31.9523° S, 115.8613° E
‘I feel a real sense of expansion and creative flow in Perth’
Photo>>>Kayleigh Hendricks
P<AUSSPICCIA<MICHAEL<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Growing up in suburban Perth, film director Michael Spiccia spent his weekends by the picturesque beaches of the Western Australian coastline. That contrast of time split between the suburbs and the infinite ocean set a cinematic backdrop for the award-winning career that’s taken him across the globe.
Despite now being based out of LA, Michael still maintains a close, intimate connection with Perth and visits often. We spoke with Michael about how travel inspires his creativity, his creative process, and his Perth Travel Playbook of favorite places, tastes and vibes to experience the city.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
On creative talent from Perth
As a kid I always had a pencil in my hand –– envisioning different worlds and the faces that belonged to them. When I got into the Western Australian School of Art and Design after high school, I connected with a community where I finally felt understood. Over the last 20 years, I've collided with so many amazing creatives from Perth.
On moving to Sydney and London –– and finding a love for film
When I was 19, I was hired as a Lead Creative and Designer at Attik. They were globally groundbreaking and pretty revolutionary to the design world. Within a few months, I found myself in London, where my true calling for film was ignited: I was inspired by artists and filmmakers like Chris Cunningham, Spike Jonze and Jonathan Glazer. The way that their craft and storytelling operate at the highest level –– and with so much creative synergy moved me. That time in film felt like a concentrated period of genius work that still rivals a lot of the stuff being made today. It was certainly the golden age of music videos.
First row of South Cottesloe beach in Perth by Nathan Hurst and Crawley Edge Boatshed by Stephen Mabbs. Second row and third row (left) of the sunset and back streets of Cottesloe by Michael Spiccia. Third row (right) of Mojo’s Bar in North Fremantle, courtesy of Mojo’s Bar.
On ‘Yardbird’, Cannes and Los Angeles
When I returned to Australia, I felt compelled to shift into the long-form narrative after years of making music videos. The kickstart was one particular story that wouldn’t leave me alone which inspired me to make Yardbird, a short film that brought me to Cannes. I was young, and a total fish out of water. It was a surreal and exciting time, but my impostor syndrome was raging. From Sydney, I made my way to Los Angeles. There's this unique cinematic quality to the light here that you don't get in many other cities in the world. It has an unspoken, mystical quality to it.
'Being exposed to new cultures, environments, people and voices has really influenced, and continues to shape my creativity and storytelling.’
On how travel inspires your work
Being exposed to new cultures, environments, people and voices has really influenced, and continues to shape my creativity and storytelling. Every city possesses a different energy that you can hold onto and access in your creative process. That's the beauty of traveling. You start to experience perspectives you've inherited along the way and adopt new versions of yourself. It feels integral for my growth and a broader understanding of the world.
On a memorable project when traveling
I was shooting for Apple in Budapest and had the opportunity to shoot in this incredible bare-bones studio building from the 50s — Blade Runner 2049 had just wrapped before we took over. I got to see the city through a lens that allowed me to connect with the place and people. There was so much charm, character, and freedom to run with our imaginations and invent a new world of cinematic nostalgia, so-to-speak.
First row of Michael Spiccia's short film ‘I'm On Fire’, selected at the 45th Clermont-Ferrand International Festival. Second row of Michael’s campaigns for Apple (left) and Hyundai (right). Third row of Los Angeles by Michael Spiccia. All images courtesy of Michael Spiccia.
On how the city inspires you
One of Perth’s best features is its glorious coastline. I feel a real sense of expansion and creative flow when I'm in places like Cottesloe, at the forefront of the ocean. I also find a lot of visual inspiration from little pockets of Fremantle, Leederville, and Mount Lawley.
'My family roots are in Perth, and I’ll always feel a sense of deep devotion to the city that raised me.’
On showing a friend around Perth for the day
We’d hit the beach, starting from Cottesloe and then up to Swanbourne, and grab some oysters at The Shorehouse. I’d also make a point of having lunch at Il Lido — probably staying there until dinner as well. That’s my favorite! The ideal spot for some of the best sunsets the world has to offer.
On eating and drinking in Perth
Le Rebelle, a French restaurant in Mount Lawley, has got some great charm. For fine dining, Fleur is phenomenal. Canteen probably has the best pizza in Perth. And there's Madalena’s, which is this mouth-watering seafood place. From a coffee perspective, I highly recommend Vans in Cottesloe, and Little Donkey Corner in Tuart Hill — it’s really off the beaten track and draws a very interesting crowd. The quality of coffee and breakfast caught me by complete surprise.
First row (left) of Vans Cafe and Il Lido (right) in Cottesloe by Michael Spiccia. Second row of Cottesloe Beach by Michael Spiccia. Third row (left) of Little Donkey Corner, courtesy of Little Donley Corner, and right of Canteen Pizza by Michael Spiccia.
On Perth’s cultural scene
I remember frequently going to Mojo's. I've seen a lot of great acts there. Years ago, I was lucky enough to see one of my favorite bands, Beach House, when they were first starting out, and it was love at first listen. Luna Leederville is a cinema that really holds a special place in me and is still going strong. It brings a lot of the more arthouse films to the city.
On your relationship with Perth
My inner child loves to leave Perth, but the nostalgic adult in me always has to come back. My family roots are in Perth and I’ll always feel a sense of deep devotion to the city that raised me. It will always be in my DNA and a place that I look forward to coming back to, no matter where I am based. So it has this kind of elastic quality for me.
'One of Perth’s best features is its glorious coastline. I feel a real sense of expansion and creative flow when I'm in places like Cottesloe, at the forefront of the ocean.’
On a window or an aisle seat
An aisle seat for easy access to the exit.
On the song that best represents the city to you
I'm probably drawing on nostalgic strings here: Don Henley's ‘The Boys of Summer.’ It's a feeling it evokes.
On Perth in one word
Amber. There's a burnt amber hue that glazes the roads and walls when the sun sets, and kind of stains everything it touches.
>>>