My Creative Inspirations & Overcoming The Creative Block
Photo by Daniel Clay on Unsplash
Aye! This is your guy Zord, and I'm going to be sharing a little about where I get my artistic inspirations from and how I overcome a creative block. What works my creative gears and what do I do when I face some rusty drive when animating. Oh and let me tell you that it isn't always a smooth drive of 'BAM BAM BOOM' of passionate artistry, but there will certainly be ups and downs in this art form. Always remember to keep them fuel running and don't burn out!
Photo by Ari He on Unsplash
I'm sure some of you who've followed me from way before, I've shared my animation journey about how I got into this industry. But today, I want to focus specifically on the things that have been inspiring me from day one and the things I do to get inspired when I feel that there isn't soul in my animations anymore. Sometimes, it's just that way, authors get a writer's block and artist get a creative block. The fear of a blank canvas they say.
Being The Audience Again
One of my source where I draw my inspirations from is movies. Basically just going to the cinema and enjoying a good movie. Before I started my animation career, I would always watch movies like "Transformers", "Avatar" and "The Avengers". I LOVE watching action pack movies with tons of special effects. It has always amazed me and one day I know that my name will be on the credits. Dreams... (Oh and btw, The Avengers Endgame is coming out next week!!!!)
"First Think, Second Dream, Third Believe.And finally, Dare" - Walt Disney
I remember way before Steemit came about, I use to blog on Blogspot. There was this particular post that I wrote was about me being a "Dreamer". In a project, I always get excited about sharing my ideas no matter how ambitious they are. Even my friends know that I like to dream big. I guess that's why when I watch big featured movies like Transformers, it drives me to be part of it by reimagining the scenes in my head over and over again. Always telling myself that I will make it one day. DREAM BIG.
After being an animator for a while, I tend to forget to think from the audience's point of view. Sorry to say that there will be a bunch of haters/supporters in every film, ME included! And that is totally normal! When I watch a movie and I don't like it, I would usually tell my friends that the movie isn't worth watching. Hence, I go to the movies to remind myself that the audience are very sophisticated people. Often times, they will always think ahead of the movie and that helps me to think like an audience and in return deliver the perfect performance in animation for them.
Photo by Patrick Robert Doyle on Unsplash
A New Environment
I get excited over a new project that has a totally different animation style than my previous project. Honestly, it gets very robotic after awhile working on 24 episodes in a season for a year and a shift in environment would definitely keep me up and inspired. Inspired to learn new techniques. This allows me to push myself in unknown places.
Previously, I was inspired when @jaynie decided to take a bold step in exploring the podcast world. If you want to listen to her voice on a podcast, go to her blog and scroll all the way back. It reminded me that it is going to be okay to "Jump into the water, try something different & original". If it doesn't work, it is alright to backtrack. Be daring to try new things in my animation.
These 'new environments' come in different forms as well. It doesn't HAVE to always relate to animation. Just recently, I've ventured into my own business and I've started a new company with a bunch of friends. The nature of the business is the polar opposite of the creative industry. It is related to agricultural farming. Even when I meet with clients and tell them what I do as my day job, they were surprised. But having something new and fresh to uncover is always a good way to find new inspirations. I know of a CEO of an advertising company taking a year sabbatical from working to just explore parts of the world he has never been before. Exploring and experiencing new cultures and seeing things that are new to him is his way of being inspired.
Everything outside feeds my animation. One of the things i usually do to help my creativity, I would observe people. Hahah, I know it sounds stalker-ish but it's one of the naturals to me to be able to observe people in malls, parks and everywhere I go. It helps in my animation a lot when it comes to animating life to a character as I take the values of people, friends and apply them in my animation. That funny obscene expression that HE has, or that beautiful smile that SHE has.
Photo by Avi Richards on Unsplash
Looking at other Artists
Lastly, the best inspirations come from tons of easily accessible references, websites, and artists portfolio online. Even when you are having a creative block, a good way to get your head back into the game is to watch videos and references. Sketch whatever you can on the drawing pad. Even exploring other creative areas such as photography, fashion, architecture can help you. Whatever works for you!
There are plenty of websites that hubs artists and creative people. One of the most commonly used one is Behance. It is a site for artist to compile their portfolio and you can engage with others as well. Giving likes, critiques and sharing their artwork.
For me, I often engage in several websites that will peak my interest again and a lot of my ideas and references comes from these contents.
This is one of my go-to websites if I'm looking for good behind the scene and VFX breakdowns. There also have a resources channel where you can download free rigs and characters.
11second Club - www.11secondclub.com
This is a website that holds a monthly animation competition. You will be competing with amateurs to the best of the best. You will also receive critiques on your submission which is where you will learn! A 11 second audio clip will be the competition theme for each month.
Polygon - www.polygon.com
Polygon is a gaming website that shares the latest gaming trends, reviews, previews, trending news in the entertainment world. I still love gaming so I come here to keep up to date with the latest games and be inspired with new techs.
Everytime when I'm facing a creative block, I know where to draw my sources of creative inspirations from. These are the things that I usually do. There are actually many other things that you can do to be inspired. You can go to live band lounges to enjoy a good live band, travel to different parts of the world, see new cultures and many more.
"Adventure is Out There" - The Featured Film, UPI hope this post has been insightful to you as well as a reminder to myself. Keep animating!~
PS: This post has been posted before on Steemit but has been rewritten again for its benefits.
Thank You
If you like what I do, check out my other posts on meetups, animation, and designs.
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Posted from my blog with SteemPress : http://zord189.vornix.blog/2019/04/18/my-creative-inspirations-overcoming-the-creative-block/
This was really good and very relevant for many of us on Steemit. I know for myself, having been blogging since Tsu, 8app, and Niume, in addition to vlogging on YT for ever, it is important to have fun to avoid burnout. I have seen people over and over try to things that they were not enjoying and that gets old fast. I think for many of us, this is not a job, and it is key to remember to enjoy the journey :) Good Stuff Zord! :)
Yea man the best inspirations come to me when I am not looking for them, naturally you could say!
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And you said you had nothing to write? This is way more than 350 words and jam packed full of great learning and advice.
My big takeway and which applies to all businesses:
Don't forget the customer.
Great advice often forgotten.
Heheh thanks. :P
Great advice! Will remember that! Don't forget customer... :)
It's your own advice - don't forget the market...
Oops, it is bedtime for me. Hahahha
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Nice post, @zord189 :) I am only recently starting to have an interest in animation myself, but as far as inspiration go and maintaining certain demand for creativity on oneself, I think you nailed all the wisdom of ages in this post! <3 Very well-written, wonderfully polished article! Love it <3 !
You always give the right amount of tips!
Hahah Thanks @joelai!
Hehehe...
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Thank you!