Dynamic and Decentralised: Space Cowboys, the New Tech Pioneers of the Creative Industry
Photography by Jesus Leonardo
Disruptive. Fluid. Outside of the ordinary. These are some of the words Space Cowboys co-founders Julie Reali and Lesly Lynch use to describe their one-of-a-kind offering – all of which feel wholly relevant. Since its launch in 2021, Space Cowboys has remained laser-focused on forging a more inclusive environment for the modern day creative. Operating globally - but based in New York - the studio has dedicated the last few years to fostering a network of agile, forward-thinking, diverse and open-minded directors, photographers, 3D artists, editors, colourists, graphic designers, and compositors, with disruptive and iconoclastic vision.
A combination of their unique individual experiences, Space Cowboys was built to cultivate tangible change for the next generation of creatives. Founded on the amalgamation of Julie’s tech-world background and the directing background of Lesly Lynch, thus creating a potent blend of artistry and technology. And, with a dedicated tech-forward approach to production and post-production, their plan to build bridges between unique and interesting artists has officially taken flight.
Powering Creativity with Technology
As you would expect from a company with their finger firmly on the pulse, the first-rate creativity coming out of Space Cowboys is powered by the very latest in technology – a formative aspect of their foundational offering. Guided by this, the production and post-production teams utilise the best tools available to them throughout every step of the process. From concept ideation and brainstorming, to custom made visuals for brands, to bespoke, localised AI models designed to empower artists, brands and agencies – leveraging technology to push new storytelling and optimise workflows is a crucial part of the Space Cowboys’ operation.
This tech integration promises to enhance and support the educational and inclusive environment afforded to their artists. As they prepare to take on the ever-evolving needs of metamorphosing creative industry, Julie and Lesly describe their ideal clientele: “We love working with brands that are excited by innovation, ready to be on the frontier of change, open-minded, collaborative, with a positive ethos.”
Art is an Open Invite
Committed to nurturing the artistic endeavours of their global roster, Julie and Lesly place the creative wants and needs of their innovative talents at the centre of everything, designing unique models that match the specific needs of the entire team; from directors and photographers to editors and VFX artists. From the offset, the twosome knew this venture would follow a decentralised model, with special emphasis placed on spearheading opportunities for queer, BIPOC and female talent.
To demonstrate this commitment, the co-founders have partnered with initiatives like SheMadeIt!, a three-day intensive workshop intended for BIPOC/female and non-binary directors to connect with and be mentored by influential members of the film and music video space. As two queer women, one of which is BIPOC, Julie and Lesly’s personal experiences within the industry encourage their investment in creating a welcoming space for future filmmakers.
Photography by Jesus Leonardo
Lesly explains how they assess creative compatibility with an artist. “We spend a long time getting to know them, understanding their goals, their ethos, and what drives them, all in an effort to align with and bring together the people who are most likely to connect with the Space Cowboys world. We make sure that each artist has their own strong sense of creative identity while also making sure that they are able to connect with the rest of the creative community we have cultivated. We also invest in nurturing connections among the artists so they are able to align with each other creatively at a moment's notice and understand each other's work flows for ideal collaboration.”
The vast range of diversity seen across Space Cowboys’ global roster is reflected in the subject matter of the work. Hungry for opportunities to create, ideate and innovate, the shop’s portfolio is awash with top tier music video and commercial work. “We enjoy tackling interesting concepts that present our team with a challenge and thus, an opportunity to break new ground,” Julie adds. “As a company, we like to straddle the space between reality and CGI/VFX pushing the needle in terms of texture, narrative and aesthetic.”
This ability to tread the line between real and surreal is best showcased through cutting-edge collaborations with fashion brands like Balenciaga, YSL and Lululemon. The latter is a masterclass in post-production facilitated by future-facing technology – and it was this work that put Space Cowboys on the map. "I think the beauty of that Lululemon campaign was that at the time they were looking to reposition the brand, and so our creative task was not only very technical and stylistic, but also, there were a myriad of macroscopic elements to weigh and so we had to work really closely with the client to achieve an end result where everyone was content,” says Julie.
Ultimately, at Space Cowboys, success isn't just measured by the brilliance of its visuals or the sophistication of the technology; it's measured by the depth of the connections the team fosters. Whether it's sparking creative synergies among talented artists or understanding the unique vision of each client, it is the studio’s unwavering dedication to human connection that sets it apart. Because ultimately, it's the human spirit that fuels creativity, drives innovation, and propels us toward new horizons.
