From Goldsmiths to Nick Cave: Creative Collaboration in Art and Film with Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard

Ceri is joined in conversation with Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard, artists and BAFTA-nominated directors who've collaborated for over 30 years. From their early days at Goldsmiths to working with music icons like Nick Cave, this episode reveals their unique approach to art, film, TV and performance. Learn how they navigate the art world, balance ambition with pragmatism, and find magic in the spaces between truth and fiction. Their candid insights and inspiring advice make this a must-listen for creatives seeking to carve their own path!

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Embrace collaboration and find partners who complement your strengths, as Iain and Jane have done for over three decades.
• Don't be afraid to ask questions and be the beginner in the room – it can lead to innovative approaches and unexpected opportunities.
• Aim high in your creative ambitions, even if you fall short, you'll still achieve more than if you hadn't set big goals.
• Cultivate relationships with mentors and champions who believe in your work and can support you during challenging times.
• Be willing to let go of ideas that aren't working and adapt quickly, especially when working on time-sensitive projects.
• Focus on the day-to-day aspects of your creative life, as they form 99% of your experience, rather than fixating on big moments.
• Look for the "magic" that happens in the space between authenticity and performance, truth and fiction.
• Enjoy the journey and successes while they're happening, rather than only appreciating them in retrospect.

BEST MOMENTS 

"We very rarely back down. So ideas are often pushed somewhere pretty extreme, pretty quickly."

"The best moments in 20,000 Days for us, artistically, are these tiny bits of archive footage of Nick performing from over the 30 odd years he's been performing that are cut into a performance of him performing at Sydney Opera House."

"We often give our crews kind of pep talks about, you know, don't fear the speed, ride it, like let's pretend we're on a roller coaster, go with it."

"Stop thinking about  the bigger picture and work on project by project. Always challenge yourself, always make it new and fresh."

"Be so aware that the day to day, the way in which you spend your time, and the people with which you spend it with, is ultimately 99 percent of your creative life."

"I wish I'd enjoyed it whilst I was there, and I think that's a really powerful piece of advice to actually enjoy it whilst you're there."

PODCAST HOST BIO

Meet Ceri Hand, the driving force behind countless creative success stories. A creative coach, entrepreneur, and dynamic speaker, she's committed to empowering creatives to realise their dreams and make a meaningful impact through her creative coaching, mentoring and training company. With three decades in the arts under her belt, Ceri has ridden the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Now, she's here to help you achieve your goals, your way.

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