“With a little hustle, anything is possible.” Superprime co-founder Rebecca Skinner talks with Exceptional Alien about recent projects, the ever-changing entertainment industry and “easy” living in LA.
ON WHERE YOU’RE FROM
Auckland, New Zealand.
ON MOVING TO THE USA
Initially, I moved for a guy who I met on a commercial I did in New Zealand. That did not last, but I’m grateful it lead me to the place where I now call home.
ON YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH LA
When I first came to LA it was hard. I was very homesick, and missed my family and friends. I would say work is what kept me here, and over the years as I’ve made my own friends and family it’s become home, even though my roots will always be in New Zealand.
ON WINDOW SEAT OR AISLE
It depends. Window if it is a night flight and either if it is a day flight where I am working.
Flight over Los Angeles. Image by Jeremy Bishop.
ON HOW LA INSPIRES YOU CREATIVELY
LA is full of opportunity and therefore can be what you want to make it. With a little hustle, anything is possible. That is inspiring in itself. It is not a lazy city and you certainly do not have the excuses that other cities may give with the great weather and countless things to do. There are always interesting things happening with culture, art and food. It is full of opportunity and drive. It is a very positive, thriving city, and I think in the time I have been here it has only become more so.
ON HOW LA’S CREATIVE LANDSCAPE IS EVOLVING
The West Coast may become the new Madison Avenue. Many of the agencies have now opened up here and New York no longer feels like it is dominating. Obviously the tech companies have been a huge part of the growth of content and therefore creativity in that space as well. It’s a very exciting time for us.
ON A CULTURAL NUANCE IN LA’S ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY
I think our world has become pretty narcissistic, so honestly I think people are more interested in talking about what they do than asking what you do. Personally, I am a pretty curious person and would rather ask about what others do professionally and personally. If anything I may ask too many questions. My husband typically cuts me off on the questions quota early in the day.
ON LA’S ENVIRONMENT
Hiking is the perfect way to start the day, and in LA the weather is typically favorable for it. I love to hike up Benedict Canyon right behind my house with our dog.
Above: Rebecca at the Cannes Lions Festival, France. Below: Rebecca with her daughter in Los Angeles.
ON GETTING TO KNOW THE CITY
When I arrived in LA and started driving, there were no Waze or Google Maps at that time, so good old A to Z maps helped me to not only get around but understand the city. Nowadays you don’t think as much about where you are going as you are being told where you are going. Our kids will be lost without these apps!
ON RECENT PROJECTS
I am grateful that I get to work with so many talented directors, and as we are relatively young at Superprime it is still very exciting times as we continue to grow. I have worked with the Malloys for many years and am extremely excited to see the content they are putting out this year, with their upcoming docuseries on the Dream Team and upcoming authorized documentary on The Notorious B.I.G.
Terrence Malick recently shot a spot for Google with Droga5 in both Austin and LA, which was an amazing experience, his process is incredible to be a part of. We also did a VR film for Facebook starring dancers Jon Boogz and Lil Buck, with whom Superprime are now developing a film.
We also have an upcoming project with Yorgos Lanthimos shot in Mexico City that will release this year, and Kiku Ohe is currently working on an interesting project for Louis Vuitton.
ON SOMETHING ‘ONLY IN LA’
I hate to say it, but after 30 years maybe I have been here too long to notice! Had I have been asked that early on I am sure I would have many an answer.
ON A FEW FAVORITE SPOTS IN LA
My favorite spot for coffee is Blue Bottle (it has become quite the addiction) and I love to have breakfast on the weekends there with my kids. On Sundays we like to shop at the Beverly Hills Farmers Market. For dinner I love to eat at the bar at Madeo, an amazing Italian restaurant run by an incredible family. I have been going there since I moved to LA. Maude is great for special occasions (and is run by another “exceptional alien” Curtis Stone). Malibu Farm is great for brunch, and we recently stayed a night at the Surfrider Hotel across the street and loved it there. Gjusta is amazing for ordering take out, it is easy to look like a hero when entertaining at home from here.
ON CREATIVE INSPIRATION
You have to take advantage of the great museums, like the Broad and the Getty, and DTLA is thriving with arts and food.
ON SOMETHING FROM NZ YOU NEED A FIX OF IN THE USA
Pretty simple, but Marmite on toast at home (sadly missing the Vogel’s Bread however). Thanks to LA weather, family picnics on the beach at my cousin’s house in Venice can happen year-round. I love Waiheke Island in New Zealand and the wine and food scene that is so strong there, so I love to get away for a quick weekend and go to Napa (St. Helena). Not the beachy island that Waiheke is, but beautiful surroundings and great wine and food. It is a relatively easy trip and so worth it. While up North I also love to stay at Manka’s and eat at the original Hog Island Oyster Co.
ON LA IN ONE WORD
Easy!
