The TalentWorks Podcast

Seun is a London based fashion stylist, content creator and (according to her Insta bio…) a proud outfit repeater. Seun shows her followers how to master the skill of luxury dressing without the price tag. Since collaborating with platforms such as Dazed and Pinterest, Seun's work has now reached a global audience. Seun was one of two emerging creators commissioned to create shorts for Pinterest produced by BBC Studios.Shukri and Seun discuss -How Seun transitioned from retail fashion stylist to content creator;How she built an empire on Pinterest;And how it all came from taking a bet on herself one day Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emma is a DIY content creator who is revolutionising the way people learn and master DIY skills. In March 2020, Emma began posting how-to videos for individuals struggling with DIY challenges. Today, Emma's DIY videos have had a staggering 250 million views. She’s collaborated with huge brands such as TikTok, Pinterest, B&Q, and Dremel and amassed a following of over 850,000 devoted fans. Emma was one of two emerging creators commissioned to create shorts for Pinterest produced by BBC Studios.In this episode, Katrina and Emma discuss -The inspiration and story behind DIY With EmmaHow she is segueing into fashion and other venturesWhat it was like working with the BBC Studios team on the recent Pinterest collab Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joe Sugg is a UK-based creative leader, YouTube content creator, actor and author. Joe started his online career over 10 years ago after making his first YouTube video. He’s since built a loyal audience of over 20 million across his various YouTube channels and social media accounts.  In recent years, Joe has moved into creative leadership and in 2022 started the production company, Final Straw Productions.In this episode, Helen and Joe discuss -Joe’s first steps on YouTube and how he has seen the digital space evolve;Joe’s move into mainstream TV with his appearance on BBC Strictly Come Dancing;How Joe is creating his own path in the entertainment industry with his production company Final Straw Productions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Max is an award winning filmmaker and presenter from Birmingham. Max’s films have won Royal Television Society awards and have been screened at a number of film festivals. Max joined the BBC Studios Factual team as one of our Meta-funded Creators In Residence. His goal - to bring humour and sarcasm to factual documentary making. In this episode, Shukri and Max discuss - His creative inspirations and how they’ve changed in the 10 years he’s been filmmakingHow Max became an overnight TikTok sensationWhat Max has learned about documentary-making from the Factual Science team at BBC StudiosMax’s clips -Early - Max’s short film ‘everyone in this film is dying’Most significant - Max’s short film ‘I Will Despise You’Now - ‘What does dying really feel like?’ - the documentary written and directed by Max during his residency at BBC Studios. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adna is a 24-year-old creator and aspiring screenwriter from Leicester. She’s passionate about telling underrepresented stories and working to make the creative industries more inclusive. Adna is one of our creators for IN THE MIX 2022, a programme developed by BBC Studios TalentWorks and Black Creators Matter, in partnership with the Barbican. In this episode, Shukri and Adna discuss - Why Adna was driven to write her own TV scriptsThe successes Adna’s had with her scriptwriting development incubator, Babes in DevelopmentHow Adna found producing her first documentary for IN THE MIX 2022Adna’s clips -Early - A scene from Adna’s TV sitcom script ‘Pipe Dreams’ Most significant - A voicenote from a Babes in Development group memberNow - Adna’s documentary ‘Naag Nool’ created for IN THE MIX 2022. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nenda is a writer, actor & international recording artist who grew up in the Austrian Alps. Since moving to London at 19 to go to drama school, Nenda has appeared in film and theatre productions across the UK. Nenda is one of our creators for IN THE MIX 2022, a programme developed by BBC Studios TalentWorks and Black Creators Matter, in partnership with the Barbican. In this episode, Shukri and Nenda discuss - Nenda’s music career and how she approaches directing her own music videosNenda’s journey into acting and what it was like working on a big TV setHow Nenda found producing her first documentary for IN THE MIX 2022Nenda’s clips -Early - The music video for Nenda’s song ‘Mixed Feelings’Most significant - A scene from Sky Original TV drama, The RisingNow - Nenda’s documentary ‘OACHKATZLSCHWOAF’ created for IN THE MIX 2022. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kaylen is an actor, writer, director and producer from South London. Kaylen started his career as an actor, but after finding himself often typecast, he started writing and directing himself. Kaylen is one of our creators for IN THE MIX 2022. IN THE MIX 2022 was developed by BBC Studios TalentWorks and Black Creators Matter, in partnership with the Barbican. If you search ‘BBC Reel Found in Translation’, you can watch all the films produced for this project. In this episode, Shukri and Kaylen discuss - How Kaylen used basketball to corral his friends into making films with him, whilst at universityWhat acting advice he was given by John BoyegaHow Kaylen has brought cinematic style filmmaking to documentary making for his film for IN THE MIX 2022Kaylen’s clips -Early - Kaylen short film ‘Family Matters’ (written and directed by him)Most significant - Kaylen’s short film ‘The Healer’ for the John Boyega and the Converse Create Next Film ProjectNow - Kaylen’s documentary ‘Naag Nool’, created for the project IN THE MIX 2022. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rachel is an illustrator and visual artist, born in Kinshasa and raised in London.Rachel is a graduate from the Chelsea College of Arts. Her work experiments with mixed media digital collage, poetry, film, and pop culture. She uses her art to explore the Black female experience, as well as her own identity.Rachel is one of our creators for IN THE MIX 2022. IN THE MIX 2022 was developed by BBC Studios TalentWorks and Black Creators Matter, in partnership with the Barbican. If you search ‘BBC Reel Found in Translation’, you can watch all the films produced for this project. In this episode, Helen and Rachel discuss - Why Rachel was first inspired to subvert the work of artist John StezakerHow Rachel approaches commercial commissionsHow Rachel has found turning digital collage into documentary for her film for IN THE MIX 2022.Rachel’s clips -Early - Rachel’s digital collage ‘Runnin’ Wild’Most significant - Rachel’s poem ‘I Bloomed’ for Instagram’s #YOURSTOMAKE campaignNow - Rachel’s documentary ‘Nalingi Yo’ created for the project IN THE MIX 2022. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bunmi is a multidisciplinary artist - he’s worked in creative direction, production, and design and has recently moved into garment design with his brand SLUG.Bunmi is one of our creators for IN THE MIX 2022. IN THE MIX 2022 was developed by BBC Studios TalentWorks and Black Creators Matter, in partnership with the Barbican. If you search ‘BBC Reel Found in Translation’, you can watch all the films produced for this project. In this episode, Helen and Bunmi discuss - How Bunmi kick started his creative career by designing the flyers for parties at universityThe launch of Bunmi’s first clothing product How Bunmi overcame ‘perfection paralysis’ to produce his first documentary for BBC ReelBunmi’s clips -Early - The music video for the track Mixed Signals (by Fasina, ft Bridge). The video was directed by BunmiMost significant - Bunmi’s first clothing line Now - Bunmi’s documentary ‘Hikikimori’, created for IN THE MIX 2022. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shahira Allen is a Black content creator from Yorkshire who specialises in food, travel and lifestyle content.Shahira applied to BBC Studios TalentWorks to become one of Creators in Residence earlier this year because she was frustrated that representation in the media of the Black British experience outside of London was lacking.In this episode, Katrina Bell and Shahira discuss -How blogging helped Shahira heal after a traumatic eventThe importance of creating content that is right for you, even if it’s not necessarily the most commercialWhy political content comes naturally to ShahiraShahira’s clips -Early - Shahira’s first blog post about why she was starting a blogMost significant - Shahira’s audition tape applying to be a Creator in ResidenceNow - The caption for Shahira’s IG post ‘Brit-ish’ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Layla is a presenter, journalist and documentary filmmaker from Liverpool. Layla has produced and presented some hard-hitting documentaries for the BBC - including for BBC Three, BBC One and BBC Radio 4. Layla is one of our Creators in Residence here at BBC Studios. During her residency, Layla worked in the Factual Podcast team at BBC Studios and is now working at Louis Theroux’s production company, Mindhouse. In this episode, Katrina and Layla discuss - How Layla started her documentary career aged only 14 (!) by working at her local radio stationWhat goes into making a TV documentary that you wouldn’t expectWhat Layla’s learning from working with Louis TherouxLayla’s clips -Early - ‘Crisis on Campus’, a documentary produced and presented by Layla for Liverpool’s Radio City Most significant - Layla’s BBC Three documentary, ‘False Hope? Alternative Cancer Cures’ Now - Layla’s BBC Panorama documentary, ‘The Champions League Final: What Went Wrong?’ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paddy Smyth is a Dublin born presenter, media commentator, and disability activist. Paddy applied to become one of BBC Studios TalentWorks’ Creators in Residence earlier this year as he was fed up with the media’s depiction of disabled people as “victims”.In this episode, Katrina Bell and Paddy discuss - Why Paddy utilises humour to help spread his messageWhat Paddy learnt about reality TV during his time on Channel 4’s The Circle What Paddy’s learnt about TV development during his time at BBC StudiosPaddy’s clips -Early - Paddy’s presentation ‘My Disabled Life’ for ZeminarMost significant - A clip from Paddy’s appearance on Channel 4’s The CircleNow - Paddy’s Creator in Residence story on the BBC Studios TalentWorks IG Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shu Shi Lin is a British born Chinese vlogger, writer and videographer who specialises in travel, food and lifestyle content. Shu applied to be one of our Meta funded Creators in Residence earlier this year and during her 6 month residency has worked on taking her TV and content development skills to the next level.In this episode, Helen O’Donnell and Shu discuss -How Shu went from vlogging to fronting her on BBC 4 documentaryHow presenting a documentary is different to presenting vlogs and social contentShu’s tips for a killer TV pitchShu’s clips -Early - One of Shu’s first ‘Outfit of the Day’ vlogs Most Significant - Shu presenting ‘A Very British History: The British Chinese documentary’ for BBC 4Now - Shu’s IG reel ‘A Day in the Life as a BBC Studios Creator in Residence’ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bea Dux is a queer sex worker, digital creator and visual storyteller from Lancashire. Bea was fed up with the portrayal of sex workers in the media and, 6 months ago, applied to BBC Studios TalentWorks to become one of our Meta funded Creators in Residence.During her 6 month residency, Bea has worked on comedy drama scripts, drawing on her own experiences in the adult world.In this episode, Helen O’Donnell and Bea discuss -What kind of content Bea posts on each social platformWhat the media gets wrong about sex workersWhat Bea learnt about script writing during her time at BBC StudiosBea’s clips - Early - A vlog of a shoot Bea did in IcelandMost significant - Bea’s audition tape applying to be a Creator in ResidenceNow - Feedback on Bea from Suzy Cripps (Development Producer, BBC ScriptWorks) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nadir Nahdi is the founder and creator of BENI, an online project highlighting the stories of young people from diverse backgrounds with the aim of reclaiming the misrepresented narrative they face from mainstream media. He found online fame through his viral YouTube video "Happy British Muslims!" in 2014 and was swiftly chosen to be part of the YouTube Creators for Change fellowship program, as well as YouTube’s Internet Citizens program. He also founded the BENI run club a space for people from different cultures and religions to feel comfortable running, which recently received the global tick of approval, the much coveted Nike sponsorship. Here’s our interview with Nadir recorded in 2019 during our writers retreat in collaboration with the BBC Writers Room.This episode is dedicated to Nadir's father Fuad Nahdi who passed away on 21st March 2020 - https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/01/fuad-nahdi-obituarywww.instagram.com/rightinthenadswww.instagram.com/bbcstudiostalentworks Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lotte Jeffs is a journalist, creative director and author. Her illustrious career includes  being published in the Independent, the Guardian, the Sunday Times and the Evening Standard.  She won Writer of The Year at the Press and Publishing Association Awards in 2016 and was shortlisted for Columnist of the Year in 2017 for her eponymous column Lotte’s Lexicon in Elle magazine. Lotte has always been on the pulse when it comes to seeking out the most creative talents of our generation and her eye for a story is second to none, it’s no wonder that after 15 years as a deputy editor and then Acting Editor in Chief of ELLE magazine that she was appointed Creative Director at global advertising agency Ogilvy to bring her storytelling expertise to the ad agency world. She has since published her first book 'How To Be a Gentlewoman', represented by digital first literary agency Gleam Titles and launched the LGBTQ parenting podcast 'Some Families'. We spoke to Lotte at our Writers Retreat in collaboration with the BBC Writers Room.www.instagram.com/lottejeffswww.instagram.com/bbcstudiostalentworks Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gina Martin is an activist, writer and law changer. After a horrific experience at a music festival where a man took photos up her skirt with his phone in broad daylight without legal consequence, instead of brushing it off, Gina made the decision to act. With the help and support of her lawyer Ryan Whelan, Gina campaigned tirelessly for 18 months to have the law passed to make up-skirting illegal.  Gina doesn’t fit into the typical conservative expectations of a law maker. She hasn’t worked in politics or as a legal practitioner, but through education and steely perseverance she achieved what is made to seem impossible. Her first book - Be the Change: A Toolkit for the Activist in You - was published in June 2019, and she was recently announced as a UN campaign advocate and one of Time magazine’s most influential people. www.instagram.com/ginamartin www.instagram.com/bbcstudiostalentworks Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Becky James created the comedy YouTube channel Bambino Becky as a way for her to explore her passion for presenting. Having always been obsessed with the online world she knew that YouTube was the vehicle to strengthen her network and build a future for herself as an entertainer. Her rise in popularity on YouTube came from various credits, the most important being from internet superstar KSI, who simply tweeted that he thought she was funny, but included the all important tag. After the shoutout, Becky’s channel shot up from thirty thousand to one hundred thousand overnight. This new found recognition gave her the boost to be able to move to London, get signed by a talent management company and of course attend the TalentWorks retreat in collaboration with the BBC Writers Room where this interview was recorded, enjoy.www.youtube.com/bambinobeckywww.instagram.com/bbcstudiostalentworks Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Phil Lester started making videos in 2006 from his bedroom in Lancashire, and now he has over a billion views. The road to his incredible career has been built on a love for Phil's humour and quirky perspective on the world. Alongside his friend and long-time collaborator, Dan Howell, Phil has so many accolades under his belt. These include but are not limited to; presenting a show on BBC Radio 1, becoming a New York Times and Sunday Times best-selling author, creating a store topping app, devising a hit board game, performing in two global live tours and writing two books. TalentWorks have worked with Phil on the filming and distribution of his 2018 successful tour show ‘Interactive Introverts’ which included a Twitter-live streamed premiere from Brazil. In this interview we will talk about Phil's perspective on his incredible YouTube journey to date and also his thoughts on what creative endeavours his future holds. www.youtube.com/amazingphilwww.instagram.com/bbcstudiostalentworksThis podcast was recorded live from VidCon London 2020. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kimmy Kimani is a content creator, actor and educator for equality and diversity in the workplace. Kimmy was born in Kenya and moved to England aged 8. She grew up with a passion for acting and dancing, but is currently best known as one half of the joyous YouTube channel James and Kimmy. We met Kimmy at one of our Commissioner Pitch Days in collaboration with YouTube, her personality and creative flair really stood out for us and so we were delighted to have her as part of our Unscripted Retreat in collaboration with the BBC Writers Room. www.instagram.com/kiimmykaywww.instagram.com/bbcstudiostalentworks Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.