Play

Play is where humans find rest — a place to explore, try things, and see what happens. It’s where we learn, build, and follow ideas without needing a clear outcome. It is part of how we grow. 

I have always loved to play.

Creativity has been a driving force in my life. It is the way I learn best: start a project, have fun, succeed or not, and learn something along the way.

I directed my first amateur film when I was 16 years old. After high school, I went to the European Film College, fell in love with animation and created a short animated film that was shown at festivals around the world. For a while, I thought I wanted to become a film director.

Later, I understood that making movies wasn't what drove me - no, what drives me is curiosity. It usually starts with a simple thought: This could be fun - I want to do this ... Then I figure it out. That process — learning by doing — is play for me. Of course, there is the whole creative sinus curve, where I start off with a YES! I can, then I go ahead, have fun and fall deep into the - Oh, why did I ever think I could do this, and then slowly it becomes fun again. That is part of the process.

Over time, that curiosity has taken many forms. I’ve written a dance theatre piece combining poetry, breakdance, and electric boogie. I made a short documentary about the Danish hip hop dance crew Out of Control in New York, where they reconnected with Breeze Team - their old friends in the Bronx.

I’ve also written children’s books — 18 titles for early readers, used in schools and translated into several languages.

Across all of it, the same pattern repeats: Getting an idea, seeing if I can - and learning by doing. 

From play to profession

I am so grateful that play has turned into a profession. After 6 gap-years where I explored film-making I kind of stumbled into a career in the online media world, where I became the editori in chief of Denmarks largest Online Youth Magazine. This has led to many fun experiences and playful days, some would call it work, but when your office time is spent with the biggest Danish stand-up and comics, then going to work is quite fun - Today I can look back at it and think - Oh that was stupid, but fun - like the book I wrote for the Danish Radio Program Monkey Business - a book about the slang used at the Danish hot-dog shops.

I try to keep the play alive in my work. There is this saying: Fail fast - learn fast - and it needs to be done with a playful mind. Where ideas are tested, and if they do not work, then on with the next one. When it is work, it is off course, not true play, as there is an outcome in mind. But I try to keep the playfulness alive in the process - and focus more on having fun along the way than the goal. But then again. We still need to make things that are relevant for others :)

“I have never finished a project I didn’t start.”

This short sentence kind of shares my view on life - you need to start. Dream, have fun, but - oh my - just start.

I have indeed started a lot of projects that I never finished - and have had many dreams that never went anywhere - but starting - This is where the magic is.