Founded in 2020 by Director Freddie Powell and Executive Producer Genevieve Sheppard, DROOL is a group of creative makers obsessed with craft. With the intention of staying small and focusing on better, DROOL offers an entirely bespoke approach to production hell-bent on getting the best out of the work. Heart and soul are poured into every millisecond, and you can feel it in their house style which oozes with energy, love, and craft.

We spoke to Genevieve Sheppard about a building community where collaboration replaces competition and young creatives can grow with confidence.

What’s the main reason for coming on board as a Sponsor for the Young Arrows?

It’s really important to us that young talent can affordably take part in the Arrows. It’s such a highly respected community in the industry and we want to help make it accessible to emerging talent. At the same time, some work truly goes above and beyond and we believe that work deserves to be celebrated and shared.

What are some of the challenges young people face starting off in the industry, and what can we do about these challenges?

Young people often struggle to get noticed in the industry without connections or resources, and many face pressure to work for free just to gain experience. We can help by making opportunities more accessible, showcasing emerging talent in front of the right people, and ensuring great work is properly recognised and supported.

Do you have any plans for the future when it comes to supporting emerging talent?

At DROOL, we’re building a wolf pack, not a roster. That means we’re intentional about pairing emerging talent with more seasoned creatives and producers. It gives newer voices a real support network, exposes them to briefs they might not otherwise see and creates a space for them to grow, gain confidence and tell their stories in a meaningful way. It’s all about community, not competition. We think that is key to nurturing the next generation.

What advice would you give to anyone starting out in the industry? Or the best piece of advice you received early on in your career?

Be kind, work hard. The industry can be tough, but leading with generosity and respect goes a long way. Return your favours, pay people fairly and put the effort in. Yes talent matters but just as important are the kindness and commitment you bring. That’s the kind of energy we value at DROOL and the kind that helps build a lasting career.

Our advice for anyone looking for work: create a presentation that showcases who you are and what you bring to the table. You’re essentially selling a product, yourself, so think about how to make that offering stand out. Some of our most memorable recruits have sent us videos or presentations that not only explained why they saw a strong fit with DROOL, but also gave us a real sense of their personality. It’s a great way of making a lasting impression and standing out from cold emails.

Thank you to DROOL for sponsoring the Young Arrows Production Design award.