Elle Brooks-Tao on Why Real Creativity Requires Conflict Musicbed Podcast

In this episode of the Musicbed Podcast, director Elle Brooks-Tao discusses the value of creating vulnerable work, protecting your creativity at all costs, and why filmmakers should never shy away from the comment section.

Whether it's writing acclaimed narratives or directing award-winning content for global brands like Nike, McDonald's, and adidas, writer/director Elle Brooks-Tao's fresh approach to filmmaking prioritizes pushing the boundaries and bringing untold stories to light.

Talking Points:


Navigating the ethics of filming real people
Maintaining good mental health
Adopting an unapologetic approach
Accepting filmmaking as a form of manipulation
Taking keyboard criticism with a grain of salt
Creativity runs on rejection—not approval

Show Notes:


Khalid Mohtaseb–https://www.khalidmohtaseb.com/
Jon Bregel–https://jonathanbregel.com/
Why We Wake (2017)–http://ellebrookstao.com/whywewake
Buffalo Wild Wings "Watching"–https://vimeo.com/222082743
Bardot (2023)–https://www.imdb.com/title/tt19001296/
Alejandro González Iñárritu–https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0327944/
Birdman (2014)–https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2562232/
Free Solo (2018)–https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7775622/
Clair Popkin–http://clairpopkin.com/
My Octopus Teacher (2020)–https://www.netflix.com/title/81045007
Women Talking (2022)–https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13669038/
Frances McDormand–https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000531/
Rooney Mara–https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1913734/
Drive (2011)–https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0780504/
Ryan Gosling–https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0331516/
Sundance Film Festival–https://festival.sundance.org/
Justin Chon–https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2014390/
Blue Bayou (2021)–https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11121664
Blue Valentine (2010)–https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1120985/
Insomnia (2023)–https://vimeo.com/799152002
Rick Rubin–https://www.instagram.com/rickrubin/?hl=en
All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)–https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1016150/
The Lighthouse (2019)–https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7984734/
Diego Contreras–http://www.thisisdiego.net/
Samm Hodges–https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3280275/
A21–https://www.a21.org/
ZeroZeroZero (2020)–https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8332438/

Brought to you by Musicbed, the filmmaking industry's music licensing platform of choice. Learn more: ⁠⁠⁠musicbed.com⁠⁠⁠.

About Musicbed: Musicbed is the leading sync licensing platform for authentic music from relevant artists. We’re a one-stop licensing agency representing a curated roster of authentic artists, bands, and composers for film, TV, and advertising. From leading composers to tour-tested bands, and rising singer/songwriters, we believe music brings emotion and has the power to amplify your story.