AJ is the Co-Founder and CEO of Dlala Studios making video games in Witham in Essex. Dlala Studios made the Battletoads sequel in 2020 and more recently Disney Illusion Island starring Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy. Illusion Island is available on the Nintendo Switch. How did AJ start a computer games studio from his Mum’s garage in 2012? Starting as a programmer as a Game Content Developer at Jagex, then at Bossa, then winning a BAFTA, then starting Dlala Studios with Craig. Dlala have now been nominated for two BAFTAs for Illusion Island - Best British Game and Best Family Game. What are the rules for working with Mickey Mouse? There is no Mickeypedia! The ears on Epic Mickey on 3D vs 2D Mickey now. (Nick was wrong about Megadrive, that was Mickey Mouse and Castle of Illusion). New Mickey games are hand drawn animation! 2012 and the Indie Game Boom where the small game studios could release their own games. Indie games were a bit like the punk music of video games when distribution and publishing models changed. How Valve changed the industry. It can take over 3 years to make a video game, even with a studio of 43 people like Dlala, and 5 to 10 years for bigger titles like Grand Theft Auto. Working with Microsoft in their incubator. A chance encounter at a developer conference lead to creating a Windows 8 launch title, which lead to a cover article in Develop Magazine, which landed on a desk at Microsoft incubator, which lead to a paying gig just as AJ and Craig were about to run out of money. Getting out there, making an impression on people, and making connections. Pulling the best talent from all over the world to work in Witham, Essex. What does someone from California think when they move to Essex? AJ works with local education as a stakeholder at Chelmsford College, Colchester Institute, and as Cultural Ambassador for Essex. AJ didn’t excel at school or uni, but still found creative success. Nick’s game he made with his kids on Scratch ‘Mega Bum Poo’. AJ taught himself visual basic from ‘for Dummies’ books that he got from the library - pre-internet - inspired by his uncle. He made a South Park wrestling game at home - oh my god they suplexed Kenny! Getting work out quickly and get fast feedback and experience. AJ’s wrestling manager game. Finding projects to do based on your passion points. If you’ve got enough time to play games, you’ve got enough time to make them! Play testing games with user testing. Using testing feedback to refine games. AJ’s job as director making the games perfect and improving the play experience. Making marginal gains and nudges to perfect something, and caring about getting the product perfect for players. Getting reviews in the media, and the impact they can have. AJ’s philosophy is ‘negatives i can action, positives don’t help me.’ Dlala Studios have received over 40 awards and nominations for Illusion Island, including BAFTAs, Game Awards, Dice, Webbys. All awards for Essex! Working with Emmy award winning writers from Rick & Morty and Clarence for dialogue. Getting to work with incredible Disney voice talent recording dialogue that AJ has co-written for games. The importance of finding varied opinions and life experiences in employees and keeping it fresh with new voices. What does AJ do as an Essex Cultural Ambassador? And does he get Ferrero Rocher?

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Thanks to NGDA, City Sound and Essex County Council for their support

Recorded in Chelmsford, Essex, UK

Art as escape and a therapeutic outlet. Kat Toronto is Miss Meatface. Garry Vanderhorne the wrestling promoter told us about her in EP1 of Are You Creative? Miss Meatface is a photographic alter-ego for Kat. She was an escape for Kat to express how she was feeling at a dark time in her life in 2015 - like an art therapy. Kat uses latex masks to remove her identity and create the anonymous character. Kinky and kitchy. 1950s typical domestic scenes, made playful and surreal with latex. Miss Meatface was born in America. Kat studied photography at art school. And went on to become a librarian. The mild-mannered librarian that became a latex superstar. Miss Meatface has a wonderfully muscular Meat Maid who serves her and cleans her house in PVC. A strong part of the aesthetic is patterns and contrast. Shooting with vintage cameras and Polaroid and getting the aesthetic. Starting out art brut, a personal project with no aim for public consumption. Then moving to Instagram. Then building a global audience. Moving to the UK and discovering the differences between US and UK art appreciation. Kat’s artistic life, making hats, being in bands, creating art. Lady Viola was Kat’s ‘Ragwater Revue’ band alter-ego - she’d escaped from the circus and wore an eye-patch. Kat’s house is full of vintage clothing, props, and cameras. Kat buys props from Brentwood’s amazing charity shops. A weakness for vintage curtains, and using them as backdrops. Making mini meat-sets for photoshoots. The anti-Barbie! Miss Meatface ugly holiday sweater announcement. Styling a fondue shoot. Aspic chat! Microwave chat! Sangita has been buying lamb chops. The Miss Meatface origin story. Learning prosthetics. How a brush with mortality fired up Kat’s creative output. Talking about art brut - what even is art brut? A new obsession with vintage ventriloquist dolls. Going out in character - like Barkley Bandon in Dalston. Creating art for your own mindfulness. Nick has been enjoying Rivals and explains Bonkbusters. We love Essex’s number one actor Danny Dyer!

And that's how you fold a napkin!

Miss Meatface
Miss Meatface Shop
Miss Meatface on Instagram
Miss Meatface on TikTok

Are You Creative? recorded by Jaiden 'the ragga enforcer' at City Sound
Edited by Nick Hearne
Artwork by Alpaca Antenna

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Thanks to NGDA, City Sound and Essex County Council for their support

Recorded in Chelmsford, Essex, UK

PROFESSIONAL violinist! Making money doing the creative thing that you love. Life as a musician can be hard. It’s not a 9-5 job, and there is a lot of practicing! Streamlining practice, and finding the time to do it. Diminishing returns in practicing. Setting goals for quality practice. What is score reading? Being inspired by an older sibling learning music and attending her cello lessons. Big up Classic FM - no adverts though please! Being inspired by BBC Young Musician of the Year. Attending a Nicola Benedetti concert and getting creatively inspired as a six year old. And Jennifer Pike listening to little Elodie playing violin. Five degrees of Benedetti - a chance spotting on TV leads to getting the greatest violin mentor. Getting to play a Stradivarius. Finding the right violin for you. Rich benefactors loaning out amazing instruments - thanks for supporting the arts and recent graduates! Elodie blind tested instruments to not be influenced by age and provenance and chose a modern violin. Performing a solo violin and choir piece with the BBC Singers. Difficult bits in gigs, and not being able to enjoy the performance until afterwards. Getting jobs as a freelance violinist. Word of mouth and recommendations are essential - especially with fixers. Fixers book musicians for sessions. Freelance vs salaried positions. Playing live with Ed Sheeran at Hammersmith Apollo and for Dave at Reading. Being on the Young Musician of the Year final 2018 - actually on Elodie’s 19th birthday! Exposing kids to high quality music early on in their lives. Nick goes on about Hackney Empire and watching My Neighbour Totoro live. Finding discounted tickets for classical music in London, especially for younger people. Elodie tells us about her upcoming show at Hot Box on Nov 15th 2024 with her amazing sister Miss Satin Beige. AND we’ve all had a creative week - Nick’s been canoeing over the world’s highest aqueduct with an ex-Blue Peter presenter, Sangita’s been hanging out with Big Narstie.

Elodie's website
Elodie on Instagram

Gig details for 15th Nov 2024 at Hot Box, Chelmsford

Recorded at City Sound Chelmsford with Jaiden and Paul
Edited by Nick.
Artwork by Alpaca Antenna

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Thanks to NGDA, City Sound and Essex County Council for their support

Recorded in Chelmsford, Essex, UK

The Marilyn Monroe of Essex. The most chaotic episode ever. Goldy does EVEYRTHING creative! New rave. Nick’s Pot Trumps cards are now in the Chelmsford Museum recent additions cabinet. Is Chingford in Essex? Can you ever really refer to yourself as creative? Is Goldy the most glamorous person in Essex? Like a Parisian flamingo with mermaid legs - in the best way! - OFFICIAL! Editor of an aesthetics magazine, and presenter of awards and shows. Creating TikToks and doing the socials to promote shows. Spotting AI cats on the internet. Being a wrestler, a crochet-er, and a pin-up model. Getting painted with King Kong. Being invited to judge a Brazilian Booty Lift Award. Spongebob Square Bum. Jetsetting with the aesthetics industry. Working in journalism. Being a podcast producer. Goldy has done so much different stuff! Thanks ADHD! Being the Queen of thrifting. Collecting ALL the clothes, especially pink coats. Sneaker pimps. Homogenisation of fashion. Having a face for radio. Pin-up origin story. Modern people making retro clothes. Becoming a retro influencer. Doing a photoshoot as Goldylocks being chased by a big gay bear. Accidentally becoming the face of inappropriate halloween costumes. Do the baddies always have the best logos? Changing culture and canceling old fashion. Feral possum energy. Crochet disasters. Making a Debbie Harry jumper. Lucy Sparrow’s amazing felt creations. Fuzzy felt. Learning wrestling - Goldy the Pin-Up that Pins You Down. This was the most chaotic episode ever - Moo Deng energy!

Instagram - @goldyloxxroxx
TikTok - @goldyloxxroxx

Are You Creative? recorded at City Sound
Edited by Nick Hearne
Artwork by Alpaca Antenna

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Send comments, questions, or suggestions for fascinating creative people in Essex give us a shout on our Instagram

Thanks to NGDA, City Sound and Essex County Council for their support

Recorded in Chelmsford, Essex, UK

Special audience questions edition from Essex Podcast Festival.

What’s the coolest stunt Andy has done? A high fall. How high? 100ft!
What’s your favourite movie you’ve done a stunt in? Grimsby was the most fun film to shoot.

What stunt did you do in Harry Potter? Andy was a student as a 30-year old man, and a Death Eater and had to go to Wand School to learn the actions.

Have you ever done a stunt so crazy it made you reconsider your career choice? Andy broke his ankle as a White Walker in the Hardhome scene in Game of Thrones - and it made it into the show.
Have you ever taken any souvenir off the set? Shoot loot! Andy has some Witcher swords.

What’s the longevity of a stunt performer’s career? The job retires you! Older actors need doubles as well, so you can perform as an athletic older person. The career journey and bringing in the next generation.

What’s your number one golden rule for stunts? KEEP EVERYONE SAFE. Make it look cool. Safety comes first.

What stunt are you most proud of? Making other actors look good. Not one in particular. Every day is so different, and the variety makes the job.

Do people ask you for spoilers on productions? YES! All the time. Andy will never tell anything to anyone (except maybe his wife!) #nospoilers

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Thanks to NGDA, City Sound and Essex County Council for their support

Recorded in Chelmsford, Essex, UK

Stunt performer and stunt coordinator. Has the best imdb page in the world - FACT! Including loads of 10/10 films, and also falling off a cliff in Emmerdale. Getting burned by a dragon on Game of Thrones - Dracarys!!! Learning to be set on fire by scuba diving. Andy’s stunt origin story. Gymnastics, high-diving, judo, theatre. Assessing risks on set to make it safe for you and actors. South Essex Gymnastics Club - is it Kingsmen recruitment for stunt performers? Coming up through the profession with David Holmes, Daniel Radcliffe’s double in Harry Potter and the star of the brilliant The Boy Who Lived documentary. Why it’s important to learn to act and perform as well as the stunt skills. Requirements to join the British Stunt Register: Six sports at a high level. Why is it good to be multi-disciplinary as a stunt performer? Winning the Taurus award for best fight in The Dark Knight. Christian Bale kicked Andy out of a window on a rope, like a string of stuntman sausages. Being Tom Hardy’s double in Inception in the upside down dream sequence. Being chased by Leonardo DiCaprio. World exclusive: What is Leo DiCaprio’s favourite restaurant in Morocco - McDonalds! Doubling for Robert Downey Junior in Sherlock Holmes. Wearing a mech suit in Edge of Tomorrow. Is Tom Cruise fast at running? What does a real stuntman think of The Fall Guy? Filming in Essex - Basilwood. Fighting Danny Dyer with a carpet roll. Shooting the fight in the muddy square in The Witcher EP1 - a six week shoot. How does Andy’s family feel about his potentially dangerous job? Stunts on long ‘oner’ one take shots and shooting the epic scene in Children of Men. Staying cool during a take. Andy’s stunt bucket list. Nick pitches Flaming Hooves 2: Horse in the City. Training to become a stuntman can take as long as a law degree. Doubling Mr.Bean running across roofs for a Snickers commercial. Andy has a signature way of dying on screen, and he demostrates it - THE PILGRIM DEATH - pretend shot by a young volunteer Warrior.
Thanks to Sara Tupper for introducing Nick Hearne as the best dressed man in Essex - He was wearing his new special shirt from Lazy Oaf!

Andy Pilgrim's website
Andy Pilgrim's unbeatable imdb page
British Stunt Register
South Essex Gymnastics Club

Special guest co-host Adelle Barker

Are You Creative? Live was recorded at Chelmsford Theatre
Part of Essex Podcast Festival
Hosted by Chelmsford For You
Staging by John Lewis
Beer by Radio City Beer Works

Edited by Nick Hearne
Artwork by Alpaca Antenna

Don't forget to like, subscribe, share and all the good stuff.

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Send comments, questions, or suggestions for fascinating creative people in Essex give us a shout on our Instagram

Thanks to NGDA, City Sound and Essex County Council for their support

Recorded in Chelmsford, Essex, UK

Craft brewer and founder for Radio City Beer Works and Radio City Social venue. Creating beer alchemy with just four ingredients to make loads of different flavours, colours, bitterness, gravities. Beer magic! Learning about wort and brewing process. Being self-critical for growth and improvement. Aromas, head retention, drinkability - all the factors to consider in brewing. Having a flavour vision in your head and working out how to achieve it. Hops and different fruit flavours in them. Knowing how to extract the different flavours from the hop oil at stages of brewing. Beer drinking as a hobby for craft beer drinking. Working with the correct yeast to get different flavours. Making beer from beard yeast. Is there a Chelmsford yeast? Graveyard yeast - for vampires? Achieving consistency in brewing. Climate change and hop growing in England. All about the Citra hop - it’s a popular flavour. Switching careers to do something that you love. The craft brewing revolution and spotting the trend in London, then bringing the vibe and flavours to Essex. Brewery culture in the US. Falling in love with the flavours of beer. Improving the beer experience. Starting brewing in Dan’s Dad’s shed with minimal equipment, a tea urn, and instructions from YouTube and home brew books. Moving beer to the airing cupboard for the right temperature. Using colleagues as guinea pigs developing the recipes. The eureka moment when the beer was good. The early adopters for Radio City Beer - Hopsters and Hot Box. Early adopters and supporters are vital for new businesses and creative ventures, both financially and for motivation. Scaling up the brewery. Control the controllables - yeast and hops can change because they are natural products. Writing down recipes and parameters - temperatures, timings, quantities, pH, gravity. Developing a consistent core range of beers for Radio City Beer Works. Cool To Be Kind beer to raise money for the homeless charity in Chelmsford. Making fruity beers. Untapped app and people reviewing beers, good reviews, bad reviews and weird reviews. Tasting Dan’s beers. Collaboration between different craft breweries - spreading the beer love. Collabogeddon with twelve breweries. Making beers with bands like Allfather’s ‘Take Their Eyes’. Branding beer and standing out in the craft beer market. Starting an independent community bar for craft beer, Radio City Social. The Chelmsford beer metre. Building a whole new community. Making sure that every band ghat plays the bar gets paid. Giving young bands a chance to play their first gig. Booking bands from Japan! Creating an inclusive and welcoming vibe at a bar. What’s an imperial stout and why does Dan want to brew one? Consistently challenging yourself to improve. Helping others to improve. Pride in your creative craft and output. Balancing being independent and professionalism. Beer can art, branding and marketing. Dan offers to brew a Gary Macaroni beer to honour the inventor of radio - Gary Macaroni - Pasta la vista BABY!

Big up to Hopsters in Leigh on Sea. Hot Box. Aerograft Brewery. Allfather. Werewolf Beer. In The Abyss.

Radio City Beer Works
Radio City Social

Recorded at City Sound Chelmsford by Nick

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Send comments, questions, or suggestions for fascinating creative people in Essex give us a shout on our Instagram

Thanks to NGDA, City Sound and Essex County Council for their support

Recorded in Chelmsford, Essex, UK

Adam is MUSIC BOY! Musician, music teacher, studio owner, producer, rockstar! Being in pop-punk tribute bands, and coming up with puns for names - Blinked-182, Dookie and Half-Real Lavine. Supportive parents, and living out their rock fantasies. Starting young and finding music. Is 8 too young to learn guitar? NO! Seeing Adam playing drums at Teddy Rocks with pyrotechnic flames on stage - ultimate rockstar. Starting to learn drums at 10 and getting Grade-8 by 13 - Yep, he’s a prodigy! Grades maketh not the drummer. The student became the teacher - doing a postgrad PGCE and learning to teach. Teaching a 44 year old to play drums when you’re 16. Is playing in a tribute band more satisfying than playing original songs. Tribute festivals. Why are Noasis better live than Oasis. Being on tour and buying your equipment its own seat on planes. The ideal Gregg’s snack stop strategies for touring. Where are the best service stations? Needing a wee on stage and liquid consumption strategy. Three wee central before stage time. You don’t want to be dehydrated on stage! What does a drummer do if they need a wee on stage? Why should you move to Derbyshire if you love live music. Being in bands where the members live all over the country. More big ups for Tom from Teddy Rocks! Finding a new singer for a Green Day tribute band. Setting up Card Trick Music studio with rehearsal and recording spaces, and music lessons in Chelmsford. Now with videography capabilities and a green screen performance studio. Are music live streams a vibe kill? Building the next generation of bands in Essex. Big up Hot Box, Chelmsford Theatre, Radio City Social, The Fleece for having live bands. What’s the best way to start to learn an instrument? Calling music shops about starter instruments - it’s scary but necessary. Music shops are AWESOME and professional. RIP Sound Attak. Big up Peach Guitars in Colchester. Do they sell Hello Kitty ukuleles? Adam commits to starting ‘Kitty Vacant’ a Sex Pistols Hello Kitty punk band with Nick. Learning the recorder - The only instrument that still sounds bad if you are playing it well. Taking music more seriously in school now compared to the olden days of the 80s and 90s. Versatility is key to making a career with music. Should Adam be the universal ambassador for music - he’s amazing and his energy is infectious! Nick and Sangita talk about ‘Sounds Good’ festival in Chelmsford - brilliant work by everyone involved.

Card Trick Music
Card Trick Music Instagram

Are You Creative? will be recorded live at Essex Podcast Festival at Chelmsford Theatre on 28th Sept 2024 co-hosted by Adelle Barker (Sangita is on hols) with special creative guest Andy Pilgrim - stunt coordinator for movies and TV.

Recorded at City Sound Chelmsford by Jaiden
Edited by Nick
Artwork by Alpaca Antenna

Don't forget to like, subscribe, share and all the good stuff.

Follow our Instagram for latest news and behind the scenes photos

Send comments, questions, or suggestions for fascinating creative people in Essex give us a shout on our Instagram

Thanks to NGDA, City Sound and Essex County Council for their support

Recorded in Chelmsford, Essex, UK