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"It's like, you have this fear of being rubbish. The realization is that you have to be rubbish. ... It's going to be rubbish," - Daniel Kalyuua

Hi everyone! Hope all is well and your basking in whatever goodness has come your way. The above is in regard to Daniel Kalyuua discussing co-writing/co-directing his film The Kitchen. It stuck out to me for a few reasons primarily -

Becoming 'Rubbish' Can Be Empowering

As Daniel was grappling with transition in his artistry I'm sure that brought alot of feelings of insecurity, imposter syndrome, all the icky things we deal with. I love how he spun the idea of being rubbish and accepting that comes with the territory can be a superpower. Not kryptonite.

Its a cool mindshift that sparked another idea of mine. About turning my sensitvity into something bold and encouraging!

So let's talk about it!

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CREATIVE MINDSHIFT

POV: Why I'm (Personally) Learning To Not Take Things Personal

"I've learned its not so much about you vs. it happening AT you."

I have a saying I use to stand by - "Its always personal."

This saying was a safe zone for me, it helped me take all those yucky feelings and stuff them in a can.

Yet! As I'm navigating new creative spaces its becoming slightly easier to put personal on the back burner and see things with a new perspective.

See, it's hard not to take things personal because it happened to you.

BUT! When I adopted the mindset that it isn't so much about me vs it at me I move forward with more grace. This isn't to say I don't recongnize offensive moments or register rudeness. But my perception of it has changed. Instead of holding onto my offense as a badge of honor I've gained the insight to let it go.

Even if someone is being cruel, discriminatory, nasty, towards you, they’re acting out of their own ignorance, insecurity, self-hate, and crippling emotion that hasn’t healed yet.

Don't forget on a bad day, we're capable of doing the same.

If your struggling with navigating offense breathe and allow yourself validity to feel those emotions. Then, if/when you are able let the offense pass. Retain your power and maneuver in your day with ease.

While on the topic of navigating sensitivity, When I first began freelancing, showing my portfolio required me to be extremely vulnerable. I only had a few rudimentary shorts to my name and a CV. But the good news is when starting out as a freelancer, that's all you need.

CREATIVE STRATEGY

Building A Freelance Portfolio w/o Prior Experience

"The good news is you have more to build your freelance portfolio with than you think."

It's the work you’ve done in your previous internships. It’s the shorts you made with your friend on the weekend. Its the few social posts you were proud of making. Once I gained confidence in my past works I built a portfolio I was proud of (and am still adding to) and that helped me land my first client.

In my experience, the majority of potential clients are looking for an example, a result, a product to help them visualize how you can help them achieve their goals. If you fear none of your previous works are solid there are spec pieces!

If your looking to build a portfolio with no experience

A. Show what's relevant to the job or client your are pursuing.

B. Create specs for what you don’t have.

Now theres an entire conversation about writing on spec to book a job or publication. To me - that's dealers choice. Just understand if you need to get your foot in the door, a spec piece could be the way to go.

For our Creative Highlight, I wanted to highlight a hidden gem of a film and the incredible lessons I took away from a character who loves warm hugs! But not the one your thinking of :)!

CREATIVE HIGHLIGHT

Lessons From Big Hero 6

I remember I couldn't quite place the vibes when the trailer for Big Hero 6.

Sure, it promised an exciting adventure with loveable characters and a tragic hero (a.k.a. The Disney formula)but it was hard nailing what set it apart.

Well, imagine my surprise when Big Hero 6 delivered heart, laughter, tears and more! Big Hero 6 is like a masterclass in creative lessons for addressing life's tough moments and loss beginning with lesson #1.

Lesson #1 - Being Humble and Changing Your Perspective Will Get You Far

"Humility is vital to our growth."

At the beginning of the film Hiro is a tough cookie. He’s a sharp kid who can outsmart everyone in the room but his arrogance keeps him in trouble. When Tadashi takes Hiro to his "nerd school," (Hiro's words, not mine) he learns the importance of humility and teamwork as a means to achieving his goals.

As a creative I know the importance of being confident in my skills and ability to deliver, but humility is the seed of growth. It keeps us open to learning, trying,and innovating. My practice of humility keeps in a position of nurturing and being a nurturer instead of feeling as if I have to know all the answers every time.

Tadashi’s approach of love and nurturing got Hiro to extend his talents to helping the world instead of dominating it. He also programmed these same traits of love, compassion, and healing onto his successor, who is the heart of lesson #2!

Lesson # 2 - Letting Love Guide You Through The Toughest Time

"Being receptive to love and compassion can be an asset to healing."

What stood out most to me about Baymax's character was his dedication to radical empathy it helping him stick to his core values.

Baymax’s program is literally 'healing coded'. It gave him to ability to be firm in extending his grace and care during Hiro’s tough moments without being pushy or enacting 'toxic positivity.'

Baymax and the Big Hero 6 team helped Hiro navigate loss and grief by extending their love, helping him combat challenges, and sticking it out until the mission was complete. Their interactions inspired me to lead by example and learn the importance of being receptive to love and compassion from others.

I am super prone to shutting people out when I face certain struggles, but I understand the importance of opening myself up to people I trust as an asset to healing.

I want to encourage you that if there’s someone trying to be there for you, let them.

Thanks to Baymax’s determination of Hiro’s well-being he found solutions to problems he wasn’t aware of and gained a family he didn’t think possible.

And! Even when Hiro tried to turn Baymax into a weapon to fuel his revenge, Baymax stayed true to his motivation, leading me to lesson #3!

LESSON # 3 - Being Steadfast In Your Goals Helps You Move Forward

"Remembering your why routes you back to your North Star."

In one of my recent interviews, a hiring manager asked me, “When you bump up against a wall what helps you move forward keeping your momentum.”

I’m going to be honest at first I stumbled for an answer. But then after taking a deep breath, I answered my dedication to reaching my goal (even if its a small part of it) will keep me going.

Baymax reflected this same principle in Big Hero 6. When his back was against a wall, his dedication to providing care and assistance to others kept him moving past failure in unique ways.

As creatives, we’re all capable of losing our way especially as life be “LIFING”.

Remembering the big picture and the why behind my endeavors are what helps me keep going. I know I have to reach this goal because on the other side is someone’s help, tool, resource, or breakthrough.

The same can be applied to any one of us venturing to do something new.

These takeaways from Big Hero 6 can be instrumental in helping us navigate any bumps in the road or challenges as creatives. I'm excited to expound upon them with love and care guiding the way.

That's it for our newsletter! I hope you enjoyed this issue and are indeed satisfied with your care!

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