Do new experiences make us better artists?
Thu, 01/07/2010 - 02:52
I think so.
I've been in O'ahu this past week on vacation. When I first made arrangements to come here a part of me felt guilty... should I be going anywhere with so much work going on at home right now (our film, Lost In Sunshine & Aether Paranormal deal in the making)? But we go on one trip a year, and start to get a little antsy when we plant our butts too long in a chair. My brain starts to get stale.
And boy, I sure am grateful to have had this mind-refreshing opportunity.Being out there was an enlightening experience. It's given me a new respect regarding perspective. Usually I'm focused on trying to change my perspective for the better. But this week has allowed me to understand that simply living changes perspective, too. In other words, quietness and stillness are wonderful necessities of life, but adventure and new experiences are necessities, too. How else will I ever have anything NEW to write about? Most of my 'funnies' are built from that which I've stretched myself, pushed myself to try new things, or even run into difficulties. That's what molds us, and makes us unique.
I think the time spent on this island is even going to help me with being a first-time feature director. If I'm going to be good at anything, I have to be good at balance, tolerance, mental & physical strength, endurance, and the ability to recognize me - when I'm imbalanced, or need to step away from my material or someone. You'd be surprised how much salt water, a beach, and sand can give you, if you let it.
After this week, I could write a bit about Hawaiian culture, courtesy of the Polynesian cultural center. I could write about how locals know we're tourists, where to buy the cheapest pineapple, (Costco, seriously!!) or how perfect a cold coconut can be from a coconut stand off the side of the road in O'ahu. I know what a macadamia nut farm looks like, a traditional Lu'au tastes like (minus the pig meat) and how to boogie board (well, kinda). I know where Obama's million dollar vacation rental house is, what the Island snow ice he's eaten tastes like, what Yogurt Mama means to me, (I heart pink berry) and that there's almost nothing better than walking on the beach at 7:30 in the AM to start the day off right. Oh, and how easily you can start to smell like wet feet if you don't watch it. Island time, baby! I've experienced the massive crashing waves at North Shore, and what a shrimp farm means. I know what shoes to not wear on a hike up Pill Box, but how all the pain is worth it when you finally get to the top, and the strong wind hits your face as you take a bite out of your favorite sandwich. What-A-View.
Point is - us writers/filmmakers/artists are as fresh as our experiences. And our souls are as wide and full as we allow ourselves to travel, whether it be in our minds, or by a plane, train, or automobile.
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