Dean Karr

Dean Karr is a prolific photographer, director, and artist. He shares how he developed and utilized his unique artistic style and the ways his life has improved after getting sober.

On this episode, Dean talks to Matt about:

• Being fascinated with music and photography from an early age and sneaking camera equipment into concerts as a teen
• Getting expelled from catholic school for designing a crass flier
• How working in a cemetery, attending catholic school, and listening to dark metal shaped him artistically
• Moving to LA to photograph bands like Rage Against the Machine, Pantera, and Tool
• Creating Marilyn Manson’s iconic Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) video which generated buzz on MTV and was a breakthrough for both of their careers
• His regrettable experiences while using cocaine and heavy drinking including snorting lines in the disgusting CBGB bathroom
• Being a functioning alcoholic and never getting drunk on set but going hard as soon as it ended
• How alcoholism affects your appearance and how much better he looks and feels being sober
• Practicing patience in sobriety and how he feels more clearheaded and no longer needs to be the center of attention.

And More!

Check out Dean’s latest music video with the band Ministry

This episode is sponsored by The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Centers – one of the oldest residential drug and alcohol rehab programs. ARC is a non-profit and was hit hard financially as a result of COVID. For more information, and to donate or sign up for their quarterly newsletter, visit thechanceto.org.

About Dean Karr 

When speaking of Director/Photographer Dean Karr, the one thing that people seem to agree about is that he is a true original. His prolific creative work has brought him to the forefront of his craft, with visuals that reveal a highly tuned sense of style, fashion, art, and narrative storytelling. A native of Seattle, Washington, Karr received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Washington State University. Moving to Los Angeles he attended the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. He went on to capture in photographs the reality of the extraordinary characters that he encountered in the depths of Los Angeles. His painterly technique was highly original, the images shockingly beautiful - an important new visual artist burst upon the scene.

While honing his photographic skills, he grew fascinated by the possibilities of moving images. The promise of his early work led to Karr being asked to direct Marilyn Manson’s "Sweet Dreams." The resulting piece drew immediate and broad commercial attention and served to propel both Manson and Karr into the forefront of the visual rock world. He was immediately in demand to work with other top artists. Since then he has done broadcast commercial spot work for multiple major clients that combines the immediacy of current life-styles with bold imagery and strong product recognition. He continues to receive international recognition for his photography and his music videos which have been seen by millions.

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