Filmmaking Confidential – Details, episodes & analysis

In today’s Special Bonus Episode, Steve shares additional excerpts from his new book “Accessing Creativity: Unlock Your Inner Genius”

These excerpts come from the audiobook available exclusively on Audible. Also available on Paperback and eBook wherever books are sold.

In a world that constantly demands innovation and originality, finding and nurturing your creative potential has never been more crucial. “Accessing Creativity: Unlock Your Inner Genius” by award-winning filmmaker Steve Balderson is a profound exploration into the heart of creativity, designed to help you break free from limiting beliefs and embrace a life of boundless imagination.

Through engaging monologues, philosophical insights, and practical exercises, Balderson guides you on a journey to discover the endless source of creativity within. From understanding the power of intent and effective communication to navigating the intricacies of judgment and preference, this book offers a fresh perspective on what it means to be creative in today’s world.

But creativity isn’t confined to the arts alone. As highlighted in the thought-provoking afterword by Steve’s father, a seasoned expert in manufacturing and industrial commerce, the principles laid out in this book are universally applicable. Whether you’re developing groundbreaking technology, solving complex business problems, or simply seeking to enrich your daily life, “Accessing Creativity” provides the tools and inspiration you need to thrive.

Discover how to:

• Reframe limiting beliefs and decisions to unlock your true potential
• Cultivate a mindset that nurtures continuous creative growth
• Use the Three Perspectives strategy to evaluate and enhance your work
• Embrace the idea that there is no failure, only feedback
• Apply these timeless principles across all areas of your life

Join Steve Balderson as he shares his unique insights and experiences, showing you how to tap into the infinite creativity that lies within us all. With “Accessing Creativity,” you’ll learn to see the world through new eyes and transform your ideas into reality.

Get the Books:
Filmmaking Confidential
Accessing Creativity
How to Find Investors

Watch the Films:
DIKENGA

Official Websites:
SteveBalderson.com
Instagram @dikenga
TwitX: @sbalderson
Facebook

In today’s Special Bonus Episode, Steve shares more excerpts from his new book “Accessing Creativity: Unlock Your Inner Genius”

These excerpts come from the audiobook available exclusively on Audible. Also available on Paperback and eBook wherever books are sold.

In a world that constantly demands innovation and originality, finding and nurturing your creative potential has never been more crucial. “Accessing Creativity: Unlock Your Inner Genius” by award-winning filmmaker Steve Balderson is a profound exploration into the heart of creativity, designed to help you break free from limiting beliefs and embrace a life of boundless imagination.

Through engaging monologues, philosophical insights, and practical exercises, Balderson guides you on a journey to discover the endless source of creativity within. From understanding the power of intent and effective communication to navigating the intricacies of judgment and preference, this book offers a fresh perspective on what it means to be creative in today’s world.

But creativity isn’t confined to the arts alone. As highlighted in the thought-provoking afterword by Steve’s father, a seasoned expert in manufacturing and industrial commerce, the principles laid out in this book are universally applicable. Whether you’re developing groundbreaking technology, solving complex business problems, or simply seeking to enrich your daily life, “Accessing Creativity” provides the tools and inspiration you need to thrive.

Discover how to:

• Reframe limiting beliefs and decisions to unlock your true potential
• Cultivate a mindset that nurtures continuous creative growth
• Use the Three Perspectives strategy to evaluate and enhance your work
• Embrace the idea that there is no failure, only feedback
• Apply these timeless principles across all areas of your life

Join Steve Balderson as he shares his unique insights and experiences, showing you how to tap into the infinite creativity that lies within us all. With “Accessing Creativity,” you’ll learn to see the world through new eyes and transform your ideas into reality.

Get the Books:
Filmmaking Confidential
Accessing Creativity
How to Find Investors

Watch the Films:
DIKENGA

Official Websites:
SteveBalderson.com
Instagram @dikenga
TwitX: @sbalderson
Facebook

Kristian Hoffman ran away from his boyhood home in Santa Barbara, California, to New York City where he and his high school friend, Lance Loud, formed a band called The Mumps. This was quite soon after both had made dramatic appearances in what is now known as the first reality TV series: PBS' award winning "An American Family".

Flourishing in the New York club scene in the late '70s, Lance and Kristian became obsessed with the New York Dolls and lead to Kristian drawing the infamous "Bendover Girl" which was included as an insert in the Doll's first LP.

While still performing as Mumps, Lance and Kristian subsequently appeared in a show called "New Wave Vaudeville" , produced by Ann Magnuson, who was to prove a life-long collaborator with Kristian. Thus they met met the headliner Klaus Nomi, the eccentric legendary German counter-tenor mutant glam virtuoso visionary.  Kristian approached Klaus Nomi about forming a band. Kristian's collaboration with Klaus included writing several songs for him, including "Total Eclipse."

Kristian made his mark on rock and roll history as the first musical director for chamber pop singer Rufus Wainwright's touring band, has played keyboards and written songs for the atmospheric torch band Congo Norvell, has produced, toured with, and written songs for punk/cabaret singer Abby Travis, toured and recorded as keyboardist for El Vez, the Mexican Elvis all over the U.S., and toured for five years with and played on several albums with Kinks founder and lead guitarist Dave Davies. 

Kristian's third solo album, called & because it consists mainly of duets with other musicians (including Russell Mael of Sparks, Rufus Wainwright, Maria McKee, El Vez, Paul Reubens, Anna Waronker, Lydia Lunch, Stew, and Ann Magnuson), was released to great critical acclaim. "Uncut" Magazine called it a "spectacular, operatic art rock power-pop album." Aquarian Weekly called it a "flawlessly crafted, ornately embellished pop opera," and the L.A. Weekly said "& is the record that every fan of the Beatles, the Beach Boys, the Kinks and great songcraft in general has been pining for. Frighteningly Excellent!"

As for where this multifaceted singer/songwriter, musician, poet and artist will be headed next, it's a safe prediction that he has a surprise or two in store.

Get the Books:
Filmmaking Confidential
Accessing Creativity
How to Find Investors

Watch the Films:
DIKENGA

Official Websites:
SteveBalderson.com
Instagram @dikenga
TwitX: @sbalderson
Facebook

Iris Berry is the co-founder of Punk Hostage Press.  She is the author and editor of several books and has a vast fan base for her unique voice and formidable writing style. She’s an L.A. Pop culture historian, actress, and musician. She’s appeared in numerous films, TV commercials, documentaries, and iconic rock videos.

In the 1980s & 90s, she sang, performed, wrote songs and recorded with the Lame Flames, the Ringling Sisters, the Dickies, the Flesh Eaters, and Pink Sabbath. She served four years on the Board of Directors for Beyond Baroque Literary/Arts Center. In 2009 she received her 2nd Certificate of Merit Award from the city of Los Angeles for her contribution as a Los Angeles writer, and for her extensive charity work. Iris continues to champion and advocate for original voices.

Books by Iris Berry: All That Shines Under The Hollywood Sign and The Daughters of Bastards and The Trouble with Palm Trees

“There are far too few writers today who write from the heart about the damned. Far too few who let lost souls scream from the page once more. Iris Berry is one of these writers. Her words are haunting and her imagery cinematic. Iris Berry is a straight Razor wrapped in a garter belt. She leaves nothing but her blood on the page." - Edaurdo Jones

Get the Books:
Filmmaking Confidential
Accessing Creativity
How to Find Investors

Watch the Films:
DIKENGA

Official Websites:
SteveBalderson.com
Instagram @dikenga
TwitX: @sbalderson
Facebook

JAMES OSELAND travels extensively in search of the world’s best restaurants, street food stalls, markets, and home cooks. Long before he was a judge on Top Chef Masters, he was a teenage rebel growing up in the pre–Silicon Valley, California, suburbs, yearning for a taste of something wild. His remarkable memoir Jimmy Neurosis captures the quest that led him from the mosh pits of San Francisco to the pop world of Andy Warhol’s Manhattan.

He is most recently the author and editor of World Food: Mexico City and World Food: Paris, part of World Food, a new book series from Ten Speed Press. He was the editor-in-chief for nine years of Saveur, America’s most acclaimed food magazine, where his work garnered many accolades, including seven James Beard Awards and three awards from the American Society of Magazine Editors. His cookbook Cradle of Flavor was named one of the best books of 2006 by the New York Times and Good Morning America. Additionally, James’s writing has appeared in Gourmet, Vogue, Food and Wine, and the Wall Street Journal, where he writes the “Cook’s Playbook” column. He has appeared on Celebrity Apprentice, the Today Show, Iron Chef America, and was a permanent judge on all five seasons of Bravo’s Top Chef Masters. James is a popular cooking teacher and has taught at the Institute for Culinary Education, the New School, and New York City’s Natural Gourmet. He has lectured at culinary institutes and food societies around the world; in 2011, he delivered the keynote speech for the International Food Bloggers Conference. In 2013, he starred as himself in a series of Wendy’s commercials. He has lived in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and India, and now calls Mexico City home.

Get the Books:
Filmmaking Confidential
Accessing Creativity
How to Find Investors

Watch the Films:
DIKENGA

Official Websites:
SteveBalderson.com
Instagram @dikenga
TwitX: @sbalderson
Facebook

Peaches Christ (aka Joshua Grannell) is a filmmaker and cult leader living in San Francisco. Her infamous movie events at the Castro Theatre regularly draw over 1,000 attendees to each new production before they tour. Events have featured special guest stars John Waters, Cloris Leachman, Patricia Quinn, Nell Campbell, Linda Blair, Bruce Campbell, Apollonia, Barry Bostwick, Pam Grier, and more. Peaches is the alter- ego of Joshua Grannell, the writer and director of the feature film All About Evil. The award-winning dark comedy gore film stars Natasha Lyonne, Thomas Dekker, Cassandra Peterson, Mink Stole, and Peaches Christ herself. Peaches Christ has been featured in the films Milk, I Am Divine, Diary Of A Teenage Girl, Mansfield 66/67, Tura!, Scream Queen: My Nightmare On Elm Street, You Don’t Nomi, and more.

All About Evil is a wild ride that’s as horrific as it is hilarious. It’s been called “a riotous experience” (Horror News), “clearly ahead of its time” (Geekscape) and “made for lovers of horror by someone who loves the genre” (Daily Dead). Now the “demented, outrageous and hysterical” (PopOptiq) debut feature from writer/director Joshua Grannell can finally be experienced by audiences everywhere: When a mousy librarian (Natasha Lyonne of RUSSIAN DOLL) takes over her late father’s struggling movie theater, a series of grisly murders caught on camera will transform her into the new queen of indie splatter cinema. Thomas Dekker (TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES), Cassandra Peterson (ELVIRA, MISTRESS OF THE DARK), Noah Segan (DEADGIRL), Mink Stole (FEMALE TROUBLE) and drag legend Peaches Christ co-star in this “huge fun nod to forgotten horror and exploitation via loads of blood and black humor” (Yell! Magazine) produced by Darren Stein (JAWBREAKER).

You can see All About Evil now streaming on Shudder.

Get the Books:
Filmmaking Confidential
Accessing Creativity
How to Find Investors

Watch the Films:
DIKENGA

Official Websites:
SteveBalderson.com
Instagram @dikenga
TwitX: @sbalderson
Facebook

Elliott Hunter is an international award winning magician and sleight of hand artist.  Elliott began magic after seeing his first magic show at the local library, and then reading all of the magic books he could to learn the craft. As he progressed, he sought professional mentorship and training. In 2011 he had the opportunity to train at the most prestigious magic school in the world, and learn from the best of the best. Over the years, Elliott has been able to combine his skills in other aspects of entertainment, such as drama, dance, theatre, sleight of hand, comedy and grand illusion to create a truly multifaceted show that appeals to all audiences young and old alike.

Elliott aims to create an authentic evening of entertainment… which is kind of ironic, considering that a magician’s job is to deceive… however, Elliott uses this to his advantage by skillfully combining magic and storytelling. When you watch Elliott’s show, it’s more than just a magic show. Elliott aims to connect with his audiences by sharing personal and socially relevant stories that elicits certain emotions in the audience. Everything is Elliott’s show stems from his own personal reality… meaning what you are seeing is true, authentic, and real... He uses magic to remind his audiences  that even the seemingly impossible can be made possible, and no matter the obstacle, it can be overcome.

As his mentor told him… “You can have the best production value, the most expensive equipment, and even be the best performer in the world, but if you fail to connect with the audience, then you lose all aspects of entertainment.”

Get the Books:
Filmmaking Confidential
Accessing Creativity
How to Find Investors

Watch the Films:
DIKENGA

Official Websites:
SteveBalderson.com
Instagram @dikenga
TwitX: @sbalderson
Facebook

Susan Traylor is an award-winning actress, writer and film director.  She was born in New York and raised in Los Angeles in and around the theater. Her parents were legendary acting teachers Peggy Feury and William Traylor who worked with the likes of Sean Penn, Meg Ryan, Anjelica Huston, Nicolas Cage, and Michele Pfeiffer.  Their school, the Loft Studio, served as a second home to Susan.  At fifteen she insisted on officially studying with her parents. She continued her formal education by going to film school at NYU and while in New York she studied acting with Rochelle Oliver.

Susan’s breakthrough role came in Robert Redford’s A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT.  Susan also starred in HEAT with Robert DeNiro, in Gus Van Sant’s TO DIE FOR, GREENBERG with Ben Stiller, and numerous television series.  In 2005 she wrote, directed, produced, and starred in an amazing film called WELCOME TO CALIFORNIA.  She was nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead for her performance in VALERIE FLAKE.  She has also appeared in a number of Steve Balderson's films.


 

Get the Books:
Filmmaking Confidential
Accessing Creativity
How to Find Investors

Watch the Films:
DIKENGA

Official Websites:
SteveBalderson.com
Instagram @dikenga
TwitX: @sbalderson
Facebook

Davey Wavey is an American Producer who covers LGBT topics related to sex, relationships, and coming out. His YouTube channel has over 1.4 million subscribers.  Wavey is also the creator of Himeros.TV - a site that pushes the boundaries of sex, sexuality, and new ways to experience pleasure, discover desires and express oneself in ways that bring joy and ecstasy.

Wavey described Himeros.TV to The Advocate saying, "We don't market it as educational porn or porn that's good for you, but it kind of is. It's porn, that when you watch it, you see either a technique that's being demonstrated or a concept that you feel like you can apply to your life. As gay men in a vacuum of sex education, we learned about sex by doing what? Watching porn."  At Himeros.TV there's even a porn star bill of rights!  Wavey discusses the policy to provide his models with post-filming mental health support and free counseling. He also pays livable wages, creates drug-free filming sets, and ensures a fully consensual environment.  The wide-ranging content on Himeros.TV is co-created with a team of sex coaches, tantric instructors, psychotherapists, sexologists, world-class directors, talented cinematographers, and models who embody ecstasy.

Get the Books:
Filmmaking Confidential
Accessing Creativity
How to Find Investors

Watch the Films:
DIKENGA

Official Websites:
SteveBalderson.com
Instagram @dikenga
TwitX: @sbalderson
Facebook

Before he became an award-winning writer and poet, Brian Sonia-Wallace set up a typewriter on the street with a sign that said “Poetry Store” and discovered something surprising: all over America, people want poems. An amateur busker at first, Brian asked countless strangers, “What do you need a poem about?” To his surprise, passersby opened up to share their deepest yearnings, loves, and heartbreaks. Hundreds of them. Then thousands. Around the nation, Brian’s poetry crusade drew countless converts from all walks of life.

In The Poetry of Strangers, Brian tells the story of his cross-country journey in a series of heartfelt and insightful essays. From Minnesota to Tennessee, California to North Dakota, Brian discovered that people aren’t so afraid of poetry when it’s telling their stories. In “dying” towns flourish vibrant artistic spirits and fascinating American characters who often pass under the radar, from the Mall of America’s mall walkers to retirees on Amtrak to self-proclaimed witches in Salem.

In a time of unprecedented loneliness and isolation, Brian’s journey shows how art can be a vital bridge to community in surprising places. Conventional wisdom says Americans don’t want to talk to each other, but according to this poet-for-hire, everyone is just dying to be heard.

Thought-provoking, moving, and eye-opening, The Poetry of Strangers is an unforgettable portrait of America told through the hidden longings of one person at a time, by one of our most important voices today. The fault lines and conflicts which divide us fall away when we remember to look, in every stranger, for poetry.

Get the Books:
Filmmaking Confidential
Accessing Creativity
How to Find Investors

Watch the Films:
DIKENGA

Official Websites:
SteveBalderson.com
Instagram @dikenga
TwitX: @sbalderson
Facebook