LDSPMA

Member Spotlight: Robert Starling!

March 13, 2021 By Trina Boice Leave a Comment

Robert Starling lives in Riverton, Utah.

What are some names of the books or other media you have created?

I was a photographer for the Daily Universe at BYU. Then, I produced the first student film ever made for class credit called “Ice Cream and Elevators.” I’ve written, produced, and directed hundreds of TV shows, promos, and corporate videos, mostly for the Alabama Public Television Network, for local TV stations for NBC, and for the LDS Church. I wrote the original script for a successful feature documentary film called “In Search of Historic Jesus.” I wrote a book called “A Case for Latter-day Christianity.” My article on the Book of Mormon was “most read” on Meridian Magazine last year.

What inspired you to become a creator of media?

An accidental summer job at a military photo lab in 1965 sparked an interest in photography. I decided to major in broadcasting at BYU, and I learned the thrill of creating. I particularly enjoy bringing little-known true stories to the screen that inspire viewers.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

Fortunately, there have been many. Getting paid to study the life of Christ while writing the script for “In Search of Historic Jesus” is near the top of the list, then shooting in New York, England, and filming the Shroud of Turin in Italy. Of course, seeing my book in print was a thrill, and filming the B2 Bomber’s first flight. I was the video producer for the Boy Scouts of America at the World Scout Jamboree in Japan. When working for the Church, having President Monson give my boss a literal thumbs up on a project was great.

What was the best advice you’ve ever been given in your creative journey?

Someone once said, “Find something you love to do, and find a way to get paid for it, and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.” Fortunately, I’ve been blessed to be able to do that for about 50 years. The other best advice comes from Matthew 6:33: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” President Kimball encouraged LDS creators to use their talents to share the gospel, and that’s the best advice of all.

A photo of a camera being used. Robert Starling is a professional photographer.

What advice do you have for someone just starting out in your field?

The first piece of advice I mentioned above is a good start. You must love what you do and have a passion for it, or else go find something else. Then you must learn the basics of your craft. It is said that “He who has imagination without learning, has wings but no feet.” In addition, tell stories that don’t just entertain but also inspire and have meaning. Talent is given us from God, and we owe it to Him to use them in His service. Find mentors, and never eat lunch alone, so to speak. Always be networking.

What keeps you inspired in your daily creative work?

I believe I was given my talents and opportunities for a purpose, and I cannot squander them on meaningless things. Each day is a gift from God of 24 golden hours filled with 60 “diamond” minutes, and I must not waste it. As the hymn says, “have I done any good in the world today?” Asking that question at eventide inspires me each day to try and do better tomorrow. There are so many inspiring stories that need to be told and so little time. It also inspires me to fellowship with other LDS creators, like in A.L.M.A.

What would you like others to know about you or your creative process?

Maybe what I don’t want others to know, but which could be instructive, is that I have “creative A.D.D.,” and I have difficulty focusing on a project and finishing it. There’s always a new idea popping up. I’m 75, and yesterday I had a literal list of 49 movies I want to make. But today there are 50. I’m off on a new quest. I would say to others “don’t be like me,” but on the other hand, it is a wonderful ride. I just need to find collaborators with resources, who are looking for good stories. I’ve got ’em.

In what ways do you feel you have been able to be a voice for good in your creative pursuits?

“Ice Cream and Elevators” was rejected by a student film festival—a judge said it was too good to have been done by students. BUT, he said that if it portrayed BYU student life accurately, he wanted his daughter to go there! That was good. With “In Search of Historic Jesus,” I was able to show audiences worldwide Christ visiting the Americas. That was good. The interactive DVD “An Introduction to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” was produced for limited use but President Monson said to use it church-wide. That was good. And my book ….

If you want your spotlight to link to your website or any of your social media platforms, include the URLs here.

The website is down, but ask me about the “Kinship” documentary and the “Tooka TV” Iranian children’s channel!

7 Character Traits of Creative People

March 10, 2021 By Trina Boice 2 Comments

By Trina Boice

Have you ever wondered what drives creative people? What makes them different? Hanging out with other LDSPMA members energizes me, inspires me, and encourages me to tap into my own creativity more! You can develop your own innate creativity by incorporating the following seven traits into your daily life.

1. Creative people are focused

Highly creative people usually have high levels of energy and stay focused on their project for long periods. Even when they are out of the studio or away from the computer, their minds are still thinking about their creative work. To take advantage of the ideas that tend to constantly flow, keep a notebook nearby or reserve a spot on your cell phone where you can instantly record your flashes of inspiration.

2. They hold onto a sense of wonder

Creative people are often brilliant, but they don’t think they know everything. Just the opposite, they retain a sense of wonder and curiosity about the world. They are committed to lifelong learning.

3. Creative people work hard

Creative people, whether songwriters or artists, speakers or writers, usually work long hours on a project and get into “the zone.” They let their loved ones know what they need for support, so that when they’re in “the zone,” they won’t be bothered or interrupted. Know how to design an effective workspace with music or silence, food or drink, aroma or light. Creatives are persistent and determined and totally focused on their work. They also know they need to take a break!

4. Creatives are not loners

Research suggests that creative people often combine the best of extroversion and introversion. While most people tend to favor one or the other of these personality types, creative people combine elements of both. They find ideas and inspiration in their social interactions and then retreat to the studio to work their creative magic.

5. They are open and sensitive

Creatives tend to be very empathic and sensitive. They are open to all the possibilities of the world and find inspiration everywhere. Sensitivity is necessary to be able to create artistically but can be a double-edged sword, leaving the artist vulnerable to criticism and rejection.

6. **Creatives can daydream and be realistic**

The traditional picture of the daydreaming artist isn’t necessarily reflective of the creative mind. Creativity is grounded in imagination and daydreaming, seeing the possibilities and wondering ‘what if?’ But creative people are also very practical, and the next stage is testing the ‘what if’ idea to see if it works. Creative thinking is essential for innovative problem solving that works in the real world.

7. Creatives seek to be a light in the world

Creative desire to share their gifts with the world to make it a better place. They want to share their insights and perspective in order to lighten another person’s burden or add joy and depth to understanding.

So, what are YOU going to create today?

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Dr. Trina Boice is a #1 best-selling author of 31 books and an author coach at www.FromBook2Business.com. She teaches online for Brigham Young University (Idaho campus), is a film critic at www.MovieReviewMom.com. Trina is the Marketing Director at LDSPMA and loves rubbing shoulders with all of you amazing creatives!

The Arts as a Superpower

February 24, 2021 By LDSPMA Leave a Comment

By Shaun Stahle

“What is the most powerful weapon in the world?” I asked a class of fifth graders in Fielding Elementary School many years ago.

The Gulf War was raging at the time. Every news cast led with horrific scenes of destruction. “The Apache Helicopter with laser-guided smart bombs,” blurted one boy. “Nah,” said another. “Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from warships.”

The boys grew animated with some coming out of their chairs in mock imitation. These sparkly-faced boys knew their weapons of mass destruction.

After the teacher restored order, I suggested that neither the laser-guided missiles nor the Apache Helicopter—as powerful as they were to level big buildings into little pieces of rubble—were the most power weapons in the world.

More guesses followed. “How about nuclear bombs?” asked another.

“No,” I said long and slow, squeezing every second to build tension. “The most powerful weapon in the world…is words.”

Three illustrated people with speech bubbles. Using words and conversation.

Words: the Most Powerful Weapon in the World

The class went thunderously quiet. Faces contorted. The mental torture of trying to figure how words trumped bombs in causing agony. “Words?” someone finally bellowed. “When did words ever win a war?”

“Think about it,” I suggested, trying to ease their pain before their faces froze in those positions. “When mean words are said, you get angry. When you get angry, you could throw a punch. If nations say enough mean words, people get angry and tempers flare. They sometimes hurl bombs. But do you feel like poking someone’s nose who has complimented you?”

I’m not sure the students understood my analogy. I’m not sure the teacher did either. But I still think the premise has merit. Words tell stories. Stories evoke emotions of virtue such as beauty and love. Such emotions build into peace and contentment and gracious living. Harmony and unity are the result.

Words can also fan the flames of hate and animosity. Words of deceit and injustice can enrage to violence. Instead of unity, we see others as a lower species.

Words Turn Enemies to Friends

President Dallin H. Oaks in his October general conference address recommended that we heed the counsel of a famous musical and make more effort to get to know each other.

He should know. As one who has stood in the heat of intense adversarial debate trying many cases—50, I think—before the US Supreme Court, and as a man deeply cultured in the affections of the Spirit, he knows how to turn enemies into friends.

That’s where we come in. Those who tell stories help society get to know each other. Words and images and sounds are our superpower. The more we use our powers to tell the plight of another, the more we defuse the ugly and demeaning and debase that confronts us.

Most of us will never be introduced in the Rose Garden. None of us will have a finger on the big red nuclear bomb button. But we still have power. “The kind words we give, shall in memory live.”

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Shaun Stahle was yanked from a comfortable bed early one morning at age five to cart newspapers off his grandfather’s printing press and has been cursed with ink in the blood ever since. He spent 17 years detailing the growth of the Church with the Church News. His retirement plan is to find a shoe box full of unmarked bills along the road someday. He says he has saved his wife of 33 years from a life of fame and prosperity.

Merry CHRISTmas!

December 17, 2020 By Trina Boice Leave a Comment

We want to thank you for making LDSPMA a part of your busy life by being a member and sharing your creative talents with others.

This year has been a pretty crazy one, so the light you shine in the dark world has been especially important. We’re constantly amazed by all of the things you’re doing to make the world a better place.

We hope you feel our love for you as we create events and services to help you grow your professional talents and business. More important, we hope you feel the Savior’s love during this Christmas season.

We have some VERY exciting new developments for 2021 that we’ll tell you about in January! Until then, we wish you a very Merry CHRISTmas and a Happy New Year!

The LDSPMA Board