Ira Glass on Storytelling from David Shiyang Liu on Vimeo.
This video has sat in my blog drafts for months. I haven't written anything in response to it, because I felt like anything I wrote would be a disappointment in the face of such brilliance. Then today, I had a "lightbulb" moment and realized: that is exactly what this video is about. DUH. Thank you, Ira Glass.
I have watched this video about 50 times, and each time feel beaten over the head with some of the most simple, yet extraordinary advice that any artist, designer, or creative person could ever receive. It's so obvious, and it's so good. It makes me want to pound my fist on the table, and shout "Amen, Ira! Amen!"
The bottom line is that anybody who creates anything has to be able to be both critical and nourishing of their work at the same time. Sometimes you have to make the wrong choice, before you are led to a better one. To make this even more vague, I don't believe there really is right and wrong in creation, only stronger and weaker choices. But if you aren't DOING ANY WORK, you can't be critical OR nourishing and you certainly aren't moving forward.
This year, as an artist, my resolution is to do as much creative work as possible. To write as much as possible. To attend creative conventions and craft fairs. To read inspiring works. To work on stronger choices. To fight my way through the crap, catch up and close the Gap.
I hope you'll join me in whatever way you can. Guess what? Your brain will get bigger if you do.
I have watched this video about 50 times, and each time feel beaten over the head with some of the most simple, yet extraordinary advice that any artist, designer, or creative person could ever receive. It's so obvious, and it's so good. It makes me want to pound my fist on the table, and shout "Amen, Ira! Amen!"
The bottom line is that anybody who creates anything has to be able to be both critical and nourishing of their work at the same time. Sometimes you have to make the wrong choice, before you are led to a better one. To make this even more vague, I don't believe there really is right and wrong in creation, only stronger and weaker choices. But if you aren't DOING ANY WORK, you can't be critical OR nourishing and you certainly aren't moving forward.
This year, as an artist, my resolution is to do as much creative work as possible. To write as much as possible. To attend creative conventions and craft fairs. To read inspiring works. To work on stronger choices. To fight my way through the crap, catch up and close the Gap.
I hope you'll join me in whatever way you can. Guess what? Your brain will get bigger if you do.
Thanks for this. My creativity needs a good kick in the butt. I've been slacking.
ReplyDelete