Creative Spotlight #32

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Having showcased our special guest Shakeelah in our 30th episode, let's go further back in time to meet Taliah, the guest who graced our 20th episode.

#SPECIAL - Taliah Lamont: Role Model Filmmaker at University and Beyond

Taliah Lamont is a London based freelance video producer who recently graduated from MetFlim School in Ealing with a Master's degree in Producing for Film and Television. Born in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia and raised in Leeds, England, Taliah was surrounded by the arts and cinema since she was a child. This would lead to her decision to attend a BA Film Production course at Middlesex University in London where her short films, such as Potty the Plant and Chopsticks!!, would win awards and show at festivals internationally. Listen to this episode to get a sneak peek into behind the scenes of Taliah’s successful short films, discover more about pitching projects to have them commissioned and get inspired by her story as a hard working, enthusiastic and optimistic student.?

Connect with Taliah:

• https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/taliahlamont/
• https://taliahlamont.wixsite.com/lamontpictures
• https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9102759/
• https://www.instagram.com/talibops/
• https://www.instagram.com/sergeantwings/?

Potty the Plant:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RKitlTof3Y&ab_channel=PottyThePlant

?? Lesson from Taliah

• Hard Work Pays Off

“At the end of the day, if you want to be in this industry hard enough, it makes it much easier to get in. It doesn't guarantee it, but having the motivation, knowing it's something that you want to be in and that you're willing to put all of this work and time and effort in, then it's worth all of that trouble. And that's what separates probably the casuals from the serious.”

? Questions worth pondering about:

• Can you relate to Taliah's message?
• Whether it relates to creative industries or not, I believe that this can be applied to most of the situations.
• Are you willing to put in all the necessary work to get in?
• Will you make the sacrifices in order to be among the "serious ones"? I hope your answer is "yes"!

?? Numbers to Lightsabers: How a Career in VFX Began with Passion for Maths| #45: Alisha Huxtable

Beyond the title of VFX Line Producer lies a diverse skillset forged from experience in film, animation and digital marketing. Alisha Huxtable seamlessly blends technical expertise in studio software with strong leadership, communication and scheduling abilities. Her data-driven approach incorporates valuable analytics insights to create visually stunning and effective content. But Alisha's passion extends beyond technical mastery. She's a pragmatic strategist and a creative thinker who thrives in collaborative environments, constantly seeking innovative solutions while fostering inclusivity as she dedicates efforts to integrating individuals into the VFX community and aiding them along their creative path. Her adaptability and eagerness to learn to fuel her continuous growth, ensuring she stays ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving world of visual effects while using her VFX skills to empower others.

Tune in to the first part of our conversation where Alisha unveils the pivotal role Star Wars played in igniting her passion for visual effects. Witness her academic journey marked by excellence and discover how she secured her dream position at one of the world's leading VFX companies.

Connect with Alisha:

• https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/alisha-huxtable/??
• https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12290483/

??? Podcast updates:

Recently, I started sharing shorts/reels from the podcast on LinkedIn. Until now, I've been posting them only on Instagram and TikTok but I think it would be a shame not to share them here too. Of course, it provides some further visibility to the podcast but also, but it also provides some support to the guest. Especially, since some of the guests are not present on Instagram this might be very helpful. What do you think of this idea? Have you seen any of the shorts? Is there something to do differently or better? Let me know below!

?? Quote worth sharing:

"The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude."

– Oprah Winfrey

?? Idea worth sharing

SMART Goals: A Formula for Success

In the pursuit of personal and professional growth, setting SMART goals is a proven strategy to achieve success. SMART is an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound.

• Specific: Clearly define your goal, ensuring it's clear, unambiguous, and easy to understand.
• Measurable: Establish quantifiable metrics to track your progress and assess your accomplishments.
• Achievable: Set realistic goals that align with your capabilities and resources, avoiding overly ambitious objectives.
• Relevant: Ensure your goals are aligned with your overall objectives and priorities, avoiding distractions and irrelevant pursuits.
• Time-Bound: Set specific deadlines for achieving your goals, creating a sense of urgency and focus.

By incorporating SMART principles into your goal setting, you can significantly enhance your chances of success. Here are some examples of SMART goals:

• Specific: Become proficient in coding within six months.
• Measurable: Complete 10 coding projects and achieve a score of 80% or higher on each project.
• Achievable: Dedicate 3 hours per week to coding practice, working with a mentor or online courses.
• Relevant: Contribute to personal and professional growth, enhancing employability and career prospects.
• Time-Bound: End of six months, with regular progress check-ins and adjustments to the plan.

By following these principles, you can transform your goal setting into a powerful tool for achieving success in all areas of your life. ??

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Thank you and have an amazing week! ??