11 Comments
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Adaobi Okolue's avatar

Ah! Had the same feeling when I saw that Kodak’s Coogler video last year. It made me double-down on the need to chase craft first, which meant slowing down to really develop as a filmmaker (writer, director). But as a strategist and narrative architect, I also know the importance of showing your work, as you say. It’s tough. I want to protect the space of where I’m at in this particular stage, which feels formative. But I also can’t be so hidden that I’m only seen when the work is fully formed. I have worked through some ideas on how to navigate that but let’s see if I’m brave enough to actually land it. Appreciate this piece, very timely.

Kaya Nova's avatar

You’re so welcome! And I’ve been there too it’s a constant balancing act. But I think it means a lot that you’re already thinking about how to show your work more, even that takes some courage to get to. You got this 🤎

Mykala Daniel's avatar

This is a great take about us entering into a show your work era. I’ve been deeply trying to figure out how to do that last line of “showing up as a human not just an artist asking people to consume.” I find that I struggle with perfectionism not just because of what others will say but because of how high of a standard I hold myself to. But the process is the heart of the work and I’ve gotta be willing to let people see it so they can fully understand how we got here.

But thanks for this. Really good stuff!

Kaya Nova's avatar

Thank you for reading! Finding that balance is still a struggle for me too, perfectionism gets in the way of us all. But I just try to remember what it felt like to create back when I was a kid and didn’t care so much about everything being “right”

Hoping you find that place too 🫶🏾

Elle's avatar

I am so glad to have found your account. The way you write is music to my ears and I'm a musician, also 🙃 🙌🏽💜

Kaya Nova's avatar

Thank you so much! 🫂🎶

Taylor Hunter's avatar

This was a much-needed read!

Kaya Nova's avatar

Thank you!! 🫶🏾

Shayland's avatar

Instant sub! So excited to connect!

Piotr Niedzieski's avatar

Oh my, I so struggle with that! My process feels so intuitive to me, the decisions so hard to explain I really don't know how the hell I could explain that!

Reggie Tay's avatar

I struggled a lot with putting myself online for the reasons that you mentioned. Substack feels like a platform where I can create community and show up authentically so it makes it easier to ‘Show my work’ on here more than any other social media.