1Please give us a brief bio of yourself, your company, job profile, etc.
I founded RD Content in 2009 when I was 23. Over the past ten years, I have grown the agency from one person in a shared office to 60 permanent members of staff, international offices, and work for some of the world’s biggest organizations.
2Tell us a bit about your business and what you do.
Our USP is handling the entire video creation process, from strategy and creative ideation, production, and post-production. We have in house directors, DOPs and producers. We have a world-class post-production facility that enables 2D and 3D work to take place seamlessly alongside our color grading, sound design and composition, and editing work.
3Congratulations! As the winner of the 2019 Muse Awards, what does it mean to you and your company and team to receive this award distinction?
We know there is a huge amount of competition to pick up a prestigious Muse Award and so we are delighted to have won three.
4Can you explain a bit about the winning work you entered into the 2019 Muse Awards, and why you chose to enter this project?
Our platinum winning project brought together grandparents and their grandchildren. The film begins with the grandparents discussing their feelings about how relevant they are in the modern world. They discuss some of the common themes that affect elderly people, a lack of understanding of technology, a fear of becoming a burden.
However, the film pivots when we bring their grandchildren and ask them their perception of their grandparents. Their view is entirely the opposite and the emotional reactions captured on camera are genuine.
5What was the biggest challenge with this project?
The project required that the stories be entirely genuine. We ran a three-month casting process to try to find the right stories. The real challenge was running the casting without giving away to the contributors what we were trying to achieve. With time, care and attention we were able to craft a truly emotional story.
6How has winning an Award developed your practice/career?
We have only just won so ask me that in a few months.
7What are your top three (3) favorite things about our industry?
Having the chance to create something original every day.
Being able to emotionally impact people through the stories we tell.
Being able to see the world through different people’s eyes.
8What makes your country specifically, unique in the creative industry?
The UK has and remains a melting pot of creativity. From music to film and video games. These different forms of creative work help attract talent from around the world and it is through that diversity that creative disruption can flourish.
9Where do you see the evolution of creative industry going over the next 5-10 years?
I don’t imagine the platforms that we are currently engaged in will look remotely like they look today and ultimately how creativity will evolve will be entirely dependent on the platforms creatives are working with. We’re seeing a move towards more specialized content creation specifically for target audiences. Less centralized globally shared experiences and more intimate, pockets of the world where we get the experience we want. This means more creativity through more content but probably smaller budgets.
10If you were a student entering this industry or an aspiring Muse Award submitter, what advice would you give them?
Be a maker, don’t wait for someone else to hand you an idea and ask you to do something with it. The greatest creatives initiated their projects all the time.
11What resources would you recommend to someone who wants to improve their skills in the creative industry?
I don’t think there is a shortcut other than practice. There is an unlimited wealth of knowledge sitting at everyone's fingertips online. Whether it is techniques on how to write better, how to edit, how to shoot, how to do just about everything. Ultimately, practice and execution are critical factors for success.
12Tell us something you have never told anyone else.
I’m a huge Meatloaf fan. People know it but I’ve never said it out loud.
13Who has inspired you in your life and why?
In the world of creativity, I’d point towards Hegarty of BBH fame. If you get a chance to read his book I highly recommend it. He was and is a genius.
14What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?
Failing is ok, not trying is not ok.