I know I'm a little late to the game here but have you guys seen Being Elmo yet? It's a documentary film following Kevin Clash through his career as a puppeteer. It's a simple story of doing what you love and success will follow but I had a few "ah-ha" moments that just about brought tears (okay, totally brought tears) to my eyes as I was watching this film.
1. DREAM SMALL
Everyone always says to "dream big" and have goals of world domination. But it's not attainable nor is it sustainable. This film hammered in the fact that if you narrow your focus and find your niche you'll have a much greater impact than if you try to be everything to everyone. If you first have an obsession with mastering your specific craft, like Kevin Clash does with puppeteering, only then might you be able to then dominate the world, like Clash has done with Elmo.
2. DO WHAT YOU LOVE (but what do you really love?)
In the film Kevin Clash tells a story of making his first puppet out of one of his dad's fur-lined coats. He was so passionate and overcome with vision and inspiration that he couldn't NOT cut up his dad's coat and turn it into a monkey puppet. So for me - I love the idea of designing typography. Spending my days drawing fonts. But if this is what I really loved I would already be doing it. This film made me take a step back and really evaluate what I'm already doing that sets me on fire. Not what I would love to be doing if only I had chosen a different major in college / I had started dancing when I was 5 / I had more time ...
3. CREATION OVER CONSUMPTION
Sometimes it's so easy to consume rather than create. It's so easy to browse, pin, right-click-save and add to cart. Our world is set up so that to consumption is the path of least resistance. This film was a good reminder that being a creator is not always easy but it is valuable and it is essential. Being Elmo got me thinking of ways in which I can be more creative and ways in which I can be more supportive to others in their creativity.
What do you think? Have you seen this film? Any thoughts you'd like to add?
I watched the movie a couple weeks ago and then obsessively watched Kevin Clash interviews on youtube. I think it's a really amazing story as well.
ReplyDeleteI really love the second item you took from his story though. I've been thinking a lot about those things that I 'wish I were doing' and ignoring that there are so many things that I do now that I love. I should be focusing less on what 'could have been' and more on my current passions.
I am head-over-heels for this documentary. I've always been a huge Jim Henson/Muppets fan, but I loved seeing the perspective of one of the "lesser known" Muppeteers.
ReplyDelete"Sesame Street" is such a wonderful and empowering show for children, and I always appreciate media that brings this to light.
I think what struck me most about Kevin is his unadulterated passion, and his perseverance to act on it. I hope that one day I can find a way to act on my passions with the same dedication as Kevin.
I watched this the other day! Thanks for suggesting. I was crying immediately, and throughout. I found it heart-felt and so inspiring.
ReplyDeleteI took sort of a different route. I regretted not going into environment science when I was in school, so in order to get my foot in the door I got an office job for a nature group. Turns out I love it just as much, and my boss allows me to go on field days with the conservation team anyway, so I get the best of both worlds.
ReplyDeleteHey Kathleen!
ReplyDeleteI've been following your blog for a while but this is my first comment!!! The last point really got me. I've been consuming a lot recently. Reading/ or really skimming blogs/ looking at photography (my passion) and not creating. I know it is a problem but its hard to do something about it. I'm taking the camera out tomorrow :)
Thanks
Taylor
I watched this movie about 2 months ago and it was wonderful! I cried nearly the whole time! What is it about this movie that makes everyone cry? Kevin is SO inspiring! How cool is he? I mean, this man IS elmo! AMAZING! Truly a gifted man. I could go on and on...
ReplyDeleteI loved "Being Elmo" too and also found it driving me to produce more of my own content right now - and loved Kevin's small dream come true.
ReplyDeleteI think it's definitely true it's easier to succeed with a more niche end goal, but it is putting pressure on young people to specialize really early. Not necessarily a bad thing, but definitely interesting and often at a high price - school just keeps getting more expensive. It seems like there are fewer and fewer people passing down trades, since the digital age puts so much training at our fingertips. Aaand rambling.
Taylor - thanks for joining the conversation! Feel free to jump in with your comments any time. I'm glad you're picking up your camera this weekend - I'll be sure to do the same!
ReplyDeleteSofia - That kind of passion is moving, right?!
Rory - Good point. I guess in the instance of Kevin Clash puppeteering was something he became obsessed with at a very early age. The same could be said for lots of performers.
But I don't want to discredit the value in exploration - in casting your net wide to discover what you love.
"This film made me take a step back and really evaluate what I'm already doing that sets me on fire. Not what I would love to be doing if only I had chosen a different major in college / I had started dancing when I was 5 / I had more time ..."
ReplyDeleteThat. Right there. I've spent many days, weeks, years trying to figure out what my "passion" is. And I've wanted that passion to somehow define me as a person. I expected the discovery of that passion to lead to a "purpose". This mind suck is exhausting, but i think i'm starting to be better at taking a step back and looking at myself as a whole.
I read his book and loved this film. I worked as a camp counselor and we had nicknames that we went by the entire summer. Our campers didn't even know our names. My name was Elmo. I have always been inspired by Elmos curiosity and passion for life. After reading Kevins book and watching the documentary, it was easy to see that Elmo is Kevin, and Kevin is Elmo. His passion for doing what he loves always enters my mind as I sit down to draw. I remember that I draw because I love to do it, because I get lost in my own world, because it is my antidepressant, my escape, and I don't do it for fame or money, but because its a part of me. Words cannot describe what I feel as I create. Kevin is the perfect example for anyone who has a dream. Now here is some wine with that cheese. Enjoy :)
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