Meet our Soho Works workmate, Almass Badat
We caught up with the London Works member to hear about her latest venture into podcasting and the importance of giving yourself space when it comes to channelling your creative energy
Local Soho Works: 180 Strand, London
How did you get where you are today?
‘I was born in north London and grew up in Zambia, before moving back to Hackney where my mum’s from. When I finished university, I started freelancing straight away – I say freelancing, but I was trying to make money with whatever skills I had. Everything I did then happened from saying yes to a job and then figuring it out along the way.
‘In 2015, for instance, a friend and I shot a film together in India. He was my DOP, and at the time I didn’t even know what a DOP was. But we just wanted to make a film, and so we did. When we came back and realised we would have to edit it, we did.
‘I’ve got a lot of creative energy and I want to collaborate with inspiring people who have vision. It’s so important for me to constantly put creative stuff out there and develop my art. I need that release and expression.’
What are you working on at the moment?
‘In June, I launched a podcast with my two friends Reuben and Aaron. It’s called What Is This Behaviour? and it’s all about presenting, learning from and championing remarkable South Asian people’s stories, so we can shake cultural perceptions and inspire more people to choose more meaningful career paths. The response has been amazing – people have wanted to be part of the community right from the start.
‘I’m also working on a few ideas with music and broadcast powerhouse Nicole Logan and Nigeria-based artist @pacmartian, aka Suleiman Gwadah. We’re trying to figure out how we can livestream content to make it a bit easier to stay at home during winter.’
Proudest achievement?
‘I’m proud that I’ve got to a point where I know when work is too much and I’m in tune with what I need. If today is an output energy day, tomorrow is an input energy day. That and building really meaningful connections with people by learning to listen and communicate.’
Favourite quote/ words to live by?
‘We need to afford ourselves the fluidity. I used to need to have control to feel safe and keep calm. Now, when I feel uncomfortable or worried, just giving myself space so I can take a deep breath is really important.’
What do you do when you’re stuck for inspiration?
‘I’ll go and have dinner or make food, something super tactile. Something passive but physical where I can switch off from overthinking and do something that feels quite automated. If I ever feel a blockage, I just do something else because I know that inspiration will come eventually. And so I just allow more room to flow and give myself space.’
Three essentials for a productive day?
‘Make a list, even if you’re not going to stick to it. Have the structure so you can tick it off. Secondly, good food. And don’t overload yourself – be realistic with what your output is.’