How does an artist find his or her voice?

Question

I'm a filmmaker and writer that graduated film school a year ago. I've written a few scripts here or there, but the problem is every idea I come up with just seems to be something that was inspired by TV or another movie.

The best way to put it, I don't have a "voice" yet. And when I say voice, I mean that one peculiar thing an artist has that inspires them to be creative that sets them apart from other artists.

So what do my fellow artists (painters, animators, filmmakers, writers, musicians, etc. etc.) do to find their voice? Are there certain exercises you do? Is it simply a matter of sitting, pondering, and deep soul-searching?

This has really put a damper on my creativity, and has sort of run my motivation to create aground...any input would be great.

Answer 1

Write from within whats personal to you. If you feel that is real then this emotion will follow through for your audience.IN a way its your story,how you see things,all artists, have their own vision in seeing the world...............its what sets you apart from your peers ? If you cant discover this special thing,you might try meditation in order to get you atuned to the real self that is within you.Forget everything you"ve ever known and try and write from another perspective eg. ET Spielbergs classic film was written from teh point of view of the children and the alien who became the protaganist in which everything revolved around. For the first time,Spielberg turned a once seen to be menacing alien into a loveable creature that touched peoples hearts.

I guess if you can tune into what drives peoples emotions,and can write a script you are halfway there ?

Answer 2

First off, I think it's okay to be inspired by a show/book/movie or whatever and then write a story similar to that plot--as a start.  I remember my earliest draft of my book was pretty much a fanfiction of a show called Early Edition.  But I made subtle changes here and there, and now years later--my story has absolutely nothing in common with the show.  (Well, I do have a character who likes to read the paper in the morning, but come on...)

But the problem with that is that you probably can't work on one story for years, right?

I guess I found my "voice" when I got to know my characters, almost caring for them like they were real human beings.  That's what happens when you devote X many years to a single book series, I suppose.  That, or I'm a weirdo--and I won't deny that I am.  Then I asked some why questions, like why did he grow up to be this way?  And such.  

Maybe you could start with the developing of a character or characters, and then work your way around--instead of structuring a plot first?