Award-winning director Corin Hardy unpacks his hands-on approach to filmmaking, creativity under constraints, and the relentless drive behind his breakthrough projects.

Corin Hardy

Filmmaker, Feature & Music Video Director

Notable Works: The Hallow, music videos for The Prodigy, Keane, Ed Sheeran

Website: corinhardy.com | IG: @corinhardy

Discover how Corin Hardy transformed his childhood fascination with monsters and creativity into an award-winning filmmaking career. In this lively and thought-provoking episode, director Corin Hardy joins Max to trace the twists and turns of his artistic path, from carrying sketchbooks full of strange creatures to bootstrapping his way through stop-motion features and acclaimed music videos. Corin opens up about the power of creative family influences, lessons learned in the trenches, and the importance of gut instinct when forging your own vision.

Hear behind-the-scenes moments from his stop-motion film “Butterfly,” why limitations became his secret weapon, and how the gamble of relentless self-belief led to international recognition at Sundance and beyond. Corin shares candid reflections on networking the right way, balancing commercial and creative goals, and why trusting resilience is essential in any creative venture.

Whether you’re building films, companies, or your own creative practice, Corin’s story offers a practical, energizing glimpse into the mindset and methods of a true rebel entrepreneur.

Note: This podcast is no longer active and was originally published before 2016. Links and contact details may be out of date, but the conversation still holds valuable insights today.

Key Points

• Corin’s creative upbringing in a family immersed in art, music, and craftsmanship shaped his hands-on approach to filmmaking (06:16–08:50)
• The evolution from special effects enthusiast to full-scale director, and how carrying sketchbooks opened unexpected doors (10:16–13:14)
• Bootstrapping the stop-motion short “Butterfly” over five years, including the mindset and tactics that kept him going (28:33–41:41)
• How creative constraints (limited budget, analog cameras, time) fueled innovation and storytelling discipline (21:31–22:27)
• The pivotal role of visual portfolios and documenting your creative journey to get opportunities and convey vision (09:05–10:59, 15:43–16:21)
• Transitioning from passion projects to commercial work, and selecting only music videos that allowed narrative experimentation (46:05–47:47)
• Why resilience, perseverance, and “spider web” networking matter more than formal plans or academic paths (49:12–51:06)
• Navigating the challenges of directing a feature—balancing practical effects with financial and logistical realities (54:25–01:08:16)
• Harnessing “good fear” on set to inspire the best work—and steering clear of “bad fear” that stifles creativity (01:03:26–01:04:18)
• The enduring value of gut instinct and adaptability for any entrepreneur or creator (52:21–53:50, throughout)

Top 3 Takeaways

1. Document your creative journey visually and tangibly—you never know who you’ll meet or when you’ll need to show your vision.
2. Embrace creative limitations as hidden assets; constraints can sharpen your resourcefulness and elevate results.
3. Cultivate resilience and trust your gut—success in creative entrepreneurship comes from persistent, authentic self-belief and building genuine relationships.

Links & Resources

• Corin Hardy: corinhardy.com
• The Hallow (feature film)
• Mind (UK Mental Health Charity)
• Ray Harryhausen (inspiration)
• “Butterfly” (stop-motion short)
• Music videos for Keane, The Prodigy, Paolo Nutini, Ed Sheeran, Biffy Clyro
• Book: Fangoria magazine
• Film: “Nightmare Before Christmas” (dir. Henry Selick, produced by Tim...