Chris Turner #4Real
#4REALFRIDAY IS WHERE I ASK 5 QUESTIONS TO SOME DAMN REAL, DAMN AWESOME PALS WHO ARE LIVING AND DOING DOPE STUFF 4REAL!
THEY'VE INSPIRED ME OR BEEN A SUPPORT IN SOME WAY AND I WANNA SHARE THEM WITH YOU.
Chris Turner
WHAT COFFEE DO YOU DRINK?
Latte. Too many.
WHAT WORK DO YOU DO?
Official title is Director but I've always been uncomfortable with it, as it sounds conceited and narcissistic to me.
The best way I think to describe what a director does is that he/she filters the ideas and talents of many others in order to shape them into an overall vision.
COOLEST ACHIEVEMENT?
I'm not very cool sadly, but I guess enjoying what I do for a living is a pretty good achievement.
BIGGEST CHALLENGE?
It's a cliché no doubt but trying to keep a good work/life balance is challenging.
BEST ADVICE?
I'm not the best person to take advice from but I suppose it relates to my last answer. Try not to let work put your life on hold. However - I don't practice what I preach.
Chris is an old coffee customer of mine. Quiet and cool, we slowly started to get to know each other, then I ended up auditioning for a commercial he was directing. From there we began one of my most treasured and significant friendships!
Chris has is style. One that translates not only from how he dresses, but through to his work as a film and commercials director. Everything he does and thinks has a highly sophisticated slick aesthetic and meaning. It doesn't have to be technical (though often is) but it is always produced with such skill and execution I'm always impressed.
Music videos and commercials have been a major feature in his work and his film scripts are awesome. I love reading them, often dark and simple yet complex in overall underlying meaning and production. (some videos below)
We've worked together a number of times now, but the very first time we produced a finished piece of work together was an incredible creative and personal experience.
He has a strong vision but he allows the freedom for people to also fulfil their own goals too within and through the project. Even though I'm not sure he's aware of it, but it seems to be an important philosophy to him and one that I don't think enough people exercise.
One of the most important/influential things he has said (earnestly) to me was: "There is no such thing as a stupid idea. Every idea good or bad can always lead to other great ideas." and he's right. He is able to foster trust by creating a space that is safe for developing creativity through vulnerability and collaboration - and that ain't no easy task!
The film industry is relentless but so is Chris. He works hard, loves what he does and he gets what it means to keep creating - it's what fuels him. His ideas are dark and explorative, yet despite some of the themes in his work, Chris as a person is incredibly generous, caring and positive.
It's thrilling to see how he turns a conversation into a visually compelling story.
Chris is dope and with a few films in the pipeline, I can't wait to see what he makes next! ...
Check him out.
PS: You'll all invited to see the next video that we made for our friend Christa Vii's new album releasing soon too (25 Sept)!
