Filmmaker’s Desk Setup in the Cayman Islands

Name: Joel Codner

Location: East End, Grand Cayman Island

Occupation: Minister of Religion/Videographer

Room size: 10×12 or 11 m² (120 ft²)

Cost of setup: $5,4K (This price doesn’t include shipping. Most of the items I have to buy online and ship. For some items, I pay double the cost to clear it from customs.)

Social media: Instagram

Hello! Tell us a bit about yourself

I was born and raised in Jamaica but have been living in the Cayman Islands for the past five years.

Photography and videography weren’t a thing for me growing up; my pride and joy was basketball.

I moved from home to home as a child, so desk setups, interior designs, etc. were never on my radar.

I mention those two things because they are the things I’m most passionate about now, things I’ve never thought of or even considered I’d be doing as an adult.

I’m a preacher by profession.

I have been doing this for 11 years.

However, I’ll be diving into a full-time production company soon.

I feel more alive when I’m creating.

I’m obsessed with it.

It is the last and first thing I do before I go to sleep and after I wake up. This fiery passion is what drives me to go full-time.

Outside of desk setup content I also have another page (@createdbyjovaine) where I focus on more cinematic filmmaking content.

Take us through your setup

The key feature isn’t necessarily a piece; it’s the colour orange.

I have pops of orange everywhere that help my setup to stand out.

My statement piece is my Naruto Poster.

It always catches people’s eyes and is probably my most commented-on piece.

However, my IKEA speaker has been stealing the show lately, and I don’t like that, lol.

A lot of time and changes went into my setup.

It started with a desk that was held up by a piece of log.

I went through green, black, grey and white walls in the span of one year.

Of all the colours I’ve been through, the green was my favourite.

I had to change it to white because I wasn’t getting enough natural light, so my photos and videos would come out darker than I’d like. Maybe in the future, I’ll revisit it.

My office was originally for work, but it was depressing.

I wanted to change things around so I could feel more inspired to work.

Next thing you know, I went down a rabbit hole, and now I’m creating desk setup content.

My biggest struggle is getting the items I want.

I live in the Cayman Islands, which is the third most expensive country to live in, in the entire world as of October 2023.

Most companies don’t ship here.

As a result, I have to use a courier service to ship things here since they are not sold here.

The problem with that is, sometimes the cost to clear the items from customs and Border Patrol is double what I originally paid for them.

Depending on the size and weight, the final cost can triple the original cost. Because of this, I’ve had to turn down a lot of collaboration/brand deals.

The next thing on my list is to get another light source, maybe an Amaran 300c.

I also want to get some slats for my wall.

The slats will be a little challenging because of the cost of shipping.

What’s your favourite item on your desk?

My favourite item in my setup is probably my Naruto poster, which is also the cheapest.

I paid $1 for the digital file on Etsy.

As for my favourite item on my desk, without a shadow of a doubt, it is the M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14″.

I bought it while I was on vacation in Miami last December, and outside of my camera, it is my best purchase from 2023 to date.

It has been a joy since.

I edit a lot for social and for the real world, and the M3 chip makes it effortless.

What apps or tools do you use to get things done?

The apps I use daily for work and play are DaVinci Resolve, Photoshop, Lightroom, Adobe Acrobat, and Keynote.

Out of all of them, I spend the most time in DaVinci Resolve because I post on my desk setup and filmmaker accounts daily. I edit for clients just as often.

DaVinci is my faithful partner.

What books, blogs, or podcasts recently caught your attention?

The book I’m currently reading is The Creative Act: A way of Being by Rick Rubin.

It’s a book that I feel all creators should have.

It’s filled with inspiration from the first page to the last.

The Creative Act: A Way of Being

“Famed for providing legendary artists with the space to rediscover their authentic selves, music producer Rick Rubin reflects on the creative process and its engagement with the wider world in this masterful, engrossing volume.” (Waterstones)

Check price on Amazon

Any tips for other makers who want to improve their workspaces?

To my fellow setup enthusiasts, identify your statement piece.

It’s that one item that will catch everyone’s eyes as soon as they see your setup.

If it is intriguing enough and strategically placed, it’ll boost your engagement because people will ask questions and/or compliment you about it.

What does your typical day look like?

Unfortunately, I have an unhealthy sleeping habit.

I go to bed between 2-4 am and wake up by 8:30-9 am.

I’ll start with devotion.

Then, if I haven’t edited my posts for social overnight, I’d do that next.

Afterwards, I’ll start researching and working on my main job from approximately 12-5 pm.

Depending on the day of the week (Mondays and Wednesdays), I’ll go and help out the Meals on Wheels team by volunteering to deliver meals to the sick, elderly, and shut-ins from 11 am-1 pm.

Volunteering and benevolence are a big part of my work and personal life goals.

Working from home can be a struggle when it comes to separating work and home responsibilities.

At a regular 9-5, you know that at 5 pm you are done and going home.

When you’re working from home, it is easy to overwork yourself because it is in your space, so your off switch doesn’t go off as it would with a regular 9-5.

There is also the part where people tend to believe that you are available and that they have access to you 24/7 because you’re working from home.

Your tips for working from home?

I don’t work off routine.

I know what I need to get done throughout the day but the order in which I do them is random.

What I do first, second or last depends on how I feel or what is more urgent on that given day.

Focus is something that I do not struggle with.

Once I start a task I don’t leave my station until it’s finished.

This is sometimes unhealthy because of how long I work sometimes.

It causes me not to eat on time and to lose sleep. It’s something that I need to work on but I just hate not finishing things.

If you’re WFH or planning to, invest in a standing desk.

Being able to go from sitting to standing is good for your body and blood circulation.

Drink a lot of water, create zones in your space to separate different tasks and/or work/play stations.

Learn when to stop working and spend time on you and with your loved ones.

It’s easy to let work consume you when you WFH.

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Maker StationsEditorial Team

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