We were lucky to catch up with Bo Barrett recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Bo, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
Being an artist is a funny thing. You do it because you know you have to. And fuck is it fulfilling when you can get out of your own way. Hopefully somewhere along the way someone gives you some encouragement that you show some promise. You’re not crazy, your work is good. More likely, and if you’re me, first you get the opposite.
A music teacher in high school told me to replace myself as lead singer of my band. “Maybe get a new singer and you guys could be pretty good” she said to my face. What an absolutely insane thing to say to a 15 year old who’s just vulnerably shown you their art. I wasn’t asking for feedback, to be clear. So why would someone say such a thing? She had imposter syndrome. She was projecting her feelings about her own artistic abilities onto me. Some 25 years later, I’m still working to overcome that single comment. And I’ve been well aware for a long time that it was just a comment based solely on her own shit.
I am not alone. In my journey as a director, I’ve been rejected more times than any non artist would ever understand. But that’s part of the gig. And even getting to that point was a decade long fight against my own resistance to jump off the cliff and go after my artistic pursuits as a career.
Since that fateful day in 10th grade I’ve vulnerably let people into my creative space thousands of times in so many different ways. Now I expect the rejection. I expect the projection. Because I’ve learned one simple thing.
We all have imposter syndrome. And it’s not going anywhere. I re-wrote this answer because I didn’t think anyone would give a shit about my first one. But I didn’t quit, that’s what’s important.
I’ll send this off and think it’s shit 20 minutes later, but for just enough time to get it done, to express myself, I’ll tell my imposter syndrome to fuck off with hopes this reaches someone who needs to hear it today.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’m a director, mainly commercials. I tell deeply human stories that are sometimes funny and sometimes sad, but always honest. I like to collaborate with other creatives which is what I love about commercials. It’s not usually my idea. I’m tasked with bringing the humanity to someone else’s idea.
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?
Resilience. Resilience. Resilience.
Trusting my instincts and my gut were and are key to any success I’ve had. And getting out of my own way to be able to do so.
And understanding people. I was an actor for a long time which obviously helps with getting great performances. But that also helped me to understand people and how fragile we all are.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I’m always looking for new people to collaborate with. Agency folks and brand creatives of course.
But also, actors, DP’s ,Production Designers, Producers, Editors, Wardrobe and really anyone who wants to make anything.
Shoot me an email: bobarrett4@gmail.com
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bobarrett.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobarrett/#
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobarrett4/
Image Credits
N/A
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