Adam Rudd: A Few Of My Favourite Things
The Whitehouse Post editor tells us how a Space Pen is the ultimate fidget spinner, why Ralph Steadman gets to the heart of Fear and Loathing and where the best place to see a sunrise is (clue: it's not on land).
With collaborators like Michel Gondry, Siri Bunford, David LaChapelle, Marc Forster and more under his belt, it's safe to say that Adam Rudd knows his way around an edit suite.
Indeed, with recent work including Channel4's cheeky yet commendable Complaints Welcome and Toyota's flippin' marvellous Why Stop?, the Whitehouse Post editor ability to marry surreality with storytelling has made him a go-to name in the business.
In discussing his Favourite Things with shots, Rudd shows an affinity for the tactile; be it the tangible quality of a vinyl record or an early morning trip on a paddleboard.
The Paddle Board
Without doubt my favourite possession.
I’ve had it for about 10 years now, it’s a bit beaten up, has been patched up a few times, but still rides really well.
I love being out on the ocean and get out as often as I can.
My favourite time to go out is when it’s still dark, before sunrise.
It can be a little eerie to start with, but when the sun’s first rays break the horizon more often than not there’s a pretty amazing light show that always seems just a little bit better by being out on the ocean to watch it.
The Nikon F301
My Dad lent me this camera for a school trip and never asked for it back.
His love of photography and film had a huge influence on me (still does) and I take this one with me whenever I am travelling.
Normally having just a few rolls of film means I think about every picture before I take it and I like that discipline.
It’s my memory machine.
The Steadman Lithograph
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is probably my favourite book.
That whole period of American history, the seismic cultural changes that were happening, all the hope, all the dreams… it’s very seductive.
No-one captures it better than Hunter S Thompson, and no one illustrates Hunter S Thompson better than Ralph Steadman.
The Records
I’ve always loved vinyl.
It’s such a tactile thing, and the physical act of picking a record, taking it out of its sleeve, putting it on the turntable and placing the needle down never grows old.
The imperfections, the crackles, they’re all part of the experience. I buy far, far less than I used to - it’s just easier to download now, but if I pass a record shop I’ll normally not be able to resist the urge to nip in and flick through the racks.
The Space Pen
My eldest son gave me this for Father’s Day years ago and I’ve treasured it ever since.
It’s a beautiful piece of design.
Fits in the hand perfectly, and when the top is on, it’s a great object to fiddle with and spin around your fingers while watching back edits.
It also writes in space - what’s not to love?