Ep 250: Paul Robinson: Blending Story and Image, Empowering New Voices
Filmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien SwabyShow Notes
Welcome to the show. Today, we're joined by Paul Robinson, a self-taught photographer who began his career in Paris shooting fashion and celebrities. Paul's work, which has been described as blending story and image, has evolved from classic single-frame photography to a focus on abstract, narrative-driven visuals. He's a true creative who has photographed cultural icons like B.B. King. Paul's passion for storytelling and empowering new artists led him to found the NEFTI short film competition, a global initiative to support underrepresented filmmakers in emerging economies. We'll be talking to Paul about his journey, his unique approach to visual art and filmmaking, and the inspiring work he's doing with NEFTI. Stay tuned. In this episode, we sit down with artist and photographer Paul Robinson to discuss his creative journey and work. From Fashion to Abstract: Paul shares how he transitioned from traditional fashion and celebrity photography to his current focus on abstract, narrative-driven visuals. He explains that he always loved the drama and storytelling in art, and felt limited by a single frame. This led him to experiment with multiple exposures on film, a process he calls "In Camera". This process involves layering several images onto one frame of film, with some images taking up to a year to complete. You can see this series on his website, paulrobinsonart.com. The Art of Collaboration: Paul discusses his approach to working with famous artists, emphasizing the importance of a collaboration between artists where you are "able to see what that person is about in the final image". He cites his long-standing working relationships with actors like Jennifer Tilly and David Arquette as examples of how these collaborations can lead to ongoing creative partnerships. Filmmaking and Visual Arts: For Paul, visual arts and filmmaking are very similar, both centered on storytelling. He approaches both by first writing a story to guide his vision. His love for raw, real, and intense drama, often found in French and British films, is a key influence on his storytelling. NEFTI Short Film Competition: Paul's desire to "give back in the arts" led him to found the NEFTI competition, which provides underrepresented filmmakers in emerging economies with the financing, mentorship, and a platform to share their voices. He's currently in South Africa at the Durban FilmMart for the seventh NEFTI competition. He recounts a story of a past winner who was featured on the cover of The Hollywood Reporter, highlighting the impact NEFTI has on participants. He also explains that a new initiative for the competition is to make a film in just three days with a skeleton crew. Panavision, a company that also donated equipment to Paul's first short film over 30 years ago, has donated all the camera and grip equipment to the NEFTI filmmakers. Creative Advice: Paul's advice to emerging artists is to "have no fear" and to create something every day. He believes that consistent creativity makes you a more prolific and comfortable artist. Website Links:
NEFTI
Paul Robinson https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-robinson-11311328/
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