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- 38 | Oscar Melder – The Teen Director Shaping Sydney’s Hip-Hop Scene
38 | Oscar Melder – The Teen Director Shaping Sydney’s Hip-Hop Scene
Hey, quick note before we get to the Q&A – I’ve launched a podcast!
Every Q&A (including this one) now comes with a podcast episode, where you can watch and listen to the guest yourself!
If you want to skip straight to the podcast, here’s the link: https://linktr.ee/ex.vicarious
Otherwise, back to the Q&A! (est. 3 minute read).
Can you leave your mark on a city’s music scene from behind the camera?
Oscar Melder shows that you can – and he’s doing so 17 years young.
He’s a music video director who’s worked with worldwide brands and the hottest hip-hop and R&B talent coming out of Sydney and across Australia
That includes luxury brands including Burberry and CELINE, video editing for ONEFOUR, directing videos for SAHXL, Tommy Gunn, J Emz, and Lee, & hosting events with Bodega Collective.
For any creatives out there who want to know how to meet, become friends with, and make cool sh*t with the artists you listen to on Spotify – this one’s for you.
Q&A
Can you describe the first time you ever did anything related to design?
“Bro I had a clothing brand in year seven.”
“I didn’t even know how to use Photoshop for real. I think I did stickers first and then I did one run of tees, so I would have been like 12 at the time – I remember I used Canva.”
What sort of advice would you give to the youth about networking, if they’re trying to get into the creative industry?
“Really just like always be yourself and never, never change who you are, just to please the person. Always stay true to yourself and just try to get out there, try to go to events, try to meet new people.
Always network online and look out for new people that have a similar style to you. They don’t even got to be in your city. You know what I mean? Like I went to Perth recently, and I had never been to Perth and I knew no one there.
So I just hit up my bro, Harry, like, “Aye, send me through some artists so I can shoot some stuff over there.” And I ended up linking with a bunch of talented people. Always be on the lookout for new creatives and be online and even push your friend’s stuff.
You know what I mean? If you have friends that are creatives help them out and give as much input as you can.”
You’ve gone from designing, directing, photography, editing – doing it all. What in life has told when to adapt or feel ready to adapt, to take on new skills and new opportunities?
“I guess just growing as a person, like life experiences, new people I meet. And just seeing a lot of my friends create as well.”
So those people that you’ve met, is there anyone that you could speak on, chats or experiences you’ve had with them that have really impacted you and helped you make certain shifts?
“The most influential people…
I’ve learned a lot from Bodega and like a lot about the industry too, because as much as a lot of people are anti-industry nowadays, you still have to know both sides to succeed.
A lot of other filmmakers, I’ve learned a lot off – my bro Nick, Nav and I learned a lot about the technical side as well in the past year.”
Some people might enjoy a creative avenue, but it may not be where their skills lie. And that might be part of the reason they start becoming unmotivated. What do you suggest for them to find what they are truly great at?
“You have to try, you always have to try new things.
I remember I always watched music videos and I never really thought of doing them. It was really just like seeing my friends do something and then wanting to do that. But always try new things.
You never know, you really never know what you can do and what you can create and what you’re good at too.”
Thanks for reading my Q&A with Oscar Melder.
You can connect with Oscar & check out his work here:
But if you want to experience the full podcast with Oscar, listen here:
And as always,
Keep dreamaking.