Lacking in inspiration this January? Let’s explore some ways you can fuel your creativity…

‘Dream Scenario’ 2023

Are you a budding actor embarking on your long yet exhilarating journey through the Film and TV industry? Have you experienced any challenges that might be getting you down? Or maybe just finding that the cold, grey weather is blocking your creativity and motivation? If this sounds like you, you’re not alone. The best way to keep going when you hit bumps in the road is to find sources of inspiration, giving you fuel to keep going when times get hard and pushing you towards your end goal of seeing your lovely face on the big screen!


In this blog, I am going to share techniques the greats have used to become the household names they are today, as well as things I engage with when the river of ideas runs dry.


Engage in all forms of media


As an actor, you might think that watching all the classic films and new TV shows would be enough to inspire your performances, however you shouldn’t just focus on the screen to find inspiration as there’s only so much you can learn from one medium that is only a century old. Looking at other sources can open you eyes up to how different stories can be told, informing your performances.


Websites


‘The New York Times’ - Arts https://www.nytimes.com/international/section/arts


A site to see an international view of what’s going on in the current world of art is ‘The New York Times’ Arts section. Staying on top of the international art scene can help fuel your creativity, exposing you to ideas from all four corners of the globe, whilst also keeping you informed of what’s being made today and what kind of characters are excelling in the ever changing media landscape.


Tetragrammaton - https://www.tetragrammaton.com/home


This is less of a website and more of an online art gallery from the brilliant mind of Rick Rubin. For those who don’t know, Rick Rubin is one of the most successful American music producers, producing albums for Lady Gaga to Metallica. Tetragrammaton is derived from Rubin’s podcast of the same name where he interviews a range of creatives. The site, on the other hand, is a curated online space that showcases art, music, films, and other artifacts and a great space to observe and consume art without bias.


Acting specific sites like Spotlight and Backstage


Back to an industry-focused site, some fantastic websites for actors to take a look at are Backstage and Spotlight, where you can find what kind of jobs are available out there, industry updates and what’s casting now so you can practice making audition tapes for the roles you would like to be cast for.


Actor websites


Whose your favourite actor? What do they do that makes you so captivated by them? Research them. What do they do to get into character, how do they push past rejections and where do they turn to get inspired? One day, you will be just like them and help the you’s of tomorrow work towards their dreams.


Books


‘Quiet’ by Susan Cain - about (how relate to acting?)


This book explores the value in introversion and how it can be a vital skill in unlocking creativity and success in a world that typically places more importance on extraversion. As some of the best actors are surprisingly introverted, it is interesting to learn the different beneficial traits gifted by introversion and what can be learnt from this as a budding actor.


‘The Creative Act: A Way of Being’ by Rick Rubin


I know what you’re thinking, another Rick Rubin mention?! As he is arguably one of the most successful and creative individuals out there today, it’s worth taking a deep dive into his work and ideas on creativity to see what can be learnt from his thought process and see what ideas his words can inspire in you.


Podcasts


‘How to fail’ by Elizabeth Day


Knowing that everyone fails, that you too will fail at some things and how to cope with that is essential as an actor. Elizabeth Day’s podcast explores the idea of failure by interviewing a range of different people from actors to sports men and women, learning their failures, what it taught them and how to succeed better.


‘A Beautiful Anarchy’ by David duChemin


If you’re shorter on time, duChemin’s 15-minute podcasts explore the trials and tribulations of life as a creative and aims to provide inspiration to those who crave to create. Listening to this podcast whilst on a walk can help you absorb interesting points and instantly apply what you hear.


Videos


‘Give yourself permission to be creative’ - Ethan Hawke for TED
A video I always find myself coming back to when I am lacking in inspiration is Ethan Hawke’s TED talk. He beautifully uses anecdotes from his life to relate and motivate to an audience of struggling creatives, leaving you with an inspiring instruction to make your own path and not be afraid to ‘play to fool’.


Stay mindful


Now your brain is full of creativity, take a moment of peace. Go on a walk in nature. Enjoy the simplicity of breathing, listening, watching the world around you. Give the ideas space to grow.


Another way to can process your creativity and encourage ideas to flow is to journal. This can help you bring your ideas into the world, without editing or judging. It is also great practice for actors to help develop self-awareness, foster originality and improve memory retention.


Putting this into Practice


So what small step can you take right now to help you keep moving towards your dreams? Obviously, taking IPM’s amazing acting classes are a great place to start to help you practice your acting and allow you to explore different ideas. After this, choose something to read, watch or do that has been explored in this blog and see how you feel afterwards. Even the smallest steps are carrying you towards where you want to be, keep going no matter how many challenges you face.


I will leave you with this quote from Rick Rubin’s book ‘The Creative Act: A Way of Being’ to inspire you to keep pushing through the months to come:


“A river of material flows through us. When we share our works and our ideas, they are replenished. If we block the flow by holding them all inside, the river cannot run and new ideas are slow to appear. In the abundant mindset, the river never runs dry. Ideas are always coming through. And an artist is free to release them with the faith that more will arrive. The recognition of abundance fills us with hope that our brightest ideas still await us and our greatest work is yet to come. We are able to live in an energized state of creative momentum, free to make things, let them go make the next thing, and let it go. With each chapter we make, we gain experience, improve at our craft, and inch closer to who we are.” 


-Rick Rubin, American Record Producer

Author

Olivia Jackson