Fresh from his second-place European YCC 2012 win in video, Kenny van Mierlo from the University of Lincoln (UK) is as enthusiastic – his word – as ever. YCC caught up with the transplanted Dutchman to learn more about his creative vision and plans for the future.
 

Were there any particular influences for your YCC project?

I really liked Michael Bay’s ad for Chevrolet. It gave me the idea to try and use some moving camera shots in my concept.
 

Whose work inspires you? 

James Cameron, Michael Bay and Ridley Scott. They are all very visual directors I very much admire. Of course, the story comes first. But I think that the way you tell the story is just as important, and that is what these directors are experts in.

What in your view is the greatest threat to creativity?

Waiting for a perfect idea. A lot of times you start out with a mediocre idea, but once you decide to stick with it, and think more deeply about it, solutions to make it better come to you automatically. It's all in the process of doing.

How do you feel that winning YCC might change your outlook?

When you enter the competition, you are still unsure if you did the right thing and if people will like it. And if you win something, it kind of gives you a boost in the right direction – and you realize that, after all, what you initially thought did work. That's a great feeling. I’d say then that my outlook has definitely changed. Now, once I get the feeling that something could work, I just have to do it without excuses.

Do you have any special plans over the next year?

I would like to go to London and try to get an entry-level job in commercial production.

Thanks, Kenny, and congratulations on your win!