Nick Produces Compelling Stories that Captivate Audiences and Promote Your Brand
What’s your story?
I started as a TV presenter on Saturday Disney when I was around ten years old. I’ve been obsessed with television ever since. My adult career began with a job working in London for the legendary British TV Producer Paul Jackson (Hell’s Kitchen, Red Dwarf, The Young Ones). After that, I moved to Hong Kong and started a number of small ventures which didn’t work out, and eventually met my business partner, Bradley Wayburne, and together we started 24 Frames.
Today, we are an award winning production company that produces content for top tier brands such as CNBC, Tag Heuer, Barclays, and the Food Network, to name a few. Outside of producing content for brands, we make our own TV and Web shows.
Two years ago, I started, Off The Cuff, an Asian celebrity talk-show, fully shot on a moving tram. Today, the show has over a million views and is sponsored by Piper Heidsieck, Lush and IP Global. We have a bunch of really exciting projects currently in production with some amazing networks. Watch this space!
What excites you most about your industry?
The limitless possibilities! The TV industry is changing rapidly and moving entirely online, and with that, the way that content is created is also changing.
With the rise of Video On Demand (VOD) platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, and Disney+ there is an appetite for content like never before. It’s a very interesting time to be a content creator.
What’s your connection to Asia?
I was born and raised in Hong Kong. I now live between London and Hong Kong but my heart is in, and always will belong to Asia.
We started 24 Frames in Hong Kong and our first foreign office was in Singapore. We are currently looking to expand to London and the Netherlands.
Favourite city in Asia for business and why?
I have two favourite cities (I really can’t pick one). Hong Kong, which is my home base, and Singapore. Two amazing cities and each with their own strengths.
I love Hong Kong for how fast paced it is. We move at a million miles per hour and everything gets done instantly. People have a phenomenal work ethic, and in general, it is an extremely easy place to set up and run a business.
Singapore is warm, and I don’t mean just the weather. People are so welcoming and the way business is conducted is polite and courteous. The city has so much passion and enthusiasm.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
A friend once asked me, “If you pretend that the concept of time doesn’t exist, what can you achieve now?”
Who inspires you?
I have so much incredible inspiration around me. I truly believe that the people you surround yourself with daily have a large impact on you, so I’m very selective about who I bring into my inner circle.
My parents and their ability to be so incredibly selfless.
My wife and her ability to always find solutions to even the most impossible of problems, with ease.
My business partners Brad, Neil, Preya and Michiel and their constant dedication to our vision.
My team at 24 Frames who dedicate their entire lives to telling impactful visual stories.
What have you just learnt recently that blew you away?
This happened in February when Parasite won the Oscar for best picture. I am not Korean, nor have I ever watched a Korean film before, but the amount of pride I felt as an Asian cannot be described in words.
Parasite winning Best Film taught me that in today’s world, everything we previously believed was an obstacle, like language, race, and culture, were no longer excuses film-makers could use to justify why they weren’t telling soulful stories.
This teaching applies across the board, there is never an excuse to not to excel, it’s all down to you and your ability to persevere through the toughest of circumstances.
If you had your time again, what would you do differently?
I wouldn’t do anything differently. I’ve made mistakes and followed paths that have led me astray at times, but the truth is, every single one of those moments has been a part of my career journey. I’ve learnt that failure isn’t the opposite of success, but rather a big part of it, and for that reason, my journey is my journey and I wouldn’t change anything.
How do you unwind?
Great question, I really don’t. The Coronavirus lockdown has been the closest thing I’ve had to a real “break” since I started my career. When you make what you love your career, you don’t get much rest, but that isn’t a bad thing, because I genuinely love waking up each day and embracing the challenges.
Favourite Asian destination for relaxation? Why?
Without a shadow of a doubt Thailand. There is no place in the world that quite matches the food, the beaches, and resorts. In the entire world, there is no better place to relax.
Everyone in business should read this book:
I’ve got two must read books:
“The Alchemist,” by Paulo Coelho. This may seem like an unorthodox book to read for business, but the truth is, without our dreams and passions we have nothing. The book has incredible lessons that teach you to be patient with your circumstances, yet trust your instincts and your gut feelings when moving forward in the world. Everything about the journey undertaken in the book can be mirrored in business and in life.
“Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of NIKE,” by Phil Knight. In my opinion, this is one of the most incredible business books out there. Phil Knight’s struggle and his passion to conquer all is just so incredibly relatable to all entrepreneurs.
Shameless plug for your business:
At 24 Frames, we take “out of the box” creativity to another level. If you are looking to make engaging content, centred around your brand, be it a web-series, a short film, or something else that sets you apart, then look no further. We are innovative and we are genuinely passionate about telling your story.
How can people connect with you?
Add me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nickdaryanani/
Follow me on Instagram: @nickdaryanani
Follow 24 Frames: https://www.facebook.com/24frameshk/
Watch my show Off The Cuff at: www.facebook.com/offthecuffasia
Listen to my Podcast: www.anchor.fm/cuffed
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This interview is part of the ‘Callum Connects’ series of more than 500 interviews
Callum Laing is an entrepreneur and investor based in Singapore. He has previously started, built and sold half a dozen businesses and is now a Partner at Unity-Group Private Equity and Co-Founder and CEO of MBH Corporation PLC. He is the author of three best-selling books ‘Progressive Partnerships’, ‘Agglomerate’ and ‘Entrepreneurial Investing’.
Connect with Callum on Twitter and LinkedIn
Download free copies of his books at www.callumlaing.com
