Creativity In Action: Jennifer Schwerin2009-12-03
For this month's conversation, we speak with Jennifer Schwerin, Independent Filmmaker and NIA Instructor.
INSPIRED: When, from where, and why did you move to Beijing?
Jen: I've actually been in Beijing for two periods. I first came in 1986. My husband, who was my boyfriend at the time, was/is the China hand in the family, having studied Chinese in University. We are both Asia oriented, he China, me more India and Nepal (and China now). So while he worked in China, I came up from Singapore , and later Nepal where I lived, to be with him. In 1990, we went back to the States for 5 years and then my husband was posted back to China in 1995 and we have been here ever since. I knew if I married him, I would have to spend a lot of time in China and become a China hand too, though neither of us anticipated spending this long! Since I have lived in many Asian countries, many more poorly developed than China, I must say it was not an issue for me to adjust to living here or to adjust to the culture. China is positively modern and organized compared to Nepal.
INSPIRED: How has your professional identity changed since you've been in China?
Jen: Well, I have always been an independent filmmaker since the moment I left University. And I am very stubborn and determined, and perhaps just in my own little world, so I just kept on doing what I do. When we were posted back to China in 1995, I was at the peak of my documentary film career in New York City. My first big feature documentary had just been aired nationally on PBS and had won several awards. Based on that success, HBO had called us and asked us to make a film for them. For a documentary filmmaker, it doesn't get any better than HBO calling!
So I made one film for HBO and was poised to make more when we were posted to China. I made the decision to follow my husband with our 1 year old son, and just figured I would make the best of it. I also had always wanted to move into fiction filmmaking, and thought this break might give me that chance. It is extremely difficult to get opportunities to make fiction features in the States. I thought it might be easier in China.
This didn't turn out to be true. It has been a difficult and interesting journey. When I arrived, I made the first MTV content from mainland China - those weird little films between the music videos. That was followed by another baby- took some time off. Then I became the Creative Director of MTV. Then I had my third baby. Then I became the Executive Producer of Encore TV, working with CCTV. These were my first experiences with corporate culture and working for someone else. I really valued the experiences, and I had fabulous Chinese colleagues, and I managed a team of young Chinese producers whose developing "creativity" was my responsibility. In the end, however, I am an independent filmmaker, so I found it frustrating to not be making films all the time. It felt like we had endless meetings about making films, instead of making them. I re-ignited my commitment to make fiction feature films and went back to being my own boss and writing scripts and trying to get them made.
China is a wide open place full of opportunity, so my struggles brought me on many adventures, all of which I learned from and all of which shaped the directions I was going in. I was asked to direct the first locally produced Broadway musical here - what an amazing thing. Said yes! I was asked to be the CEO of an animation company poised to be the Pixar of Asia. Said no to that, but not until I had done a whole lot of research to make sure I wasn't squandering a major opportunity. In the process I met many people who educated me about "new media" and the new emerging technology platforms. Also the search for money for my feature film was another adventure that did not turn up money, but turned up a valuable education.
All of that went into the founding of TaDaa! Media, where I design and produce cutting edge "new media" - mostly short fiction drama video art, and get paid to do it!
INSPIRED: In grey and polluted Beijing, what do you do to develop and encourage creativity, both in yourself and others?
Jen: Well, I'm pretty self sufficient and hermit-like. I can spend hours in my imagination. I do like to get out and go see a play or some art, or walk "old Beijing", meaning going to a market, or go to an old hutong area and just remind myself of the life going on all around me. Anything to get me to be present. I find this inspires me. I dance, of course, being a Nia instructor, this is probably my most regular source of renewal and inspiration. I also love to go dancing and hear music, but this doesn't happen very often. And connecting to friends is extremely important; other like-minded souls to connect to on the journey is key.
INSPIRED: What are the challenges in establishing a creative career? Are there challenges specific to Beijing?
Jen: I think creative careers are probably some of the most challenging careers to establish anywhere. These are careers that are self-driven, self-motivated and self-created, and self-defined; everything relies on your own "making it happen". On the other hand you are free to set your own schedule. The real challenge is in finding the balance between discipline and spontaneity and the slightly schizophrenic situation where you are both the boss and the worker. You have to be fairly obsessed and passionate to make it work, I think, otherwise it is just too difficult.
Is it more challenging in Beijing? Perhaps it is easier since one is away from what happened before Beijing and you are free to re-invent yourself. This can be very liberating. Perhaps it is more difficult because the terrain is unfamiliar and there may not be a support system in place at first for what is the daunting task of creating and getting it out there. This is part of the adventure that shapes the work, in my opinion, so you just have to go for it. Why Not? What else would you rather be doing? If you have an answer, then do that!
INSPIRED: How do you determine which of your creative ideas should be put into action?
Jen: I stew them, I incubate them, I chew on them until one rises to the surface and becomes clear: it is the one. Actually this process for me is quite involved, since I am not that decisive a person. I will normally have several things going and I will analyze them from all angles. The most important tool for me is intuition, and sometimes I will decide on the most bizarre course of action that on appearance really doesn't make sense, even to me, but I feel in my gut that I must do it, or the push is so strong. I never ignore these feelings. I go down that path. I really make an effort to say yes whenever I can. I always ask "Why Not? And Why NOT Me?" when voices of doubt come up.
INSPIRED: Do you think that people are "born creative" or can creativity be learned?
Jen: I think everyone is born creative, since creativity is just connecting to the amazing stuff all around us and acting as an interpreter or conduit for what we sense. I think many people have shut off those channels of reception in themselves at some point (some very early) , or simply think they can't interpret, or deny it or don't feel the need or desire to do anything with it. I do think it is always there, should we choose to act upon our creativity. I think it is like flexibility- some people are born stiff and some are born supple and both can learn to be the other way with some practice, passion and desire to develop that part of themselves.
Thanks, Jen, for sharing your creative journey with us!
