#WFH Diaries: Mark Hendy of VCCP Berlin

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues its chaotic gallop through space/time, we’re checking in with creative industry folks worldwide. Here’s word from Mark Hendy, executive creative director at VCCP Berlin.

Give us a one-sentence bio of yourself.

Ex-Londoner, current Berliner, and ECD at VCCP.

Where are you living right now, and who’s with you?

I’m in Kreuzberg, Berlin, with my girlfriend Jeannette.

What’s your work situation like at the moment?

Well, we are all learning to work remotely. Historically I’m not great at working from home. It’s curious how urgent the normally dreaded housework can become after five minutes of staring at a blank page or screen. But I’m spending on average of six hours a day in Google Hangouts or Zoom.

Describe your socializing strategy.

Erm … I’m calling my mum and dad a lot more regularly. Does that count?

What are you reading?

I’ve decided it’s time to brush up on my German, so reading a German book called Wiener Strasse (a street just around the corner from me). It’s about a bunch of slackers in West Berlin in the ’80s. 

What are you watching?

Strangely, my series/movie-viewing time has decreased since I have been working at home. Not because I am watching the news.

What are you listening to?

I’m still mourning the loss of DJ Andrew Weatherall last month. Listening to his Nine O’Clock Drop album quite a bit.

[Editor: Here, have 900 hours of his mixes.]

How are you staying fit?

Thanks for the reminder. Must. Get. Fit.

Have you taken up a hobby?

I’m finally finding time to edit a short film project I’ve been working on, about the unheard stories from long-term residents of my adopted neighborhood.

Any tips for getting necessities?

Sadly not. But if anyone knows a store with toilet paper, please let me know.

An awkward moment since all this started.

I have a cough right now … so having around 60 awkward moments a day.

Best work email you got since all this started.

The one from a colleague saying he was suffering symptoms, so was tested for the virus. The doctor said it was just a hangover. How Berlin!

An aha! moment since all this started.

The fun of mixing Google Hangouts-friendly work attire on my top half, and home-office-Day-11 clothes on my bottom half. 

What’s your theory on how this is going to play out?

It’s heartbreaking that so many will lose loved ones over the next weeks and months. I hope the silver lining will be that we learn to appreciate the simple things we are sacrificing at the moment, once this is all over. And be a kinder generation for the experience.

See the full #WFH Diaries series here.