Panels are extraordinary opportunities to explore ideas with people who are currently working in the industry. It’s particularly compelling when group panels at conventions of this kind are presented and include panel members who are involved in various types of professions in the industry. The panels I like to create, tend to add another artist who might be educated in the field of social work, social welfare, counselling or support work other than just myself. Why? Because the subjects I love to explore are not always cut and dry, they might require up-to-date knowledge on the appropriate practices of today, like perhaps cultural safety or cultural respect. An example might be that I never conduct a presentation or panel without first acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land, it’s an expression of respect that I insist on being included if I’m leading the group or presentation. We as artists or just individuals, might not do or see a particular thing the same way as another person so this adds to extending my knowledge of doing presentations with an understanding of respect.
Often different academic studies alongside with the experience of others can help us to consider things from another point of view. And that’s not such a bad thing, is it? Individualism and community are the core of what I like to explore, either in the field of mental health, well-being, happiness, creativity, co-creating and self-awareness which often leads to interesting questions from the audience.
One of my greatest passions is to ensure that industry professionals, either in film, television, theatre, publishing, writing, painting, sculpting, artists of all forms and medians know that they are supported, and diverse conversations can be encouraged at public gatherings like this. This is why I like to include panellists who are currently working in the industry or understand the industry and are willing to be truthful in their discussion about their experiences and their well-being, struggles and successes.
While I enjoy studying not everyone else does. So the audience more often than not will depend on me to offer a modern understanding of what’s being explored today. I like to have an additional point of view of understanding human behaviour, with perhaps more in-depth knowledge of biological, psychological and social forms of human development, including academic or interdependent research.
Usually, my sourcing for understanding the subject to be discussed includes some academic research so we have an educational perspective that will sit alongside the panel’s experience in the industry and hopefully we will see the correlation somewhere during the discussion.
A little example of this was I found the longest study on HAPPINESS is still being conducted. The Harvard Study of Adult Development has tracked a group of men for 75 years. The lessons learned were happiness had nothing to do with wealth or fame. So what is the answer to their happiness?
Relationships, not wealth or fame. Each man suggested that good relationships kept them healthy and happy. Family. Friends and community. Social connections. You can check out the talk by Robert Waldinger: What makes a good life.
And I do believe several panel members reflected that idea even before I let everyone know about the findings from the Happiness study. Alongside this, there was some fabulous discussion from the panel on creative happiness and some wonderful questions asked by the audience.
How can you balance perfection with creativity?
How do you measure success on a metric scale, sales, social media likes, fan base?
How do you begin your work, logline, beat sheets, organically or structured?
While you might not think that equals the subject of creative happiness, let me reassure you if we are struggling with any of the above, and most of us have or are, our creative happiness will be affected.
I must congratulate the easy and supportive feeling from the panel. Each panel member had their approach. And that’s the key here. We can give suggestions but in my opinion, from my understanding of human bio, psycho, social development, it’s not a one size fits all answer for any of these questions. I encourage and support different answers from the panel because what works for one person might not work for someone else. Panels like these help us to realise this, maybe provide the opportunity to refocus our approach and or be reassured that what we are doing is okay.
Words of Wisdom from the panel
“Creative happiness comes not from an end result but from the process of creating” Candice Lemon-Scott
“One day, your work will touch the deepest part of someone’s soul, it will change their life. Create for that person, and that person only.“ Kate Foster
“This too shall pass. It might pass like a kidney stone, but it will pass.” Kathryn Gossow
“People will criticise you. Don’t join them.” Tash Turgoose
“Creative inspiration begins from personal MOTIVATION and ends with the hero’s journey.” Goran Zivanovic
Huge thank you to the panel and all of the audience members who participated in being with us on the day. And BIG thank you to OZ Comic Con for leading the way in wellbeing for creative artists!
“Be brave and bold in your chosen field of creativity. And never be afraid to explore new techniques.”
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