Take a Break and a Breath: 'A New Way to Think About Creative Genius'

GoGoEric and I roadtripped it to Park City, UT this year for Sundance.  Accompanying us throughout the long journey was Elizabeth Gilbert - and specifically her reading of her freak success 'Eat Pray Love' via book on tape.

Just a few weeks later, Elizabeth circled back into my world as a video of her recent talk at the TED Conference popped up in my email.  I watched Elizabeth discuss a "Different Way to Think about Creative Genius," and immediately wanted to share her insights with all you IndieGoGo filmmakers just as your fans want to share your great work/videos/IndieGoGo profile with their communities.

Making film is an arduous adventure.  If you've ever had a questioning moment as to why you've committed yourself, time, money, sweat and sometimes tears to the art of telling visual stories, perhaps Elizabeth's words can offer a bit of comfort, relief and kick.  The world needs untold stories to be told... a reason why we started IndieGoGo!  So take a moment to listen to Elizabeth as she goes into:

• Why creativity and suffering have evolved to seem so inseparable
• How just "showing up" day after day can be the key to managing the inherent and extreme emotional risks of creativity  
• And lastly how separating your "identity with" and "accountability for" your creative genius might actually bring some levity to your work and make "showing up" every day not so hard  

Creativity and suffering DON'T have to go hand in hand.  Take a break and a breath as Elizabeth shares a new way to think about your creative genius.

-GoGoDanae

Comments

[Garrick Davis]

I am stunned by this video...I can't even see through my tears! I've always felt I am a portal through which beautiful music comes through. No more excuses. I spent the last 3 years creating my best work that I'm going to get funded so that I can share the genius that inspired it! Thank you for sharing this video!

[William Yu]

I am totally blown away by this video, because I also a dreamer about making just one film that can help touch the cord of human mankind and thinking that I can't accomplish it. Currently I was lay off from my job in higher education. I got my master degree in film with distinction and never took the time to pursuit it. Currently the country is suffering with a high umemployment. I am constantly volunteering in my Church and already applied to volunteer to help in the Hospital. I being to Mexico mission trip in 10/2004 and saw a lot of proverty extist and last Thursday I saw a grand opening in 42nd Street in NYC. It kill me inside to see the Rich showing off their wealth by posing for picture while there are so much suffering going up in our great nation. I am just a dreamer and a born again Christian who learn about God's love and want to express this in my coming dream project but need a lot of help im many way. I go to a wonderful Church named Journery where we practice simple faith and follow the word. I do know that I want to do a short film and may be one day a full feature film about human struggle and tribulation and by finding God blessing and able to help give hope to the poor and homeless. The title of my dream project will be, "It now about me, but it is all about you, God" This film is about a use to be a self center person or persons found God and because of God's grace and unconditon love was able to became a better person and try to help other. As you can see my English is not great, but my heart and vision is there with sincerely, I hope this film can help beliver, non-beliver, artist be self aware about themselves, family, friend, community and the urgent need of the spirits to work together to save our country and the world by Kindness and peace rather by greed, selfishness.