Elle Brooks-Tao on Why Real Creativity Requires Conflict

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)–