5 Questions for ELM Staff

We asked ELM staff 5 thought-provoking questions to help you get to know us a little better!

Darren Durlach – ELM Co-Founder

What’s your personality type & why? (Refer to this website)

What I want to say so badly is that I’m the Adventurer personality and enjoy carelessly wandering and making art. While maybe some of that is true, in reality I see myself (at least from the options on this website) as the ‘Commander‘ ENTJ type. The only thing I would change is the E. I’m more of an ‘I’ (introverted).

Where, who, or what do you draw your creative inspiration from?

Oh, so many things inspire me. One of my favorite things to do is spontaneously visit an art museum with Amanda, my love. I get inspired watching my kids overcome challenges. I get inspired by many of the people we feature in our films and productions. I get inspired by my ELM partners and employees day after day as we continue to bring our best. When I’m writing and I get stuck, music unblocks the dam. When I feel like I’m on fire with inspiration, it’s when I work with talented, collaborative people making shows, films, and more. I get high off that feeling when the group is clicking and the vision has been exponentially amplified by all the creative people around me. I love it.

Say you’re independently wealthy and don’t have to work, what would you do with your time?

If I’m independently wealthy, all I would do is make art and films, and if I’m really lucky, make an artful film. I have an overwhelming desire to get lost in film projects every second of the day. If I were Elon-Musk-rich I would pay for every movie I made so I could make them however I wanted, with no pressure to complete them on schedule. Schedules are good. But if I’m crazy rich, it’s not finished until it’s exactly how I want it.

What is something unique about you that few people know?

I was voted class clown in high school. For some reason I’m no longer funny. I wish I was, but adulthood changes a man.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Focus on your breath. It’s constant. It’s now. Any situation is manageable when you’re still breathing.

David Larson – ELM Co-Founder

What’s your personality type & why? (choose up to three)

Protagonist or ENFJ-T

Where, who, or what do you draw your creative inspiration from?

I often find myself drawing creative inspiration from a few different places. I read a lot of science fiction and enjoy imagining worlds that don’t exist. Or better yet could exist in another part of space. Theoretical science and challenging philosophies capture my attention and force me to think outside the box. I also draw a lot of inspiration from our natural world and the interactions between people. And music has always been a driving force behind my creativity. I often find myself conjuring ideas when listening to my favorite artists as if it’s a soundtrack to the movie I want to make.

Say you’re independently wealthy and don’t have to work, what would you do with your time?

I’d spend my time traveling, gardening, baking bread, and making films on my own terms. Gardening brings me peace of mind and I love the physicality of it all. Nothing beats getting your hands dirty. But I think I would still do what I do now. I love making films and would love to bring more of my ideas to life. I also have a small dream of opening a tater tot food truck but that’s a story for another time.

What is something unique about you that few people know?

I guess I have two things that people might not know about me but are things that have shaped who I am. First is that I lived in Canada for a few years growing up and I married a Canadian. So I have strong ties to our friends in the north. This has shaped everything from my love of travel to some of my world views. The other is that my dad died when I was 13. I have amazing memories of him and it helped bond my large family together. I have two brothers and a sister and we all hold tight bonds and a strong sense of family because of him. I also love baking bread. Lucky for me, my family likes carbs.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

This is a really tough one. There definitely have been the tiny pearls that people have told me along the way but the biggest impact for me are more in actions. I had an amazing mentor named Bryan Barr who taught me the importance of leading by example. He would frequently be in the trenches with us or would take on difficult assignments rather than just passing them off. He worked just as hard as the rest of us and it made me respect him even more for it. I’ve since learned that there is a time a place to delegate but if you lead by example, others will follow.

Jody Weldon – ELM Partner

What’s your personality type & why? (Choose up to three from this website)

Based on the 16 personality types I would say INTJ – The Architect or INTP – The Logician is a good ballpark but overall I would say “Chill”

Where, who, or what do you draw your creative inspiration from?

For that answer we’ll need to wind back the clock to the late 1980’s/early 90’s. As a Gen X’r I was glued to the 4×3 TV set and tuned into MTV, like most my age. It wasn’t so much the music videos as a show called “MTV Sports.” Seeing this style of production and editing for the first time felt groundbreaking for me: fast cuts and crazy graphics, all to the beat of the latest 90’s alt rock songs. As a late teen I was hooked and wanted more. Of course now my production skill set includes other styles, but even today that type of video is still so much fun to create. That style and creative inspiration helped me win national editing awards for clients like DC United and Under Armour. Many thanks Dan Cortes -The original host of MTV sports.

Say you’re independently wealthy and don’t have to work, what would you do with your time?

Travel and travel and travel some more. I would love to walk the same streets as my grandfather who immigrated from Sicily or grab a pint from the bar “The Grenadier” where my wife’s great great grandmother worked in her youth, on Wilton Row in London. I have always been interested in design and architecture and would love to drink in the atmosphere and culture. One day…

What is something unique about you that few people know?

I love Soccer. For those of you who see it as watching paint dry, I was there too. But that changed years ago when I signed my son and daughter up to play, really just as an outlet to release all of that little kid energy. Eventually their love of the game grew as did mine. Soon, my everyday was getting them to practice and weekends were booked traveling to games and tournaments. What was one fall season turned into a year around commitment. I actually played soccer on the weekends and took the opportunity to coach my daughters youth travel team. Fun! Now you can find me attending my son’s collegiate games or tuning in to watch weekend matches of the Premier league-and starting to plan trips abroad to check out a few live matches. It is “the beautiful game.”

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Break the rules: Nothing great or new ever comes from following a formula.Knowing when to break the rules comes from experience. I think that might just be a part of my GenX alt rock approach 90’s MTV mantra. I’m such the rebel. A chill rebel.

Michael Moates – Supervising Producer

1.What’s your personality type & why? (Refer to this website)

I’ve actually done this test before – I’m an INFJ – the Advocate. I identify very deeply with many of the quotes on the description page. Two here:

“they aim to never lose sight of what truly matters – not according to other people or society at large but according to their own wisdom and intuition.”
“INFJ personalities might come across as somewhat reserved, but they are fueled by a profound internal passion. Stimulated by deep, reflective thought and an enormous amount of empathy, they dedicate themselves to the pursuit of purpose.”

2.Where do you draw inspiration from to create (Name a film/artist/blog/band etc..)?

Fundamentally, I’m an intensely curious person. So my desire to create comes from a desire to understand and experience…to get outside myself a bit. I chose to get into this field because I wanted to meet people very different from myself and tell their stories in a beautiful way.
A lot of my inspiration comes from short documentaries and amazing photojournalists. I also travel as much as I can and this allows me to reflect and gain perspective on my own life as well as come to understand other people and cultures.

3. Say you’re independently wealthy and don’t have to work, what would you do with your time?

I’d travel to every country in the world, taking photos and meeting people. After that, I’d start a media company to put out documentaries on global current events so the world can stay aware of, be inspired by, and feel connected to the full breadth of the human experience.

4. What is something unique about you that few people know?

I’m an Eagle Scout.

5. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Be a little bit better than you were yesterday.

Jessica Baroody-Saada – Producer

Personality Type + Why?

Advocate INJF-T I’m purpose driven conscientious, and like to help others (among other aspects of this personality, especially the weaknesses! I’m quite the perfectionist and am definitely prone to burnout).

Where, who, or what do you draw your creative inspiration from?

I’m always inspired when watching the credits to films and television shows. It takes so many craftsman, artists, and technicians, to produce a moving image. It gives me a lot of appreciation for my coworkers and the work that they do, even I don’t entirely understand everything that goes into their role. Every person who works on a production is a puzzle piece who is integral to the bigger picture.

What would you do with your time if you were independently wealthy?

Travel during the winter months and grow flowers from Spring through Autumn

Something unique about me few people know.

My last name means Gun-Happy in Arabic.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

“Work smart, not hard.” I learned this while working on the set of “VEEP” which was a particularly challenging production with lots of last minute changes. I learned to go with the flow and find ways to make my workload easier and more efficient.

Jonathan Mount – DP

You may have met him behind the scenes of a shoot or perhaps you follow him on Instagram (@jount).

1. Personality Type & Why?

My Personality type is Architect Architect (INTJ-A)

Traits: Introverted – 57%, Intuitive – 62%, Thinking – 58%, Judging – 54%, Assertive – 64%
Role: Analyst
Strategy: Confident Individualism

My Personality type is Architect (INTJ-A), characterized by traits such as introversion, intuition, thinking, judging, and assertiveness. These attributes significantly influence my approach to storytelling and video production. As an introvert, I thrive in solitude, allowing me to delve deep into my creative process without distractions. My intuitive nature enables me to anticipate trends and envision innovative narratives that resonate with audiences on a profound level. With a thinking and judging mindset, I meticulously analyze every aspect of a project, ensuring its coherence and impact. Moreover, my assertiveness empowers me to make bold decisions and stand by my creative vision, even in the face of adversity.

Expand on your INTJ-A personality type by providing anecdotes or examples that illustrate how your traits manifest in your approach to storytelling and video production. Share how being introverted, intuitive, thinking, judging, and assertive influences your creative process and decision-making.

2. Where, who, or what do you draw your creative inspiration from?

As a storyteller, I get my inspiration from a variety of sources. From my personal experiences, from other films or other cinematographers I admire, art & culture. Ultimately my inspiration may come from a combination of these and others.

Dive deeper into the specific films, cinematographers, artworks, or cultural phenomena that inspire you. Discuss how you draw inspiration from these sources and how they inform your storytelling style, visual aesthetic, and narrative sensibilities. Consider sharing personal anecdotes or experiences where you found inspiration in unexpected places.

Additionally, I find solace in art galleries, where I immerse myself in the timeless beauty of paintings and sculptures, drawing parallels between different forms of artistic expression. These diverse influences converge to shape my storytelling style, visual aesthetic, and narrative sensibilities, infusing each project with depth and resonance.

3. What would you do with your time if you were independently wealthy?

If I was wealthy and didn’t have to work anymore. I would certainly travel more with my wife. I would continue to work on creative storytelling through my lens, That’s always been fun for me.

Share your aspirations and dream projects that you would pursue if you had unlimited resources. Describe in detail the types of stories you would want to tell, the locations you would want to explore, and the artistic challenges you would want to tackle. Invite readers to imagine the possibilities and engage with your creative vision.

From capturing the awe-inspiring landscapes of remote destinations to delving into the human condition through thought-provoking documentaries, my dream projects would explore the breadth of human experience and celebrate the richness of our world. Whether it’s shedding light on untold stories or challenging societal norms, I aspire to create cinematic masterpieces that leave a lasting impact on audiences and inspire positive change.

4. Something unique about me few people know.

For personal time, I like to get lost in museums and gardens. Highlight more aspects of your personality and interests beyond your professional identity as a storyteller. For example, expand on your love for museums and gardens by sharing memorable experiences or insights gained from your visits. Discuss how these interests enrich your life and contribute to your creative perspective. I find inspiration in the harmony of nature and the creativity of human expression. These experiences not only enrich my life but also contribute to my creative perspective, infusing my work with a sense of wonder and appreciation for the world around me.

5. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Always keep learning and growing.

Whether you’re learning a new skill, exploring a new hobby, or simply seeking out new experiences, the act of learning and pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone can help you grow as a person and expand your perspective on the world.

Share additional pieces of advice or life lessons that have had a profound impact on you personally and professionally. Reflect on how these insights have shaped your approach to storytelling, filmmaking, and continuous learning. Consider including quotes or anecdotes that encapsulate the wisdom you’ve gained from mentors, colleagues, or personal experiences. As I navigate the ever-evolving landscape of creativity, I remain committed to pushing boundaries, challenging conventions, and striving for excellence in all that I do.

Kat Navarro – Animator

What’s your personality type & why? (Use this website)

INFP-A, the assertive meditator. What a funny title! I love working on new things and creative problem-solving, whether it’s sitting alone in my studio or collaborating with others.

Where, who, or what do you draw your creative inspiration from?

Lots of things! Even though I’m an animator, I’m mostly inspired by live-action films and poetry. Growing up, I had trouble sleeping and my grandfather was an insomniac, so we’d stay up watching B&W and international films. For storytelling and concepts, I often pull from memories like childhood memories or the memories of others. I love its cross sections of fiction and non-fiction. Visually, I’m drawn to abstractions in landscapes and textiles. I’m also inspired by other artists, especially those working in music, performance art, and craft.

Say you’re independently wealthy and don’t have to work, what would you do with your time?

Honestly, I’d still be creating animations and learning a bunch of stuff, like sailing or how to use a jacquard loom. I’d also love to open a residency program for independent, experimental animators and new media artists. Of course, travel more and spend time with friends and family.

What is something unique about you that few people know?

I’m somewhat of an animal encyclopedia on two legs. I especially love whales and giant squid, I can talk about them for hours.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

If you start a project, finish it. Even animations that felt like failures taught me how to be a better artist and storyteller. Some projects where I doubted the process but pushed to complete it ended up being my successful and favorite ones.

Rebecca McCutcheon

1. What’s your personality type? (choose up to three)

Advocate – INFJ-A Advocates are the rarest personality types of all. Still, Advocates leave their mark on the world. They have a deep sense of idealism and integrity, but they aren’t idle dreamers – they take concrete steps to realize their goals and make a lasting impact. Advocates’ unique combination of personality traits makes them complex and quite versatile. For example, Advocates can speak with great passion and conviction, especially when standing up for their ideals. At other times, however, they may choose to be soft-spoken and understated, preferring to keep the peace rather than challenge others. Advocates are the most likely personality type to……enjoy “people watching”…have fears they know are irrational…say modern human beauty standards are unrealistic…go to great lengths to avoid stress…re-read an e-mail after sending it….Sounds about right.

2. Where, who, or what do you draw your creative inspiration from?

Growing up I was one of the kids who tried everything, did everything but wasn’t necessarily amazing at anything in particular. Letting myself be exposed to various forms of expression has led me to find inspiration from almost anywhere, person, place or thing. I must highlight, music is a BIG inspiration for me. It’s very natural for me to hear a song, close my eyes and to completely edit and see a film playing before me.

3. Say you’re independently wealthy and don’t have to work, what would you do with your time?

ADRENALINE AND ADVENTURE. I would spend it traveling the world. Discovering culture, trying new and scary things and meeting people. While also taking time here and there to find a beach somewhere to lay on and just enjoy the sound of the lapping waves.