Fresh talent at NERD: Budding mixed media director Karolina Papp joins NERD Productions roster

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We are beyond excited to introduce Karolina to our ever-growing talent roster. Karolina is an innovative filmmaker known for blending live action with analogue animation, creating a unique and textured visual style. We are excited to showcase her talent along with a strong commitment to authentic representation and inclusivity in the film and advertising industry.

We sat down with Karolina to chat through her career, favourite work and inspiration!

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Your approach to blending live action with analogue animation is truly unique. Could you share a specific project where this technique particularly challenged or inspired you creatively?

Definitely! Last year, I worked on a project that involved collaborating with a group of year 9 students from Riverside School in Barking. They had written a poem and a beautiful soundtrack, and with the help of the producer and DOP, had shot a lot of footage themselves. They had taken selfies, filmed their friends playing basketball, and recorded videos from music class. I wanted to showcase their creativity through the film, and analogue animation felt perfect to bring it all together. There was such a variety of mediums—Super 8, digital, disposable camera pictures, iPhone pictures—and this lent itself really well to the collage element of the film. To tie them together visually, I printed the footage frame by frame, drew directly on top of it, and scanned it back in to create a texture that ran throughout the film. It was really rewarding working in this way because I could draw from what the kids had already created, and this meant their personalities really came through in the film.

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Representation in the film and advertising industry is a pressing issue. How do you navigate the complexities of ensuring diverse voices are not just included but authentically portrayed in your work, and what impact do you hope this has on your audience?

A very important question! Personally, if I’m working on a project where I’m telling someone else’s lived experience, it’s crucial for me to have a constant back and forth with the subject to make sure they feel heard and that what they see reflected back at them feels like a true representation. I’m quite passionate about this topic—I’m Hungarian, and I was really sad to hear when Hungary passed a law suppressing LGBTQIA+ representation in the media. People NEED to see themselves onscreen to know there are others like them and that there are opportunities for them too.

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In terms of impact, I’m hoping for a change towards a more inclusive future where we don’t have to search far and wide for diverse talent because they’ll be right in front of us. It’s no secret that, at the moment, the industry is very white and male-dominated, making it difficult to find crew outside of that realm. I’m working on my first short film, and I wanted to make sure it had a fully female and non-binary crew so I could expand my network of talented women and non-binary folk—they’re out there and they want to be found but are often overlooked.

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Working with a range of clients from Netflix to Lovehoney must offer diverse creative challenges. Can you tell us about a project where you had to push the boundaries of your style to meet a client’s vision, and how this experience shaped your artistic approach moving forward?

Working on The Crown mini-documentary for Netflix was a creative challenge for me because it required an elegant, refined design to fit with the style of the series. My work is usually colourful and a bit chaotic, so I had to find a balance between honouring the tasteful aesthetic that the show is renowned for while making sure my style was still present. It was an honour to work with Netflix on this project, and I learned a lot about the immense amount of work and attention to detail that went into making the show.

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Your films often evoke nostalgia and have a tangible, textural quality that resonates deeply with audiences. How do you tap into this emotional connection while also ensuring your work feels fresh and relevant in today’s media landscape?

I think analogue techniques are more important and relevant today than ever before. The creative industry is fighting a battle with AI, and I’m personally quite worried about it growing to a point where humans are no longer needed to create! At the moment, though, AI animation is easily recognizable and is not yet able to recreate the look and feel of analogue media. I love that analogue techniques come with imperfections and unpredictability, which makes them more human and gives them a depth that AI content doesn’t have. So, I guess for me, to keep my work fresh, I’m looking backward to more old-school methods instead of forward.

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And to finish off, tell us a NERDy fact about yourself

I LOVE going to the cinema and getting all the cinema deals – at one point last year I had a cinema deal for every day of the week. I’m also quite obsessed with Letterboxd, the movie rating app – I log all the films I watch and rate them too.

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See Karolina’s work here.

NERD welcomes Photographer Manos Chatzikonstantis: Q&A

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We are absolutely delighted to introduce Manos to our continuously expanding talent roster. With his remarkable portfolio featuring delectable food photography, captivating portraits brimming with purpose, and the mesmerising landscapes of the Mediterranean, Manos brings a unique creative flair to our team. In an exclusive interview, we had the pleasure of discussing Manos’ portfolio, his award-winning image for the Portrait for Humanity, and the diverse array of influences that shape his distinctive style.

Your portfolio reflects a deep appreciation for light, composition, and the intricacies of imagery. Could you share a moment that sparked your fascination with these elements and ultimately led you to pursue photography as a career?

Creative expression comes from diverse parenthood. So many things in one’s life, many of them unconscious, contribute to one’s style. I suppose growing up in Greece, being familiar with strong light and shadows plays a role. Warm sun, reflections, the softness of the evening. These kinds of things. Working with great people as an assistant is also quite formative. Observing art plays its role, I suppose, as does literature. One resonates subconsciously with certain elements, with certain techniques. I believe in observing the world closely and photography is pretty much the profession to follow if you are like that and a horrid draughtsman at the same time.

Your food photography is described as natural yet inviting, every shot we look at just gives us that ‘yum’ feeling. How do you approach each food shoot to ensure the dishes not only look appealing but also tell a compelling story?

What’s important is to understand the food itself and what the shot is for. It’s like a portrait really, where you have to connect with the person at some level and convey something. I need to know what the food is about, where it comes from, and what traditions it’s connected with.

Then comes the technical part. Chat with the team if this is part of a production. Which bits need to be highlighted, how this particular food reacts with light and colour? And in the end, one has to have a story going. Where are we, where is this dish supposed to be, whose place is this? Even if it’s just a white background where the food is placed, it should bear the soul of the people involved in preparing it.

Your Mediterranean cultural roots shine through in the textures, shadows, and colours of your work. How do you incorporate your cultural influences into your photography, and how do you believe it sets your style apart in the industry?

I believe that one’s style has to be true to oneself to have some significance. I’m equally fascinated by the South as I am by the northern crisp sunlight or the shadows of an object lit through a window on a gloomy day. Maybe having lived in Germany and the UK, being originally from Greece.  I somehow came to understand and appreciate the southern narrative elements better and learn how to combine them with the northern ones. That might be one thing. And the other might be that I don’t particularly care for stereotypes and try to avoid them. Removing elements usually works better than adding.

Winning the Portrait of Humanity award and being shortlisted for prestigious awards like the Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year demonstrate the recognition your work has received. Can you tell us a backstory of your Portrait of Humanity winning image?

Oh, I love this image. The great thing about living in London is that you rub shoulders with all those cultures, all those different people. The shot was made in Stamford Hill, where most of the Jewish Orthodox community lives. I was working on a book about Jewish kosher cuisine at the time and Purim was going on, a religious celebration similar to carnival. People get totally bonkers there during the festival. It’s a wonderful thing to observe and interestingly not many Londoners know about it. I was roaming the streets, camera in hand and these kids were just coming out of their place to join the festivities. I took a shot, then they noticed me and as they gave me a shy smile I managed another two shots. One of them made the Portrait of Humanity competition. A lovely moment.

And to finish off, tell us a NERDy fact about yourself 🙂

Here’s two:
I love Superbad.  
When I edit photos I listen to weird, modular, glitch music. Or Frank Zappa’s mad guitar riffs.

See more from Manos here.

Animate! With Alicja Jasina

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Animators are the magicians of filmmaking – to animate means, quite literally, to bring to life after all. So today, we wanted to celebrate one of our animation directors Alicja Jasina, who fills our creative hearts every time we get to speak or see her work!

A line is a dot that went for a walk”, as famously stated by Paul Klee, deeply resonates with Alicja’s artistic journey. For her, a line serves both as a medium and a distinct way of thinking – often defying conventional linear perspectives. Alicja’s films received many prestigious recognitions, including the shortlist at Oscars in the Animated Short Film category for her short film “Once Upon a Line”. 

With a blend of elegant designs, sharp wit, and a unique conceptual approach, Alicja’s boundless creativity consistently captivates and engages audiences. Commercially, her line animations have earned her campaigns for renowned brands including Google, Casper, Disney, and Airbnb.

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How did you first fall in love with animation?

Animation is part of my everyday diet, though I don’t always consume it as ferociously as in the picture below :D.

I vividly recall my first time at school at Kingston Uni when I crafted a few frames in Flash, creating the illusion of movement – it was truly mind-blowing.

For me, in animation, the focus isn’t solely on a single frame, not even on the in-betweens, but also on what’s in between the frames – the flow, the potential, something hard to express, less defined, more ‘in the movement’.

At times, I catch myself getting caught up in the technical aspects of animation. That’s why I prefer to keep it simple – to stay grounded and remember the core essence of what I do.

To this day, I remain intrigued by the concept of motion, and I sometimes conduct quick film experiments, treating my body as if it were an animation element – akin to being part of software moved by a cursor.

Tell us about the animation project that kick started your career?

It was my thesis project created at the University of Southern California, “Once Upon a Line.” It received numerous awards and was shortlisted for an Oscar. This recognition brought up many work opportunities and gave me the confidence I needed to pursue this career.

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From your perspective, what’s the key to animation that really lives?

Energy and thought behind it.

Show us your favourite or most impactful project that you’ve worked on – tell us, what is it that makes it special and what were the memorable moments or challenges?

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Turbo Love trailer

“Turbo Love” was a fun personal film with a well-defined concept behind it – the kind of project I like. The real challenge for me was the shoot day.

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I asked the crew to redo certain shots many times to achieve the precise outcome I envisioned for my animation. There were moments when I sensed some frustration from the DP – you can see it reflected in his expression in the picture above :D. But perfection we did achieve!

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I learned that providing explicit instructions to our actress, Dominika, about each gesture might not be the most effective strategy for  the most satisfying performance. Unlike my animated characters, who don’t require such independence. Although at times, they do take charge and start to take actions by themselves – that’s when the real magic happens, in my opinion.

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Directing on a live shoot was a truly unique experience, quite distinct from my usual routine of drawing on my Cintiq. That’s when I feel I have proper control of my work. Just like in the illustration above, during the creative process, I like to be comfy and keep my feet warm 🙂

I also really enjoyed working on Swiss Life.
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What sort of briefs or projects do you find more personally satisfying to work on?

Something “in line with my line”, which is a client hiring me specifically for my distinctive style. This was the case when I was approached to direct a commercial for Swiss Life bank. The client had liked my previous films a lot and desired the minimal, quirky, “smart” line animation that defines my work. When you see a big “chunk of yourself” in a bigger campaign like this, it is truly satisfying.

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Currently, I’m immersed in the creation of a short film with the potential to evolve into a show, supported by the Polish Film Institute and Pomeranian Film Fund. It tells a story of a 20-year-old Lotar who is crushed and overwhelmed by the reality around him and through immersing himself in rap music, he gradually discovers his voice. I’m lucky to be working with a talented crew of animators; without them, it would be hard to pull through – the aesthetics are much more intricate than my usual work. Even at the design stage, there were moments when I felt I might be buried under the layers of the project :D.

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Outside of the field of animation, what really inspires you?

Illustration and art. I love being outdoors as well – running, biking, roller-skating, hiking – that all gives me a breath of “fresh air”, inspiring new ideas to bring into my creative practice. Nature, traveling, spending time with friends – all that recharges my batteries.

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And to finish off, tell us a NERDy fact about yourself!

Recently, I enrolled in a course in Spanish law – pretty NERDy, right?

See more from Alicja here.

Welcoming Photographer Ellie Ramsden to the NERD Productions Family!

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The winner of Portrait of Britain 2024 and now a part of the Museum of Youth Culture, we’re excited to welcome Ellie to our growing photography roster. From documenting British subcultures to partnering with brands like Adidas and Nike, Ellie’s work resonates globally.

Her unique touch lies in her use of film processes, adding a certain depth to her storytelling. She sparks conversations, challenges stereotypes, and crafts to create authentic narratives.

We sat down to chat about her inspiration and favourite pieces!

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Portrait Of Britain 2024 ’Reiss Nelson – Versus”

Your focus primarily lies in capturing people, especially through portraiture. What draws you to this particular craft?

A fascination and interest in people, wanting to learn from and understand everyone & anyone around me!

Tell us about your favourite project to date and why it has a sweet spot in your heart.

The first long-term project I worked on was photographing and interviewing women in the grime scene. I was in university when I started it and was still very much learning how to take photographs and had never interviewed anyone before. I learnt so much from that project, how to create a visual style through my imagery, how to organise shoots, how to design and self-publish a photo-book, as well as learning so much about myself, those I was photographing and the scenes I was immersed in. That project will always have a special place in my heart, and is a reminder of how far I’ve come as a photographer on my journey.

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Are there any emerging photography styles/trends you are currently interested in and looking to introduce to your work?

I’m interested in taking a deeper socially engaged approach to my work, making it a more collaborative experience. Whether that’s through adding elements they’ve created, such as their own artwork or writing, or working together to create an aesthetic that they feel honestly represents them in an authentic way.

What are your career hopes and goals for 2024?

I would love to start a new social documentary project, and to hopefully get it funded.

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And to finish off, tell us a NERDY fact about yourself.

I get very excited about alternative printing methods, for instance taking a two-day algae printing workshop with photographer Laura Pannack last summer. So much fun!

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See more from Ellie here.

NERD Productions Welcomes Live Action Director Rodney Rico

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Coming in hot is a new signing at NERD Productions – fashion, beauty & editorial director Rodney Rico. With an honors degree in Filmmaking from Kingston School of Art, Rodney made his mark crafting videos for top magazines and luxury brands worldwide. Inspired by classic films and French New Wave cinema, Rodney’s style stands out from the rest and we can’t wait to see his next creative adventure as part of our creative family. We sat down with Rodney to chat through our ‘get to know’ questions and what can we say, he really is a true NERD!

How would you describe your approach to storytelling and visual style as a director?

I’m still very traditional when it comes to filmmaking—I try to be efficient but also bring a sense of realism. I can think of many ways to set up my camera movements to convey the visual storytelling, but I usually end up just holding the camera (handheld), and it becomes more personal to the viewer.

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Tell us about your favourite project to date and why it has a sweet spot in your heart.

I wrote an essay about Disney as part of my final year project, specifically about The Little Mermaid (1989). I was approached by the producer who was organizing an editorial shoot with an actor starring in the Live Action version, so I was super keen to join. It was a full-circle moment, and I was happy with the results.

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Watch the commercial here.

If your life was a movie, what would its genre be?

I’m a big horror fan, but I wouldn’t say I want my life to be like a horror movie—maybe more of a romance. Romanticising life keeps me happy in general, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

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What are your career hopes and goals for 2024?

I want to work closer with different talents and get to know them better on a personal level before a shoot. I really want to capture their essence and mix my own personal style into it.

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Watch the commercial here.

And to finish off, tell us a NERDY fact about yourself.


Ooooh, I’m a big Marvel fan, but that’s a whole other story.

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See Rodney’s profile here.

Storytellers DeTuco Join NERD Productions’ talent roster

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As the first blooms of 2023 appear, we bring you DeTuco – our new & vibrant animation signing. This bunch, brimming with team spirit, specialises in bringing to life CGI characters and whole new worlds. They are eager to infuse the NERD Productions family with even more colour and craft. Prepare to be wowed as we ask them a few ‘need to know’ questions!

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What are 2 things our readers should know about you?

  • We love projects that involve characters, as we are fascinated by designing and creating new worlds and telling their stories. In every project presented to us, we look for new challenges and we always try to modify the visual style of what we do, diversifying our creativity and pushing the limits. We are constantly on the move, we even develop our own tools to innovate and go off the traditional paths.
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  • Since we like to work with talented artists and recognize their skills, a few years ago we organized an exhibition for fellow creators.

    It was one of the best experiences we´ve had as a team since it was an event without any kind of economic profit, it was made for the pure love of art. Bringing together so much talent, and so much amazing work was unique and it filled us with joy. We always talk about doing it again and we believe it may be possible this year. We choose to be infinitely curious and give the best of ourselves at all times so we can leave our mark.
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Tell us about your favourite project to date and why it has a sweet spot in your heart.

There are many projects that we love, but without a doubt the one that we remember the most is Monstruosos. It was 100% our own idea, which we were able to carry out thanks to the trusting client over at Cartoon Network. We talked a lot about the story itself and put it together little by little as a collaboration. The first script was made and a visual style was developed. CN believed in us from the start and gave us the space and resources to unleash our creativity. The months working on Monstruosos were of pure creativity. The whole team participated and contributed great ideas, it was very inspiring. Even our kids got in on the fun, joining us for lively lunches and playtime in the studio.

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Another project worth mentioning is Body Armor Edge. This project presented a thrilling combination of aesthetics and technical demands.

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We are not talking about 2023 resolutions, but rather what we are looking forward to this year. What are you most looking forward to in 2023?

This year, like every new year, we want to continue challenging ourselves and developing films that allow us to enrich our techniques or tools and explore fresh styles. We’re looking to reach and exceed the standards of what the market demands, making the most of our talent and thus, offering our best quality in each project.

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And to finish off, tell us a NERDY fact about yourself. 

Something that has become a tradition in the studio is playing video games on breaks or in little moments of free time. We discovered that disconnecting for a moment when possible and playing with (or against) each other is something that creates great opportunities for fun, laughter and bonding.

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As fans of animation in all its forms and techniques, and passionate about new technologies, we have created channels with the team members to exchange opinions, and discover artists and content. This has become an inspiring pastime for all!

We are passionate, curious, restless and love to be in constant search. We are friends, colleagues, and family – we are DeTuco.

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See more from DeTuco here.

NEW NERDy signing: get to know Bonnie MacRae

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Starting 2023 with a bang and introducing you to NERD’s newest signing – Bonnie MacRae.
A young, talented and unbelievably passionate director makes a fresh new addition to NERD talent roster ready to inspire and mesmerise the world of creative this year!

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Who is Bonnie and what are 3 things our readers should know about you?

Hello! I’m Bonnie, I’m a writer and director hailing from Scotland. I absolutely love storytelling, in all forms, and am determined to create authentic, soulful films – specifically those that tackle typically taboo subject matter. I come from a working-class background, which definitely influences the style and tone of my work, and is really something I want to continue representing and platforming going forward.

A lot of my work surrounds topics and themes that are really close to my heart. I’m so incredibly honoured and excited to be repped by NERD and can’t wait to continue growing as a director – what a way to begin 2023! Three things to know about me…

  1. I have no formal filmmaking training. I dropped out of university after a few years and have been crafting with all I have ever since. At the time it felt like maybe I’d made the wrong decision but switching pathways and believing that I could make it as a director was the best thing I ever did. Someone has to do it and why not me, right? 
  2. Travelling is one of my biggest inspirations! I used to live in New York for a little while and it was my time there that led me to pick up a camera in the first place. Since then, my travels around post-pandemic Europe have been super influential in the stories I am working on now. 
  3. I’m obsessed with food on screen – there’s something about the way you can shoot food that just excites me. I think ‘The Bear’ on Disney Plus does it so well, also there are a few great kitchen shots in Olivia Wilde’s ‘Don’t Worry Darling’. Up until now, I’ve only ever shot a birthday cake but have lots of ideas I want to try out across future projects! The Scottish remake of ‘The Bear’ is on the way – beautiful shots of cheesy chips and Tennent’s Lager to feature…
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Your portfolio is filled with deep and heartfelt stories. What inspires you to create such meaningful work?

I think drawing from personal experience and telling the stories I feel that I know well, is perhaps the easiest way for me to be as authentic as I can in my filmmaking. I also find it much easier to articulate and navigate more difficult topics and conversations via visual means. I’m definitely a very passionate person and when I come across something that I feel strongly about, I like to set my focus on shining the light, albeit a small one, onto these stories.

I’ve also made a couple of films about issues that have affected me personally, so maybe rather selfishly, I create work that I can relate to, in the hope that others can too. The films that stick with me are always the ones that manage to reflect a little bit of my own life, so that’s what I aspire to do in the stories I tell.

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Your short film ‘Mind Yersel’ covers a hugely important topic of men’s suicide and features the Dundee accent which is not often heard on screen. How important is it for you to strive for representation like this in your work?

I wrote Mind Yersel with the intention of platforming the voices of my hometown, the voices of friends that I had never really heard within media before. It was really overwhelming when Mind Yersel was shared so widely overnight, as it was never something I expected to happen but I’m so SO glad it was well received. The success of Mind Yersel really allowed me to see the power of honest storytelling, it’s a very raw film and it was my goal to try and represent those I had grown up around. You don’t really notice the nuances of your upbringing until you leave that environment and are placed in a setting so different to what you know.

For me, I didn’t really even realise I was working class until I left Dundee and that was very striking and initially quite eye-opening. It made me realise people like me, and my friends from home had never truly been appropriately represented on screen. From then on, I made a mental note to always ensure I prioritise fair representation in everything I create, be it in front of or behind the camera. I never ever thought that I could make an actual career out of something creative, let alone directing. I really want to take every chance I have in platforming the people, places and stories that represent where I come from. I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to do so.

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Why did you choose NERD for your home?

To be part of NERD is such a dream come true, Milana (NERD’s founder and EP) didn’t have to ask me twice! I am at the very beginning of my career and have a lot to learn, and I want to do it all. Mentorship and encouragement are two things I’m really looking for and NERD is there to support me with both. I was also really drawn to the way NERD platforms diversity. You don’t want to get the jobs because you check the woman or the working class box. You want to get the jobs because of your talent first, the ones that will acknowledge and value your background but not let you be defined by it.

For me, NERD values all of the aspects that make up the director I am today but fills me with the belief and community I need to grow into the director I really aspire to be. I have big, slightly crazy ambitions and I feel so lucky to have the NERD team there to help me reach them.
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We didn’t forget to ask about your new short film. When can we expect to see that? 

Yes! I’m so excited – but also incredibly nervous. It’s called All Up There and it’s all about Endometriosis, and desperately trying to reach a diagnosis. It’s very personal, and actually quite exposing, but something that I’m very proud of. We worked with an entirely female crew which was really special, we didn’t have much money at all but I really hope it gives even the slightest representation of what it feels like to come of age with a chronic condition when it feels like nobody in the world is listening. The film should be available to view online by February/March this year – ahhh!

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And finally, tell us a NERDY fact about yourself? 

I can’t start working on a concept, treatment, or day on-set without curating a Spotify playlist to go alongside. Sound design and musical scores are for me, one of the most crucial elements of film and I literally cannot come up with or develop any ideas if I haven’t spent hours making a playlist to soundtrack them first. Some might say creative, others, the perfect method of procrastination – I think a little bit of both. It’s one part of the process I will never skip!

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Check out Bonnie’s profile here.

New NERDs Signed! Director Duo Karni & Saul on Building a World of Casual Fantasy

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Exciting is an understatement! We are honoured to have Karni & Saul from Sulkybunny join our diverse roster! It is a pleasure getting to know them even better and treating you to a few bits on their style, most recent work and balancing their life as a working couple with kids.

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What have you been up to during summer with all the heat waves we’ve had this year?

We’ve been busy with our BFI mixed media short Wild Summon. Trying to keep our two kids happy and busy in a huge paddling pool, working on an eye mama photo book and project about the mother gaze. And of course, eating a ton of watermelon, while quietly panicking about the environment and global warming. A good summer overall!

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You describe your style as casual fantasy. What is the best example of this, and where do you find your inspiration?

We find it in everyday life. Casual fantasy is not typical, but it appears naturally in live action in the details where it is merged perfectly into life because life and fantasy are interconnected. Every day of our life can be fantastical, it’s down to your point of view and imagination. Sometimes, life can be stranger than fiction.
In our shorts Turning and Flytopia, fantasy is a part of the narrative. Like a boy’s imagination or a man losing his mind, we love the play and the surrealness this brings. It is a visual medium after all, so it has to be visual pleasure and magic.

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You make quite a lot of music videos! Is the realm of music and entertainment a particular niche you feel passionate about? 

Absolutely! Music, visuals and fantasy work so well together, like tea and biscuits. They improve and amplify each other when it works well, when we love a song and it resonates. We have images pop into our heads like magic.

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Working together as a married couple must have its perks. Do your kids play a role in your creations? If yes, who is the first one to give you feedback?

They definitely inspire us by being playful and imaginative. Interacting with our kids can be magic, but also hard work. We make things we want them to see or be inspired by even if its in the future. Being a directing duo and couple with kids is our reality and we have never known any different. It comes with power and also compromise, and again, we wouldn’t have it any different.

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Over your whole career, what was the project you enjoyed the most? Not only by the outcome but everything starting from the client, brief and up to the final delivery.

One of our first ever commercials was for a project for BBC Digital Radio with Larry and Dave. We played a lot and had loads of fun experimenting with stop-frame animation, had a big laugh and were very creative. It set the standards high, our three short films for BBC, Film4 and BFI were a long and joyful ride. Super hard work but full of creative satisfaction and freedom.

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What motivated you to join the NERD Productions roster? Why are they a good fit for you? 

We have known and liked Milana from NERD for a long time. We like female leads wherever we can and we like companies that support artists and creativity. It was a no-brainer.

The Colourful Multi-faceted World of Mono Ghose

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An exciting new addition to the NERD Productions family is Mono Ghose! He grew up playing sports, reading books and watching TV, sometimes too much. But, without a particular taste for science and math, Mono stuck to exploring his artistic side, and here we are.

Interested in football, gaming, reading, and quietly being urged to play the piano, which he never enjoyed, Mono inadvertently fell in love with the Spanish guitar. 

Having Indian heritage, Mono considers Indian storytelling and film tradition a formative part of his upbringing. It’s also a source of his passion for travelling and a diverse perspective. Adding to his already colourful heritage, growing up in the UK and having the experience of being an outsider meant, by will or circumstance, I didn’t have to follow the crowd, which helped me develop a sharp outside-of-the-box thinking and broadened my cultural awareness.’

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Mono graduated with a MA in Scriptwriting from Goldsmiths. He studied the best filmmakers from around the globe and learned how to structure and write screenplays across various media. The takeaway was seeing the film as a language for the first time, which has drastically changed how I approach the art form.’

His first industry experience fell on a two-week summer school at Publicis Advertising Agency in Baker Street, London during his Bachelor studies. It was an intensive introduction to the world of ad agencies and how to plan and manage a campaign from scratch. Focused on account management Mono quickly gravitated to the talks and sessions with the creatives, which is where he got the first insight into what was the real direction and this is where he wanted to take his career.

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One of the most important lessons he took away since the beginning of his directing career was how to deal with failure and rejection.Whether it’s a pitch, sale or script feedback, I learned to see it as an opportunity to develop my skill set and resilience. It’s also a good test to see how badly you want this as your career including all the ups and downs.’

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Mono’s first professional project was a spot for Selfridges with BMB Agency. It was a 60-second spot he directed to advertise Selfridges’ new personal shopping ‘Wonder Room’ area in-store. It was his first big spot and he remembers how everyone waited patiently for Mono to call action, which he eventually did. It was challenging to juggle the different stakeholders from the agency and client-side while maintaining a creative focus with actors and crew. ‘ This balance is something all directors must go through and is a technique I’ve come to excel at and enjoy. ‘

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Like nearly every director, Mono had his life/career-changing moment when his short film ‘Lost Bullets’ was long-listed for Oscar. It opened a lot of doors in Mono’s career and got him in front of some industry heavy hitters. The story still resonates with people today and stands up in terms of cinematic quality to other leading shorts.

In directing, Mono loves working with talented people to craft and tell great stories.

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I want to achieve impeccable storytelling, draw tight performances and create atmospheric, stunning visuals to match the narrative.’ To keep himself fresh and caught up with everything in the industry Mono watches a lot of ads, good and bad from all over the world. Not hitting the skip button on YouTube and varying his tastes, for example: keeping up to date with exhibitions and art galleries, music, world cinema, NFTs and gaming. 

The creative industry, like any other, is full of good and bad. Mono is not a big fan of the “traditional” route to becoming a commercials director. This is changing with directors coming from other disciplines and backgrounds. The industry could also take calculated risks in storytelling and casting.

On a positive note, the creative industry has never-ending opportunities to tell stories across new formats and media. I’m excited about working with brands open to fresh ideas and storytelling methods.’

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Everyone takes their inspiration from somewhere, for Mono, some of it comes from his favourite director Bong Joon-ho. His movies are on the list of those you want to watch again and again to see what’s running underneath (literally in ‘Parasite’) and feel like you’ve been in a filmmaking masterclass after it’s over.

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Outside of work, Mono likes keeping fit, reading, playing the guitar and indie games when time permits. Apart from directing, Mono takes time to perfect his travel photography, creating his own game and poetry. He also particularly enjoys the following creations that you might take a note of:

Film: Bong Joon-ho. His stories are thought-provoking and original. 

Ridley Scott. A master of blending visuals, music and story to create iconic cinematic moments. 

Books: George Orwell and Milan Kundera: 

They write in an accessible style which is also ironic, prophetic and timeless. 

Gaming: the creators (Playdead) of the games ‘Inside’ and ‘Limbo’. These indie games show how the atmosphere and a mysterious style with little to no dialogue can carry an entire story.

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Lastly, ‘I’m sure, like most artists, I’m driven by the impulse to create a great piece of work that resonates both with the audience and personally.’ We hope you enjoyed an insight into who Mono Ghose is and are looking forward to seeing what NERDy things he creates in the future.

New Signing at NERD: What Rachael Olga Lloyd Loves 24/7

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Exciting times at NERD! We had a chance to catch up with our latest signing creative powerhouse and stop-motion director Rachael Olga Lloyd. We spoke to Rachael about everything and anything under the sun, we hope you enjoy getting to know her as much as we did!

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Growing up as a very British kid with a relaxed Christian upbringing Rachael was always a cheeky one with an overactive imagination. Art was one of Rachael’s obsessions; she would make up fantasy stories, draw creatures, witches, and unicorns as a creative outlet. Rachael even had her own little club called ‘The Creepy Club’ where she would tell horror stories at her local school to anyone who would listen.

All these fantasy and horror stories made for a fun childhood and Rachael grew up as a mixture of extrovert and introvert, often switching between those two. Happy-go-lucky, she’s always in touch with her inner child and that’s apparent in her work. She’s both her own harshest critic and her biggest fan!

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Rachael kicked off her directing experience back at the university where she was studying Animation and her group of friends won a pitch to make a film for Fair Trials charity. It was her first job as a Director. Getting into stop motion was kind of an accident, allowing her to discover experimental stop motion and realise this is something she wanted to explore. Learning the craft is a continuous process and she always learns something new on the job (as well as discovering things on YouTube as she started out). “Make make make” is the approach Rachael stuck to to perfect her technique and create the stunning films she shares with the world.

The first job for Fair Trials showed Rachael that she can do what she truly loves and get paid for it too. A pivotal piece of work for her was the first film: The Lonely Mountain. After making that it felt like all the pieces fell into place and she understood that animation was what she wanted to spend her life doing. As an artist, she always tries to push her style towards something new – this time, music videos for Frances were a chance to explore her craft even more. Exploring one’s personal style and applying it to their commercial work was the ideal way for development.

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As a stop-motion director, a lot of craft is done by hand and this is what Rachael enjoys the most. Seems like a perfect situation doesn’t it? She calls it ‘therapeutic and rewarding as you always have a physical thing to show at the end for your time spent.’ Stop motion involves a lot of problem-solving like making the idea into reality and finding physical things that reflect exactly what you have on your mind which happens to be ‘the most rewarding part of the whole job’ for Rachael.

Speaking of the nature of the job, uncertainty, when the work is slow, does bring its own insecurities, however, Rachael would hate to be a 9 to 5 person. The free time allows her to push her personal style and technique which always comes in handy for any project. Keeping herself fresh and open to new experiences, she enjoys hanging out with industry friends, attending festivals and building connections with people on production.

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We see a lot of contradiction when dealing with stop motion: ‘I always find it really sad when stop motion becomes so honed and perfected that most people don’t even know its stop motion!’ and for that reason ‘stop-motion is one of the hardest mediums to use so why use it unless you fully utilize what is so unique about it; the handmade feel and the imperfections.’

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We always get excited about stop motion and it is very refreshing to see more and more stop motion animation spots where ‘stop motion being released that is new, different and not aimed at children.’

As in any industry, there’s always space for improvement and ‘green lighting and encouraging more experimental and varied animation is appreciated. There will always be a lot of the same stuff being recycled as it is safe and lucrative. But more risks and pushing boundaries would help. ‘

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Being inspired by women in the industry, Rachael feels ‘women directors who have smashed through that cautiousness and have the complete confidence to believe in themselves and their work, and that inspires me a lot as I have had a struggle with it myself.’

Outside of the animation world, Rachael is very much a multi-dimensional individual who likes to hike, watch TV series (Korean dramas) and play computer games. Professional passion still doesn’t go away when thinking about free time as she enjoys all different handcrafts, collecting home pieces during her travels and cats!

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Being inspired by Tom Rosenthal and Keaton Henson, Rachel’s taste in music, again, helps her explore different themes in her work. On a nerdy side, ‘Surprise, surprise, I’m a massive nerd. I love gaming in my spare time, RPGs, board games and DnD if I have the time.’

Having followed through Rachel’s story, we see her being always fulfilled by exploring her own style, inspired by everything around her and forever eager to explore. Her passion and drive for her craft make her a perfect match for NERD’s roster, and we could not be more thrilled to have her join our talented team!