I’m sure there’s a lot of ways to build a creative career. Networking, grinding out content, and closely following trends, though, seem to be the quickest ways to gain a following today. Unfortunately for me, I’ve found I don’t have the capacity to sprint creatively, or keep up with the trends. I’ve found when I sprint, I burn out, and when I try to play to the audience, I lose that spiritual connection with my art that I value so much.
So, instead, I have to focus on very slowly building my craft one step at a time. Every script I write, I try to add one layer of storytelling that I missed the last time around. Every film I direct, I try one new thing to streamline the shoot, or improve the experience for the crew. Every time I audition, I focus on one aspect of my performance to improve. And I take lots of days off… just to think and reflect, because I have to.
It’s slow alright, but hopefully over time I’ll build up my craft enough to gain a following that way. It might take a lot longer than if I were to sprint. But that’s not me. So, the only thing I can control is that the work continuously improves, that I’m always putting out the best thing I possibly can, and that the work is always true to me. And who knows, I might be 80 before I get anywhere, but at least it’ll feel good all the way through.