Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Michael Coulombe. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Michael , appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
One of the hardest things for artists, I feel, is to stay continually creative. I get asked this question a lot. I have been asked it so often over the 2 and a half decades that I have been an artist. I do wish there was so magical phrase or equation I could tell you that would help any artist to continue to stay creative – sadly there is not. But for me, I have learned that there are just some days that no matter how hard I need to create, I just can’t. And rather than forcing something that I am unable to do at the moment, I try to focus on other artistic endeavors. So here is an example: I am a writer, and let’s say I need to work on a specific type of movie. I write a lot of horror films, as well as comedy, but if I sit down to create and I realize that I am blocked, I’ll work on something else, perhaps a story in a different genre, maybe a drama or an action film, something that I don’t have an immediate connection with, where I can just sort of write freestyle and help clear my mind. Or I’ll journal, or write a poem, just something that is so different that it helps my mind be creative, without feeling like I need to force myself.
For me, I also do photography. Photography for me is another way for me to be creative. So if I feel like I’m having difficulty to be creative, I’ll grab my camera and drive to the beach, or the desert, or I’ll just take a walk around the block and just find things to photograph. I find that the fresh air clears my mind and I start to feel more energized.
I will also reach out to other creatives as well, like my writing partner. Sometimes just having someone who is more objective to talk through a story beat is one of the best ways for me to keep my creativity alive. There is a good energy that could come from being surrounded by like-minded individuals.
I would also say, that another way to keep creativity alive is just consume more art! Go to a museum! Watch a movie. Listen to music. Read a book! Again, I think it just allows you a moment to sort of turn your brain off and let it just absorb, you never know when something you see or hear can spark an idea, and, to me, that is such a beautiful piece of the creative process!
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I started writing at a young age. In the fourth grade I was introduced to creative writing and I realized it was something I just loved doing. I would sit in my room at night when I was younger and just write. I would write about anything! And I would look through the thesaurus and dictionary to find news words to use and new ways to use them! I would send those stories to my friends and classmates and ask for their feedback. Most times, even at recess, while other kids were playing I would sit with a clipboard and paper and just write.
This also worked when my parents bought a big VHS camcorder. The idea was to use it on our family vacations… but when we weren’t on vacation I would use that camcorder with my cousin and my sister and the neighbor kids and we would film our own films in the backyard. I supposed most young filmmakers start out this same way, right? Just picking up a camera and just start filming?
That’s how I got into photography actually. I had bought a camera because I found that I was going to unique places because I was traveling for work. And even though our cell phone camera take decent photos – it wasn’t the same. So I invested in a low end Cannon camera. But right around the time I invested in the camera everything shut down for the pandemic. So, much like I did with the video camera, I just took my Cannon camera and started taking photos. I would take solitary trips (to be socially distant) to such places as the beach or the desert, or again, just walking around my neighborhood, and just take photos. Eventually when things started to relax I would shoot photos with my friends. One of my friends was a Whilemina Model and loved our photos so much that he sent them to his friend at a magazine, who published them! I was never expecting that…and now after 3 years I have been on the cover of about 10 different magazines and I have shot with such brands as FILA Tennis and Friar Tux.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I think the best advice I can give is to not expect to be perfect right away….art and creativity is a muscle and it needs to be flexed often. But that is the best part about being creative – the more you do it the better you get. But never let anyone tell you that you cannot do it…because, trust me, you can!
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I am always looking for people to collaborate with. Everyone I work with always tell me how great of a collaborator I am. Each person brings their own unique perception and voice to each project…so we take our collected skills and create something even better. How great is that?! That’s my favorite part about collaborating!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.michaelcoulombe.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmmakermjc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michaelcoulombeLA
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MichaelCoulombe
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MCoulombe
Image Credits
All images belong to me, Michael Coulombe
