Welcome to the T-Spot, the official MUSTA Talent Spotlight where we highlight some really talented people, from really creative industries.
Up first, we have the amazing London-based creative, Shan Brown. Now, when it comes to Shan's work, she is a force to be reckoned with, so we wanted to find out how it all began,
Q1. What do you do?
To be honest I can only describe myself as a creative. I like to express my creativity in different ways but I mainly focus on directing, shooting & editing music videos, photography, artist development, & graphic design.
Q2. How did it all begin? What's your story?
It all started on MSN! I used to promote up & coming artists music and send out packs to bloggers and djs via msn. I connected to a lot of artists from London, Manchester & Liverpool then when i was 13, I started my own blog. After struggling to get content for the channel I took my mum's digital camera to events to interview artists and take pictures to create content. Then when I was 16, I moved to London (I was completely delusional to think it was going to be easy), being around so many creative people like me, I found belief in my creativity and started producing label videos about a month after I moved to London which years down the line eventually lead to me shooting and directing myself. Currently I focus on shooting & directing music videos, alongside artist development.
Q3. What is the most important thing that you have learnt on your journey so far?
PATIENCE. In my 10 years of experience, I noticed that creativity really requires patience. The journey its not easy and there's a lot that can go wrong or right, so I would say patience is the most important thing.
Q4. Who, or what, is your biggest inspiration?
My biggest inspiration is the universe. There's no limit to the universe and I would like to reflect that in my work and create the out of the ordinary and just go where people haven’t went before. Also, I am inspired by directors such as Director X, Collin Tiley, Carley Cussen, and Ashleigh Jade. They all have their own unique styles, backgrounds and stories when it comes to creating visuals, and all of their work captivates me!
Q5. What is your favourite project that you've worked on so far?
Ahhhhh this question is a really hard one. I learn from every project I do so for that reason I favour every project or work I have done. Every project has been insightful and I have learnt lessons that nobody could have taught me or prepared me for.
Q6. What advice would you give to anyone trying to gain access to your creative field?
Just go out there and do it. Knock on every door and even if they don’t open keep knocking because eventually one of those doors will open. I would also say don’t be discouraged and take things to heart, there's a lot of knock downs in this industry, you just have to always get up and keep going- it will be worth it!
Q7. Creatively, what would you say is your biggest strength?
My biggest strength is probably being able to create something from nothing. I always throw myself in situations I have never been in to get results, and I never say to myself "I can't do that".
Q8. Creatively, what would you say is your biggest weakness?
My biggest weakness is probably over-criticising my own work. By the time I finish most edits, I have over criticised it so much I can’t bare the sight of it, so I end up restarting and doing it all again to then end up going back to the first edit!
Q9. What does your future look like?
I would love to get into shooting and directing adverts for brands such as Pretty Little Thing, Asos, Apple etc. and start doing more label based videos. I would also love to eventually shoot some sort of documentary and short film, and also would love to write a book on my journey.
Want to keep up with Shan?
Website: shanbrown.co.uk
Instagram: @shanonthegram
Twitter: @lifeofshan