Fresh Creations Production's Mr. Elmore Warren and Mr. Peter Backeberg are perfect examples of "ebony and ivory'' working together "in perfect harmony''.

The duo have known each other for six years and have been in business together for two and a half years.

They are the men behind "Al & Chrif's Original Video Show'', "The Curious Cook'', the Merrill-Lynch Shootout and many commercials including the International Business Promotional Video for the Bermuda International Business Association (BIBA).

But Mr. Backeberg admitted getting the venture off the ground was not easy.

"We worked for free for a whole year,'' he said. "We also got support from our parents. For example, for a while we worked out of Elmore's parents backyard and our parents allowed us to live at home while we were getting established. But they never gave us handouts, just great support.'' He added that anyone else who wanted to start their own business should be prepared to work hard and make sacrifices.

"But go for it anyway,'' Mr. Backeberg said.

As far as keeping ahead of their competition, Mr. Backeberg said: "We don't worry about the competition. We are our own competition since everything we do must meet Elmore and my standards.'' When asked if they have ever experienced racism or prejudice, Mr. Backeberg admitted the venture had been eye-opening culturally. But he said he did not really think of it and had not let it inhibit him.

Mr. Warren said racism existed, but no one wanted to discuss it or vocalise it.

"It's not just about black and white,'' he said. "There are many other factors involved but people don't seem ready to discuss them.'' Mr. Warren said he sensed some resentment to his going into business with Mr.

Backeberg.

But the partners said they talked about the issue of race all the time.

"We have debates about it and joke about it all the time,'' Mr. Warren said.

"We were both raised in the same way which is to care for people in general.'' "We don't treat each other differently,'' Mr. Backeberg added. "After we debate it we still come back to work and get on with it.'' The talented producers said their clients were an even mixture as far as race was concerned. And they said they had been well received in general.

Noting that there had been recent calls by black business people for blacks to patronise black businesses, Mr. Warren said: "I feel awkward for them (black people) because I know that when they walk through the doors (here) they are going to have to meet my white partner.'' Mr. Backeberg said the call for blacks to support their own businesses made him "nervous''.

"It makes me nervous because that's how we got into this mess, white patronising white businesses,'' he said. "And if it switches, in the long term, it will be the same thing but just the other way around.'' Both partners said they had strong convictions on the issue of race and prejudice.

Mr. Warren said prejudice was more prominent than racism.

"People don't get a chance to exercise acts of blatant racism in Bermuda,'' he said.

But his partner stressed that "business has no colour''.

"People just worry about money,'' Mr. Backeberg said. "You have to treat people as you meet them. It doesn't come down to the colour of your skin.'' MESSRS. Elmore Warren (left) and Peter Backeberg.