In this episode, I sit down with legendary director and visual architect Anthony Mandler, the creative force behind some of the most cinematic music videos of the last two decades. From shaping the visual identities of Rihanna and Jay-Z to helming award-winning features, Anthony shares a masterclass in creative evolution, relationship-building, and artistic reinvention. We unpack his late start in directing, his transition from photography to music videos, and the bold moves that defined his career. Anthony opens up about navigating the gatekeeping of the music industry, crafting stories that blur the line between cinema and music, and the pivotal moments that led to timeless visuals like “Disturbia” and “Holy Grail.” This is more than a career retrospective. It’s a blueprint for longevity in an industry that’s always changing. We also look ahead to the future of filmmaking with AI, explore the emotional toll and triumphs of directing, and reflect on fatherhood, fashion, and staying ahead of the cultural curve.   00:00 Starting Late: The Journey to Directing 00:27 Breaking Stereotypes in the Creative Industry 01:01 Building Trust with Artists 01:38 Navigating the Music Video Industry 02:35 From Photography to Music Videos 21:06 Building Iconic Music Video Careers 21:49 Breaking into Directing 23:23 Navigating the Music Industry 26:32 Collaborations with Jay-Z and Rihanna 30:21 Creating Cinematic Music Videos 41:21 Jay-Z's Honest Feedback 42:19 Reworking the Song for Impact 45:10 Rihanna's Early Career and Breakthrough 50:24 Creating Iconic Music Videos 55:49 Collaborations and Creative Processes 01:03:46 Reflecting on a Memorable Motorcycle Shoot 01:05:41 The Challenges and Triumphs of Filmmaking 01:08:28 Navigating Product Placement in Music Videos 01:11:36 Transitioning from Music Videos to Commercials 01:17:55 Breaking into Feature Films 01:24:04 Kendrick's Impact on Fashion and Music 01:24:47 Building a Production Company 01:32:26 Navigating the Film Industry 01:34:09 Making 'Monster': Challenges and Triumphs 01:46:13 Lessons from a Seasoned Director 01:48:36 Directing Styles and Future Projects 01:48:36 Directing Actors vs. Musicians 01:51:34 Balancing Courtroom Drama and Real Life 01:57:41 Challenges and Triumphs of Filmmaking 02:04:33 The Future of Filmmaking and AI 02:04:57 Setting the Scene: A Sci-Fi Thriller on a Greek Island 02:05:42 AI in Filmmaking: Revolutionizing the Industry 02:07:14 The Future of Film: AI vs. Traditional Methods 02:11:28 Fatherhood and Filmmaking: Balancing Passion and Family 02:13:23 The Evolution of Filmmaking: From Analog to AI   Follow ⁠Anthony Mandler⁠ Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠Arrad (podcast host)⁠⁠⁠⁠    LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST: ⁠⁠⁠⁠SPOTIFY⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠APPLE MUSIC⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠YOUTUBE⁠⁠⁠⁠   CONNECT WITH US: ✩ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Ourselves (production team)⁠⁠⁠⁠:  ✩ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ✩ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠ ✩ ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠ ✩ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠