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Are Your Extra-Curriculars Serving You?

April 15, 2019 by tprochera Leave a Comment

Now, before I begin, I realize that extra-curricular usually refers to those activities outside of school hours but let’s just say that, for the purposes of this discussion, I’m talking about those things that we do, other than the necessities like grocery shopping etc.,  that lie outside the scope of our work. Wow – that was a long sentence! But I’m kind of the run-on queen so I’m running with it. Ha! Get it?

We can begin engaging in an activity for many reasons. We think it will be fun. We can see the skills we’d learn as being useful. We have the opportunity to contribute to our communities. We like the people we’d be working with. A friend or family member thought it would be a good idea. I’ve done it for all of these reasons and probably more.

As the months and years go by, however, we need to take to the time to evaluate whether these activities are honestly advancing our lives or our work. We start something for one reason and we can stay in it for another and, if we don’t reflect periodically, we can find ourselves more involved in these other efforts than we are with our own process of creation.

I had someone challenge me recently. She asked me about the things that I really loved. And then she asked why only one of my extra-curricular activities had anything to do with those things. Why was I still engaging in activities that, while fun and beneficial in the beginning, had perhaps run their course and weren’t serving me anymore? And why wasn’t I connecting with more people and organizations that could actually help my career?

There is certainly room for diversity in life. If you are a writer, it doesn’t mean that every single club you belong to or contribution you make has to be about writing. If nothing else, we need to have a rich experience to fuel our creative inspiration.

But there are only so many hours in the day and we only have so much energy to expend so it behooves us to use that time and energy as effectively as possible.

So, I invite you to look at your extra-curriculars and decide what’s actually working for you and what isn’t and consider that it might be time to let something go. Here are a few questions you might want to ask yourself.

  • Do I still enjoy this activity? You might just be doing it out of habit or obligation.
  • Does this activity assist me in my career or life purpose? Does it further what I’m here to do?
  • What I am I getting out of this activity? Sometimes we can continue doing something because we receive validation or we like the people even though the activity itself doesn’t appeal anymore. Is there a better way to get the benefits? If you’re in the club because you like the people, for example, you might want to just get together for coffee once in a while rather than have a structured regular event that you have to plan and prepare for.
  • What would I be doing with my time if I wasn’t involved with this activity? Would you be spending more time on you craft? Is there another activity you’ve been interested in that takes place at the same time that would work better for you? If you find yourself thinking, dang, if I wasn’t doing this, I would be able to do that,that might be a clue for you.

Our time is precious. As creators, we have so much to offer. We need to ensure that the way we spend our time and energy allows us to bring the best of ourselves to the world and having our attention scattered in too many directions in not in anyone’s best interest. Make no mistake, it can be scary to say no or good-bye, particularly when we’ve been a part of something for a long time. But there a saying that people (and I’m extrapolating to things and opportunities) come into our lives for a season, a reason, or a lifetime. And if you can give yourself permission to let go of the things that no longer work, you can then fill your hours with what truly delights and inspires you. You’ll only be the better for it!

Filed Under: creative inspiration Tagged With: blogs about music, canadian composer, canadian compsoers, canadian music, composer blogs, creative career, creative inspiration, creative living, creativity, extra-curricular, hobbies, letting go, manitoba music, saying no, tiffany prochera, time management, tips for artists, writing tips

Hidden Clues : The Wisdom In Your Distraction

April 8, 2019 by tprochera Leave a Comment

You’ve probably heard people say that if you have goals you want to accomplish in your life, you need to look at those goals in relation to how you’re actually spending your time and adjust accordingly. The theory is that if you say you want to be a singer, for example, but are spending most of your time watching television rather than practicing or recording, in noticing this supposed conflict you can dispense with the distraction and redirect more energy towards pursuing your goal of singing.

This is a totally valid concept – we can certainly allow ourselves to be taken off of our path out of fear, especially when we’re talking about a potentially delicate thing like creative expression – but if you’ll indulge me for a moment, may I present another possible interpretation of such distraction?

What if you are, in fact doing exactly what you want to be doing? What if what you think you want isn’t what you actually want and, rather than resisting your “distraction”, it’s more about parlaying it into something more fulfilling?

So, let’s look at the watching TV all day thing – something many of us can fall prey to for any number of reasons. Maybe we’re searching for inspiration.  Maybe we’re legit tired or overwhelmed and need a break. Maybe it is a real distraction because you’re afraid that your practicing or whatever project you’re “supposed” to be engaged in isn’t going to work out somehow. Totally been there.

But what if it’s something else? When you’re in this mode, I invite you to take a conscious approach to it to see if there might be some wisdom or insight there for you. What kinds of shows are you watching? Cop dramas? Sit coms? Cooking or baking shows? Can you pinpoint what in particular you might be attracted to about those shows? Ha! I just wrote “shoes” down by accident and if I hadn’t caught it, y’all would be, “Wait. When did she start talking about shoes?” Anyway, have a look at that. Do you love all the medical procedures and terminology in your hospital dramas? Do you love the character development? Do you love the witty dialogue in your comedy?

In being aware of your thoughts during these moments of distraction, you may discover some new things about yourself.  It might be providing insight into some new elements you want to bring into your life. I love watching baking shows not only because I have a sweet tooth – believe me, I would reach into the TV and pull out those cakes if I could – but there can be such artistry and beauty to these creations. A visual feast as well as a gastronomical one. So, I don’t know if I need to become a baker necessarily, but I realized I definitely want to try my hand at cake and cookie decorating. In fact, I was on a waiting list for a class a short while back.  And, in general, I think there is more of a visual component I can incorporate into what I do. Maybe you want to take a stand-up comedy class if you find yourself repeated attracted to it. Maybe you want to try writing if you love the storylines and dialogues of your favourite shows. Maybe you want to look into the medical field if you love the operating room scenes.

If you’re someone who gets overly drawn into social situations that you feel are taking you away from your work – phone calls, coffee meetings, whatever – there’s likely a reason why you’re letting it happen. If you are always the one giving advice to your friends – and are happy to do so as opposed to resenting it – perhaps you’d be great as a counsellor. Do your meetings often take place over delicious meals? Being a food critic or a chef might be right up your alley.

My point is, these distractions might be giving you clues to complimentary activities or a whole new path that might be very fulfilling for you so it’s worth some contemplation and analysis, in my humble opinion. Of course, it could totally be a psychological mechanism to protect you from potential failure or frustration, too, but I’m just saying.

Have a great day!

Filed Under: blogs about music, blogs about writing, Uncategorized Tagged With: being distracted, blogs about music, canadian composer, canadian compsoers, canadian music, composer blogs, creative career, creative inspiration, creative living, creativity, distraction, tiffany prochera, tips for artists, tools to create

Four Tips on Giving Constructive Feedback

March 25, 2019 by tprochera Leave a Comment

Lately, I have been tasked with editing a literary journal for a writers group. It was an honor to be asked and, truthfully, it has been rather fun. I delight in witnessing the creativity of others and it makes me feel good to help people on their artistic journeys.

Often, as we become more experienced artists, others will come to us seeking feedback, either looking up to us as mentors or viewing us as equals who might be able to offer a fresh perspective. If you haven’t already, I’m sure you will soon hear the words, “Can you have a look at it and tell me what you think?” soon enough.  Now, you can always politely decline if you really feel hesitant but, even if you are a bit nervous, why not try taking on the challenge?

There is an idea that, even though someone may be at the top of their field, they may not make the greatest teacher for any number of reasons. It takes a certain something to be able to impart knowledge in a constructive way that the recipient can really learn from and not be put off by. Having been a voice teacher for ten years and having proofread many pieces of writing, I have learned a few things about offering creative advice that I thought I’d share with you. So here we go.

Tip #1: Know Where Your Mentee Is At.

We are all at different stages on our creative journey. Some of us are just starting out, some of us have been working on our craft for decades. Before you start offering criticism, take into account how long your mentee has been creating. The longer they have been doing it, the more detailed feedback you can provide, using the vernacular of the trade. With newer artists, it’s best to keep it simple and to not overwhelm them with too many things at once. When they are just beginning to explore, you don’t want to risk them becoming discouraged. When I was working with a young, beginning voice student, I would take it step by step – if they were having troubles matching pitch, I was not going to focus so much on the quality of their vibrato until the more fundamental skill was under control for the most part. First things first. Try to recall how you developed your skill set – if you in fact felt it helpful to you – connect that to where your mentee is on their trajectory and use that as a gauge to determine how deep to go.

Tip #2: Try Suggesting Rather Than Dictating

Maybe I’m too easy on people but I tend not to dictate when mentoring – unless I’m really in the zone. Then I’m all, “No. Stop. Do it again.” I kind of like me in that mode, to be honest, but you have to be aware of when it may it may not be appropriate. Anyway, I had someone involved with the literary journal mention to me that they not only appreciated my “expert” feedback but the gentle way I shared it and I honestly don’t know which part meant more to me – the fact that they saw me as an expert or the fact that I was gentle. I know these days we talk about being more assertive and assured – the recommendation particularly applying to women – and I agree we do need to own our knowledge and experience, but a little tact can go a long way. Try saying, “Perhaps you might try…” or “Let’s look at what can happen when…”. Not only does it help to ease you into the issue, it also creates awareness that creativity is, in many ways, a fluid, evolving, experimental thing. There are certain elements of your craft that may be rather definitive – like a question should be followed by a question mark – in which case you can be more direct (but still kind) in your recommendation. But there are some things that are more trial-and-error. What works for some might not work for others. Many singers are all about posture and being upright and, yet, there are amazing vocalists who hit the high notes bent over with their head against the wall. You can’t argue that it works for them so, really, the best you can doing in some cases is try it out.

I was actually faced with a conundrum of sorts when a writer who had submitted a narrative piece mentioned that he preferred to use spaces between paragraphs rather than indents. I thought that, while it isn’t the way literature is customarily presented, aren’t rules and norms meant to be questioned? After all, these existing norms came into play by replacing previous norms.

Tip #3: Don’t Forget The Why

When one is teaching or advising, it can be rather tempting to simply say, “do this” or “do that” and expect the student to obey without question. But even if they do follow your instruction and give you the result you desire, they aren’t really learning. They simply know that, in this specific case, this is what they’ve been instructed to do, even if the situation may or may not ever arise again.

But a more in-depth explanation allows your expertise to really shine while giving the mentee something tangible they can take into the future. If they have written, “The two tonne truck hit the pothole, splashing water all over the windshield” – this example really hits home for me living where I do at this time of year J – instead of simply adding a comment telling them to “hyphenate two tonne”, take the extra step and explain how compound adjectives are usually hyphenated when they come before the noun but not after. In doing so, in addition to correcting the immediate error, the writer will have new information to improve their writing on future projects.

Tip #4: Thank Them for Asking and Receiving

It can take a lot for someone to ask for help. If an artist is coming to you for advice, know that it’s because they value your input. No matter how high up you are on the creative ladder, resist the temptation to get a swelled head about it and simply express gratitude that they have seen you as worthy of providing feedback – something like “Thank you so much for asking me. I am honoured that you feel I have something to offer your project.”  And if they show appreciation for your comments after the fact, which they hopefully will, realize that receiving criticism can be hard for many of us. Our projects are our babies and part of what keeps us going is somehow believing we’re awesome. You can try responding with, “Thank you for hearing my comments. I know it can be hard to receive feedback on something close to our hearts. I’m glad you have found my suggestions to be helpful.”

So those are a few tips to help you give constructive feedback. Just my suggestions, of course. 😉

 

Filed Under: blogs about writing, books about singing, composer blog Tagged With: blogs about music, canadian composer, canadian compsoers, canadian music, constructive criticism, creative inspiration, creative living, creativity, feedback, giving feedback, mentoring, swimming tigress music, tiffany prochera, tips for artists, tools to create

Thank Your People – Showing Gratitude for Your Creative Allies

January 15, 2019 by tprochera 2 Comments

We are not islands. We do not live in bubbles.

Okay. Enough with the metaphors. Sometimes whether we like it or not, we exist in a world with other people, and those people can have fundamental impacts on our lives and careers.

I can say that my family has been largely responsible for me being who I am. Growing up, my parents not only exposed my sister and I to art forms like musical theatre but they encouraged my creativity, tolerating my banging on the piano when I made a mistake, cheering me on when I performed, and paying for lessons and whatever else was required. Before my father passed, he made sure to tell me that if I wanted to be a songwriter, I should go and be a songwriter. And when I have thought about giving up, when I have contemplated getting a regular job and leaving music behind, my mother and sister remind me that this is what I’m here to do and they’ve got my emotional, spiritual, and financial back. Or is it backs?

Anyway, I guess my point is that we don’t do this alone. Yes, we work really hard to hone our craft, pitch ideas, promote the heck out of our latest project on social media, and we’ve gotta give ourselves props for our efforts. But while we’re reaching for the stars and getting our diva on, acting like it’s all about us (not that I’ve ever been that way 😉 ) it can be all too easy to expect the support to just be there or forget all the investment that others have made in us from potentially a very early age. It behooves us to remember those who are helping us on our path.  And I don’t mean in an “all the little people who helped me get here” award speech kind of way.

Family, teachers, mentors, the keyboard guru at the music store, the super helpful tech support guy – we likely wouldn’t be doing what we’re doing without them. Seriously, I am a very tech-savvy individual but if I didn’t have someone to call when things went really wrong I wouldn’t be able to function at all because my tech is how I do what I do and I’m not sure I’d want to go back to the days of wax cylinders.   At any rate, we need to show our appreciation for the contribution of others to our work and our lives.

This gratitude can be expressed in different ways depending upon the relationship – I keep telling my mom that she’s getting the west wing of my mansion. Sometimes an honest, heartfelt thanks is all that is required. Sometimes a small gift is more appropriate. Just make sure you don’t let things go unsaid or treat these people like they are at your beck and call because, believe me, they have other things they can be doing with their time, money, and energy.

Now, the appreciation is its own reward – it just feels good to tell people you’re grateful – but it also allows the recipient to become even more invested in you and more willing to step up and go the extra mild in the future. Like I said, you should do it just to do it without any expectations but it could be a nice bonus. Just saying.

Tell those who have come out to your show that it was great to see them and you hoped they enjoyed it. Thank those who have agreed to proofread your writing by taking them out to lunch if you can’t out and out pay them.  If you want to give the Geek Squad guy or girl a hug for replacing your hard drive without losing any data, tell them so, even if they don’t want you to actually do it.

So, that’s my message for today. Realize that you are not alone in this – even if you’re writing all your songs, performing all the instruments, and producing the tracks – and express gratitude for those who are have come along for the ride.

On that note, I feel compelled to share the song Thanks from Ladybug Crossings. You know, ‘cuz it’s about gratitude.

Have a great day and keep on creating!

 

 

Filed Under: blogs about music, blogs about writing, Canadian composer, canadian composers, canadian music, canadian poetry, canadian songwriters, composer blog, creative inspiration, inspirational blogs, Manitoba composers, manitoba music Tagged With: blogs about music, canadian composer, canadian compsoers, canadian music, composer blogs, creative inspiration, creative living, giving thanks, gratitude, showing gratitude, thanks, tiffany prochera, tips for artists

Know What You Know: When you’re confused about your creative path

July 14, 2017 by tprochera Leave a Comment

So, just a warning to y’all – this post might get a little “woo woo” but, even if you’re not into that sort of thing, you might get something out of it anyway. Just saying.

In your creative life, do you have some aspects of it that you enjoy more than others? Maybe you like writing the songs but you don’t like performing them. Maybe you love the creating part but not so much the promotion.  Do you sometimes wonder how it’s all going to play out? Or maybe you have so many interests and you’re struggling with figuring out what you’re supposed to do with it all.

Well, I have a story to share that might help you chillax a bit, as the kids say. J

My sister and I have a weekly catch-up phone chat on Monday afternoons, something I quite look forward to the point where I’m counting down the minutes once noon strikes.

Well, a couple of weeks I was talking about my career, which is doing well but there are things about it that have confused me for some time. I have often wondered whether performing is part of what I’m here to do or whether I should stick to the creating. Exactly what musical genre should I be working in? I’ve always done a bit of everything – classical, pop, country, children’s music – and enjoyed them all but sometimes I think I should be focusing on one style.

Well, my sister, the life coach, could sense my frustration and told me to stop. Just stop. Then she says – and this is not a direct quote but I’m gonna put it in quotes anyway – “Stop thinking about all of the things you haven’t figured out and making it more complicated than it has to be. Tell me what you know. What you know you love and what you know you want.”

And I thought about it for a minute. And then I told her, “I know I love music. I know I love writing. I know I like my voice when it’s working for me and I know I don’t like the frustration I feel when my technology isn’t working.” You see, I am a pretty tech-savvy person – I’ve been using computers almost my entire life – but when something isn’t working you don’t want to be in the room. I’m learning to relax around it and accept that things happen to everyone but it’s a process that takes time.

Anyway, my sister goes on to explain that when you focus on what you know you know, you are drawing more of that into your life and the unknowns are allowed to become clearer. When you worry about the unknowns or, worse, look backwards at the ways things didn’t work out in the past, your mind is cluttered with doubt and fear and you don’t give the Universe the chance to work its magic and do things that you didn’t imagine could be done.

So, if you’re wondering if you should change your path, if you should take on a new opportunity, try to get your mind on the things you’re sure about. Maybe you know you want to make more money. You know want a chance to work with a certain group of people. You know you want to travel more.  You know you love writing. You know you love your craft but you don’t enjoy the marketing. Know this and honour this and then watch for the little clues along the way as you’re just doing what you enjoy doing. The path or decision will become clear step by step. You will be at a coffee shop – because you felt like going to a coffee shop – and start a conversation with someone who just happens to be a literary agent, someone who love supporting and promoting writers. That opportunity you thought you were interested will mysteriously disappear– because you wouldn’t have liked it anyway – but in its place is something even better that allows you to use the best of what you are and love in ways you may not have even anticipated but that are totally fun for you.

If you know what you want and what you love, if you trust that anything that doesn’t work out or doesn’t happen is not going to take you where you really want to go anyway, you will receive insight and inspiration that will show you the way to the opportunities and paths that will truly fulfill and delight you.

Have a great day and enjoy the journey!

Tiffany

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: blogs about music, canadian composer, canadian music, children's music, composer blogs, confusion, creative inspiration, creative living, finding your purpose, how to choose, inspiration, making decisions, manitoba music, positive thinking, swimming tigress music, tiffany prochera, tips for artists, tools to create

The Grace and The Grind: The Benefits of Slogging it Out

June 7, 2017 by tprochera Leave a Comment

Picture it.

You are going about your day – perhaps you are on a walk, perhaps you are washing the dishes. All of a sudden, you feel The Muse touch you with her magic.  A brilliant idea enters your head and you rush to your work space before the inspiration can escape.  And it doesn’t stop there. Next thing you know, the poem, the song, the painting, is complete. There is not a word that needs to be changed, not a brush stroke that needs to be added.

This is what happened to me recently and, if you haven’t experienced it, it’s a beautiful thing. I was struck with an idea for a song and, in the process of writing down a potential title, the song seemed to complete itself.

When we can spend months, if not years, agonizing over the details of a creative project, it can be such a relief to have something go smoothly. We find ourselves eternally grateful for that ease that makes us believe this idea that inspired us was destined to come to pass.

But we have also often heard that it is in the challenging times that we experience the greatest personal growth and this can apply to our creative pursuits as well.

Those projects that are harder to wrap our heads around can lead to exploration, the acquisition of new skills. In theory, we would always love to be growing and evolving but there are times when we can find ourselves almost unconsciously stuck in a rut, doing the same kinds of things over and over again because it’s comfortable. Our fingers just go to those chords, those turns of phrase keep appearing over and over again. I know it happens to me from time to time.

Then an idea comes along that excites us so much we have to engage even we don’t know how it’s going to turn out. Maybe it’s in a new genre or style. Maybe you’ve been painting in watercolours but have a vision of something in oils.  Maybe you have just a title but no idea whether it’s going to be a poem, a short story, or a novel. And if the idea wants to be a novel and you’ve never written one before? That’s scary stuff!

It’s scary but it can also be fun because it now presents you with an opportunity to, in this case, do research into how to write a novel – the type of structure, narrative arcs, character elements. Sure, after you’ve looked into it you can choose to abandon any precedent and recommendations but at least you will have some new tools under your belt should you want to use them.

So, enjoy the easy times when everything is in flow and be grateful for those pursuits that ask you to reach further, to dig deeper. You will be the better for it!

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: blogs about music, canadian composer, canadian music, composer blogs, creative inspiration, creative living, inspiration, muse, swimming tigress music, tiffany prochera, tips for artists, tools to create

Agents, Managers, And Defining Yourself As An Artist

May 30, 2017 by tprochera Leave a Comment

handshakeSo, more than a few years ago, I went to meet with a local talent agent to see if they might be able to me get more work as an actor.

I wasn’t too serious about it but I was open to opportunities should they arise. Where I live, it’s not a required thing to have representation – it’s easy enough to submit material to casting agents on your own – but I thought it couldn’t hurt to have somebody else in my corner.

We met at a coffee shop and I had no idea what to expect. I had never had an agent and I was a little intimidated by the imposing figure that approached me. But I would see where it led.

He took a look at my resume and immediately criticised the categorization of some of my acting jobs. Now, I’ll be the first to admit I don’t know everything and I have no problem with someone pointing out differences but I wasn’t making this stuff up. I found the term whilst doing some research online and his assumption that I was wrong and he was right and there was no in-between kind of set me off from the get-go.

Then, he pointed to a voice project I had done for a short promotional animation project and asked if the company had asked me to work for them again. I said no. He seemed to be displeased and my interpretation of his reaction was that this was an indication I wasn’t very good. This may have been true at the time, maybe not, but I wasn’t aware of all of the company’s projects. They called me to do one thing and I did it. Maybe it was the only time they had taken on such a project that required voice overs, or that required my type of voice. I didn’t know.  Again, the assumption was not appreciated.

Finally, we talked about roles and such and what we felt I might be suited to. I told him I wanted to make a positive impact and preferred my roles to reflect that mission.

He then proceeded to tell me that the industry will decide what roles I would be suited for. If the industry thinks I would make a good serial killer, that’s what I get to be. I can’t remember if that was before or after I had turned down an audition to play a pedophile foster parent or some such silliness.

Needless to say, that was our one and only meeting.

Listen to me. YOU get to choose how you represent yourself in this world. I have said before that what we create goes out there and affects people. That’s why we do it. You cannot always control how what you do is interpreted or received – criticism may arise even when you have the best intentions – but YOU must define who you want to be.  You may or may not get as many opportunities as you would if you had chosen a different approach but the choice must be yours. And they say that the greatest, most sustainable success comes when you are being the most true to yourself so it’s really a win/win!

You do not have to take every job that is presented to you and you do not have to be involved with something that does not align with who you are, whether it’s the project itself or the people you would be working with. I mean, you can if you want, but you don’t have to do it. You can always pick up a few extra shifts at Starbucks until a project that resonates with you, or at least a project that doesn’t make you cringe, comes along.

And, while I’m at it, you don’t have to take on an agent or manager just because they want you, meaning they think you can make them money. If you are to thrive, it’s important to connect with people who understand who you are and who you want to become and are more than eager to help you become that. They can certainly present new avenues and horizons to you – you still need to grow as an artist – but they have to have your spirit as well as your bank account in mind.

When you meet with a potential business collaborator, remember that you are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you and you have a right to decline if you don’t jive and you don’t think they can help you move towards your ultimate goals.

You want somebody in your corner who says, “I get you. I believe in you. Now, let’s rock this thing!”

Have a great day!

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: acting, blogs about music, canadian composer, canadian music, collaboration, composer blogs, confidence, creative living, manitoba music, talent agent, talent manager, tiffany prochera, tips for artists

Disneynature’s Born In China and Thoughts on Perspective

May 23, 2017 by tprochera Leave a Comment

Image result for disney born in china movieSo, I was recently watching the latest Disneynature documentary, Born In China. I am a lover of nature and I enjoy opportunities to explore different environments.

The film tells the story of three animals and their families – a snow leopard, a giant panda, a golden snub-nose monkey. It was fascinating to watch the family dynamics and to learn about how these creatures interacted with each other and their surroundings. Did you know that a female giant panda lives in solitude unless she has offspring to care for? It was news to me!

Anyway, I noticed something near the end of the film that came as somewhat of a surprise to me. I’ll try not to give too much away in case you’re planning on seeing it if you haven’t already.

The snow leopard, Dawa, a gorgeous creature, and her two young daughters had been having a rough time of it. They were run out of their territory by a rival and, with winter upon them, food was scarce.

That was rather poetic, wasn’t it?

Anyway, a herd of chiru – which I believe is the Chinese name for yak, but I could be mistaken –passes by and Dawa takes her shot at a young one as it would be easier to overtake than a full-sized adult. Of course, the baby chiru’s mother doesn’t approve and defends her child against the intruder.

In a moment of clarity, I found myself being aware of my thoughts and I wondered why I was rooting for Dawa. Didn’t the baby chiru have its own right to survive? Didn’t the mother chiru have the right to take care of her child?

And then it struck me.

It was all about perspective. It was about whose story was being told.  The chirus may have had just as perilous of a journey, the mother likely cared for her offspring just as much, but because I knew more about the snow leopard and her cubs, because they had the cameras on them and were being viewed through a sympathetic lens, I wanted them to win. The baby chiru was not a sympathetic character in my eyes. It was nothing more than a walking meal.

In our art, we often must choose a perspective from which to view the situation, and we need to be aware of the effect the perspective has on the story and the audience, good or bad. We, as artists, have the power to manipulate thoughts and emotions. Who do you want the audience to relate to? What do you want them to take away from the experience and what role does perspective have in that? Every character in a narrative has their own story and their actions can often be viewed in more than one way. A somewhat obvious but fascinating notion!

On a personal level, it’s also something to be aware of as we go through our days. A person who may be cast merely an extra in the film of your life has their own rich world of experience and that awareness can help us treat others with a little more consideration and compassion.

 

In Swimming Tigress news, I uploaded several new images to Pinterest –inspiring memes that you might get something out of! New voice clients, lots of new music coming up – goodness all around! And don’t forget to visit the Swimming Tigress Shop for inspiring books like A Candle At Both Ends and Mocha and the Moon, fun sheet music like Brain Freezes and my children’s album, Ladybug Crossings!

 

Thanks for reading and have a great day!

Tiffany

 

 

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: blogs about music, born in china, canadian composer, children's music, creative living, disney, disneynature, manitoba music, music blog, perspective, swimming tigress music, tiffany prochera, tips for artists, tools to create, writing

Tips on How to Navigate Networking Events

March 28, 2017 by tprochera Leave a Comment

Related imageSo, today, let’s talk about networking. Some people love it. Some people dread it. Some people think it’s a waste of time. But it can be a useful tool if you do it right.

First of all, what is networking exactly? Well, in its essence, networking involves people in related fields connecting with each other with the intention of forming professional partnerships. I’m going to discuss it here in terms of actual networking events rather than random encounters.

These events can arise in various ways. An organization, such as a film group, may have regular gathering for those involved in the film industry – everything from writers, to DOPs to animal wranglers. There may be networking events associated with a specific conference or festival, like NXNE or Canada Music Week or TIFF.

So, let’s say you’re a screenwriter and there’s a monthly gathering of film people coming up. Before the day even arrives, you might want to practice a little spiel about you and your work. Just a few sentences – something you might have time to reveal during a ride in an elevator – in case someone asks what you do. And they will. It never hurts to be prepared because you probably don’t want a potential collaborator asking, “So, what do you do?” just to respond with, “Oh, I don’t know. Stuff, I guess.” You’d be surprised at how easily you can get stumped with such a question, especially when you’re dealing with what you do all day long. You would think it would be easy enough to talk about but when you’re put on the spot words can fail you.

So, the day of the event arrives.  You may be going by yourself or with friends or colleagues, which gives you a bit of a leg up because you have a home base of people to talk to. Sure, this can provide a level of comfort but be careful that you don’t stick with the same people the whole time. You need to be able to branch out and make new connections eventually. That’s really why your there, isn’t it?

If you’re a social butterfly, you may be comfortable with approaching people you don’t know and that’s definitely part of the battle because many people are not okay with talking to strangers. But even if you are open to it, you may find that, like I just advised against, people in these situations tend to congregate in groups of familiar faces (because they aren’t hip to what it means to network like you are 😉 ). This can leave you feeling like the odd man out, especially if you’re new to the whole thing. On one hand, it’s kind of a loss for them because they could be missing out on meeting folks like your fabulous self but fear not! These clique dwellers don’t have to remain entirely out of reach.

When I have experienced insecurity around networking events, a feeling which comes and goes for me depending on my mood and the environment, I like to rely on an old trick – the food table. If there is a table of appetizers etc. at the event, which there often is, attendees will periodically show up to grab a little something, sometimes in pairs but often as individuals. In this scenario, they have been removed from their group and you can strike up a conversation, like a predator going after the prey that has separated from the herd.

So, now you are at the food table and a pleasant looking person is heading your way. You have finally mustered up the cajones and have the opportunity to start a conversation. What the heck do you do then? Regale them with a detailed account of your morning hygiene routine? Ask them why on earth 42 is the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything?

Well, you can start by commenting on something about the food – hopefully positive because people don’t like complainers unless, of course, they’re hilariously funny. “These spring rolls are amazing! Have you tried one yet?” or “Someone should throw this shrimp back in the ocean because they aren’t doing anybody any good up here” might be fun openers. You could also exchange names while complimenting the other person – maybe on something they’re wearing. “Hi, I’m Tiffany. Those are great shoes.” Then you can ask them what brings them to the event – that will lead into a discussion of what you both do in the industry. This is where your practiced speech comes into play. You don’t necessarily need to spill all the beans at once. Start off with, “I’m a screenwriter.” Then let them ask, “What kinds of scripts have you done?”  Let the conversation evolve piece by piece. You might want to avoid being overly aggressive. “I’m a screenwriter. Wanna produce my script about a lizard man who discovers he is a cow having a dream?” I’ve seen people do that and it smacks of self-centeredness and desperation.

Here’s the thing to remember as the conversation progresses. The person you are talking to may be the answer to all your prayers, the one who finally helps your career take off. And maybe they aren’t. But regardless, they are still a person. Have a real conversation, ask questions, get to know them, and detach from expectations of possible outcomes. I have too often witnessed and experienced the beginning of a networking conversation and, when one party discovers that the other party isn’t “important enough”, isn’t worthy of talking to, they lose interest and just walk away.

Don’t be that guy.

Some people may take this approach as a way of saving time and energy but, even if the other party understands this on a logical level, they might still feel put off and be unwilling to work with or help you in the future should such an occasion arise. There’s no need to go burning any bridges.

Here’s the thing.  You don’t know where the conversation is going to lead. If you are a screenwriter, your intention may be to pitch your latest script to all the producers in the room but you might find yourself inspired by an unexpected conversation with a composer or a horse wrangler.  You might be meeting your new BFF or romantic partner.  Even if you are going to think of it strictly in terms of making business connections, you never know who the other person might know. That horse wrangler might be the brother of Steven Spielberg – if he has a brother. I don’t know.

Anyway, don’t dismiss someone just because they don’t seem to be the type of person you were hoping to speak to.

That being said, you also don’t want to keep the conversation going for too long, unless you both are totally vibing on each other somehow and are ready to go off and get a proverbial or literal room together. The goal for you, and likely everyone else in attendance, is to meet several new people during the course of the event, not just one. And once you start a conversation, a polite person may not be able to remove themselves if there is someone else they want to talk to.

I would say ten minutes is a good length of time – long enough to learn a bit about each other and see if there is potential in the relationship but not so long as to be dominating.  You can close the conversation off with, “It’s been great talking to you. I should probably let you continue working the room.” Awe! Aren’t you considerate? Then you can exchange cards or agree to meet again over coffee or something if you have some actual business to discuss.

Now, let’s say there is no food table or, God forbid, all the food is gone! What happens then? Well, I know it’s a scary thought but you can simply stand in with an existing discussion – provided it doesn’t appear to be private. You don’t want to barge in on two people talking about a recent break-up or anything. You might get the stink eye for doing that.

If it’s a decent size group and they seem good-natured enough, just stand there with them and they will likely widen the circle to accommodate you. Don’t feel the need to talk right away, unless of course you’re addressed. Listen for a little while, click in with the vibe, and then feel free to share and take part!

A final thing I will say is that if you discover that you’re not feeling it that day, if you’ve given it a good attempt but you’re just too tired or too nervous or you’ve met a couple of people and your sociability account is maxed out, that’s alright. Don’t be hard on yourself. We all have times when we’re feeling more or less willing to be around others and maybe it’s better to step back and try again on another day than to put yourself out there when you’re not up to it and end up making a bad impression. Have you ever been at a party where there was a guest who was just not in a good frame of mind and you figured it might have been better if they had just stayed home?

Don’t be that guy.

So, think of networking as a chance to build some confidence, practice talking about what you do, and you just might meet someone who will be in your life for years to come in some way or other. If nothing else, you’ll probably have some good laughs. There are always entertaining conversations to have so enjoy and don’t worry about it. It gets easier with practice!

 

Now, in Swimming Tigress news,  Swimming Tigress Music has now listed much of its catalog on Sheet Music Plus!  You can visit the publisher page here. Of course, you can also access the entire catalog here on our site at the Swimming Tigress Shop , including the songbooks Bad Moods and Seven Other Super Reasons to Sing a Silly Song and Brain Freezes and Seven More Super Reasons To Sing A Silly Song.

Have a great day!

 

 

Filed Under: blogs about music, Uncategorized Tagged With: blogs about music, brain freezes, canadian composer, creative inspiration, creative living, download music for singers, manitoba music, networking, social confidence, swimming tigress music, tiffany prochera, tools to create

It’s Not The Industry, It’s You: Who And What Is Responsible For Your Creative Success?

July 27, 2016 by tprochera Leave a Comment

success and failure

Hey guys!

 

So, I was talking with my mother who had just attended a screening at a film festival. There was a Q and A with the director – or writer or writer/director – and he was asked by an audience member if he was making any money with his films. The director, apparently, proceeded to explain how it was a tough industry and, no, he wasn’t making very much.

I’m, frankly, a little tired of this talk. I hear it far too often and it’s pretty annoying and indicative of a victim mentality. Now, make no mistake. I have had varying levels of success with my work but I have never once blamed it on the field I have chosen to work in.

Here’s the thing. If you’re complaining about how challenging the industry is – whether it’s music, film, publishing, listen up. And I say this with all the love in the world. It’s not the industry, it’s you.

You’re probably giving me the stink eye right now. But I’m trying so hard, you’re saying. I’m really good, you’re insisting. If anyone deserves success, I do, and how dare you say my lack of success is my fault!

Before you start writing that hate letter, let me explain.  Your lack of success may be due to one, or a combination, of several factors, all of which are within your power to control to one degree or another.

First of all, a big part of the problem is simply the fact that you’re telling yourself it’s a tough industry. It’s a prominent belief, and say I’d it’s a universal fact, that you see it when you believe it. What you focus on increases. If you’re all moping around moaning about how the industry won’t give you a break and only a special few can make a living at it, then the universe turns around and says, “All right, if that’s how you think it is, you got it, toots!” And you will continue to see your journey as difficult and success will be elusive. But if you choose to believe that opportunities abound and any setbacks are merely clues and lessons on your way to inevitable victory, you’re much more likely to do well. At least give that mentality a try for a while and see what happens.

Second of all, look at what other people are putting out into the world.  You may love what you do – and I sincerely hope you do – but is your work of a comparable quality to those who are succeeding? Certainly, there are some who find success regardless of their skill level –these are usually people who either have such determination and such confidence in themselves that they refuse to see failure as an option (see point 1) or they happen to come across an idea that just needs to be heard at that point in time – but, for the most part, a certain level of proficiency in your craft is required. But not to worry. If you find your skills lacking, you can work on them. You can get better. We are always growing as artists and as people. You may just need to do something else for income while you are doing that growing and that’s okay.

Thirdly – also along the line of the observing others thing – what kind of work are people putting out there that might be popular? What is the world looking for?

Now you may be thinking, I am an artist, darn it! I do not pander to the masses! And, certainly, you don’t have to. Part of what is great about art is the opportunity to express our unique perspectives. But keep in mind that a bleak, subtitled film where some guy’s business gets chopped off at the end may, just may, have a somewhat limited audience. Or it could blow up and be shown in theatres all around the world. Anything’s possible. But even if you’re into more unconventional expression, you may want to, for the sake of your bank account, consider reserving at least part of your energy for creating works of greater appeal. There is no shame in that and you may ultimately find that it’s where you end up making your greatest impact.

And what are you doing to get your work out there? I have talked about this in other posts so I’ll try not to repeat myself. If nobody knows you exist, it doesn’t matter if you’re the reincarnation of da Vinci, Moliére or Mozart.  Learn about effective strategies to get your work seen according to your chosen medium and invest some time and energy, and, likely, money into gaining exposure.  There may come a point where your work speaks for itself and you develop a reputation that sustains you but, until then, do what must be done.

And finally, maybe you would be best working with others, using your talents in the context of something larger than yourself. If the goal is to use your skills, think creatively – I know you can! – and you may find several applications that are fulfilling and lucrative. Perhaps it’s a true collaboration with like-minded folks who can assist you in achieving a common goal. Perhaps it’s working for an established company that needs exactly what you have and want to offer. There are options. And you can always do your own projects off the clock.

So, there you go. Until you have taken these actions and done everything possible to give yourself the best chances for success, do not blame the industry. Go forth with confidence, faith, and a knowing that you have the power to shape your own creative destiny.

 

Now, In Swimming Tigress news, I’d like to introduce the brand new Swimming Tigress Shop! Powered by the good people at Shopify, it’s your change to get all your music and books from Swimming Tigress Music and Swimming Tigress Press straight from this site! Visit the store now and browse around the catalog!

Have a fabulous day!

Filed Under: blogs about music, Uncategorized Tagged With: blogs about music, canadian composer, canadian music, creative arts, creative inspiration, creative living, music industry, positive thinking

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