
Last year, Spotify created Frequency, a global initiative and holistic destination to celebrate Black art, entertainment, creativity, culture, and community both on- and off-platform. Then, earlier in 2022, Frequency debuted The Free Studio, a short-term creator studio in Los Angeles, as a place to celebrate Black expression. Nine Black creators across multiple disciplines spanning music, podcast, and artistry came together to use the space's recording studios, video backdrops, green screen areas, blank canvases, and more-finding a physical location to foster and grow their creativity.
Richie Reseda, Indigo Mateo, and Vic Mensa of Abolition X along with Mike Brown, Shefon Taylor, Thomeography, Doechii, Larry June, and Sango are the nine creators whose work is making an impact on mainstream culture and who came together for a set of short but impactful days at the studio.
We invited these nine to The Free Studio to create with no boundaries. We asked from them nothing in exchange except the ability to document their creative process. We used that footage to create a short documentary, shot and directed by Anthony P. Leslie of Equator Productions. The documentary features firsthand creator experiences shot in various spaces that embody creative expression-The Free Studio's recording spaces, dance studios, hallways, and beyond. It explores intimate podcast and recording sessions and the authentic content and community fostered by the Frequency initiative.
This is a creator studio for the freedom of Black Expression, Anthony P. Leslie notes. Free Black Expression for me is being UNAPOLOGETIC in all the unique ways WE are, dancing to the beat of our own drum, sharing our color without boundaries. The one thing all of these artists have in common is that their experiences show up in their work. With the theme that we (Black creators) are all a work in progress and using our art as a form of expression throughout our respective journeys, I am looking to show raw moments that illustrate why exploring one's self contributes to one's creativity.
You've created a beautiful tribute to the individuals taking part in The Free Studio. What was your approach to this documentary and highlighting the work happening at The Free Studio? So first and foremost, I think it's super important to understand that to be able to create with no boundaries is one of the main responses that we received from all of the artists when we asked them about the benefits of The Free Studio. I truly believe in that. Because it's hard, once you're in the creative field, to not feel like everything that you are creating has to come to life as perfect as can be or with already set expectations.
With this documentary, I set out to really get a better understanding of these artists and to see them working in their true life. I kind of wanted to be a fly on the wall, but I also wanted to be a part of it. So it's a nice balance of me being intercut into their world and us as a team just watching them do their thing.
But ultimately, to be able to show these Black creators express themselves in their purest form is what I really wanted to get at. A lot of times Black people are stereotyped, but we are all different. It's our unique, complex ways that really enable us to learn from each other-and I truly got to learn from all these artists.
In being a part of this project, did you also get a chance to experience a little bit of that flexibility and freedom to experiment with the way you do documentary? Yes. I always want to work on more personal stuff that truly feels like it comes from the heart, and it was just super fluid with Spotify and the Frequency team. The biggest way I experimented with the creative freedom that we had at The Free Studio was by inserting myself within the documentary. So you get to meet these artists by way of me. What's more personal than somebody actually making real relationships in real time? I was able to break the fourth wall to learn from these artists and work with them, in a way that was more my style.
You'll see I also used the fish-eye lens to focus in on the individual artists. It shows that there are these distinct worlds that each of these artists lived in and worked in. And with the fish-eye lens, you can see a glimpse of what their world looks like-their full world within The Free Studio. And then we get into more of those intimate moments, in many shots, as we break down the artist and their creative practice.
We talked to Mike Brown about The Art of Letting Go and he mentioned that the two of you had a chance to collaborate on a podcast episode. What was that experience like for you? We had a nice glass of wine and just talked. I love the atmosphere that he creates on his podcast because it's just a space to let it out. You don't feel judged, you don't feel like you need to have the answer; you can just flow and be yourself and exist. That was super comforting.
What do you hope viewers walk away with after seeing this documentary? I really hope that people feel inspired to create the way they want to, stop worrying about external acknowledgment, and focus on the approval coming from within. Because you'll create something and then the world will want to be a part of it.
Can't get enough of the work from The Free Studio? Check out Free Studio participants Indigo Mateo, Richie Reseda, and Vic Mensa's Abolition X.
Europe Stories
04/11/2022
The best gamers know DTS Headphone:X technology ups their play. Now major magazines have caught on, too.
DTS Headphone:X technology creates immersive soundsc...
06/07/2022
Codemill will be demonstrating the latest features of its Accurate.Video and Cantemo products on its booth (W5411) at NAB Show....
06/07/2022
In the video industry the emphasis is often on the video, whether that is talking about resolution or quality, it plays an important role in everything we do. H...
06/07/2022
New B-Mount Batteries, Chargers and Camera Brackets Deliver High Power Performance with Anton/Bauer Safety and Reliability4th July 2022Anton/Bauer has expanded ...
06/07/2022
A drinks event during IBC Show will reveal the shortlist, with the winners set to be announced on Thursday 10th November at BT Sports Studios
By TVBEurope Staf...
06/07/2022
Grafica Veneta increases digital printing capacity with Fujifilm's Jet Press...
06/07/2022
Join us to celebrate colour August 10, 2022
Vancouver, Canada
Let's take a break and raise a glass together.
Join us between 6-9pm for some drinks and ni...
06/07/2022
Home News & Press Blancco Appoints Jon Mellon as President of Global Sales, ...
06/07/2022
Banijay today kicks off its annual volunteering initiative in the UK and Netherlands, following a successful drive last week in France and Germany. With approxi...
06/07/2022
Banijay today announces that Viaplay Group has ordered first seasons of MasterChef: Young Talent in Denmark (MasterChef, De Unge Talenter) and Norway (MasterChe...
06/07/2022
Latest Version of Industry-Leading WinPlus-IP Prompting Software Introduces Arabic Language for Voice and NDI Support
Autoscript, has released an upgrade to ...
06/07/2022
Both commercials and music videos are fields with high aesthetic stakes. ARRI France dove a bit deeper into these types of productions and first spotlights cine...
06/07/2022
Japonais install depuis quinze ans en France, Kanam Onoyama est venu faire ses tudes de cin ma lESRA, apr s sa licence de litt rature fran aise lUniversi...
06/07/2022
6 July, 2022
Events
Press releases
Meet us at IBC 2022, at our new stand Hall 1, C65 and experience live the solutions powered by Agama, real-time observabil...
06/07/2022
RT has partnered with Fleadh Cheoil na h ireann and Comhaltas as the official media partner to support Ireland's largest celebration of traditional music, ...
06/07/2022
EZCast launches CatchU: A Universal Capture and Streaming Box posted: 06/07/2022
Capture, save and stream your gaming to fans all at once, whether smartph...
05/07/2022
Imagine Communications Cassidy Phillips argues that IP systems built on COTS hardware and SMPTE ST 2110 standard are not a science project
By Contributor
Publ...
05/07/2022
The combined FLEX/SMODE xR solution works as an additional server on top of the existing Unreal/nDisplay set-up
By Jenny Priestley
Published: July 5, 2022
...
05/07/2022
AE Lives Jodie Butcher reveals how she went from PE teacher to working on some of the biggest sporting events in the world, and why she would advise anyone look...
05/07/2022
The acquisition generates a broad solution portfolio combining MEDIAGENIXs WHATS'ON Media Business Management Platform with BeBanjo's Movida VoD-first s...
05/07/2022
Company has acquired 88 per cent of the Euronews shares after reaching an agreement with previous holder, MGN
By Jenny Priestley
Published: July 5, 2022
Co...
05/07/2022
5 July 2022, 19:00 (PDT) Tencent Music Entertainment's QQ Music Becomes Chi...
05/07/2022
Radio Televisi n Espa ola (RTVE), the Spanish main public broadcaster, and VSN w...
05/07/2022
Thousands of technologists, entrepreneurs and thought-leaders will gather to explore the trends and innovations reshaping our lives at Sky's hybrid Tech Sum...
05/07/2022
Published On: July 5th, 2022
--
--
--
--
data-orig-src=https://www.sgo...
05/07/2022
ITV News has today announced Andrew Dagnell as the next editor of Network News. In his new role, Andrew will be responsible for all of ITV's award-winning n...
05/07/2022
Banijay Rights, the global distribution arm of Banijay, today announces the sale of new eight-part historical drama Marie Antoinette to BBC First in Australia.
...
05/07/2022
Arvato Systems Enters Partnership with the Smart Service Engineering Research Ar...
05/07/2022
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
En tant qu'initiateur du Deuxi me concours national tudiant RISC-V co-organis avec le GDR SOC2 et le CNFM1, Thales a r com...
05/07/2022
European Parliament adopts the Digital Services Package, setting the bar high fo...
05/07/2022
Rohde & Schwarz supplies technology for network of compact remotely controlled m...
05/07/2022
Movicom delivers Robycam, Frecciarossa cam and other specialty cameras to Italia...
04/07/2022
Guy Parry-Williams, founder of Imedia8, takes a look at the value of video and immersive technology in helping companies reach a bigger audience
By Contributor...
04/07/2022
The series has been designed to drive high-power cine cameras such as the ARRI Alexa 35
By Jenny Priestley
Published: July 4, 2022 Updated: July 5, 2022
...
04/07/2022
Kaplan has previously worked at Technicolor and Company 3
By Jenny Priestley
Published: July 4, 2022
Kaplan has previously worked at Technicolor and Compan...
04/07/2022
The Assoication has also elected a new Steering Group, containing representatives from broadcasters and technology vendors
By Jenny Priestley
Published: July ...
04/07/2022
With public cloud ready to transform live sports distribution models right now, ...
04/07/2022
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
After hiring 9,000 people worldwide in 2021, Tha...
04/07/2022
3 questions to Bernhard Hanneken, Programmer of the Rudolstadt Festival...
01/07/2022
Thomson Foundation is celebrating 60 years of promoting excellence in journalism and to mark the occasion, we're offering six rising stars the chance to con...
01/07/2022
iWedias J r me Vial takes a look at the OTT landscape
By Contributor
Published: July 1, 2022
iWedia's J r me Vial takes a look at the OTT landscape
t...
01/07/2022
Amazon has won the rights to Tuesday night games, with BT Sport airing Champions League matches on Wednesday
By Jenny Priestley
Published: June 30, 2022 Upd...
01/07/2022
Organisation also appoints two new members to its executive board
By Jenny Priestley
Published: July 1, 2022 Updated: July 4, 2022
Organisation also appo...
01/07/2022
Co-founders Peter Thum and Hanno Mahr will become advisors to the company, which will remain in Monheim an Rhein
By Jenny Priestley
Published: July 1, 2022
...
01/07/2022
Awards celebrate the innovation and craft of the industry's R&D teams by recognising some of the standout products and solutions on display in Amsterdam
By...
01/07/2022
Audio rental company, Britannia Row Productions, was appointed to realise this huge logistical challenge, which took place in the environs of Buckingham Palace,...
01/07/2022
HENDERSON, Nevada - July 2022 - They call it The Buck or The Stronghold, but either way the Dollar Loan Center in Henderson, Nevada is a first-class venue f...
01/07/2022
Strong support from the broadcasting sector for the Revised Draft Text for the W...
01/07/2022
EBU Members primed for summer of top women's sport...