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.