We’ve always said that while productions can be demanding and intense, our team doesn’t have to be. One of our brand promises is that we’ll do great work and you’ll enjoy working with us. That has a lot to do with the team we’ve built over the years.
Say hello to our new Meet the Team series, where we’re sitting down with the people who make it happen to learn about their role at Hale, some of their favorite shoots, and what keeps their creativity flowing. Next up is Stan, our Creative Producer.
Hey Stan! Give us your 10-second bio.
Totally! I’m Stan- a salt-and-pepper haired creative born and raised in Los Angeles and now call San Diego home with my partner of 7 years and our brood of plants. I often self describe as a music hoarder and have a deep well of knowledge for all things campy and silly. Does it show?
What project kickstarted your work with the Hale team?
I found Hale at a crossroads in my career when I was wondering if my particular sense of style and perspective would work for non-fashion brands (I spent a decade in the apparel industry) and my very first project with the team was a supplement for Libido Health lol. Turns out, my sense of humor works great across any and all brands.
You’ve got a long shoot day ahead of you. How are you starting your morning?
I start my morning about 2 hours ahead of call time. I get up, make coffee and listen to my favorite playlist, aptly titled Astral Projecting (it’s a lot of ambient + piano music. Think Chopin meets Japanese Forrest Bathing music) I meditate for a solid 15-20 minutes before starting the routine of putting my human costume on. I make sure to eat something healthy(ish) before leaving the house. And, I have a ritual/superstition of playing specific music on my way to the studio – I’ve done it for over a decade now and I’ll never tell you what it is.
Outside the studio, what keeps you inspired?
I consume a lot of music. I love what music does to me and how it soundtracks my life. The resurgence of vinyl records has also become something I collect rather obsessively as well. I also keep my eyes open to everything- movies, shows, theater, billboards, what people are saying and wearing, other work I admire, etc. It would shock you to learn about some of the seemingly mundane things that have inspired me over the years.
Can you describe your creative process when approaching a new project? How do you work with the team to achieve a shared vision?
I always like to think of creative vision as soup. (I might be hungry while writing this) But the soup is always a sum of its parts. AND, for those of you who have made soup, there’s always this part where it doesn’t look quite right. That’s when you have to let it simmer or blend it. Then bam! Soup! The creative process is a little like this: a cacophony of items (real, and, in my brain) come together, I synthesize what the client needs and wants into tangible actions. There’s a weird moment where it all feels like it might not work and then the blending or simmering is the way the rest of the team puts their expertise on it. The creative execution of a project is as good as your team and I rely on expert lighting, photography, videography, stylists and other creatives to get my vision across.
Tell us about one of your favorite shoots. What made it epic?
One of my favorite shoots with Hale was our first Fjällräven shoot. The stakes felt high, but in the best way. You could tell that everyone wanted to bring the best of themselves and it felt like a leveling-up for everyone. To see all the pieces come together in the room and to get actual gasps from the client was the cherry on top.
How many cups of coffee would you say you have when you’re on set?
I really try to limit myself to 2 cups on set (1 before I arrive to set). Any more than that, and I get a little jittery or silly.
What’s one thing people might be surprised to learn about you/your career?
It’s less of a surprise and more of a reminder: At my previous long term job, I started out answering phones and writing copy on the side. When I left almost a decade later, I was Creative Director. Anything is possible. Just commit to being yourself, and it will get you far!
What’s a non-negotiable when you’re on set?
Rest! On set, I’m like the world's strangest cuckoo clock reminding everyone to “don’t forget to drink water and sit down occasionally.” They are long, busy days, and you’ll be no good to anyone (especially yourself) if you’re dehydrated and exhausted.
Three words to describe working with the team at Hale.
“The Better Thing”
Check out some of Stan's work here.
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