What are "creatives"?

By Two Peculiar Ltd

29 Apr 2013

Marc Fleetwood of Preston-based Two Peculiar debates whether he's a creative or a scientist.

Last Wednesday I awoke at what I can assure you was a respectable time… in the morning. I checked my phone post haste for any messages and lo and behold I was in demand. Three missed calls and a voicemail. I immediately checked and was surprised to learn I had been invited to sit on a panel discussing how to be a successful creative freelancer.

This threw up a few issues, firstly, I do not usually consider what I do to be a creative thing. Obviously video production is a grey area, were I to be out making independent films that reflect my inner Aronofsky then yes, I would consider myself a creative.

My vision of these people is set. They are the free spirits of the world who are not bound by social convention. Why not paint using my hair? Why not photograph a toenail in the sunset? Can we add more glitter? – these are the thoughts I imagine they have a million times a day.

I, quite simply, do not. I love learning new tricks, finding new software and equipment and learning how to use it and get the best out of it. My mind works in a technical way, so much so I studied two years of engineering before I moved on to TV Production. My favourite part of my course was the Advanced Lighting Elective (thanks Rob) because at it’s heart was science. Science being used to evoke emotion in the audience but science all the same.

This did not stop me accepting the invite. I may be new to the business world but I felt I could offer up some reasonable advice to the freelancers of tomorrow from my time before Two Peculiar. And I thought if I listened to the others on the panel I might still learn a thing or two from them.

On the panel we had:

Kyle Webster – director, Chog Zoo Animation Layla Sailor – Freelance photographer/film-maker/lighting designer and more. Jenny Rutter – director, JCR Creative

I could quite easily write an essay on all that was said, some of the advice was top notch (bit Alan Partridge there), but the underlying message I came away with is that in the current climate we all have to make some compromises for what it is we want to achieve.

Perhaps doing more work than originally conceived or a lot of different types of work instead of specialisation. However each of the panellists was happy in what they were doing, and no matter what the job they were still trying to get some of their personality, style or wit into every thing they did. Knowing that each job could only enhance their reputations and give them the freedom to be more creative in future.

And this is exactly what I was doing. Have I released Cloud Atlas? Blatantly not. Do I use everything I have learnt to try and put my own style into the work I do though? Yes.

Does this make me “a creative”?

Well I like to think that perhaps it does.  

Enjoyed this? Read more from Two Peculiar Ltd

Latest news

1

HBD secures planning for £37m Lancashire industrial scheme CGI of the site

HBD secures planning for £37m Lancashire industrial scheme

08 Nov 2024

2

Harrison Drury retains place in 'Best Companies to Work For' list John Chesworth

Harrison Drury retains place in 'Best Companies to Work For' list

08 Nov 2024

3

South Ribble animal feed manufacturer eyes export growth after funded business support The Bamford team

South Ribble animal feed manufacturer eyes export growth after funded business support

08 Nov 2024

4

‘Simpler’ council structure is on the cards westminster-london.jpeg

‘Simpler’ council structure is on the cards

07 Nov 2024

5

New strategic partners revealed for Preston Partnership Preston partnership launch

New strategic partners revealed for Preston Partnership

07 Nov 2024

PC PrestonMacan GIF980x120
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
The Lancashire Festival of Business
FOB 315
Exhibitions
30 Jan 2025

The Lancashire Festival of Business

Impact Conferencing, Burnley, BB12 6QP

09:00 - 16:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
11 Jun 2024 - 04 Dec 2024

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 16:30

Skills Bootcamp in Procurement - Cohort 2
Blue-Modern-Land-Travel-Youtube-Thumbnail-2-1024x576.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
15 Oct 2024 - 17 Dec 2024

Skills Bootcamp in Procurement - Cohort 2

Community & Business Partners CIC, Blackburn, BB2 3UA

09:30 - 13:00

mBITfor transformative leadership and coaching
mBIT coach Practitioner.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
14 Nov 2024 - 17 Nov 2024

mBITfor transformative leadership and coaching

Unlocking Possibilities training venue, 166 Waterloo Road , Blackpool, FY4 2AF

09:00 - 17:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (14).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
14 Nov 2024 - 14 Nov 2024

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

Avidly Activates UK 2024 - Activate your customer-driven sales and marketing
avidly activates audience having a good time.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
14 Nov 2024

Avidly Activates UK 2024 - Activate your customer-driven sales and marketing

Everyman Cinema, Holmes Mill, Clitheroe, BB7 1EB

10:00 - 16:00

LBV119 Magazine Launch Event
DSC9389
Networking
20 Nov 2024

LBV119 Magazine Launch Event

Stonyhurst College, Clitheroe, BB7 9PT

16:00 - 18:00

North West HR Employers Forum
CBP-logo LBV.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
20 Nov 2024 - 20 Nov 2024

North West HR Employers Forum

Wham Stadium, Accrington Stanley, Livingstone Road, Accrington, BB5 5BX

09:00 - 12:00

Live Work Create: Building Community In The Modern World
Live-Work-Create-Building-Community-1024x1024.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
20 Nov 2024

Live Work Create: Building Community In The Modern World

Society1 Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:00

Emergency First Aid at Work
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Nov 2024

Emergency First Aid at Work

FGH Training, 3rd Floor, Storey House, White Cross Business Park, Lancaster, LA1 4XQ

09:00 - 05:00

Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone Quiz Returns for 10th Year!
Quiz Pic.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Fundraisers
21 Nov 2024 - 21 Nov 2024

Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone Quiz Returns for 10th Year!

Accrington Stanley Football Club, Accrington, BB5 5BX

17:00 - 20:30

SPARK The Apprenticeship Marketplace
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
21 Nov 2024 - 21 Nov 2024

SPARK The Apprenticeship Marketplace

University of Central Lancashire, Preston, PR1 2HE

09:30 - 13:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV118 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin