ELMNTL is an independent creative studio, offering visual and audio post production. They fuse creativity, art, technology and passion - it’s their belief that this crafty collision inspires the best results and the best times. It’s really all about the people, so they’ve carefully curated a team of artists who make stuff look and sound cool, whether it be in edit, colour grading, VFX, CG, motion graphics or sound.

We spoke to one of ELMNTL's Founding Partners, Danny Whybrow, about his relationship with The Young Arrows, staying inspired and embracing fresh perspectives.

What do the Young Arrows mean to you?

They’re proof that the way we work at ELMNTL isn’t just a nice idea – it’s what keeps us alive. We’ve always questioned how things are done and built a business around that mindset. The Young Arrows are wired the same way. They’re not weighed down by how things used to be – they’re just asking, “What makes sense now?”

They notice stuff others miss. Where some might jump to the obvious answer, they pause and ask what else it could be. That’s where better work comes from. They remind us what this is all about – understanding people, and making things that actually matter to them.

They also keep us on our toes. When someone new asks, “Why do we do it like that?”, it forces us to stop and think. Are we doing it because it works – or because we’ve stopped thinking about it? That’s a question worth asking.

What’s the role of the Young Arrows in the industry?

They stop the industry from drifting into safe, stale thinking. While others are still polishing familiar ways of working, they’re asking better questions – not to be difficult, but because they see what’s changed.

They’ve got a natural sense for when something feels right – and when it doesn’t. AI can churn out content, but it can’t tell if anyone’s going to care. Young Arrows are well placed to spot that – and to help make the work hit where it matters.

They also help us stay aware of what’s happening around us – what people actually care about, what’s shifting, what might cut through. That sort of instinct matters just as much as experience – sometimes more.

And they remind us that good work doesn’t come from following a formula. It comes from trusting your gut, asking the awkward questions, and having the confidence to push for better. That’s what keeps things moving.

If we could change one thing about how the industry supports emerging talent, what would it be?

It’s less about the industry getting it wrong – and more about the landscape making it harder. Things are more remote. There’s less day-to-day interaction. Less chance to absorb how the work actually gets done. That kind of osmosis used to be how a lot of people found their feet – now it takes more effort to create that learning. At the same time, the pace of change has gone through the roof. Everyone’s trying to keep up, adapt, make things work. And in that environment, it’s easy for fresh talent to feel like they’re on the outside looking in.

But they’ve got a huge role to play – not just as learners, but as contributors. They can spot what’s missing, bring energy into places that feel stuck, and help the rest of us see things differently. That’s what we did when we started out – and others did the same for us.

It’s got to be a proper exchange – not a one-way handover. The best outcomes come when experience and fresh thinking meet in the middle, challenge each other, and push the work forward.

What are the most important skills or qualities young professionals need starting out?

Curiosity, first and foremost. The tools will change. The platforms will change. The trends will change. But asking good questions and not settling for average – that never goes out of date.

They also need to understand people. Not from a deck – from actually paying attention. What makes someone care, laugh, stop, or feel something. That’s what makes the work cut through.

They need to stay open. The best people we’ve worked with aren’t the loudest in the room – they’re the ones who listen, learn fast and don’t get precious. In a fast-moving industry, stubbornness gets you nowhere.

And they need to trust their taste. Not “Will this win something?” but “Will this make someone feel something?” That’s the difference between noise and proper impact.

We’re not looking for people to slot in quietly. We want the ones who’ll push the work – and the rest of us – further.

Thank you to ELMNTL for sponsoring the Young Arrows Post Production Producer - Video award.