Men’s Folio Meets videographer and content wunderkind Fred Stauffer to talk about his viral Instagram reels, fashion work, and what it takes to live and breathe creativity.
What does it mean to think out of the box today? Now that the tools to express oneself are so readily accessible, finding authenticity can seem like a task that just gets harder with time. While you are able to display individuality, you are also at the mercy of others’ influence and opinions, which while unnecessary to self-expression, can impact its conviction. And since those tools lie in the shared digital space, what does it take to be original?
For Fred Stauffer, it means sticking it out and honing what you think is your definition of best. The Brazilian-born and Paris-based producer and digital creator gained his chops creating viral Instagram Reels for fun, but has after working with The Louvre Museum and Uniqlo in an exclusive collaboration with the iconic Mona Lisa, become a well-sought-after content creator for brands like Miu Miu, Louis Vuitton, Prada and more. We speak to him about what it means to stay unapologetically true to oneself, passionately curious, and how to actively embrace a life of fun.
Hi Fred! Can you describe what you do for a living in 10 or less words?
Hi! I’d say, a jack of all trades — an all-around creative in the digital space.
How did you land in the fashion and creative industry? Was creating content something that was just second nature for you?
I’ve always been creating content for myself personally and for jobs. I picked up my mom’s camera when I was younger and that really sprouted my desire to capture moments. As I’ve been growing my skills, the industry is ever-changing and I’ve managed to adapt and grow with the trends. And also create my own style which has been really fun to find that identity.
If you could pick one, which project helped you to grow the most? Why?
Every project I’m on, I’m learning, adapting, growing, and advancing. But I would say that when I started working in fashion shows that’s when I really felt like I was evolving. The reason is that in a fashion show I need to combine all my skills and do it in a time record, knowing that problems happen all the time and you gotta be ready to solve it.
I’m interested in how you come up with the ideas for your reels; does it start with an editing trick you want to try or is it simply inspired by the immediate environment you are creating from?
Ah it varies. I’m inspired by everyday life. I like to take really simple things and create some kind of magic. Something that’s going on in everyday life but makes it have a WOW factor. I love the unexpected in my edits. It sometimes is both the environment and the edit or just one. I don’t have a method other than chasing after ideas I’m interested in. And I want people to keep watching the videos to figure out where the cut is.
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How does that process compare to creating videos for big fashion brands like Miu Miu, Prada and Louis Vuitton?
Usually, a brand will give me a brief with a mood board so it helps set me on the right track to align with them so I already have material to work with and a lane to stay in. When I’m creating by myself, there aren’t any boundaries. Which sometimes can stump you creatively if you don’t have a direction to go in. So I tend to do things outside the digital world to get inspired like playing golf, the saxophone, and touring around my own neighbourhood in Paris to capture some photos of real life. I travel a lot for work too so I see so many people and cultures which adds to my everyday inspiration.
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If you could collaborate with any brand or creative — dead or alive — for a project, who would you choose and what would you do?
I would love one day to collaborate with Kendrick Lamar on a video project. I admire his style and vision and I think we could come up with something amazing together.
Looking at your Instagram feed, you take both photographs and videos and can be found either behind or in front of the camera. Which is your favourite combination and why?
I don’t think I intentionally put myself in front of the camera. I just always work alone and need someone or a physical body to test my ideas. So I tend to just use myself. I really love the creative process so if that puts me in front or behind the camera I’m still so happy and excited about it. I do think I’d be interested in modeling one day so maybe you’ll see more of me in front of the camera soon!
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How do you deal with creative slumps? I imagine it must be very tiring to keep conjuring up new ideas for your various projects and platforms.
As annoying as it is…yes I get in the slumps a lot. But that’s also a beautiful part of the cycle. What goes up must come down and what hits the ground bounces back up so if I’m down I know I’m coming back up soon. I just have to go back to the basics like filling up my creative well in ways outside of the digital / video space. I have to provide myself with certain tools to get to the creative process and then once the ball starts rolling with ideas I’m non-stop until I shoot the content.
When you are not making videos and producing content, where can you most likely be found and what would you most likely be doing?
Recently, I’ve been playing sax or on the golf range perfecting my swing. Since I live in Paris, the weather doesn’t always permit, but anytime I can be outside in the street being with real people doing real-life things, I bring my camera and capture the streets.
Who would you say is the person you look up to the most in life? Whether it be a creative, artist or a loved one. Why?
My mum, in terms of everything. Shout her out here @deboracreations.
Last but not least, what’s one piece of advice you would like to gift to new content creators?
Be patient. It will take something to master your craft and get people to trust you. Always do what you do with love and passion and you’ll feel more accomplished this way.
Once you’re done with this story, click here to catch up with our December/January 2023 issue!
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