The Creative Present

Welcome to The Creative Present, a space I created to support all of us in expanding our creative self-expression while—here’s the kicker—actually getting our projects done. Yes, you can have both! I’m Joshua Townshend, your guide on this wild journey.

Now, I’ve been thinking a lot about two very different yet essential states of being that form the foundation of your creative process. If you aren’t actively working with these states of being, you could be leaving untapped creativity on the table. And that, my friends, would be a shame. So let’s dive into these two critical states and why they’re so important for your creative work.

The Two States of Being

These states of being are fundamentally different and yet interconnected. Here’s the breakdown:

State of the Artist (The “I Am” State):

This is the state where you—the creative, the artist, the writer, the performer—center yourself. It’s the “I am” state: “I am that I am.” In this state, you’re present, relaxed, and open to everything around you. This is where you cultivate spaciousness, grounding, and a heightened awareness that expands your creative potential. It’s almost like you’re standing in the middle of a 360-degree creative arena, able to pull from all dimensions, aware of all impulses, and relaxed enough to channel them effectively.

State of the Character/Project:

Then, there’s the state of the character or project you’re working on. This is an entirely separate state of being. For example, if you’re acting, the character might be experiencing deep regret and remorse. You need to be able to embody that emotion fully, exploring every nuance. This state requires focus, but it also needs you to be flexible enough to exit and enter that emotional state at will.

Think about it: you have to go from being deeply immersed in your character’s regret to suddenly stepping out of it to adjust a light or respond to a director’s note. Then, just as quickly, you jump back in.

Why Is This Important?

If you can master the ability to shift between these two states, you’ll have more freedom and depth in your creative work. You’ll trust yourself more. You’ll be able to take risks. And—here’s the best part—you’ll be able to truly collaborate with your creative team without losing the integrity of your work.

So how do you develop these two states of being?

Step 1: Cultivate the “I Am” state. Practice being present, relaxed, and expansive.

Step 2: Once you’ve established that foundation, create and explore the state of being specific to your project or character.

Step 3: Learn to move fluidly between these two states. Master the art of entering and exiting them at will. This is key to handling the unpredictability of creative work, whether you’re in rehearsals, on set, or in the studio.

How to Apply This Today

Whether you’re an actor, writer, dancer, filmmaker, or some hybrid of it all (we’ve all got a little something going on, don’t we?), these states of being are fundamental. It’s not just about the project itself; it’s about who you are when you’re creating it.

I invite you to start working with these states consciously. Reflect on your creative practice:

Key Takeaways:

The "I Am" State: Be present, relaxed, and fully open to creative impulses.

The Project/Character State: Deeply embody the emotions and experiences of your character or project.

Fluid Transitions: Master the ability to shift between these states as needed for your creative work.

Trust the Process: As you practice, your ability to navigate these states will deepen, expanding both your creative potential and your confidence.

Check out my channel where I’m currently exploring ideas like this in my series Walking Backwards in L.A.—a unique yet insightful look at creativity, movement, and perception.

Your Creative Homework:

Reflect on your “I Am” state. Are you giving yourself enough time to be present and grounded before diving into your work?

Explore the state of being of your character or project. What’s the emotional experience you need to embody?

Practice fluidly moving between these two states as you create.

Feel free to reach out with your thoughts, questions, or comments. And remember, creativity is a process—one that’s worth the deep dive.

Stay inspired,

Joshua

www.JoshuaTownshend.com

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Embracing Presence: The Dance of Polarity in Narrative

Welcome to the sixth and final episode in our series on presence!

Today, we're exploring the law of polarity, the dynamic dance between expansion and contraction, positive and negative, light and dark, masculine and feminine, and more. Understanding and utilizing this polarity is essential for creating compelling narratives that captivate creators and audiences.

The Dance of Polarity

Polarity is everywhere. It's about expansion and contraction, light and dark, positive and negative. In narratives, this concept is crucial. The cycles of expansion and contraction create undulation and change, driving the story forward. These cycles can be short or long, depending on the genre and the narrative arc.

For instance, in a romantic comedy, you often see an upward spiral—characters grow, evolve, and end up in a better place than where they started. Conversely, a tragedy usually follows a downward spiral, with characters descending into a worse state. Sometimes, narratives take a cyclical approach, reminiscent of purgatory, where characters don't fundamentally change but continue to cycle through the same patterns, which can be used effectively in comedies, dramas, and other genres.

Expansion and Contraction in Practice

Let's break down how expansion and contraction work within a narrative.

Imagine your character's presence is constantly shifting between these two states:

Expansion: When the character is open, engaging, and experiencing positive outcomes.

Contraction: When the character feels closed off, defensive, or faces negative experiences.

This undulation keeps both the character and the audience engaged. This ebb and flow creates tension and release, making the narrative compelling. Think of any great courtroom drama. One side appears to be winning, only for a surprising twist to shift the balance. This constant back-and-forth keeps the audience on the edge of their seats.

The Impact on Behavior

Ultimately, narratives are about behavior—how characters think and feel at any given moment, informed by their state of being. This state of being is constantly between expansion and contraction, positive and negative. Watching this behavior unfold is what keeps audiences hooked.

Consider a sporting event where one team dominates from start to finish. If the outcome is predictable, the excitement fades. In contrast, a closely contested game with frequent lead changes keeps viewers engaged until the very end. The same principle applies to narratives. Characters must experience wins and losses, ups and downs, to keep the story interesting.

Avoiding Predictability

One of the pitfalls in storytelling is predictability. When narratives become too predictable, they lose their impact. This can often be seen in films with heavy agendas or overly formulaic plots. For example, some films with a solid ideological bent or certain Hallmark movies can become predictable as characters play out expected roles without real depth or change.

However, predictability is sometimes good. Knowing the outcome can sometimes be comforting, like in a beloved soap opera or a nostalgic film. The key is to balance familiarity with enough unexpected elements to keep the audience engaged.

Practicing Presence

So, how do you practice this dance of polarity in your creative work? It starts with being present. Embrace expansion and contraction in your presence and let that flow into your work. Whether you're writing, acting, directing, or producing, stay aware of the undulation in your narrative.

Stay engaged and keep creating!

Thank you for joining me on this journey through presence and polarity.

Keep practicing these principles in your daily life and creative work.

Remember, it's this dynamic dance that keeps both you and your audience engaged. Share your experiences, insights, and questions with me. Let's continue to explore and deepen our understanding of the creative process together.

Keep creating, stay present, and embrace the dance of polarity in your narratives.

Stay tuned for more tips, insights, and approaches to the work.

Thanking you

Joshua

Embracing Presence: Expanding Your Creative Space - Part 5

Working with presence is about opening and filling the space with your entire being. It's about awareness—fully aware allows you to fill the creative space, giving you more resources to draw from in your creative endeavors. Let's dive into how this works and how you can practice it in your daily life.

Opening the Space

The more aware you are, the more you can fill the space. Imagine your awareness expanding to fill the entire room. You can pull from a broader range of creative resources when you're fully present. Specifically, in creative work, you want to:

Create an open space: Be aware of your surroundings and the space you occupy.

Fill the open space: Allow your presence to permeate the space.

Maintain a point of view: Understand how your character thinks and feels and allow that point of view to fill the space.

Your character’s point of view will inform their state of being or how they carry themselves in their environment. This baseline will influence their actions and reactions.\

Example: The Art Gallery

Let’s illustrate this with a narrative example. Imagine your character is attending an art gallery opening filled with elite, affluent, and somewhat snobby art enthusiasts. Here’s how you can apply presence and point of view:

Create an open space: Your character enters the gallery, aware of the people and the atmosphere.

Fill the open space: Your character’s presence fills the room.

Establish a point of view: Your character thinks and feels a certain way about this event. Perhaps they feel out of place or disinterested.

Your character’s state of being reflects this point of view. They might want to get through the event quickly, or perhaps they might want to engage with the attendees playfully. The point of view remains the same, but the state of being can vary.

Now, imagine your character meets the artist—a charming, passionate individual—and they fall in love. This new experience changes their state of being, but their point of view about the snobby attendees might remain unchanged. This shift is potent and adds depth to your narrative.

Practicing Presence

You can practice this awareness and presence anywhere. Here’s how you can incorporate it into your daily life:

At the market: Cross the threshold of the market and begin your improv practice. Focus on your point of view and state of being as you navigate the aisles.

At the post office: Use the time in line to observe and expand your awareness.

At the mall: Engage with the environment and the people around you, practicing different points of view and states of being.

These exercises are excellent ways to develop creative skills outside formal classes or sessions. Incorporating these practices into your everyday life enriches your creative process and brings more authenticity to your work.

Your Turn Now!

Try it out! Next time you step into a new space, consciously create an open space, fill it with your presence, and explore different points of view and states of being. Share your experiences with me—what did you discover? How did it impact your creative process? Let’s continue this journey together, making discoveries, mistakes, and successes in real time.

Personal Stories

Feel free to share your own stories of practicing presence in everyday situations. How did it influence your perception and creativity? Let me know how you are doing, so we learn and grow together, constantly pushing the boundaries of our creative spaces.

The Direction of Focus: Harnessing Creative Impulses with Intention

The Power of Focus and Intention in Creativity

Focus and intention are key in the realm of creativity. Let's explore how to take a creative impulse and direct it with intention, creating a more impactful and coherent artistic expression.

Setting the Baseline of Intention

Every creative endeavor should start with a clear baseline of intention. This could be a theme, a goal, or even the name of a scene. For instance, naming scenes helps anchor your focus and provides a reference point for your creative process. Sometimes, it can be helpful to name your scenes. Giving them directional titles akin to the apparent event can be beneficial. Names like "The Breakup," "The First Date," or "The Big Fight." These title/labels can give direction and infuse your work with purpose.

Understanding Creative Impulses

Creative impulses are spontaneous, emerging from a state of being rather than premeditated ideas. Unlike ideas, which are cerebral and planned, creative impulses are grounded in the present moment and lived experiences. They are raw, unfiltered bursts of creativity that need direction to shape them into coherent expressions.

Let's explore this with an example. Imagine you're working on a scene called "The First Date." Your intention is to create a scenario that leads to a second date. As you improvise, you notice your partner's subtle actions – perhaps she spins a ring on her finger or plays with her bracelet. These observations spark a creative impulse.

Directing Creative Impulses

To direct your creative impulses, you need to align them with your baseline of intention. Here's how you can do it:

Balancing Conscious and Unconscious Creativity

Creativity thrives when there is a balance between conscious direction and unconscious spontaneity. By becoming aware of your unconscious responses, you can harness them to serve your conscious intentions. This interplay between the conscious and unconscious enriches your creative process.

Practical Application: Creative Exercises

To further illustrate how to direct creative impulses, let's explore a few practical exercises:

Exercise 1: Scene Naming and Intention Setting

Exercise 2: Sensory Observation and Response

Takeaways: Embracing Your Creative Flow

Directing creative impulses with intention will transform your artistic process.

By setting a clear baseline of intention, observing and responding to sensory inputs, and balancing conscious and unconscious creativity, you can create more impactful and coherent works of art.

Remember, creativity is not just about spontaneous bursts of inspiration. It's about channeling those bursts with purpose and focus. Embrace the dance of conscious direction and unconscious spontaneity, and let your creativity flourish.

Thank you for joining me in exploring the direction of focus in creativity. If you enjoyed this post, please share it with fellow creatives and subscribe for more insights and inspiration.

And remember, stay present, stay aware, and keep creating.

Embodying Creativity: Thoughts, Feelings, and Sensory Inputs in Your Art

Thoughts and Feelings: From a Somatic Experience Point Of View.

Let's dive into the fascinating interplay between thoughts and feelings.

Imagine your thoughts and feelings as a two-way street, where one influences the other. It's a bit like a dance – sometimes it's a waltz, other times it's a cha-cha. The key element here is to see & feel the relationship between thoughts and feelings in a somatic way, meaning it's a full-body experience.

You can harness this dance to fuel your creativity when fully present and aware. Imagine focusing on a thought – it could be anything from "I'm excited about this new project" to "Why does my cat always stare at me like that?" That thought generates a feeling, and you're suddenly in motion. You're embodying your art.

Sensory Input: The Building Blocks of Your Creativity

Now, let's talk about sensory input. Our sensory apparatus – sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch – are the channels through which we experience the world. Each of us has a unique sensory profile, and understanding yours can unlock new levels of creative expression.

Focus of Attention

First, you need to be present.

Being present means fully engaging with your sensory inputs, thoughts, and feelings. This heightened awareness allows you to filter and interpret the sensory signals in a way that resonates with your artistic vision.

For example, some people are highly sensitive to sound. The hum of a city street, the rustle of leaves, or the song's melody can evoke powerful thoughts and feelings. Visual stimuli like colors, shapes, and movements are more impactful for others. Seeing a sunset, a piece of art, or even a cluttered desk can spark a creative surge.

Personal Sensory Preferences

Let's look at how personal sensory preferences shape our experiences and, consequently, our art.

Imagine you're choosing a restaurant. For some, the deciding factor is the visual appeal – the ambiance, lighting, and decor –. They want a place that feels romantic or cozy. For others, taste is paramount. They choose based on the quality of the food, the flavors, and the culinary experience. Then others will prioritize sound – the music, the chatter, the noise level. Each sensory input carries its own weight.

Applying Sensory Awareness to Your Creative Process

As artists, we must recognize which sensory inputs we favor and how they influence our work. Once we are aware of our preferences, we can begin to layer in other sensory elements to create a richer, more immersive experience for our audience.

For instance, if you're primarily visually oriented, start paying more attention to sounds. How do different sounds enhance or change your perception of a scene? Or, if taste is your go-to sense, experiment with integrating touch and texture into your creative process.

Thoughts and Feelings: The Narrative Engine

Thoughts and feelings are not just abstract concepts; they are the narrative engine driving your creative process.

Think of your characters – their thoughts and feelings are the heartbeat of your stories. They add depth, dimension, and authenticity.

You create a more compelling narrative when you can fully embody your characters' thoughts and feelings. This embodiment extends beyond mere intellectual understanding. It's about feeling your characters' feelings, thinking what they think, and expressing it somatically.

Sensory Inputs in Character Development

Now, let's integrate sensory inputs into character development.

Each character can have a distinct sensory profile that shapes their experiences and actions. One character might be visually driven, noticing every detail in their environment. Another might be more attuned to sounds, reacting to the subtlest changes in tone.

Varying the sensory inputs you focus on for different characters can create more nuanced and engaging stories. This approach enhances your storytelling and broadens your work's appeal to a diverse audience.

Expanding Your Creative Horizons

You'll find new dimensions to your creativity as you explore the interplay of thoughts, feelings, and sensory inputs. The goal is to create a more holistic and immersive artistic experience. Being present and fully aware allows you to tap into a more bottomless well of inspiration and bring your unique vision to life.

So, the next time you sit down to create, take a moment to center yourself. Tune into your thoughts and feelings, engage your sensory apparatus, and let the dance begin. Remember, creativity is not just about what you produce; it's about the journey of self-expression and discovery.

For your next Creative Session: Embrace the Dance

Embracing the dance of thoughts, feelings, and sensory inputs can transform your creative process.

By being present and aware, you can fully embody your art and create works that resonate deeply with your audience. So go ahead, dive in, and let your creativity flow.

Thank you for joining me in this exploration of creativity.

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with fellow creatives and follow my YouTube channel for more insights and inspiration.

And remember, stay present, stay aware, and keep creating.

Yours Truly

Joshua

Being More Present: Focus of Attention

This is part two of our six-part series about being present and everything that comes with it.

Focus of Attention

Today, we're zooming in on the focus of attention.

To be a true creative force, your focus of attention needs to be on point and accessible. The ability to focus on anything at any time, at your choosing—when and where to direct your attention—is genuinely a superpower for any creative.

Ultimately, it's up to you. Imagine this: We are engaged in a deep telephone conversation, and suddenly, there's a loud siren in the background. I could focus all my attention on that siren or let it be part of my soundscape and keep my attention on what we are talking about. See the difference? Where you place your focus of attention can profoundly alter any experience in your life.

Now, here's a game-changer.

There are only three Circles of Attention. Just three. Understanding and mastering these will elevate your creative game to new heights.

The Three Circles of Attention

Bouncing Between Circles

Great storytelling involves bouncing or transitioning between these three circles of attention. You move from one to the other to keep the narrative dynamic and engaging. Sometimes, you might focus on the intimate details of a character's life (first circle), then shift to their interaction with another character (second circle), and finally zoom out to show the broader context of their world (third circle). The faster we bounce from one circle to the other, the less time we have to experience the moment and the possible nuances that may ensue.

Suppose you want the character and the audience to go deeper into the moment. In that case, this is usually created by allowing more time (breathing room) for each circle of attention that is being presented. For example, music videos generally have quick cuts between these three circles. Art house or European-style films that tend to linger on the human experience will usually spend a longer time in each circle—slowing down the pace but increasing the depth of entry.

Practical Application

As an artist, a creative, or just a human being, where you place your focus of attention matters. Consider which circle you focus on in your creative work and how you transition between them. This awareness enhances your ability to engage deeply with your work and audience.

Remember, all of this hinges on being present. When fully present, you can navigate these circles of attention with ease and intention.

Being More Present  Part 1 of 6  

The Game of Creativity: The Power of Presence

In the creative world, the game of creativity begins once you are very present and grounded in the here (hear) and now. Ideally, you are immersed in the moment to work authentically and organically, creatively with your process. 

Yes, you can have fragmented attention—bits and pieces scattered all around—and still get work done. But to harness your full creative potential, you need to be present. Nothing starts to gel until you're "in the room," by this, I mean potently aware.

The Art of Awareness

Awareness is the cornerstone of creativity.

It begins with the breath, the essence of our being.

To be aware means feeling the air around you, seeing the people and environment in front of you, smelling the smells, feeling the feelings, and hearing the sounds. It's about engaging all five physical senses—and more. 

Then there are the subtle senses, like equilibrium and other nuanced sensations. Being present, in its fullest sense, is the number one task of a creative artist or human being. 

Of course, it is possible to do creative work without being fully present. But you'll notice that it lacks the depth and authenticity it could have. For example, as an actor, if I'm fully present in a scene, everything aligns. There's no self-consciousness, no turning inward, no distractions from the environment. The by-product of this is that I will have more awareness to work with and more presence to immerse myself in, which ultimately translates into a richer performance.

The State of Being
At the core of being present is your state of being, which I call your State Of Being. Awareness of your state of being is crucial for navigating your creative journey and producing your best work.

Imagine you're exploring a new creative concept. You'd want an open, relaxed, receptive state of being, without an agenda. If you're in a scene where you need to be agitated or frustrated, you will need to be able to access your current state of being and then tune into the desired state to fulfill the needs of the narrative.  All of this work will circle back to being more and more present.

Practical Takeaways
So, how do you cultivate presence? Here are some practical takeaways:

This is the first part of a six-part series on enhancing your creative process working directly on increasing your awareness.

Each part builds on the previous one, so read all six parts as soon as they get published.  

The journey of creativity begins with being present. By mastering this, you can ensure your state of being supports whatever creative endeavor you're embarking on.

Watch out for part 2 of 6  in this series!