Our latest showcase is with 33 year old Charlie from London, better known as Instagram user and creative @Saturdaybang__
Charlie is a multidisciplinary creative, making imaginative illustrations for MJ and working in design and video editing.
We discuss his working in multiple fields, what inspires his designs and what his dream creation would be!
F: Where does your Journey becoming a Michael fan begin?
C: It’s hard to specifically pinpoint the beginning. However, my family has always told me that when I was very young, I used to dance to Black or White & Billie Jean when those songs came on the radio. Not too much later in life, I remember hearing Earth Song and seeing the video quite a lot, around the time of its release. I always recall being slightly scared of the theatrics of it, as I’d never seen anything like it, but also totally fascinated by it too. (I have always been drawn to the extreme of life). From that point, as I grew up, I continued to listen and learn more about him along the way.
F: You make amazing and cinematic posters for Michaels songs, what inspired you to start creating them?
C: Thank you so very much! So, one of my recurring clients in my business is a director/actor in the U.S. and I’ve been fortunate to design 4 posters for his films over the last few years. My interest in the film industry and noting how Michael always stated that he made “Short Films”, inspired me to design posters for his videos, as well as for songs that don’t have a video. I wanted to create posters as if they were going to be used as official posters for Michael’s videos.
Posters made by Charlie
F: How has Michael impacted your creativity journey overall?
C: Simply put, he has been one of the biggest and most important factors in my creative journey. I started being creative when I was very young, always drawing something somewhere and practicing that skill. When it came to a career, I eventually found this was the path most suited. Michael’s impacted the way I approach many things creatively as well as my work ethic and drive to succeed.
F: You have been very vocal from the start of this project about it being what is missing in the MJ community, what vision or wish do you personally have for Michael’s legacy or MJ fans?
C: I truly believe there are so many creative and talented fans of Michael, more than I believe anyone else has in their core fanbase. We all come with a variety of abilities and talents, whether it’s art & design or video production or craftsmanship or dancing or singing - it deserves to be celebrated. Everyone is certainly at differing levels than one another but that makes for a unique collection of fans. But it’s also why I believe more people should be showcased, because the sheer amount of truly talented people outweighs that of any other set of fans I know. The fans are his legacy now. There is no more that Michael himself can do. It’s up to us to protect and continue it positively and respectfully whilst upholding his beliefs and nature.
F: Aside from making posters and merch, you are also a videographer, photographer and brand designer, would you say Michael inspired you to get into the visual field?
C: As I stated earlier, to some degree Michael impacted each department of my creative interests at some stage along the way. His short films, whether that be when he’s behind the camera directing and explaining his vision, or in the studio in the editing process or producing/mixing the music - His creatively gives me an additional boost of inspiration and determination to continue learning. It fuels my ambition to succeed.
F: Who or what, besides Michael, are your inspirations that impact the work you produce?
C: This honestly comes from anywhere these days. I can be inspired from the smallest angle of a shot in a film or photograph, a colour or a font on a design. Almost anything can inspire me. The people close to me inspire me too, not only in what I produce but they compel me to go and produce as well. To continue to work and stay creative.
F: What is your favorite part of your creative process?
C: The end. If I'm honest, it’s a great feeling when you create something, whatever that may be, and it turns out exactly how you envisioned it. However, that doesn’t always happen, believe me. Aside from the final product, the initial stages where I’m inspired to create something new and feel it beginning to come together, that’s exciting too and has always given me a burst of enthusiasm and imagination as you feel it flow.
F: What do you want people to think of or pick up on when they look at any of your creative works? Do you have a consistent feeling that you want to portray?
C: This varies depending on the output. If it’s a video, more often than not I will have some emotion or message within that, that I want people to capture and relate to or feel. If it’s a design, I would only wish for them to enjoy it the way I do. I don’t only make them for myself and to keep my creativity alive, but for everyone else to see and love.
F: Creatively, you wear many different hats and I imagine that can get overwhelming. Are you able to keep your creative cup full consistently? Do you have tips or advice for others who are juggling multiple creative processes, on avoiding or dealing with burnout?
C: I think having interests and abilities in a variety of creative outlets definitely helps me with staying creative, without getting overwhelmed or weary with it all. Because I can bounce between different mediums and subject matters. However, honestly one of the best and I would say, most important things anyone who takes creativity seriously can do at times, is to do nothing.That doesn’t mean lay in bed and waste your days. It means get out, go do things, live life and get away from your creative space for a moment. Then you can naturally come back with renewed inspiration and energy to create.
F: Do you have an ultimate creative goal? Is there anything we should be on the look out for from Charlie?
C: Within the world of Michael, I would love the posters and merch that I create to expand and grow and become a standalone successful business. I have always appreciated anyone who has even been interested in, let alone bought an item from my Etsy store.
Aside from that and career wise, I still have so much I want to achieve, I’m still learning and growing all the time. You should never stop learning, no matter what you choose to do in life. There’s nothing specific to be on the lookout for right now but the film or music industry will always be the calling that I want to reach.
F: And lastly, what is your dream creation(s), Michael related and otherwise?
C: I essentially touched on it at the end of the previous question - To edit a blockbuster feature film or top artist's music video would be the dream creation. Then to continue to do that and be incredibly successful doing so, would be perfect.
♛
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