We were lucky to catch up with Courtney Sell recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Courtney, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
First off, thank you so much for asking me to do this interview. I hope my contribution will help and inspire others! It’s an honor. In regards to resilience, it’s pretty obvious that life is difficult for all of us – that’s an understatement. We go through all the ups and downs and sometimes the downs can lead us astray rather quickly. It’s easier to fall than to remain standing a lot of times I’ve discovered. However, after a while, I think our true Self finally catches on, like an almost defeated fighter in the ring who finally musters up the strength to defeat their opponent.
Personally, my early life was filled with various difficulties that range from struggling with personal issues, mental health issues such as anxiety and depression and watching my Father pass away at an early age from cancer. My Mother is extremely strong and always taught me to hold up no matter what. Many times though, I have slipped. But always seem to walk away from those trip ups stronger and more inspired than ever.
My career as an independent Filmmaker has helped tremendously as well. I would fight for any one of my films, for the most part. And even when times get incredibly tough, I always know in the back of my mind that I have more films to be made and if I gave up, I would lose out on my dreams. I credit my intense creative drive and gift of being able to gain inspiration from mostly anywhere as a huge part of where I get resilience from.
Bad reviews, personal issues, financial struggles, all of that takes back seat once I get even just a hint of creative inspiration and then there is no stopping me.
I think to anyone struggling in any form, my advice to them would be, and I know I’m no expert, but have simply gone through it and continue to go through it is, find what you love, whether it be gardening, music, writing, reading, really anything and dive head first into whatever it is that it may be. Once you find that love, you’ll gain all the strength and resilience you will ever need.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Well, as a a Filmmaker, I aim to create Documentaries that inspire and educate. I’ve certainly gone through many stages in my early years as an independent Filmmaker, creating all sorts of work in various genres, but as I got older and have been through a lot, I realized that I wanted to utilize my talents and gifts to create work that will bring something positive to both the viewer and hopefully in a bigger realm, the world. Most of my recent films deal with esoteric and mystical ideas, theories and philosophies such as the healing power of sound and music, the spiritual history of Hollywood and Beachwood Canyon and most recently, the topic of Egregores – or collective consciousness. I’ve been so blessed to have had the opportunity to collaborate with some of my heroes including some of my favorite Writers, Musicians, Filmmakers, Artists and Poets in bringing these ideas to the screen. I’ve always kind of been a lone wolf when it comes down to the film world, usually working outside the box and for the most part, outside of the studio system entirely. Though if they ever wanted me, I’d love that!
Currently, I am honored to announce my upcoming film “Breaking the Egregore” which I Co-Directed with one of my best friends, the acclaimed Writer and Artist Maja D’Aoust. The film documents and explores the little known esoteric idea of Egregores, which some believe could even be Angels watching over us and it features some of the most incredible individuals in it such as Mitch Horowitz, Gary Lachman, Isabel Sandoval and many others. Additionally, I have had the honor to contribute visual work to accompany the brilliant music of the always so inspiring Zeena Schreck for her recent album “Transcend”. Zeena is a Genius and to have the opportunity to have an on-going collaboration with her has been a blessing and such a positive moment in my life. I feel truly blessed to be here doing what I love to do with people I admire so deeply.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
As I stated earlier, I think the discovery of finding what you love to do in a positive and creative manner is a great advantage for anyone to have. Once that can be found, it helps build up confidence and grow tougher skin. Like being lost in a painting you may be working on, or editing a film you just completed – nothing can ever affect you negatively while in the act of creating. You are in that zone and it’s beautiful.
Another quality that I find deeply important is to not take life too seriously. There is humor in almost everything, so try to find that. I admit, I occasionally will find myself falling back into that serious side, which is good and necessary at times, but it’s always healthy to laugh at the hilariousness that this world can offer. A good sense of humor is one of the greatest traits anyone could ever have.
Third, just don’t give up. I’ve tried multiple times to do so in the past after feeling so defeated by rejection letters, financial issues, whatever – but even after a few weeks, the urge to continue on was too strong. Find that urge and just keep pushing forward. It is basic advice yes, but I feel like it can’t be repeated enough.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
They taught me the lessons I hope I am now imparting to the reader in this interview.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.courtneysellfilms.com
- Instagram: @courtney_sell_films
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneysellfilms100/
Image Credits
All photos are mine.
