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The final installment on our month long series focusing
on “the Creative Process” featured in weekly installments to help creative business owners-
CONCEPTION: By combining our identity, inspiration
and vision, committing our intention, and creating a design, model, or outline
to form our creative expression. Our idea’s are conceived
and in this mix of idea’s and intentions a creative “baby” given life-it may be
expressed in acting, or in a new song, new item in your merchandise line, or
exploring a new creative genre, like painting, fashion design, or ??? your
imagination is limitless!
CONSUMPTION: Once we have gone through all these
steps to put our creative babies out into the world then what? We want everyone to love our babies as
much as we do! We dream of the
masses loving what we have created, and imagine thousands, even millions of
copies of our “creative babies” to be in the hands and hearts of “our people”.
WHAT’S NEXT? At the end of every cycle stop and
review. Every process and step in
that process is filled with learning opportunities, keep what works, and don't repeat the same mistakes again,
as artists we
have a duty to ourselves to diligently work at evolving and improving our craft.
Are their any
steps in the creative process that you feel you need to clarify or develop
further? If you look at your
creative pyramid, if you are not starting with a strong sense of identity and
how you relate to your market, it will have a direct impact on everything you
hope to build upon.
Let’s step away from the pyramids and charts and look at
actual example of the creative process in work with a local San Francisco bay area artist named
Nkechi (pronounced N-Kay-Chee) an artist, having worked as a actor,
singer/songwriter/ model, she is now exploring painting as part of her creative
journey. I sat down with
Nkechi after her audition for the
X-Factor to discuss her evolution as a artist, The journey of accepting herself as a creative, and what it
was like going through the audition
for a Network Television show.
(TE)How did your background help you prepare for an open
casting call event?
(N)-As an actor and model I am used to the “waiting” part of
long auditions.
(TE)What was your inspiration for auditioning for the X
Factor?
(N)My sister suggested it. And then I decided to highlight the
obvious. I believe every individual is a unique creation of God, which I
translate to mean we are all God’s X Factors in our own lives.
(TE)Do you set goals for yourself as a artist or as part of
your creative business?
(N)Before this year, (2012) not so much. This year, very much
so.
(TE)Was auditioning for a network television show one of
your goals?
(N)Being on a network television show by 2015 is one of my
goals.
(TE)How did your background help you prepare for an open
casting call event?
(N)I am used to riding the feelings of anticipation that build
up before an audition when you are really going for something with all you are.
(TE)Let’s take a look behind the scenes at you rehersing
before your audition:http://youtu.be/qqthLzo0JbM
(TE)Were there any surprises during the audition process?(N)I was surprised to see how many fellow local bay area artists were there to go for it as well. I love San Francisco as a (creative) community.
(TE)Can you tell us briefly the steps in this type of audition
process?
(N)In a snapshot it is a cattle call. We were at the cow palace
after all! But in a way you are “just a number” assigned to a seat and then you
hope that your mini performance plus a big dose of providence enable you
to stand out enough to get called back.
(TE)How much preparation did you do to prepare for your
audition? A few days.
(N) I did as well as could be expected for someone like
me. An original artist developing my sound and figuring out how much I
feel called to make music. I sang a medley of “Tonight” by fun and Amazing
Grace. After not making it to round 2 I did a little second guessing as
to whether I should have gone for an original but I shook that off and made a
decision on steps to take in approaching a future opportunity.
(TE)What would you have done differantly ?
(N)I would have gotten a coach familiar with X Factor for help
to make sure I was presenting the truest expression of my artistic voice.
(TE) What did you learn from this process?
(N)I got inspired in a bigger way than before. I learned
that my purpose has always involved being an entertainer although I’ve doubted
this for most of my life.
(TE)What advice would you give young singers attempting a big
goal? (N)-Pace yourself
and enjoy the process. Where you start as an artist may not be where you
end up, but as long as you are expressing your true essence you will be a
winner. "Pursue your art! Whatever it is. If you want to sing, then
sing! If you want to paint, paint".
(TE) I have watched you fearlessly and enthusiastically
explore a variety of creative genres, acting, singing, and writing. Have you
always accepted yourself as a artist?
(N)I seem to have finally come to peace now with who I am and how I
am made. I am a beautiful child of God, and so are you. After much pain,
life experience and a quasi identity crisis I have come accept God’s purpose
for me in sharing his love through music and art. Music and art moves people
and helps people get through life experiences they don’t have words for.
I appreciate this now and want to give back what I have been given. I
pray that my music will stir people in the way others’ music has moved
me. I am a work in progress, but knowing this now has added tremendous
peace to my life.
(TE) Nkechi, thanks for sharing
your journey and evolution through the creative process as a artist! We wish you the best success going forward, and sharing your inspiration with our
readers!
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Tamra Engle is a independent Business Strategist, Producer, Speaker and Blogger based in the S.F. bay area. She provides artist's and businesses Artist Development, Performance Coaching, Production, Project Management, Process Improvement, and Operations Development services via private consultations and assignments with a focus on Lifestyle rebalancing, to help you reach your objectives.
You can read more about services to
help you and join her mailing list at: www.tamraengle.com
You can email Tamra at guitartam@gmail.com
Sign up now for your 1 month Master
Class’s to help your Creative Business:
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