The Tim Ferriss Show - Episode #799: Richard Taylor and Greg Broadmore, Wētā Workshop
In episode #799 of The Tim Ferriss Show, host Tim Ferriss sits down with Richard Taylor, co-founder and creative lead at Wētā Workshop, and Greg Broadmore, a long-time artist and writer at the studio. Together, they explore the depths of creativity, the evolution of Wētā Workshop, and the philosophies that drive their award-winning work in the entertainment industry.
Introduction to Wētā Workshop
Tim Ferriss begins the episode by introducing Richard Taylor and Greg Broadmore as "decathletes of creativity." Wētā Workshop, founded by Richard and his wife Tanya Roger, started humbly by crafting prototypes in their bedroom. Today, it stands as a powerhouse in the creative and entertainment industries, boasting five Academy Awards, four BAFTA Awards, and numerous other accolades.
Quote:
"Believe it or not, it started by them assembling things and making things on top of their bed." — Tim Ferriss [00:00]
Wētā Workshop's portfolio includes contributions to iconic franchises such as The Lord of the Rings, Planet of the Apes, Superman, Mad Max, Thor, and Love, Death & Robots. Beyond special effects, Wētā offers tourism and retail experiences, consumer products, augmented reality projects, and immersive exhibits like the award-winning Gallipoli installation in Auckland.
Origins and Inspirations
Richard Taylor shares his early inspirations, rooted in his upbringing in rural New Zealand. With an aircraft engineer father and a science teacher mother, Richard's exposure to both technical and educational environments fueled his passion for art and sculpture.
Quote:
"This triptych, you go from earth to heaven and to hell. So this concept of running in parallel, this came into my possession." — Richard Taylor [12:52]
A pivotal moment for Richard was acquiring a copy of Hieronymus Bosch's Garden of Earthly Delights, which ignited his fascination with parallel visual fantasy worlds. This inspiration led him to teach himself sculpting, eventually leading to the creation of Wētā Workshop with Tanya.
Wētā Workshop’s Evolution
From its modest beginnings, Wētā Workshop has expanded significantly. Richard emphasizes the company's growth from a single bedroom operation to a multifaceted organization with about 400 employees across seven business centers. Wētā now encompasses design and manufacturing for the world's creative industries, digital game development, merchandising, public sculptures, and more.
Quote:
"We moved workshops nine times. Our first collaborator came about two years in... Today we have about 400 people operating across seven business centers." — Richard Taylor [28:23]
Wētā's ability to diversify its services has been crucial in navigating changes in the creative industry, especially with the shifting landscape of the Hollywood film industry.
Philosophy and Tenets
Richard outlines four core tenets that guide him and Wētā Workshop:
- Love of Oneself: Understanding and valuing one's own virtues.
- Love of What You Do: Passion for the craft and creativity.
- Love of Who You Do It With: Valuing collaboration and teamwork.
- Love of Who You Do It For: Appreciating and understanding the audience or clients.
He humorously adds a fifth tenet:
Quote:
"Just don't be a dickhead." — Richard Taylor [71:26]
These principles foster a positive and resilient work environment, ensuring that the team remains motivated and cohesive even during challenging projects.
Creating Immersive Experiences
One of Wētā Workshop's standout projects is the Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War exhibit. Richard describes it as an immersive installation that presents hyper-realistic, larger-than-life figures of New Zealand soldiers in bell jars. This approach provides an intimate connection to history, allowing visitors to engage emotionally with the narratives of the past.
Quote:
"Make pillars of the men of our past and present them in a hyper realistic, larger than life scale in bell jars to give people the opportunity to learn the story of the whole campaign through the intimacy of the connection to eight people, seven soldiers and one nurse." — Richard Taylor [55:12]
Greg Broadmore adds that the emotional impact of these sculptures creates a profound experience for visitors, highlighting the somber and heroic aspects of history.
Greg Broadmore’s Creative Journey
Greg Broadmore discusses his role at Wētā Workshop, emphasizing the importance of entering a "flow state" during creative projects. He shares anecdotes about rapid ideation and the necessity of being emotionally resilient when confronted with creative setbacks.
Quote:
"I was in a total flow state with that... just creating it. It sort of just happens." — Greg Broadmore [46:12]
Greg’s approach to creativity involves embracing spontaneity and allowing ideas to evolve organically, which often leads to innovative and unexpected results.
Resilience in the Creative Process
The duo delves into the challenges of maintaining creativity under pressure. Greg recounts experiences where his designs were abruptly changed or discarded, highlighting the need for emotional resilience and the ability to swiftly adapt to new directions.
Quote:
"You have to internalize it and then you figure out a new thing from it. But weirdly enough, having a child was instantaneous. I felt like I was a different person." — Greg Broadmore [131:08]
Richard reinforces this by emphasizing the importance of a supportive team and a can-do attitude, which has been integral to Wētā Workshop's longevity and success.
Developing and Maintaining Creativity
Richard discusses the balance between being passionate about one’s work and maintaining an objective distance to allow for continuous improvement. He underscores the importance of philosophical exploration and deep conversations about creativity within the team.
Quote:
"Trying to find the purity of an idea requires a level of philosophical exploration... It is one of the most joyful parts of my career." — Richard Taylor [53:05]
Greg echoes this sentiment, explaining that true creativity involves being unattached yet deeply invested in the process of making art.
Upcoming Projects and Personal Endeavors
Greg introduces his latest project, the OnePath graphic novel series, set in a prehistoric world of dinosaurs and cave women. He shares his creative process, inspirations from artists like Frank Frazetta and Simon Bisley, and the challenges of maintaining creative integrity without commercial pressures.
Quote:
"OnePath comes out April 8th... it's a graphic novel filled with dinosaurs, blood, and gore, set in a brutal prehistoric world." — Greg Broadmore [102:22]
He emphasizes the importance of staying true to his creative vision, even when opportunities arise to expand into other media.
Conclusion and Key Takeaways
Tim Ferriss wraps up the episode by highlighting the invaluable insights shared by Richard and Greg. He encourages listeners to embrace their creativity, remain resilient in the face of challenges, and apply the four tenets of love—of oneself, what you do, who you do it with, and who you do it for—to their own endeavors.
Final Quote:
"If you can keep it fun, then you keep on going." — Tim Ferriss [135:34]
Listeners are encouraged to explore Wētā Workshop's work and Greg Broadmore's upcoming graphic novel, OnePath, to further inspire their own creative journeys.
This episode offers a profound look into the minds behind some of the world's most beloved special effects and immersive experiences, providing actionable insights for anyone aiming to elevate their creative output.