The Chimney partner and Flame artist on soaring through the skies and seas of Sweden
“I try spending as much time outside as possible despite the long hours working in the Flame suite. It has really been my calm place, skating, skiing, surfing or skydiving - sounds so cliché but it is really a life saver from stress and deadlines,” says Peter Törnestam. "Plus, I do have the most loving and most patient wife and grown up kids too."
The senior Flame artist and partner at Chimney has just moved back to Stockholm after two years setting up the Los Angeles office for the creative-production-post hybrid. He’s enjoyed his stint in California as it has reminded him of his experience living in a car in San Diego for six months back in the ‘80s – though now he’s embracing the wilds of Sweden.
Of his creative motivation, Peter says: “I had the pleasure and the advantage of 'growing up' in the MTV era… back when ‘M’ actually meant ‘Music’. A great mix of commercials, music videos and drama has kept me busy, hungry and never ever bored. Working with talented people and fun projects really gives you energy.”
For more unbridled enthusiasm, check out Peter’s Instagram - @tornestam for fun and outdoor stuff and @asportfilmtv for work stuff.
Lifestyle
oPlace of birth: Stockholm, Sweden 1963
oHometown: The Rock-Home of Stockholm
oStaycation: Gryttjom, my home skydiving club’s DZ (drop zone)
oVacation: Warm waves or steep snow
oPet: GoPro Fusion
oPlace of work: Sthlm/LA
oPlace of workout: Skatepools
oSide project: Filming friends at play
oMode of transport: Foot or my pimped ‘Venice-look’ bike
oBonus travel essential: Passport and credit card
Culture
oArtists: Kiss
oMusician: Hans Zimmer
oCommercials / music video director: Jonas Åkerlund
oFilm director: Ridley Scott
oPhotographer: Crille Forsberg - (or Pär, Eric, Erik…) Swedish DoPs always bring calm and smiles to set. Never complains, always ready before makeup is.
oFilm: Fletch! hahaha
oSeries: Chernobyl - very uncomfortable since I live just across the Baltic.
oCommercial: Old Spice I’m on a Horse
oMusic video: Smack my Bitch Up by The Prodigy (I know… I posted it, but nevertheless…)
oVideo game: Tony Hawk 1…? (I do not really game)
oBoard game: Does Skate-BOARD count? Otherwise… Yahtzee?
oBook: I am re-reading 1984 at the moment, in English
oGraphic novel: Tin-Tin (way back)
oNewspaper: Dagens Nyheter
oMagazine: Rolling Stone sometimes
Food and Drink
oBreakfast: Coffee (when I feel strong, I add a pain au chocolat)
oGuilty pleasure: Ben&Jerry’s Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup ice cream
oBar: Lulas, Santa Monica
oBooze: Bubbly or Margaritas
oNot booze: Water - any
oBonus food: Tuna tartar
oBonus beverage: I drink 1 Coke a month... Beverage of life
Kit
oPhone: Iphone6S
oComputer: MacBook Pro
oTV: 65” Samsung (I think)
oHeadphones: Koss (Cheap...)
oCamera: GoPro Hero7Black
oSoundsystem: Alexa Echo Plus2
oPen / pencil: anything
oWhere you document an idea: Small notebook and emails to myself
oCasual clothing: I’m actually a real fashion guru. Every 12-15 years I have the hottest fashion trend. 501s and a printed T-shirt. It’s been like that since 7th grade.
oSmart clothing: Suit – boots
oFootwear: Cobians, Vans and boots
oWatch: None
oCollection: Stuff friends made, books, paintings, clothing but I use/wear them
oApp: MSW
oWebsite: YouTube
oFavourite social media feed: Insta, I like the search but don’t write anything, just scroll down. (#suckerforsunsets)
oWork program: Autodesk Flame
oDigital work tool: Tablet/Pen - Wacom
oAnalogue work tool: Paper, pen, sticks, cloth...
oMorning grooming: Water, soap and lots of conditioner.