We recently connected with Chara Ho and have shared our conversation below.
Chara, 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?
To keep my creativity alive, I approach it with intentionality and a loose rhythm, structuring the year into different’ ‘chapters’ that allow for both exploration and execution, while avoiding burnout.
1. Embrace Creativity in “Seasons”: I approach my creative process into seasons throughout the year (usually 1-3 month blocks), setting a specific intention for each block.
– Exploration Season: This is when I put more focus on absorbing new experiences and letting inspiration strike organically. Typically, this is when I may take a solo trip to a new country, try a new hobby, or attending community events to meet new people. Since much of my work is inspired by lived experiences, it’s important to be present and actively live life, not just observe it from the sidelines.
– Development Season: In this phase, I focus on building the groudnwork for upcoming projects — creating pitch decks, finding collaborators, refining scripts/treatments. It’s a crucial stage where ideas get refined and ready to take shape.
– Production Season: This is when I’m deep in the execution of the creative ideas — whether it’s filming, photographing, designing, or building. This chapter often entails navigating the nitty gritty logistics of actualizing the project.
2. Cultivate a “Compost Heap” of Ideas: My brain can sometimes feel like a junkyard of thoughts and ideas — scattered, messy, and chaotic. What helped me achieve more clarity was imagining that place in my brain as a compost heap, as opposed to a junkyard.
Instead of discarding seemingly silly/bad ‘garbage ideas’, I’d jot down everything that comes to mind, knowing one of those things may one day grow into something meaningful later.
You never know what can cultivate over time — your ideas can evolve as you do as well, shaping them into what they’re meant to be.
3. Shake Up My Comfort Zone Creativity thrives when I step out of the familiar. Whether it’s traveling, learning a new skill, or talking to people outside my usual circle, I love trying new things to help me see the world from different perspectives and keep my inner child alive. It’s so important to let yourself play and experiment without fear of failure or judgement.
Overall, I think having no expectations is what helps me keep creativity alive. It comes when it wants to, and you just have to flow with it. Be ready for it and embrace it when it comes. You don’t always have to be ‘on’ or creating.
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?
Hi! I’m Chara (pronounced “care-ah”), a filmmaker, photographer, and digital artist based in Toronto. I’m also the co-founder of Zesty Nobody Studios, a boutique production company dedicated to telling diverse stories with authenticity and nuance. Our body of work spans narrative originals and branded content across various mediums including film, digital media, and interactive/immersive experiences.
My artistic practice explores themes of identity, belonging, and healing within the context of the Asian diaspora. I’m passionate about creating stories that uplift community and culture, and I strive to contributing to meaningful representation of historically undeserved and overlooked voices. I’m excited to push the boundaries of storytelling by blending mediums to sharing new stories in ways we haven’t seen before.
My recent work includes Crane: The Immersive Experience, an interactive and multimedia story experience about healing generational differences. I’ve also worked on several independent short films as a writer, director, and producer and am currently developing and in production on several narrative projects.
Outside of my creative work, I’m passionate about giving back to the community through education. I lead workshops that empower the next generation of storytellers, especially those from underserved and underrepresented communities, helping them navigate a creative career.
Outside of work, you’ll often find me doodling in a coffee shop, wandering through art galleries, or traveling—especially when it means getting lost on purpose.
At the heart of everything I do, I believe that the most personal stories are often the most universal. I believe in the power of storytelling to heal, inspire, and help people see the world through new perspectives.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Adaptability and Flexibility
In the creative world, you have to be ready to wear multiple hats. This means stepping outside your main niche and embracing the “side quests” — whether it’s learning a new skill, taking on a different role, or diving into areas of production you never thought you’d touch. Each experience gives you a deeper understanding of different processes and perspectives. The more adaptable you are, the more opportunities you create for yourself. For those starting out, my advice is to stay curious and never be afraid to learn something new. Embrace being uncomfortable because it’s in those moments that you’ll grow the most.
2. Learning to Accept Rejection
Rejection is an inevitable part of the journey, and it’s something you have to get comfortable with. You’ll hear “no” far more often than “yes,” but each rejection brings you closer to the next opportunity. The key is to keep putting yourself out there. Every “no” is a lesson and a step forward.
3. A Collaborative Spirit
No one succeeds alone. Your community and connections are everything in this industry. Find your people — those who will have your back, and in turn, you’ll have theirs. Collaboration with other creatives opens the door to new ideas, fresh perspectives, and shared growth. Always stay open, be kind, and approach every collaboration with genuine enthusiasm. My advice here is to nurture your relationships. The more you collaborate, the more you’ll learn, and together, you’ll rise.
My overall advice is something I wish I knew when I started: start before you’re ready. Don’t wait to feel ready — learn as you go and as you ‘do the thing’. You’ll learn much faster and get a lot further by taking action (even if you make mistakes).
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Absolutely! I’m always looking to connect with creatives of any kind, and also especially producers, writers, actors, cinematographers as we’re developing our upcoming film projects. I love partnering with folks who are down for partnerships were we grow together and support each other through the journey—people who want to grow, play, learn, and explore together.
If you’re interested in collaborating, feel free to reach out via Instagram (@uncharsmatic) or email me at [email protected]. Even a quick hello is always welcome!
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.charaho.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncharasmatic/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charaho/
- Other: http://zestynobody.com/
Image Credits
File CR6_8575 (Chara in red jacket holding director’s monitor): By Eli Meadow
All other photos: By Chara Ho
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
