I was given a Canon EOS-1D Mark and asked to create a ‘mood board’ for a friend’s track, Marionettes. Oh boy it tested my creative limits. Most of my mood boards should never see the light of day, as there is something embarrassingly raw about how one creates – that our processes ought to remain private. However, having a piece of music given to me to interpret by Daphne, all I could do was I play around, under no pressure and with ZERO budget – just free to search for a hottie and play with the camera of my dreams.

I directed segments where the ‘King of the Marionettes’ wielded his power, status and symbolism over spellbound and unquestioning puppets – I know, quelle surprise! I just needed a beefcake to practice on – such is my want – and time was very kindly offered by my pal, professional bodybuilder, Daniel Burke.

At 6’3’’ with built frame, Daniel was perfect to cast as a Marionette King. I mean what a boy. I love his calm and clean energy and on set more so. I managed to get some nice, generic shots and I filmed a fitness video for him, among other more artistic content —- BUT he reminded me so much of my very own Marc Singer that it birthed another altogether better idea.

So this mood board ticked working with an all bells and whistles camera off my list – but here I found out, just how technically limited I was. I say that kindly. The footage was filmed against green screen which was a bad choice, I haven’t mastered that at all… and though it wasn’t chosen in the end, I did enjoy the process and that is quite the point of the journey – to grow, learn and evolve.