We recently connected with James Parker and have shared our conversation below.
James, so happy to have you with us today. You are such a creative person, but have you ever head any sort of creativity block along the way? If so, can you talk to us about how you overcame or beat it?
The creative process is a wild ride. A uniquely fluid, emotional journey on one hand. And a systemized, logical one on the other. From inspiration to generation to expression, creating is an art and science that feeds our souls in ways difficult to define. It’s an outlet, a means to explore, and a great tool to channel connection. At times, the flow of ideas is abundant. And at others, the flow feels totally unavailable. When the words or ideas seem to be out of reach, here are some strategies that have worked well when trying to overcome creative block.
First, I start with nature. For me, that often looks like a walk around the block listening to the birds and allowing myself to see the magnificence in the ordinary. Marvelling at a flower, noticing the patterns of the clouds, or just taking a deep breath. It’s a distraction from the creative problem I’m trying to solve, and inspiration to open new pathways of thought.
Another strategy I use to navigate creative blocks is seeking inspiration from art that is in a different lane from whatever it is I’m working on. I tend to experience creative blocks in my career most often in writing, storyboarding, and editing. When I’m in deep on a film project and get stuck, I’ll put on some music and get lost in it. Or visit a museum where I can ignite my imagination. Often I’ll come back to whatever problem I was stuck on with a new sense of openness and inspiration.
My third approach when faced with a creative block is to try and connect with a sense of play. I let ideas flow in and out with judgement, and explore. I let my guard down and embrace the role of listener to my mind.
Creative blocks may be the root of much frustration, delay, and even agony, but they are also a wonderful opportunity for us to dive more deeply into ourselves and our imaginations to unlock new depths of emotionality and connectedness.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Sure! I’m an independent filmmaker and own a boutique production company HQ’d in South Park, San Diego. I mostly work on documentary style content for networks and brands, and am focusing more and more on independent film.
I’m passionate about exploring the space in between the lines, and how storytelling can change lives. My work has been featured in international film festivals with broadcast on major cable and network television and I’ve had the privilege of capturing stories in Singapore, Botswana, Peru, India, Sri Lanka, the UK, and across the United States. My recent film OTHER SIDE OF THE HILL received an Emmy nom after premiering on CBS television helping to bridge divides around climate change.
I’m excited about our upcoming slate of projects and look forward to sharing more soon!
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?
Creatively, I think the three most important areas to focus on are technical chops, storytelling ability, and judgement of material.
Any successful creative must become a student of the technique required in their discipline. Whether it’s the foundational principals of cinematography, proper sentence structure, or how to edit a scene, the ability to execute on your creativity is essential.
Second, one must understand that storytelling is at the center of any communication. It can be highly emotional information we’re trying to communicate, or highly technical, but both require the ability to structure and organize information in a way that takes shape in our minds. Storytelling ability in all its forms is critical for the successful creative.
And lastly, honing in on your judgement of material is key. In other words, building your eye to understand what will resonate with particular audiences and why. Whether you’re working as a commercial creative or an indie artist, the ability to put yourself in the audience’s shoes and experience ideas and creative works from a variety of perspectives will greatly improve your effectiveness and depth.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
Many books have been influential in my life, but if I may, I’d like to point to a documentary that has really stuck with me and continues to shape my artistic pursuits. The UP SERIES by Michael Apted is a series of doc films beginning in the 60’s that follows a group of seven year olds from across England with a simple question; can you tell a person by the age of seven? Every seven years the filmmaker would return to profile that same cast of characters and release a new film with a title corresponding to the characters ages. The result, a truly miraculous piece of filmmaking that transcends time and affords the viewer a chance to observe life from an entirely unique perspective. In the later films of the series, you can watch a person share an idea as a seven year old, and cut immediately to their teen, adult, and late life self reflecting on the very same thought. I find the work to be magical, and a deeply moving portrait of the human condition. I highly recommend!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.synchronous.tv
- Instagram: @synchronous.tv
Image Credits
@developedbydre
