Creative Control

Fast Company's Creative Control is taking a deep dive into the forces that are shaping the creator economy and what it means for its future. As the creator economy continues its rapid expansion, there are issues that deserve a closer look. Topics like who owns what online, where’s the middle class for creators, and what web3 technology will really mean for creators after the hype.

Arts
TV & Film
Marketing
176
Camille Yorrick, EVP of creative content at RCA...
Any creative content from RCA's roster of artists goes through Camille Yorrick. From music videos to visuals and more, Yorrick has helped shaped the creative visions of everyone from Pink to Childish Gambino. The longtime music industry vet has been nominated for a Grammy for her work on "Beyoncé's I Am...World Tour" documentary and has cut her teeth in music videos with the legendary director Diane Martel. In our conversation, Yorrick explains how she tempers her opinions with an artists' intuition and takes us back to the golden age of music videos (and what we can learn from them today.)
32 min
177
Jean Elie, actor and producer
Jean Elie got his big break playing Issa Rae's younger brother Ahmal on HBO's Insecure. Although landing on a hit show can lead to other more high-profile roles, Jean is wasting no time in creating lanes of his own. In addition to acting, Jean is producing and writing his own projects including several shorts and the series Send Help, which is being co-produced by Rainn Wilson's entertainment company SoulPancake. He's also been getting writing room experience on Netflix's *Magic for Humans*, which is paving the way for even more projects down the line. But as a young actor still trying to establish himself in that field, is he spreading himself too thin in other areas? In our conversation, Jean explains his stance on straight actors playing gay characters, the power of being the only black voice in a white room, and the rules of being a creative hustler.
28 min
178
Paul Scheer, actor and comedian
Paul Scheer's résumé is a dizzying display of creative output: when he's not acting in shows like Black Monday, Veep, or Fresh Off the Boat, he's busy hosting two wildly successful podcasts (How Did This Get Made? and Unspooled), writing comic books for Marvel, and rebooting the 1999 cult classic Galaxy Quest. But for someone who seems like a wellspring of creativity, Scheer admits his biggest hurdle is still pushing past that first draft. In our conversation, Scheer explains how to accept that you will suck at what you're working on (hopefully, temporarily), how he juggles such a random, career, and why it's ok not to finish your to-do list.
39 min
179
Jemaine Clement, actor and musician
Give Jemaine Clement a platform, and he'll spin it into something comical. The New Zealander is best known as one half of the musical comedy duo Flight of the Conchords but his work in comedy stretches across radio, film, stage, and TV. And his latest project, a TV series adaptation of his 2014 mockumentary What We Do in the Shadows, is an exercise in how to mine your past ideas and make them fresh again. In our conversation, Jemaine also explains how to overcome creative differences (without punching your partner in the face) and the importance of editing improv.
19 min
180
LIVE with Tarell Alvin McCraney, Phylicia Rasha...
Greetings from the 9th annual Fast Company Grill! We had some amazing panel discussions down in Austin, but this one in particular was a personal favorite. I had the chance to sit down with Oprah Winfrey Network president Tina Perry, the legendary Phylicia Rashad, and famed playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney to discuss David Makes Man, Tarell’s new show on OWN. David Makes Man explores childhood trauma, the black experience, drug abuse, and much more through a surreal lens. In our discussion, Tarell talks about his first foray into TV and pitching the show directly to Oprah Winfrey herself. Phylicia gives awe-inspiring lessons in creativity. And Tina lays out OWN’s vision for more diverse storytelling.
36 min
181
Sasha Velour, drag queen
For Sasha Velour, all roads led to drag. Being a Fulbright scholar, Vassar grad, graphic artist, and illustrator, were all primers for the trailblazing work she does now as a performer, public speaker, and advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community. But even after winning season 9 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, landing brand ambassador deals, and selling out shows, Sasha is still riddled with creative self-doubt. In our conversation, she explains how leaning into the fantasy of drag helps to cope with reality, the creative process behind her legendary lip syncs, and how she’s elevating drag by empowering its performers.
36 min
182
E.G. Daily, actor and singer
This episode is pretty much going to be a love letter to all the 80s and 90s kids out there. You probably know E.G. Daily best as the voice of Tommy Pickles in Rugrats, Buttercup in The Powerpuff Girls, or as Pee-wee Herman’s love interest in Pee-wee’s Big Adventure. Those iconic roles would be enough for a lifetime of bragging rights, but Daily has been working non stop in film, TV, music, and stage for more than four decades. In our conversation, Daily explains the process behind crafting a voice and why it’s so important to listen to your inner “hell yeahs” and “hell nos.”
40 min
183
Nicholas Britell, film composer
Nicholas Britell has become one of Hollywood’s most sought after composers--and for good reason. His scores for films including Moonlight, The Big Short, Vice, and If Beale Street Could Talk aren’t your average film scores. Nicholas experiments with unconventional techniques in order to capture abstract themes like finance, love...or Dick Cheney’s life. In this episode, Nicholas explains how he went from managing hedge funds on Wall Street to being an Oscar nominated composer, and he explains how "breaking" music led to one of the most powerful scenes in If Beale Street Could Talk.
37 min
184
Amanda Seales, comedian and actor
If you think your multi-hyphenate status is challenging, let’s run down Amanda Seales’ resume real quick. Amanda is a creative powerhouse—and more importantly she’s a creative powerhouse with something to say.
37 min
185
Roy Wood Jr, comedian
It would seem that Roy Wood Jr. is vying for the title of the busiest comic is show business. In addition to being a correspondent for "The Daily Show" and hosting the show "This Is Not Happening," Roy just released his second Comedy Central special "No One Loves You." But for all the work that he’s done over his career, Roy admits he’s not quite where he wants to be with his comedy. In this episode, Roy explains how his approach to comedy has been sharpened to have a social edge and how Solange (of all people) has changed how he performs on stage.
32 min
186
Killer Mike, rapper and activist
Killer Mike has never been one to keep his opinions to himself. Whether he’s stumping for politicians or calling out racial inequality, the outspoken rapper and activist has been using his platform and his craft to make change happen. And now he’s got a Netflix show to add to his arsenal. In our conversation, Killer Mike explains why “Trigger Warning” is necessary viewing (even if you’re easily triggered), and how he’s balancing his art and activism.
28 min
187
LIVE with Larry Wilmore
KC sits down with comedian, writer, and producer Larry Wilmore for a very special and very live episode of Creative Conversation, straight from the Fast Company Innovation Festival.
44 min
188
Tracey Ullman, actor
31 min
189
Jackie Aina, YouTube beauty guru
Long before “diversity” was a buzzword for beauty brands, Jackie was championing dark-skinned women and men who never saw themselves represented in the makeup industry.
28 min
190
with director Roman Coppola
As the son of legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, Roman's career seemed on track to follow directly in his father's footsteps--but that hasn't been quite the case.
28 min
191
with fashion director and designer Nicola Formi...
From Lady Gaga's famous meat dress to spearheading the creative vision of Mugler, Diesel, and Uniqlo to starting his own label Nicopanda, Nicola Formichetti has cemented himself within the fashion industry as a foremost stylist and artistic director.
29 min
192
with actor Regina Hall
We all know and love Regina Hall from her comedic work in films like "Girls Trip" or "Scary Movie." But for her latest role in the indie dramedy "Support the Girls" she’s pushing the boundaries of our expectations and her abilities as an actor. Regina breaks down how she approaches her characters and teases some upcoming projects she's been writing and producing.
31 min
193
with photographer and filmmaker Lauren Greenfield
Excess. Greed. Addiction. The American Dream isn’t what it used to be—and Lauren Greenfield’s new doc “Generation Wealth” takes a closer look to find out why.
23 min
194
with filmmaker Terence Nance
Tumble into the mind of visionary filmmaker Terence Nance, whose new HBO show, “Random Acts of Flyness,” is like nothing you’ve seen before—guaranteed.
29 min
195
with composer Max Richter
What makes Max Richter unique is that his creativity is matched only by his ambition, which lends a sense fearlessness to his work that, hopefully, will fuel your own creativity.
33 min
196
with showrunners Liz Flahive and Carly Mensch
The creative tag team behind Netflix's "GLOW" is the definition of work spouse goals. In this episode, Flahive and Mensch explain how they've fine-tuned their collaborative dynamic to an art.
28 min
197
with author David Sedaris
Where you just see a slice of pizza on the ground, David Sedaris sees an essay in the making.
32 min
198
Introducing Fast Company’s Creative Conversatio...
Join Fast Company editor KC Ifeanyi for in-depth explorations on the creative process with some of the most innovative thinkers across film, TV, music, and beyond.
1 min