In this episode of Managing Creative Studios, I talk with Bryan Millar, toymaker, cancer survivor and owner of Pioneer Wooden Toys, a beloved New Zealand brand known for its handcrafted wooden toys that have been delighting children for more than four decades.

Bryan shares his career move from a corporate background into the world of traditional toy making, a leap that reconnected him with creativity, craftsmanship, and purpose. He talks about the responsibility of carrying on a legacy brand, his approach to sustainable materials, and the importance of keeping creativity alive in a world increasingly dominated by mass production.

We also discuss Bryan’s dream of creating a Pioneer Wooden Toy Wonderland, a space where families can experience the joy of handmade toys, watch the process unfold, and even make their own. It’s a story about slowing down, valuing quality, and finding meaning through making.

Bryan's Website: https://www.woodntoys.co.nz/browse/

Bryan's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@www.woodntoys.co.nz

Bryan's Insta: https://www.instagram.com/pioneerwooden/

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In this episode of Managing Creative Studios, Susan Mann talks with Alex Leighton, co-founder and creative director of Mukpuddy Animation, one of New Zealand’s most recognisable and enduring animation studios.

Alex shares the incredible story of how Mukpuddy began over two decades ago in a small basement in Pakuranga and grew into a thriving studio creating shows like The Barefoot Bandits, Jandal Burn, Badjelly the Witch, and Night Eyes. He reflects on the persistence and passion that kept the team going through tough years, their focus on original IP, and how they’ve built a creative culture rooted in humour, collaboration, and heart.

The conversation also explores the realities of running an independent animation studio in New Zealand, from funding and production challenges to the joy of seeing homegrown stories connect with audiences both locally and overseas.

Check out Mukpuddy's website here: https://mukpuddy.com/

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In this episode of Managing Creative Studios, Susan Mann chats with Caleb Thompson, award-winning visual effects artist and founder of Masters of Reality, a leading New Zealand VFX studio.

Caleb shares his journey from studying at Media Design School to working on blockbuster productions such as Mad Max: Fury Road, Game of Thrones, Jumanji, Spartacus, and M3GAN. He talks about what inspired him to start his own studio, how Masters of Reality has grown to a 20-person team, and the importance of building a supportive, healthy studio culture that avoids crunch time.

The conversation also touches on the challenges facing New Zealand’s visual effects industry, including tax incentives and international competition, winning an award for his Game of Thrones episode “Battle of the Bastards,” and the exciting ways AI and machine learning are shaping the future of visual effects.

Master of Reality Website: https://morvfx.com/

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In this episode of Managing Creative Studios, Susan Mann talks with Dylan Coburn, a veteran storyboard artist, animator, and director whose career spans three decades in film, television, and animation.

Dylan shares how he began in hand-drawn animation at Toonz in the 1990s, went on to found his own studio Karactaz, and led projects for global clients including Marvel, Cartoon Network, and Warner Bros. He opens up about the realities of running a creative business, the challenges of scaling and eventually closing a studio, and how those experiences shaped his approach to collaboration and artistry.

Now one of New Zealand’s most in-demand storyboard artists, Dylan reflects on working on major productions like Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Equalizer 3, A Minecraft Movie and Chief of War, and offers advice for emerging artists about persistence, mentorship, and knowing your worth in a fast-changing creative landscape.

Check out Dylan's website here: https://www.idrawandwrite.com/

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In this episode, Susan Mann speaks with Raymond McGrath — writer, illustrator, director, musician, and educator — about his diverse creative journey. Raymond shares how he moved from hand-drawn animation into digital pipelines, and why adaptability and a willingness to learn new tools have sustained his career.

They explore the role of mentorship in creative industries, the importance of mistakes as part of the learning process, and the challenges facing graduates entering animation today. Raymond also reflects on developing his own storytelling style, which centres on relationships and the natural world, and the creative process behind his beloved children’s books Big Little Blue and Kenneth and Queenie.

The conversation extends to publishing, the realities of advances and royalties, the risks of self-publishing, and how authentic storytelling differs from generic content. Raymond also discusses turning Big Little Blue from songs into a graphic novel series and then into an animated TV production, sharing his philosophy on creating work that is unique, truthful, and rooted in personal experience rather than industry convention.

This is an inspiring and insightful discussion for anyone navigating the creative industries, from students and emerging artists to seasoned studio leaders.

Find out more about Raymond McGarth here: https://www.raymondmcgrath.org/

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In this episode of Managing Creative Studios, I sit down with Carl Moody, co-founder of Bootleg Design, the workshop behind some of New Zealand’s most iconic large-scale builds. From restoring Auckland’s infamous “Creepy Santa” to transporting a giant Shaun the Sheep across the country, or building a 5 tonne lolly jar for Air NZ, Carl shares how his team brings wild ideas to life.

We talk about the balance between creativity and practicality, the constant challenge of budgets and timelines, and why the best projects start with early collaboration. Carl also opens up about the artistry behind making things by hand, the technical problem-solving that goes into massive structures, and the satisfaction his team gets from transforming concepts into reality.

With over 36 years in the industry, Carl’s stories offer valuable lessons on planning, design thinking, and the magic of execution.

If you want to get in touch with Bootleg Design, find them here: https://bootleg.co.nz/

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In this episode, I sit down with animator Fraser Munro to trace his journey from a latchkey kid watching cartoons to becoming a seasoned animator and freelancer. Fraser shares how his early love of animation led him to train at Freelance Animation School, his 13-year stint in NZ animation studios, and eventually his transition to freelancing from Foxton Beach.

We talk about the realities of shifting from studio life to working independently, and what it truly means to be your own boss — from managing stress and health, to shouldering full responsibility for clients, projects, and business growth. Fraser reflects on how freelancing pushed him to expand his skills, build stronger client relationships, and rediscover his creativity. He also opens up about working alongside his partner, adapting to industry changes like social media content and AI, and why “making things look cool” still has a place in animation. We also chat about the amazing connections he has made by being a part of the Motion Designers Guild Aotearoa!

This is an inspiring and practical conversation for anyone navigating the creative industry, whether you’re in a studio or carving out your own path as a freelancer.

Check out Frasers work here: https://character.ninja/

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When you think “landscape architect,” you might picture someone planting a back lawn—but as Lisa reveals in this episode of Managing Creative Studios, the work goes far deeper (and sometimes even involves creating hotels for bats!).

Lisa, Studio Manager at Harrison Grierson, takes us inside the world of large-scale design where ecology, culture, and community all intersect. She shares how she worked with conservationists and ecologists to design a Hamilton project that doubled as accommodation and a buffet for native bat populations—proving that good design can support both people and wildlife.

We also get a peek behind the curtain of the profession, including the surprising “dirty little secret” that many landscape architects like to deny: deep down, they really do love flowers. In fact, Lisa’s passion project, The Memory Botanist, transforms special-occasion blooms into art that lasts a lifetime.

This episode blends ecology, leadership, and creativity—showing how landscape architecture shapes the spaces we live in, while quietly influencing how we connect with nature (and each other).

Find out more about Lisa's workplace here: https://www.harrisongrierson.com/

Check out Lisa's side hustle The Memory Botanist here: https://www.instagram.com/thememorybotanist/

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In this episode Amanda Chambers takes us on a rich journey through her remarkable career in advertising and production—from her early days at Flux Animation working with her brother Brent, to executive roles at Saatchi & Saatchi, Assembly, and True. Amanda shares heartfelt stories about building creative teams, navigating agency life, and balancing compassion with leadership in high-pressure environments.

She opens up about the joys and challenges of working with family, launching her agency ANTI alongside her daughter Nico and creative partner Jane Langley, and what it means to build a female-founded business doing things completely differently with a 'no douchebags' approach.

We explore how she’s making advertising fun again, integrating AI into creative workflows, and fostering a culture of collaboration, fairness, and shared success. It’s a conversation filled with humour, industry gossip, and genuine inspiration for anyone navigating the advertising game.

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In this episode, we talk with David and Jamie, the co-founders of One to One Hundred (OTOH), a leading architectural visualisation studio. From their first meeting at architecture school to moonlighting as grad architects and launching a startup from a dilapidated office, their journey is a story of grit, experimentation, and creative evolution.

They reflect on early career missteps, the value of artistic intuition in hiring, the changing landscape of 3D rendering, and lessons learned from side ventures like Little Lot and offplan.kiwi. The duo also open up about maintaining passion over two decades, the challenges of scaling a niche business, and the rise of AI in ArchViz. With candour and humour, they discuss leadership, workaholism, creative ownership, and what really makes a great render.

This episode is a must-listen for any 3D artists, aspiring founders, or those curious about what it takes to build and sustain a purpose-driven studio in a constantly evolving field.

This episode is proudly sponsored by 5 Digital. Check out the talented team at https://5digital.co.nz/ for all your digital printing needs!

You can also find out more about OTOH on their website: https://www.otoh.studio/

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.