We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Brian Knight. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Brian below.
Hi Brian, thank you so much for making time for us today. Let’s jump right into a question so many in our community are looking for answers to – how to overcome creativity blocks, writer’s block, etc. We’d love to hear your thoughts or any advice you might have.
Creative Block is a feedback loop that spirals up from the second chakra and tracks down into purgatorial madness. Is this hyperbole? Not if you’ve really thought about it. I mean really thought… Too much… About it…
Stephen King, one of the prolific writers in modern history, has spoken about artists’ need for consistency. “I have a routine because I think that writing is self-hypnosis.” But what does it say when days, weeks, months, God forbid years of routine net the same punishing stasis? When you feel that self-actualized version of yourself slipping away, that loop of self-critique and doubt working its way into your soul, telling you to just stick to your impassionate job that pays the bills and doesn’t doesn’t break your heart? Listen, and you’re on your way to safety. Comfort. Relieved of neurosis, the dream will take its merciful last breath, and you’ll net the worst result of all: Regret.
F*ck that. Right? Now that you’ve thought about it altogether too much, the stakes are higher than you realized when you first decided you had to express yourself. And they really are. It sounds ludicrous, but the choice is create or die. Write that script, record that album, or step up to the cancer cafe and order whatever’s on special. Because there’s no free passes through life. One way or another, you’re going to extract that pain. It’s either the hard way or the hard way.
Now that we’re sufficiently motivated to find that elusive hypnotic state, come hell or high water, it’s time to break the routine. Because missing from that clean Stephen King quote is that he, too, has been blocked for months on end. That he changes directions, goes on hikes, gets hit by the occasional car. Not to say we should all run out into traffic after a fruitless session or two, but the point is, to break the loop requires a hard shift. And not a long break. That’s the easy shift. Remember where that leads.
A hard shift, for me, is typically a solo trip to somewhere unfamiliar. Foreign country or foreign coffee shop, doesn’t matter. New scenery and stimuli require the body and brain to orient, working muscles that atrophy in the routine. Those muscles pump fresh oxygen to the ones that need inspiration to kick you out of self-analysis and into the flow state. And once that second chakra is activated, make hay. Because it’s only a matter of time until life intervenes, derails, and sends you back to the doldrums. And just like in the Phantom Tollbooth, that place wants to convince you to stay. Get up and go the other way.
Could this have been a three word, “Do something different,” answer? Not if I wanted to break the loop…
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?
My name is Brian Knight. I’m an experienced wanderer, a born storyteller and a burgeoning healer. The alchemy in this brew is working to provide so much, as a means to give it all back. I don’t have a brand. I don’t have followers. I love to write and relish the insane challenge of translating words into cinema. With the help of so many gifted people and an abundance of love, my first of many feature films will be pulled into existence this year.
Titled “Pantoum for the Wandering Soul,” it is a coming-of-age, youth culture story that explores the unexpected ways in which our childhood traumas unfold into the miracles of our lives.
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?
To all young filmmakers!
1. STORY, first, last and always. No matter how great you become at lighting, framing, blocking, FX, etc, if your aim is to make cinema, you will go only so far as your storytelling ability can. Great narrative can make up for less than great production value. Conversely, all the technical competency in the world can’t help a shit story.
2. Familiarize yourself with the business realities of the industry. In an over-saturated market in which the ability to produce film has greatly increased, the misunderstanding is that it’s now easier than ever to break in. But whereas a lack of available technology and resources used to be a barrier to entry that prevented the inexperienced from making films that would have otherwise ruined their career, now anyone can pick up a camera, take an undeveloped concept and torch any chance of future investment in their work. So don’t be in a rush. Don’t fall in love with an idea for the sake of relevance or wit. Trust that your obscurity is gifting you time to mature into the craft. Part of that maturation is creative, but the other, just as important, is strategic.
3. Spiritually speaking, we’re drawn to tell specific stories that extract the universal emotional conditions in our experience. So, the deeper you go into your heart and psyche, the more authentic your work can be, and the more resonant its potential. To seriously pursue storytelling, one needs to be just as serious in their self-exploration. There are so many ways to do this. Some pleasant, some painful. Embrace both sides. And don’t give up.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
When people ask about my work, they often preface by saying, “if you can talk about it.” When it comes to indie film, you need to talk about it! Eyes and ears and emotions moved are the goal. Whether you’re just getting your feet wet or fully submersed in this game, anyone who’s interested in being a part of the village that it takes to make and distribute cinema, reach out.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Nikita Artinian – https://www.nikitaartinian.com Ricardo Diaz – https://www.rickdiazdp.com
