You read the title and thought I was talking smack. But in fact, I’m trying to give advice.
The history of the world is one of shared spaces, shared food, shared water, shared DNA, shared lives. The history of art is the same. It is a history of an evolution of ideas, of appropriation and application. Therefore, if you’re looking for inspiration, look no further than 1. inside you; and then 2. to other art work that fuels your soul. Apply your own story to what you see. Make it relevant, make it yours. Remix it all and you’re underway. Filmmaker Jim Jarmusch says it best:
“Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic. Authenticity is invaluable; originality is nonexistent.”
The above image plus the reminder that all of life is a collage, via the uber talented Austin Kleon.
As long as you mention that your project was inspired by someone than I don’t have a problem with it rather than seeing something and copying it without mentioning the source.
If I was to create something different based on the same idea than I would mention that person xyz inspired me and this would be my own interpretation. I wouldn’t go along and copy your ground control work and mark it as brand new or as my own created work. Same with tire tracks. Can’t remember who that was but steal but be honest and let people know where you got your inspiration from.
Other than James Bond…who is cooler than Chase Jarvis? Seriously…..name me just ONE person! I’m so humbled to learn from Chase.
Especially true for basics too, like composition, rule of thirds, jib shots, helicopter shots, two shots, tracking shots, jump cuts, long, short, medium shots, and on and on and on. When you use these, you’re using someone else’s discovery.
And it’s no more “stealing” than using words from a dictionary is, even though you didn’t come up with the words or the concept of a sentence yourself.
It’s all part of the language–in our case, visual language.
Love this idea, I’ve always had the blank page syndrome and felt guilty about adapting other peoples ideas. But in the end this positive thinking is what makes things happen. I’ll never be Chase 🙂 but I’m proud to state your name when people ask me about my inspiration.
love this!!!!