Ethos Studio and the Archers Present Legendary Producer Sharon Oreck for "The Talks" Series

Mar. 12, 2025

Color house and creative studio Ethos has teamed up with AD100 design firm The Archers to host the latest installment of "The Talks"—an interdisciplinary speaker series exploring the intersection of design and film. Featuring award-winning Producer and O Pictures Founder Sharon Oreck as the keynote speaker, the event and book signing marked the re-release of her biting memoir, ‘Video Slut: How I Shoved Madonna Off an Olympic High Dive, Got Prince into a Pair of Tiny Purple Woolen Underpants, Ran Away from Michael Jackson's Dad, and Got a Waterfall to Flow Backwards So I Could Bring Rock Videos to the Masses.’

Pop culture, production, and design coalesced for an afternoon of dynamic conversation as Sharon Oreck delivered a candid, behind-the-scenes account of the music video industry during its 80s heyday. Moderated by Designer and Writer Luis Ortega Govela, the discussion traced Oreck’s storied career, revealing the wild, on-set stories that colored the golden age of MTV. With over 600 productions to her name, she has worked alongside industry giants—Madonna, Prince, Michael Jackson, Metallica, Sting, Mick Jagger, Janet Jackson, and more— permanently etching her name into production’s proverbial hall of fame.

As a pioneering force in the music video industry, Academy Award nominee, the recipient of a Grammy Award, two Women in Film Awards, and several MTV Awards, Oreck’s legacy extends beyond her impressive filmography. Her trademark wit and irreverent storytelling gave attendees a rare glimpse into the evolution of the industry, its lasting cultural impact, and the creative chaos that shaped an era. The event underscored her lasting influence, proving that the music video format remains as powerful and relevant as ever.

Curated by longtime friends and collaborators - Ethos Studio founder James Drew and The Archers founder Richard Petit - ‘The Talks’ series was created to spark meaningful conversations between design and film, bridging past and present creative movements through a discerning cultural lens. Notably, Sharon Oreck was The Archers’ first client, making her participation in the series a full-circle moment that highlights the enduring connections between creative disciplines.

Reflecting on the event, Richard remarked:

“Sharon (along with cinematographer husband Bill Pope) was one of my first design clients, and I have to borrow Ben Vereen's line from All That Jazz to describe her: ‘...a great entertainer, a great humanitarian and my dearest, dearest friend for 25 years.’ I've been mining behind-the-scenes stories from Sharon for decades, so it was satisfying to get her in front of a very targeted audience. I knew James would be the guy to make this happen.”

 

James added:

“Sharon is a firecracker, and has this incredible ability to immerse you in her storytelling in a way that makes the past feel electric and immediate - like you’re right there with her, painting pigeons white on the set of ‘When Doves Cry.’ She throws you straight into the chaos in the best way possible.”