Managing Creative Studios

In this episode of Managing Creative Studios, Susan Mann sits down with award-winning stop-motion animator Adam Rowland, founder of Awkward Animations, to unpack what it really takes to leave a stable corporate career and build a creative practice from the ground up.

Adam shares how a childhood fascination with film, combined with years spent in corporate retail and strategy, eventually led him to the painstaking, magical world of stop-motion animation. Working largely solo from a garage studio in New Zealand, Adam talks candidly about the financial uncertainty of freelance creative life, the reality of working without safety nets, and why problem-solving (not suffering) is at the heart of his craft.

The conversation dives deep into the mechanics of stop-motion: from live-action reference videos and puppet mishaps to nine-month commercial timelines, centimetre-by-centimetre set builds, and why 99% of his work happens in-camera. Adam also reflects on the value of hiring the right collaborators, knowing when to outsource, and how his corporate background still plays a crucial role in sustaining his creative business through consultancy work.

Equal parts practical and playful, this episode offers an honest look at creative risk, craftsmanship, and what it means to build a sustainable studio on your own terms, one frame at a time.

Adam's Socials:
➡️ YouTube: @awkwardanimations633
➡️ Website: https://awkwardanimations.com/
➡️ Insta: https://www.instagram.com/awkward.animations/
➡️ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@awkward_animations

Animators to check out:
@kevinbparry
@patagraph
@Guldies
@JustinRaschAnimation
@Waaber

Mentioned in this episode:
Adam's short film, Mother, 48 hr film festival: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaunLgNZVEQ&t=31s
Adam's short film, Secret Life of a Sloth, 48 hr film festival:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehPhTTk0uNo
​Jeremy Redmore's music videos animated by Awkward Animations can be found @JeremyRedmore⁩

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In this episode of Managing Creative Studios, Susan Mann is joined by Islay Wharton, founder of Christchurch-based design studio Forme, for a deeply practical and honest conversation about what meaningful design actually looks like in business.

Islay shares her journey from studying design in Wellington to building a values-led studio in Christchurch, explaining why she never saw herself as a “freelancer” — even in the early days — and how treating her work like a business from day one shaped everything that followed. She unpacks the realities of starting before you feel ready, letting go of perfectionism, and learning where to sweat the details and where to release control.

The conversation explores brand strategy, emotional decision-making, and why a brand is not a logo, colour palette, or font, but the feeling people walk away with after interacting with a business. Islay also shares her views on AI, creative ownership, handing over working files, client trust, and why internal culture matters more than any brand strategy document ever could.

Thoughtful, grounded, and full of hard-won insight, this episode is essential listening for designers, studio owners, and creative leaders who want to build work that is both beautiful and effective.

Mentioned in this episode:
Forme Creative ➡️ https://formecreative.co.nz/
TED Talk: Glaze & Nightshade ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdJZPG4nTv8
Struan Macdonald (Instagram) ➡️ https://www.instagram.com/struanmacdonaldartist/
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In this episode of Managing Creative Studios, we chat with Nigel McCulloch, producer, writer, and co-founder of The Downlow Concept. Nigel shares how a love of comedy and a chance introduction to communication studies led him into film and television, eventually forming the creative team behind Off The Wire and the long-running comedy institution 7 Days. He talks about the realities of pitching, rejection, financing, and why understanding the business side of screen production is essential for creatives.

Nigel also delves into his documentary and music-driven projects such as Scribe: Return of the Crusader and Hip Hop Stand Up, sharing insights into music rights, storytelling, and the emotional weight behind New Zealand hip hop history. With reflections on kids’ TV, mockumentaries, and building a career in a small but passionate industry, this episode is packed with wisdom for emerging filmmakers and seasoned creatives alike.

The Down Low Concept Website: https://www.thedownlowconcept.com/
7 Days: https://www.youtube.com/@7daysnz
Hip Hop Stand Up: https://www.rnz.co.nz/video/nz-hip-hop-stand-up
Brown Peril (48 Hr Film Festival Winner): https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/brown-peril-tim-porch-story-2006
Only Son (48 Hr Film Festival Winner): https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/only-son-2010
My Favourite Dead Person: https://www.myfavouritedeadperson.com/
Hounds: https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/hounds-episode-2012
Bigger, Better, Faster, Stronger: https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/bigger-better-faster-stronger-episode-two-2011
Bigsies & Littles: https://www.rnz.co.nz/video/bigsies-and-littles
NZ On Screen: https://www.nzonscreen.com/
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In this episode of Managing Creative Studios, Susan Mann talks with Andrew McDowall, musician, composer, and audio engineer, and the founder of Digicake, a boutique sound studio based in Auckland, New Zealand.

Andrew shares his journey through the world of sound, from composing music for children’s television and short films to mixing podcasts like the award-winning The Commune. He talks about how Digicake began, what it’s like running a small creative studio, and the balance between client work and personal creative projects.

The conversation also explores the changing landscape of audio production, the impact of new technology and AI, and how Andrew keeps his creative practice fresh while managing the realities of running a business.

Find Andrew's website here: https://digicake.com/
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In this episode of Managing Creative Studios, I talk with Bryan Millar, toymaker, cancer survivor and owner of Pioneer Wooden Toys, a beloved New Zealand brand known for its handcrafted wooden toys that have been delighting children for more than four decades.

Bryan shares his career move from a corporate background into the world of traditional toy making, a leap that reconnected him with creativity, craftsmanship, and purpose. He talks about the responsibility of carrying on a legacy brand, his approach to sustainable materials, and the importance of keeping creativity alive in a world increasingly dominated by mass production.

We also discuss Bryan’s dream of creating a Pioneer Wooden Toy Wonderland, a space where families can experience the joy of handmade toys, watch the process unfold, and even make their own. It’s a story about slowing down, valuing quality, and finding meaning through making.

Bryan's Website: https://www.woodntoys.co.nz/browse/
Bryan's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@www.woodntoys.co.nz
Bryan's Insta: https://www.instagram.com/pioneerwooden/
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