What does it take to direct for the world’s biggest live stages?
Multidisciplinary creative director Mike Carson joins IN PROXIMITY to break down his approach to creative direction and production design. From early ideation through execution, with unseen mockups and process images.
💡Plus: lessons learned from collaborations with Kendrick Lamar, Big Sean, Kanye West, Jay-Z, and mentor Virgil Abloh.
🎙️#InProximity now live on YouTube.
Last year I made a conscious choice to slow down and (almost) eliminate multitasking (at least professionally) for a good chunk of the year. 1) Given the gravity of the projects I had ahead 2) off of being burnt out from 2024…from while battling both some imposter syndrome, based on my internal barometer for what I deem as a success, and just reassessing my personal capacity.
Coming out on the other side of ‘25 I’m eternally grateful and proud of myself and the amazing people I get to work with on a day-to-day basis, for what was accomplished. Made history, won some, “failed” some, learned a lot, put a lot of internal work in, and most importantly I’m overly overly overly confident that anything is achievable at this point.
This is clearly a “highlight reel” but also a thank you to everyone who contributed, engaged with, inspired, or was inspired by any of the work this past year.
Much love as always!! 🤲🏾 @thankyou__92
The legendary @studiomuseum in Harlem is back open. I got to spend some time in the space before it opened, directing this piece and running around shooting 35mm, soaking it all in…I’m grateful to be a part of a historical moment. Thank you to all the beautiful people who contributed to this and to @lafayetteamerican , @isataelizabeth , and the rest of the @studiomuseum team for the trust.
Directed by @mikecarson Agency: @lafayetteamerican
Production Company: @hp.la
Executive Producer: Ryan Hahn @ryan.hahn Producer: Sergio Vaccaro @sergiomvaccaro
DP: Shawn Peters @shawnpeezie
Photographer: Ike Edeani @edeani
Production Designer: Elysia Belilove @elysiabelilove
Editor: Chaz Smedley @editedbychaz
Head of Production: Tom O’Connell @tom.oconnell7
Sound Design & Mix: Raphaël Ajuelos @rphljls
Score: Aver Ray @aver.ray
Edit House: Eddy Street Post @eddystreetpost
Color: Royal Muster @royal.muster
Colorist: Mikey Pehanich @mikeypackage
Sound Design: Concret Form @concret.form
(Credits Continued in the Comments)
![Linkin Park - From Zero | Launch Live Stream & Stadium/Arena Tours [2024-2025] Designed and directed by @thankyou__92.Thank You @m_shinoda @mrjoehahn and the rest of the @linkinpark family for having us apart of this special moment.Design & Direction by @thankyou__92 [TY92]Creative Director/Lead Designer: @mikecarson for TY92TY92 Show Director: @emile.frederickTY92 Creative Producer: Valtteri LaihanenTY92 Associate/Art Director (Launch): @omarxdesignTY92 Co-Designer (Tour): Jack HeadfordTY92 Content Art Director: @mateafriend
TY92 Visualization (Launch): @randy.canoTY92 Producer (Launch): Brandon PolleyLighting Designer: @celine_lila_royerLighting Programmer: @tylersantangeloScreens Programmer: @hankdoesthingsContent Production: @sturdy.coContent Executive Producers: @kevin.henry, @jabbathekidContent Director: @nat.hall.designContent Art Director: @_justinsanchez_Notch Design: @allofitnow, @_vishalsharma, @berto_moraContentArtists: @_justinsanchez_ , @killwillprod, @quantaypeoples, @jondenton, @klsr.av, @garonganut, @thenoisediary, @harleywrecks, @randy.cano, @samuelpietriTechnical Direction: @Earlybirdvisual @sam.paineLasers: @erlasersandsfxTour Director: @digbyjimProduction Manager: @joeskarzLive Stream Director: markaritchieCreative MGMT: @hp.la](https://sp1.picnob.com/p/pt_6752202650433617461816_0_225d8613efc24fdef739694a9b1ecc6d.jpg?o=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&h=0d192053a91e64e6bb6900f514d0ab08)
![Artwork & Stuff.Creative Direction for Channel Tres - Head Rush [2024] (Album Photography & Packaging) @channeltresGraphic Design: @viktorhstudios | Photo @julianbppCo-Creative Direction with Tems for “Born In The Wild” [2024] (Album Photography / Announce)Art Direction: @megmik__ | photo: @adrienneraquelVideo w/ @tems @yaro___ @ayindeanderson_](https://sp1.picnob.com/p/pt_6733704457246655384330_0_da8e067e4b8e2ee4d46980b109c4e239.jpg?o=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&h=f020639881b14796b78ad968bedefc7f)
![Stage Design & Show Direction for the Past Present Future Tour [US Leg] | I designed a 2 story cube that replays and distorts memories @thankyou__92Gratitude @usher @aakomon @chamberschris @boogsneffect @dani_edgren @curtistaylorjr_ @mrwowjones @gribiche @rioshow__ @gotamydance @ncbassphysics @itsallmarvelous @cahogold @theapfactor @bgr1official @therealnoigjeremy @shionat @yashuasimmons @skylar_elis @mattlowe67 @goodcopix @alexandremoors @maximequoilin @marchbank.us. @omarxdesign @hp.la @ryan.hahn @taittowersAnd to all crew, editors, dancers, band, managers, and all those who make it happen.](https://sp1.picnob.com/p/pt_6733306041353758655410_0_cef5bf67b7037371220c4037df1c9efc.jpg?o=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&h=b9979981b5d5579060711dd9bc6f1aeb)
