Masters of Content: Steven Spielberg
Here is the second article in the series Masters of Content. How can you create content for 50+ years? A brief examination of Steven Spielberg's life and career can provide guidance.
The creation of content is a process that can seem to be daunting. You have the desire to pick up a camera, or write an inspiring blog, yet there is that constant demand to always be creating. What do I film? What do I write? How long should I continue on this journey? A brief look at Steven Spielberg, the highest grossing director of all time, will give us insight on how we can become a Master of Content.
Spielberg picked up a camera at the age of 12 and started filming the camping trips that his family would go on. His mind wanted to go beyond those camping adventures, so he started narrative filmmaking with setting up shots, while using a script and a full cast. Still only 12. At age 13, Spielberg won a prize for a 40-minute war film he titled Escape to Nowhere… using a cast composed of other high school friends. That motivated him to make 15 more amateur 8 mm films.
At the age of 16, Spielberg wrote and directed a two-hour science fiction feature film entitled Firelight. The production cost was $500, which included the rental of a local cinema by his father to show the film.
"I counted the receipts that night", Spielberg has recalled, "And we charged a dollar a ticket. Five hundred people came to the movie and I think somebody probably paid two dollars, because we made one dollar profit that night, and that was it."
Just a brief reminder that he was only 16. Spielberg never stopped creating. Since then he has been apart of 170+ creative projects. What is it that allowed him to constantly create content? How can you use this in your own creation? Let's consider 5 points.
USE YOUR CONTENT
“You have many years ahead of you to create the dreams that we can’t even imagine dreaming. You have done more for the collective unconscious of this planet than you will ever know.” Spielberg
Our ideas are a culmination of our life's experiences. No one can have your ideas, because no one has lived the life that you have lived. We have successes, failures, hopes, and dreams. Our voices matters, because our voice is completely unique. Even if you are promoting a product or service, what is it about that product or service that impacts your life, and why will people be inspired by it. Why is it that you stand behind this product or service? Use all of that life experiences to craft a vision that projects your unique voice.
DON'T FOCUS ON THE RESULTS
“Whether in success or in failure, I’m proud of every single movie I’ve directed. ” Spielberg
It took Spielberg from the age of 12, all the way until he was 25 to get a shot of directing a feature film. It took 13 years of constant creation before society labeled him a success. What kept him going all those years? Spielberg considered him a success at the age of 12. There was no "keep going", he absolutely loved what he did. He loved, and was proud of every single project, regardless of how society benchmarked him. To Spielberg, this was his everyday life. Our content has to be the result of our desire to create, not become a success. You have to be willing to create 100 films or 365 blog post and not receive a single ounce of recognition. Consider the fact that from the age of 12 to 25, we only know of a few of Spielberg's projects. Spielberg did not focus on the results, but the process.
KEEP THE AUDIENCE IN MIND
“I always like to think of the audience when I am directing. Because I am the audience.” Spielberg
Whether his audience was one, or 60 million, he always looked at himself as the audience. How can I impact me? Then he would shift his focus to how he can use that to impact them. An audience is extremely important because they will be the recipient of your voice. You want those to react the way you would react. If your content does not give you the chills, then get back in there. We cannot create for the sake of creating. We need to create for the sake of impacting. If what you can create will impact you, even after working on it for several hours, or even several months, then your story is ready to share with the world.
BE CONSISTENT
“People have forgotten how to tell a story. Stories don’t have a middle or an end any more. They usually have a beginning that never stops beginning.” Spielberg
The story never ends. There will be an endless supply of experiences, challenges, and events that constantly arrive at your doorsteps through the lens of your life. You will always have a story because life goes on. If you are committed to living a life of purpose, you will always have content. We consume so much information every day, that we forget to stop an think, and when we think, stories are created. The more you practice creating content, the easier it will become, because you will have learned the process of how to keep the story going. Be consistent. Even if you don't think it matters now, just tell the story. A story doesn't end, so don't let it. Keep it going, keep it coming, and keep it consistent.
GO DO IT
“You shouldn’t dream your film, you should make it!” Spielberg
Do not just think about it...grab your camera, or pen and just do it. Take those ideas out of your mind and do something with it. Share your voice. We live in an era where anything can be accomplished. We do not need anyone to give us permission to do anything. You want to create a film, use your phone. You want to write a book, start a blog. You want to be an artist, share on Instagram. Stop dreaming, and start doing...Today...NOW!
There is so much of Spielberg's life and career that we can look to that will help inspire us to both create and take action. Spielberg has shown the world the possibility of ideas. With a little time, patience, and determination we can all become MASTERS OF CONTENT.
Lights, Camera...ACTION!
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