Hillman Curtis – Hello, I'm DK – creative producer and speaker coach

For Those Who Want To Tell Better Stories #2 | Wood Block Carving, Intimation & Family Secrets

A few chosen narrative examples, to uncover forms, inspire the soul and stir the creative spirits.

Even if you don’t carve Japanese wood blocks for printing, this is a delightful experience. Softly delivered with barrels of enthusiastic knowledge regarding one persons learning journey. A 30mins piece-to-camera with very little deviation (I only counted one cut), no script, just chapters of a thread regarding a teacher and their impact on an eager student with a wonderful piece towards the end of the manifest artistry alluded to throughout the video.

One of my favourite shorts. Dripping in suggestive narratives and tenderly framed, the sparse dialogue focuses attention whilst the actions conveys the emotional depth of the situation. Subtle and monumental all in one.

An example of how oratory can be performative. Complimented by musical overtones plus amplified through a slick and calculated delivery, an illustration of the power of humanising lived and generational experiences.

All offered up to inspire, teach and make you smile / think.

Check out all the ‘For Those Who Want To Tell Better Stories’ posts.

Image credit.

Hillman Curtis | RIP

Tears for a guy I never met.

I never met Hillman Curtis.

I wanted to.

The three times I visited New York emails were sent to attempt to connect, however, he was always busy with other things.

Busy with his amazingly adept creative offerings which I featured regularly on here (the last included a comment thread between myself and the great man which humbled me to the core).

This man was a mammoth creative influence on me. Raised expectations and understanding of the visual narrative; the simplistic but oh so sweet connection one can create through the video medium.

This guy was a master of his craft.

My last email to Mr Curtis was about a month ago after seeing the video above. I was selfishly asking him about his thought process as he embraced the need to lead a more creative life.

I now understand why there was never a response.

Thank you sir, for your creative offerings to the world.

Thank you for allowing us all to see your work.

Thank you for inspiring.

Thank you.

The Illustrated Gladwell

Another great offering from the lens of Hillman Curtis.

Originally posted on January 3rd but I was a little too keen, Hillman pulled it into private mode as not quite ready to share. Now it’s available for your eyes, brain, soul…

WATCH (like 1million+ others, my TEDx talk, now on ted.com), the public speaking lesson you never had, and BUY the companion Speaking With Purpose e/audiobook.