Life as an artist can oftentimes be a life of moving to where the work is or travelling to new places to be inspired, living a nomad existence, always seeking out the next project. On the 4th and 5th of October World Day of Migrants and Refugees was celebrated and we wanted to take this opportunity to speak with NERD Productions talent Lucas Borras and Carlota Santamaria originally from Spain have lived all over the globe swapping the towering skyscrapers of NYC and now finds himself in tinsel town living amongst the stars. The pair will be moving forward as a collaborative force known as Chosen Family and we cannot wait to share more with you in the near future.
Moving can be a hard and difficult process like leaving a piece of yourself behind, places can root us down, remind us of people and memories. Another consideration is uprooting family, having to look for new schools and fit in with new cultures and customs. We caught up with both of them to discuss how migrating impacted his work and whether it inspired or changed his approach to making art.
How did you both originally meet?
Like all great stories, in prior days of online dating, we met dancing in Barcelona and from that point onwards we just clicked together.
What was your first creative collaboration?
“The first time we collaborated was on a TV show called Anecdotari—a project that marked the beginning of our creative partnership. It went on to win both the Gold LAUS Award and the European Design Award. I led as Director and Animation Director, while Carlota brought her vision as Design Director and Illustrator. It was a project rooted in shared values, distinct perspectives, and a deep creative trust.” – Lucas
Was home sickness something that ever impacted you when you first moved away from home?
“We’ve always had each other’s back which always helps, naturally most of our family still live over in Spain but what’s helped since moving to LA is there’s a strong spanish speaking community in our area. We’ve made friendships through work collaborations, but as well through exploring the “californian” culture and taking our children to school and it’s important that we’ve built connections outside of the film and advertising space as well.” – Carlota
How does living on the West Coast differ from living on the East Coast?
“New York moves at a very different pace, you’re at what feels like the center of the universe, the hustle and bustle of a sprawling metropolis. When we moved back in 2009 it was very easy to build up connections especially in the creative space. You were always within walking distance of agencies and creative studios. LA on the other hand is more spread out and vast, unless you drive a car it can be harder to get from A to B. So you learn to find your people where you’re based which in a lot of ways helps with the community feel.“
Our surroundings often provide us with inspiration, when was the last time the LA sunshine helped form an idea?
“It’s so true, our surroundings provide us with so much inspiration, moving to LA in many ways felt like going home to Spain, the sunshine beaches and the open air provided us with a sense of clarity that was almost impossible to achieve living in New York City. We have more time to relax and collaboration feels less strained. I think in LA we have mastered work and life balance better than what was possible living in New York.“
Take a look at some of the prime examples of Chosen Family’s colourful work.
Click here to see to see colourful and inspiring Erno Laszlo film.
Click here to see Quantic
Could you tell us a bit more about your creative relationship and how that’s evolved over the years into Chosen Family?
“After 18 years of living—and creating—together, we’ve developed a rhythm that allows us to balance the personal and professional with honesty and flow. Our different points of view consistently push the work to new places, and we’ve found that what might feel like friction at first often becomes fuel for something better. Over the years, our dynamic has matured into one of synchronicity and clarity, especially when navigating complexity or high-stakes moments.
We’re both deeply curious and wired for what’s next. We thrive on experimentation, openness, and momentum. If we had to name our shared ethos, it would be this: Live without fear, and create like you mean it. That mindset permeates everything we do—how we collaborate, how we take risks, and how we bring ideas to life.” – Lucas & Carlota
How do you deal with prejudice in and out of the workplace?
With empathy.
What’s the most valuable piece of advice you would give to someone who is also looking to migrate for work opportunities?
If possible, go spend some time in the place you’re considering. Live it. Walk its streets. Connect with the studios, agencies, and people you admire. Get a real feel for the energy. See if it matches what you imagined—if it truly feels like somewhere you want to be.
To see more of Chosen Family’s work click here
