This ND + Story is from Alex Odam, a London-based Director of Photography, Editor & Colourist.
Name: Alex Odam
ND Type/s: ADHD & OCD
What do you do: Director Of Photography & Editor
Where do you live: Wimbledon
How did you start your day – do you have a morning routine. And what do you have for breakfast, do think a good diet is important?
I don’t really have a set morning routine. But I start my day after I’ve made myself a proper espresso, which I have with a smoke. I don’t have breakfast.
How do you stay active?
I don’t drive, so get around on my Carerra road bike, my micro scooter or I walk really fast! Something I do, is set myself mini challenges, my own little races – whether it’s against myself, my watch or a bus. I randomly start a race with a car, another person or anything else going in my direction. If I lose, I immediately start my next race. When I win, it’s like I’ve won a Grand Prix r.
What do you do to relax?
Two ways. 1) I have a high-spec F1 racing simulator, a very realistic experience where I find peace in the rhythm, fully emersed.
2) I relax on my sofa watching a well-made TV show, documentary or film, looking out for inspiration and evolving my skill set.
Do you have a favourite word or phrase?
It is what it is.
Have you read, watched or seen anything good recently? Is there a book, play or film that moved you?
Clockwork Orange – both the book and the film, together.
Which 5 albums will you want to have with you on a desert island?
• Dark Side of The Moon – Pink Floyd
• Discovery – Daft Punk
• The Night Fly – Donald Fagen
• Submarine – Alex Turner
• Selling England by The Pound – GENESIS
• PLAY – Moby
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received and who was it from?
Reddit.com/r/ADHD
When you were young, what did you want to be when you were a grown-up? And what was your first Job?
Filmmaker. My first job was when I was twelve and I got paid £500 to design a band’s touring merch.
What do you do now and how did you get into it?
I’m a director of photography, editor, a colourist. I’m a multi-instrumentalist recording artist and I make film scores.
Creativity and thinking differently are often credited to neurodiversity. Would you say that is true? And if yes, could you give an example?
YES 100% It’s like we see, feel and sense in 4D, rather than 3D. We are open, curious, look deeper and experience emotions authentically.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, or have lost your focus, what do you do to get back on track? Do you have any hacks, tips or do you use any apps to keep you on track during the day?
Be kind to yourself, kind in spades. A deep breath, slow down and take it easy. And when the time is up and a call comes in. Take it
What makes you happy?
• Family, people I love, those who are close to me. Formula 1.
• Having been fortunate enough to share my love with a child. Nurturing.
• Seeing stuff that is made well and designed beautifully.
• Listening to good music, on good speakers, or headphones. Always.
What has been your biggest achievement so far?
At 18 I got a job with Google on a £40K pa salary. After that I spent 8 years working on the BBC’s Apprentice
Does your neurodiversity have an impact on the way you approach relationships?
Yes, 100%. I come clean pretty much straight away.
Tell us something about your ND experience, that you think not many people will know, or understand?
We live with our hearts on our sleeves. We feel deeply, we love, we live.
If given the choice, right now, to start over again – to ND or not ND?
I would not change anything
Do you have a Positive ND message to the world? Imagine you have a £5 million advertising campaign to spend on billboards all over the world. What would you say?
I would make a film, shoot, direct, edit and tell the story where the main character’s antagonist is his ADHD. It would be a visual and immersive experience.
Final question – where can people find out more about you. Do you have a website and social media pages.