Hey composers & creatives!
My name's Katie and I'm a songwriter + music supervisor. I'm also working on my own short film right now. I'm obsessed with the subject of creativity--where it comes from/how it changes people's vibrations and helps us heal... I write at length about it whenever I have the time. I'm doing some personal research and I'm curious if anyone would be interested in sharing: What are some of the main challenges you face when it comes to the music/film industries? Specifically, how do those challenges affect your creativity (or does it?) As a lot of us know, spending time and energy to promote our music/art and actually CREATING the music/art can be quite the balancing act. Seeing how external and/or internal barriers affects creativity is interesting to me. Anyway, thoughts are appreciated! Have a great week!
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Hey Kate, great questions! I think you're right, one of the main challenges is promotion and making sure your music is getting out there, and most importantly in front of the right people. I personally find networking a challenge too; as a introvert the act of going into a room of strangers is very intimidating, even if it's usually worthwhile. Both of those impact on creativity in terms of time, and the networking can really affect energy levels for me too. Personally I try to ring-fence practices that give me energy and focus and that are restorative, like going for a walk or journalling or taking a bath. And scheduling in time for the non-creative acts too, so I know exactly when they need to be done, and when I'll be able to get back to writing!
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All such great feedback, Joanna! Very true about networking taking up energy. Self-care rituals and practices can definitely help fill the energy cup back up in order to restore creative juices. I like your comment about scheduling in time for non-creative things too. It makes me think about the balance of creative verses non-creative tasks. I think a lot of us get wrapped up in the idea that being productive mostly applies to the 'work' part like promoting and networking. But maybe leaving the majority of space open for creativity while scheduling in a couple non-creative tasks per day is being the most productive for artists after all.. Thanks for the pointers and thoughts!
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I agree. Networking is a struggle for some. I would also add the pressure of booking clients. A lot of times we run on autopilot trying to get gigs and as a result, we forget to create for ourselves. We burn out so fast and it spills into our professional work.
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Another great point, Shanika. Burn out is so common in this industry, unfortunately. Another reason why self-care is so crucial. I'm personally trying to figure out a balance of creativity and time for the business side of the fence, but it's so easy to allow my own creative things get pushed further and further back on the back burner. I suppose discipline in some sense is needed as part of the creative flow... A balance of energy..
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I come from a different orientation. I am a creative. I am not looking for fame, fortune, etc. I have scored 31 films but I write non-film music. I mainly care about getting my music heard. That is why for example, when covid happened and the film music segment dried up, I just kept on writing. Not library music - just music that comes from me. Some just listening music, other music written as lead sheets for the jazz improvisation class I took those three semesters - and for me the thrill of live performance of my music equals that of scoring film.
I am content on the direction I am traveling. I have no interest in moving from Texas. I network and promote though probably not as much as I should :). My interest and 'personal mission' is now "I create a loving interactive world through collaboration". In two months I turn 70 (my first IMDB credit was at 62). My music will be my legacy. I even have a 'swan song' from the many track I wrote in the last year - https://soundcloud.com/joelirwin/colors .
I am now on crew for scoring of three films - one will shoot and complete next month (as part of the 168 festival competition), one is in pre- and one is in post. Classes start again at the end of Aug and I am looking forward to hearing (and participating) in some of the performances of my work.
Life is good....
Thanks for sharing, Joel! Love to hear about your passion and joy through creating. I also wrote a 'personal mission' (or intention) earlier this year, which has helped me immensely return to my WHY in any hard times. Mine is "to live with integrity, create by inspired action, and cultivate healing and empowerment in the lives of others." All the best with the three films you're currently scoring, and hope you can share that work with us when the films are done!