be innovative in a risk-averse industry and how to overcome them.  What Sarah would look for in a creative intern from the 700 people that would apply.  And an exercise to do that makes you go against your instincts in order to devise something original.    Sarah's Recommendation: Essentialism: The Disciplines Pursuit of Less   Daniel Brookes | Host of the Unlocking Creativity Podcast:  Twitter: @danielrbrookes Instagram: @danielrbrookes Email: [email protected]   Unlocking Creativity Website: www.unlockingcreativitypodcast.com

With clients including Kate Moss and royalty, Elika Gibbs is renowned in the fashion industry for her work as both a stylist, as well as for being the first person to start a company specialising in wardrobe organisation. A business model that's now often imitated but never surpassed.    For this episode, Elika came to record the episode at my home. It seemed like a nice idea at first, but as you'll hear in the show, it was a mistake! Never invite a professional organiser to your unprofessionally organised home...     Three Takeaways From This Episode Include:    How being better organised can improve creativity. The way in which to give ourselves the best possible start to the day.  How Tamara Mellon helped Elika overcome her imposter syndrome.    Elika's Recommendations: The Secret Sliding Doors   More From Elika: Elika's Book  Elika's Instagram   Daniel Brookes | Host of the Unlocking Creativity Podcast:  Twitter: @danielrbrookes Instagram: @danielrbrookes Email: [email protected]   Unlocking Creativity Website: www.unlockingcreativitypodcast.com

By always being open to an opportunity, Damon Bryant's career has been varied, fascinating and unlike any other. Having left school at 16, Damon went on to start a film company with Jude Law and Ewan McGregor, became an agent, ran a nightclub and even became the Creative Director of the Lotus Formula 1 Team - a first for the sport. Now combining all of his past hats into his current company Bacchus Entertainment, we sat down together at Quo Vadis in Soho to discuss what he's learned through the years and how beating leukaemia has given him his go-getter attitude.   Three Takeaways From This Episode Include: How the worlds of Formula 1 and music proved to be a game-changing moment for Damon. The reason stupid ideas are great.  And why we should be saying yes to more opportunities that come our way.    Damon's Recommendations: Sideways Who is Michael Ovitz? The Kid Stays in the Picture: A Hollywood Life Adventures In The Screen Trade: A Personal View of Hollywood   Daniel Brookes | Host of the Unlocking Creativity Podcast:  Twitter: @danielrbrookes Instagram: @danielrbrookes Email: [email protected]   Unlocking Creativity Website: www.unlockingcreativitypodcast.com