Creative Profession:
Director / Producer

Job:
Owner of Digital DK

Short bio:
I knew early on that I wanted to work for myself so I started my own company, Digital DK, at the age of 21 with a strong desire to produce fun, challenging and ambitious projects. Having close to 17 years in the graphic design, motion graphics, animation and post-production industries, I bring a multi-faceted ability and approach toward my directing career.

Like most creatives, I love movies, video games, music, comics etc … but my true passion is anything automotive.

1. How did you come to Oklahoma City? And more importantly, why do you stay?
Born and raised in OKC (Technically Norman).

While I think my career could have taken a faster path to success in a larger market, you just can’t beat the cost of living in Oklahoma.

With all the brilliant technology available today I’m able to work with clients all over the country. Where you live and operate a business isn’t quite as important as it used to be … If you’re talented, easy to work with, and charge a fair price – you can work with anyone, anywhere.

2. Who was your greatest mentor?
Creatively I haven’t had a mentor in the traditional sense. I’ve always trudged my own path in that regard. However, from a business perspective my father has definitely been my greatest mentor.

Having been a successful software business owner for years, my father has always been my go to guy for business advice. While he is more a gun-slinger risk-taker than me, his advice is always helpful … and trust me, you need a mentor you can trust if you plan on owning your own business.

3. Which project are you most proud of? Please explain why?
Right now I think I would say I’m most proud of our piece opening the 2012 OKC ADDY awards.

2012 OKC ADDY Awards Show Intro from Steve Jones on Vimeo.

Having free reign creatively plus matched up with an incredible team allowed us to do some pretty different and “Cool” things with the project.

Being part of the custom music creation with OKC native rapper Jabee, shooting in some of OKC’s unknown nooks and crannies, orchestrating a live delivery of the music at the event … all aspects came together to make an awesome and rewarding project.

4. What is one thing other creatives can learn from your biggest success and/or failure?
Success – You’ve got to have an incredible work ethic. It makes you easy to work with and inspires your team to try harder. Be humble but confident … No one likes a know-it-all. Set goals – both professionally and personally and kick your own ass if you don’t reach those goals.

Failure – As creatives we tend to keep to ourselves. Generally, we suck at selling ourselves. I’m the worst at self promotion and getting myself out there. Maybe I should set a goal for that.

5. If you could play a game with any creative in the community, what would it be and whom would you play against?
I would play a ruthless game of Risk with Brian Winkeler, Kathleen Shannon, Simon Hurst, Brett Grimes and Casey Twenter.

Tequila shot for every F-bomb dropped during the game.

6. What is one thing you would change about your job or profession?
Be gone deadlines….

7. What is your best source of inspiration?
I source inspiration from a ton of sources – movies / music videos for lighting, comics for composition, music for editing ideas. But, the single best source is jumping on Vimeo and viewing what your peers are working on … there is SO much talent out there and the community really presses me to go bigger and try harder.

Creative Profession:
Commercial Photography

Job:
Simon Hurst Photography

Short bio:
Born and Raised in the south of England. First job after studying photography and advertising in Yorkshire, England was a cruise ship photographer. I traveled a lot of the world. I met my wife Brina whilst on my second contract in the Caribbean. She happened to be from Edmond and won the coin toss. Here I am, here we are 16 years later. I was a freelance assistant for a couple of years and shot a few things here and there. Then landed a full time studio manager job in Norman. In 2003, when I turned 30 I started my own company Simon Hurst Photography. It was part time, but by 2008 was doing well. I took the plunge and quit my day job to be Simon
Hurst Photography full time.

1. How did you come to Oklahoma City? And more importantly, why do you stay?
I just gave the how I came to OKC. The reason I have stayed is because this is the biggest small town in America. That line is stolen from a good friend. It was not hard to see that this was a developing community and that good things were going to happen. I remember when Dell came to the city and I was asked to shoot for them. I thought that was really cool, especially as my images are still being used in their facility today.

2. Who was your greatest mentor?
There have been many. But the most important has to be Shevaun Williams. I worked for and along side her for 10 years. She is very talented and a good teacher. I started working with her freelance when we were still shooting film. We had color meters, dozens of filters and could shoot some wicked transparencies. It was great to go through the digital transition too.

Her work still inspires me today.

3. Which project are you most proud of? Please explain why?
There are several. In the last year or so I have been shooting for Slice. Last years Fall Fashion shoot was really cool. The cover got featured in a national magazine article. But one of my most proud moments was being asked by a company out of Connecticut to shoot the Devon Tower. Once the cranes were taken down I was to shoot it at different times of day and stages of completion. I shot a skyline shot that has been used many times from that shoot.

4. What is one thing other creatives can learn from your biggest success and/or failure?
Failures? Of course there are none ; ). Successes? Well, the phrase “ You are only as good as your last shoot” resonates with me. That keeps me on my game. “ Do you have any shots of ------?” “Yes but give me a couple of days to find it”. Then go and shoot it. Success comes from loving what you do. I love my career. It is different every day.

5. If you could play a game with any creative in the community, what would it be and whom would you play against?
I would play a drinking game with Brian Winkeler. Its really fun watching him get toasted.

6. What is one thing you would change about your job or profession?
Nothing. I love it. Although I would like to be more of a techie when it comes to the equipment. Last year I went to a photo expo in New York and was asked about the gear I use. I was asked about some setting deep in the auto modes. I replied “ sorry mate, I just shoot manual”.

7. What is your best source of inspiration?
In one word. Life...................