The Promising Creative

Ep #23: Actor Amir Wilson on Juggling School with Acting, Coping with Rejection, and Passion for Filmmaking

Amir Wilson, an actor hailing from Shrewsbury, has rapidly risen as a young talent in the acting world. His journey began at age 10 when he responded to an open audition for the Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre. Out of 3000 hopefuls, Amir made it to the final four, and thanks to some quick thinking from his mum, he landed the role. For the next two years, he balanced primary school and performing in the Lion King, and hasn’t looked back since. Amir's stage performance in The Secret Diary Of Adrian Mole led him to meet his agent, opening doors to film and TV roles. He has since starred as Will Parry in the HBO and BBC One series His Dark Materials, Tiuri in the Netflix series The Letter for the King, and Dickon in the 2020 film adaptation of The Secret Garden. On the podcast, Amir shares his experiences, challenges and triumphs. From media training and staying in LA hotels to doing GCSE mock exams in a shipping container in Cardiff and filming alongside Colin Firth and Julie Walters at Pinewood Studios, his journey is full of fascinating anecdotes. A dedicated student of film, Amir left school at 16 to attend LSA film school, which ignited a lifelong passion for the filmmaking process. He emphasises the importance of coping mechanisms for balancing work and personal life and maintaining as normal a school life as possible while pursuing acting. Amir’s advice to aspiring actors is to stick to short-term goals to improve day by day. For those in creative fields, he suggests absorbing everything around you—watch things you wouldn’t normally watch and talk to people you wouldn’t normally talk to, as there’s much to learn from new experiences and others. Currently, His Dark Materials is available on BBC iPlayer, offering audiences a chance to see Amir's breakout performances. Listen in to hear more about Amir Wilson’s journey so far and his insights into the acting world. Instagram: @thepromisingcreative TikTok: @thepromisingcreative Twitter: @PrmisngCreative Guest: @amirwilson_

Ep #22: HEN$HAW on social media, music industry challenges, and earning a living

Introducing HEN$HAW, the embodiment of Camden's underground spirit, blending rap, garage, dance, grime, and emo-drill into a signature sound. Raised amidst the London borough’s grit and diversity, HEN$HAW's musical journey kicked off with his grandad's gift of a microphone and recording software at a young age in 2012. With his partner-in-crime, producer Chase, HEN$HAW lives by the motto "when, not if," a positive belief that good things will happen with momentum. Fuelled by the beats Chase creates, for now he has chosen independence over major labels, leveraging platforms like TikTok to turn unusual moments, like ex-PM Lizz Truss's resignation, into viral hits, as seen with his track "CHALK AND CHEESE." While navigating the trials of streaming income, HEN$HAW thrives on live shows, channeling his raw emotions into tracks like "HOLE" from his EP 'Sittin’ in the Dark’, and  "Lowkey",  which has had over 3 million Spotify streams.  Hiis latest release "NO JK", a collaboration with The Skinner Brothers, is out now. Instagram: @thepromisingcreative TikTok: @thepromisingcreative Twitter: @PrmisngCreative Guest: @henshawgram

Ep #21: Marz Fay on making music, amplifying LGBTQ+ voices, and breaking into the media industry

Hailing from South London, Marz Fay is poised to make a significant mark on the music scene as an outspoken LGBT artist delving into themes of love, pain & youth. With over 50k+ streams on her debut EP, Marz is quickly building a passionate following. Raised in Kennington and Waterloo by parents deeply involved in community support, Marz learned early on the power of music to tell stories and inspire change. Releasing her latest EP ‘Melancholy’ in March 2024, Marz also works as an actor, spoken word artist, and radio presenter. Growing up amid stark social contrasts fueled Marz's drive to express herself through music. Drawing from her upbringing and diverse influences, Marz crafts tracks that resonate with authenticity and raw emotion, including ‘Pour My Heart Out’ and ‘Straight Girl.’  With a process centered on journaling, goal-setting, and fearless experimentation, Marz's music reflects her personal evolution and unapologetic self-expression. Beyond the beats, Marz is finding success in the media industry through persistence and hustle. From cold-emailing radio stations to landing gigs showcasing emerging talent on Reprezent Radio, Marz embodies the spirit of making things happen. Alongside performing and promoting her EP, Marz is making a documentary exploring music's impact on mental health, showcasing her commitment to storytelling and breaking boundaries. Get ready to vibe with Marz Fay's unique blend of South London grit and creative brilliance. Listen to Melancholy now on all streaming platforms.

Ep #20: Cap1talA on navigating racism, cultivating gratitude, and independent success in hip-hop

Cap1talA is a UK rap and hip-hop artist whose music is as a powerful reflection of his upbringing and experiences. Growing up in Kent, Cap1talA faced the harsh reality of racism and often felt like an outsider. However, his passion for music ignited at the age of 15, inspired by the sounds of Tyler the Creator on YouTube. Writing lyrics to beats found online, Cap1tal A eventually found like-minded individuals at his college, supporting each other to start recording their own music. Despite facing challenges, Cap1tal A remained dedicated to his craft, working odd jobs to fund his music endeavors while exploring other artistic outlets like illustration and modeling. Cap1tal A's music now delves deep into his experiences as a black man in the UK, with tracks like "I'll Come Around" showcasing his vulnerability and openness. For Cap1tal A, creativity is a state of mind achieved through focus and consistency. Motivated by the belief that "this is it, this is my passion," he is always looking for the next sound, the next thing he has to say. In moments of low spirits and struggles for success, Cap1tal A turns to gratitude, reminding himself of the achievements he's already made. His advice to aspiring musicians is simple yet powerful: keep going, stay passionate, and appreciate what you have. With his latest single "Who Gon Tell Em", Cap1tal A continues to inspire people with his positive message (‘Keep on Livin’) and raw authenticity.

Ep #19: Photographer Sophia Leon on telling authentic stories, self-care, and the art of pitching to clients

Our guest this week is photographer, Sophia Leon. Hailing from Manchester, Sophia's passion for creativity led her to London in pursuit of the most dynamic environment for her artistic ambitions. Despite receiving discouraging advice in college to avoid putting all her ‘eggs in one basket’ with photography, and pursue a more ‘marketable’ career path, Sophia didn’t give up on her passion. Her journey into photography was a gradual yet transformative one. Starting as a creative content creator for prestigious brands like Harrods, Sophia realised the potential for freelancing in photography. Balancing freelance opportunities with her full-time job, Sophia eventually took the leap into full-time freelancing, relishing the newfound freedom it offered. As a self-taught photographer, Sophia's education was rooted in experimentation and collaboration. From college basics to hands-on experience as an assistant, digi, and lighting tech, Sophia's dedication to learning her craft is evident in her shoots. Sophia's approach to client selection reflects her values of authenticity and connection. For her, successful shoots are built on ‘vibes, authenticity, and trustworthiness’, ensuring that every project is not only visually stunning but also fulfilling. In this episode of the Promising Creative, Sophia talks candidly about the challenges of freelancing, her strategies for maintaining mental well-being, and the art of pitching to new clients.