Ways to obtain ideas

Have you ever had to come up with an idea but ended up just sitting staring at your computer screen for what seems like hours?  If you have please check out this link and search for "14 Ways to get Breakthrough Ideas": changethis.com.  In this article Ditkoff describes the two types of approaches in discovering new ideas, the Eastern and Western approach.  Eastern states: I am, therefore I think, when the Western method states: I think, therefore I am.  The Eastern approach is a more creative method focussing on intuitive knowing.  The Western approach is most used by business professionals which highlights thinking as an individual.

One suggestion Ditkoff gives is to follow your fascination.  I think this is a great tip because if you are working with something that really interests you you will delve more deeply into the subject.  Also, your topic will hold your attention much longer because you are actually enjoying what you are researching and learning.  As an artist, I really enjoy hip hop music.  I can use this love for music in my own creations by making documentaries about the past, present and future of this genre.  I agree with this prompt because I feel like I could make a much better piece about hip hop music rather than something I have no interest in such as polka or opera.  

Ditkoff uses the term immerse to prompt the reader in his article.  Immersion is defined as "the act of being completely involved or absorbed in something".  Although I respect Ditkoff, this method would not work for me.  When creating a film I like to draw from many different influences, because it gives my work more variety and appeals to a larger group.  It is good to be focused, but you do not want to be so absorbed in one thing that you miss something that could have drastically improved your creation.  This leads to very flat, bland and one sided finished products.

Another impressive technique is the method of "making new connections".  This describes the combination of subjects to make something new.  In Ditkoff's article he describes this topic through examples like, "MTV being nothing more than the connection between music and television".  Using this technique will lead to original and innovative ideas I can use in my own personal media creations.  Also, if you are bringing something to the table nobody has ever seen it will make you a more memorable person and open up more possibilities for your career.

In prompt one Ditkoff asks the questions "What new idea is fascinating you?  What new possibility has captured your attention?  In what ways can you honor this inspiration today?"  Lately I have began to become very interested in the art of DJing, mixing music, creating music and scratching.  I have also been communicating with a disc jockey at Ohio University to gain knowledge about his abilities and techniques.  I want to take the idea of rewinding music by moving the record and apply it to video.  My goal is to make a piece about a DJ actually rewinding reality by by scratching and mixing music.

Who am I as a creative person?

When creating a piece of work I try to be as creative as possible.  I focus on trying to see the subject in a different sight than it is perceived originally.  I am influenced by artists who are doing things that have never been done before; one would call these people innovators.  I like the newness and the fresh approach these people take when tackling their expertise.

The first artist i have chosen is an up and coming hip hop artist from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania who goes by the stage name Wiz Khalifa.  He has not only made great music, but organized a whole revolution of followers commonly known as "Taylor Gang".  Observe the photo below of a concert he held in New York and notice the excitement and loyalty of his fans.

Khalifa is giving kids, who did not use to feel heard, a voice through his lyrics.   He is doing new things in the music industry by not signing with a leading record label, but instead taking an alternative route as an independent artist from Rostrum Records.  He is not just a musician but also a performer.  The video below is a concert he held at Ohio University, watch how active he is and his energy in connecting with the crowd. Also, note his tension and release by how he goes to different parts of the stage and the audacity of his movements.

Wiz brings a fresh and unique style all his own to the music industry, which I greatly admire.  These are some qualities I hope to bring to my own works of art.

Another professional whom I admire is Michel Gondry.  He has a very impressive collection of films he has directed including "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" and "The Green Hornet".  He has also directed numerous music videos, one of which is "Around the World" by Daft Punk.  This video is one of the most original and creative productions I have ever seen.  There is a unique character for each sound portrayed in the song and put against the black background the contrast is great.  Also, the affinity of all the characters give the video a very uniform look.  It is amazing that he can create such a masterpiece in such a limited amount of space.  Below is the video in its entirety.