A Music Video Director who has worked with Dave and Stormzy explains why the industry should support diverse talent
Why people in positions of power should be protecting diverse creatives
“People that are in positions of power, particularly around rights and things of that nature, they try and take as much as they can until you push back,” says director and D&AD Shifter Edem Wornoo. “Some people won't have mentors and people that are able to protect them, and if you’re bringing people into an environment that is new to them and who are coming from diverse backgrounds, chances are they won’t have someone to talk to and guide them, so the onus is then on you — the production company or the commissioner to be able to protect this person and I think that’s super important.”
This is an excerpt from Wornoo’s talk at D&AD Festival in 2023. Since graduating from D&AD Shift, director Edem Wornoo has gone on to direct music videos for music icons like Dave, Stormzy and JME. Recently, his creative journey came full circle as he returned to D&AD to direct two profile films on D&AD Shift alumni, writer Seun Areoye and art director Kayla Tully.
Watch more highlights from D&AD Festival here.
