Frances Derham of The Wensley on why you shouldn’t give up

 

What’s at the core of what you’re trying to achieve? What’s your key concept? Focussing on the answer to this question has helped Frances Derham in the many chapters of her creative career – from working in a photography studio to producing films and more recently creating the bespoke timber architectural accommodation home The Wensley in the hinterland of Victoria’s surf coast. 

Come listen to our conversation where Frances talks about the importance of hard work, noticing the through lines in your journey to get where you are today, and her love for the ocean. Plus, how she made The Wensley into a stand out and successful holiday rental. And why you should never give up!

THIS EPISODE FOCUSES ON

  • Growing up in the inner city of Melbourne

  • Frances’s similarities with her grandmother who was a leading expert in children’s art

  • Feeling pushed towards creative pursuits as a child

  • Frances’s love of architecture

  • Studying a Bachelor of Creative Advertising at RMIT

  • Her experience working as a copy writer

  • Working as a production assistant in a photography studio

  • Frances’s project The Wensley in the surf hinterland of Victoria

  • What being a photography studio producer involves day-to-day

  • Working on the surfing documentary First Love

  • Creating the Netflix series Surviving Summer

  • Frances’s love of the ocean

  • How formative her part-time jobs have been

  • How The Wensley was created

  • The experience of shooting The Wensley

  • Why less is more

  • Using Instagram as an advertising space

  • The biggest lessons she’s learnt while running an AirBnB

  • A bit about her latest project

 

FEATURED ON THIS EPISODE


Podcast production: Yaga Media

 
Natalie Walton