Before we get to the show notes, I want to thank those who contribute financially to this Story Script Substack.
Your support helps pay for the apps I use to record and edit episodes and another app for creating show art. In December, you’ll receive a special Make It. Share It. Thank you gift!
I’m also starting a weekly written post in December. This post will be shorter than my long-form pieces so I can share more about the intersection of creativity and development.
On to the show…
Stories From The Show
Cooper shares his journey of balancing his passion for music with his career in the oil and gas industry, and how the lessons learned in each world have shaped his approach to creativity.
In a providential encounter, Cooper meets actor Jason Lee at his camera shop in LA, leading to a moment of realization about the kind of multifaceted creative life Coop aspires to live.
The importance of preparation and having a deep well of creative ideas and sounds to draw from when collaborating with artists
How skills and lessons from the business world, especially building strong relationships, translate to the creative process in the studio
Maintaining a focus on the joy of the creative process itself rather than external validation or "chasing the third thing"
Staying true to yourself and your varied interests and passions rather than feeling the need to fit a certain mold
Questions We Explore
What lessons from seemingly unrelated fields can shape an approach to the creative process?
How does embracing a multifaceted identity contribute to a rich and fulfilling creative life?
How can we maintain a sense of childlike wonder and find joy in the act of creation rather than seeking external validation?
"I left going, yeah, that's kind of the life I want also. Like photographer, musician, baker, (actor), drawing…whatever (creative expression emerges)."
-Steven Cooper, after spending time with actor Jason Lee at his camera shop in LA
Chapters
00:00 Transitioning from Oil and Gas to Music Production
08:26 Finding Time for Creativity
17:59 Navigating Creative Ideas in the Studio
25:45 Innovative Sound Creation
31:32 The Multifaceted Creative Life
39:15 The Importance of Authenticity
46:56 Sharing and Feedback in Creativity
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