Hi! Welcome to the 4 CreativeWheels newsletter — your weekly dose of insights on creativity and fuel for your creative journey.

Behold, week #25! And we are a few weeks away before we get spammed with Jingle Bells melodies. Before we reach there, let’s enjoy our “Take it, Learn it” series as it continues with its 7th Episode.

This week’s issue is more special. It will be a deep dive. We’ll be talking about a character from one of my favorite directors’ work, talk about an ideology related to his work, and how everything relates to us all. And we’ll explore the overlooked facet of an important discussion.

In case, this email gets cut due to length, you can read it in full here.

In this week’s issue, our guests are Edna Mode, the Incredibles, and Brad Bird.

Without further ado…

Let’s start the ride!

(Missed Episode 6? Here you go!)

Main Wheel

Brad Bird. That's the name. The name of the director who made me wonder as a young child. And to this present moment, his work continues to do so.

Bird's work is among my top favorites in cinema. Frankly, there is not [yet] a director whose work has impacted me as much as Bird's. This man made me dream. From the characters and stories to the messages he has shared, I felt inspired. I could not stay the same after the watch.

Naturally, not everyone shares my love for Brad Bird's work. They have their reasons. Among the reasons, the philosophies behind Bird's work are prominent.

Multiple critics have made the connection between Bird and objectivism. Objectivism is the philosophy of rational self-interest championed by the Russian-American novelist Ayn Rand. Why is there a connection? The reason stems from the displays of individuality in Bird's work.

In his work, Brad Bird often tells a story through gifted and exceptional individuals. These individuals are by far above average. And they often are passionate about their abilities. However, they feel or are constrained by society.

Young Richard saw himself in that. I've always been different. As a kid, I could sense that clearly but could not explain it. I've always been creative, it's a special power I have had. I wasn't the creative who just loved to splash colors on paper. I was [and still am] the creative that craved novelty in ideas and approached things from different angles. The creative who aimed for excellence. However, the majority could not understand me.

Whenever I tried to show what I was fully, I met discouragement. I felt pressured to be like everyone else. I was not empowered in my abilities. Plus, there was no space or chance for me to thrive. I felt stagnant and stuck. And that's why movies such as The Incredibles and Ratatouille struck a chord with me.

I could so much relate. It was not about the animation even though I adored the animation. It was about the message, story, and characters. From Bird's movies, these things made me feel seen and inspired.

Nonetheless, I understand where the critics come from. By saying that only a group of people are special and the rest should let them be at their best, it indirectly lessens the value of those who are not special. But what if there is something that counter this notion? What if in The Incredibles and all of Brad Bird's work dealing with this idea, there is a message, a silver lining for everyone?

The message and silver lining I've found in Bird's work is the matter of choice. It's all about choice. No matter where you are, what you have, and who you are. The best example of this silver lining is one of the most loved characters in Brad Bird's filmography. It's no other than Edna Mode.

Edna is a designer. I sincerely apologize. Edna "E" Mode is the best super-suit and fashion designer in the world. She has had a long and thriving career. Edna has designed clothes worn by the best supermodels in the world. She has most notably designed suits for superheroes. This is where she prides herself. Edna creates both fantastic-looking and functional suits for the supers. Moreover, she is intellectually gifted. With her proficiency in engineering and technology, she crafts suits capable of withstanding the struggles and issues her clients face.

Edna's suits help and enhance the supers' activities. Her unique mix of skills, talents, and, of course, sass, were critical in the fate of the Incredibles. If Edna Mode had not convinced Bob Parr (Mr. Incredible) to have a new suit, she could have not made a new suit for him. If she had not made a new suit for Bob, Mrs. Parr (Elastigirl) could have not tracked Bob's location. Moreover, if Edna had not made suits for the whole family, Helen, and the children would have been injured or even died when battling Syndrome. If she had not been present, Syndrome could have been successful.

Furthermore, Syndrome thought of every way possible to annihilate the supers. Yet, he forgot that Edna Mode was there for her favorite clientele. She made the suits that would help them face an opponent like him. Additionally, if Syndrome's suit was made with Edna's hate of capes, he could have been safe and sound. All of these things prove how much Edna Mode is essential. Let's not forget she creates the suits for free.

Edna Mode is a remarkable designer with matchless genius. That's why she is special. She could have used her abilities for herself. She was and is capable of producing the gadgets and devices that would make her unstoppable. Yet, she chose and chooses not to do so. Edna decided to use her superpower for good and even help those who have the grand superpowers. Edna Mode chose to be a super, superhero.

Syndrome also had the power of intelligence. No, despite some critics' claims, he was the villain not because he lacked supernatural powers. He was the villain mainly because of his choice. From the start, Syndrome was not interested in being a superhero. He was only interested in having powers and what being a super would give him. And that means the recognition and acclaim. You can see his need for recognition playing a part in him becoming a villain. Syndrome did not care about human life. He chose not to. Even with supernatural powers, he would have not been a superhero.

On the other hand, Bob Parr would have been a superhero even without supernatural powers. We can see that reflected in his life away from superhero duties. When Bob Parr could not be Mr. Incredible, he still desired to help people in many ways. He had a strong passion and care for human lives. Bob could not let the old lady be scammed. Bob was frustrated when he saw that person being attacked. Bob Parr could not watch injustice happen without him doing something about it.

Even as a superhero, he considered human life to be precious. Heck, the incident that caused him and other supers to be sued was him saving a man from suicide. That is what made Mr. Incredible, incredible. Yes, he did like the recognition. Bob loved the thrill and the adventures of being a superhero. However, his choice to care for human lives made him a superhero. The Incredibles chose to be heroes. Yes, they had and have superpowers. But just like Edna Mode, they chose to use them for good.

So, it's true. In many of Brad Bird's pieces, there is an underlined message of allowing the exceptionals to express their talents to the best of their abilities. Still, in the same pieces, the exceptionals are only special when they can benefit society at large.

However, this does leave the question: Are only a few exceptional and super? We all know that famous Syndrome quote, "If everyone is super, no one will be." To Syndrome, what made superheroes, super, were their powers. It's easy to agree with it. It makes sense and sounds logical. Yet, what made superheroes, super, was their choice of caring for human lives with their powers. And there is another question. If everyone had the powers, would everyone choose to use them?

Who is to say that if everyone could fly, everyone would choose to fly every day. The great majority has the power of working legs possession, sight, and good health. Does everyone choose to be an ultra-marathon runner? The great majority has the power of decision and focus. Yet, does everyone choose to be disciplined? The great majority has the power of giving encouragement to others. But, is everyone an encouraging person?

That is why choice matters and is critical.

We can see how choice influences Brad Bird's characters in various instances. Another among the favorites, Remy from Ratatouille, had a choice to make. Remy chose to be an exceptional chef. He chose to go against the status quo. He chose to explore his passion and know as much as he could. He chose to learn and get better. And even as Remy had that gift for cooking, that power of a chef, if he chose to stay with the other rats, he would have never become the Remy we see at the end of the film. He chose to risk his life so he could be in an environment that would propel him to new culinary heights. Remy chose to be super when he would have gained nothing but making the choice.

Yes, I know I know, it was implied and shown that Liguini could never be a good cook. But what if that is okay? What if Liguini's exceptionality was not in being a cook in the first place? He was a super waiter. Linguini served the clients in such a good way that the absence of others did not damage the restaurant. Without Linguini's prowess and choice to serve with swiftness, Remy could have not impressed Anton Ego.

Who would have served that plate? Remy? Remy would certainly have not been a great waiter. He was too small. Both Remy and Linguini chose to be where their presence was special. And it came through and with hard work. Likewise, the Incredibles had powers but it was by choosing to use them, that they could be super with them.

So, is everyone super? No. But, can everyone choose to be super? Yes. We all have superpowers. We all have specialties we are great at. We all have something that pulls or can pull our attention, love, and care. We need to choose to discover them, choose to use them, and choose to develop them.

I know it's easy to say so. Being a superhero is flashier than being a suit designer. Being a cook is more fun than being a waiter. However, sincerely, it depends on who you ask. It really does. Again, it's a choice. For instance, I love directors more than actors. Does it mean that being an actor sucks? Not at all. Does it mean that being a director is better than being an actor? Not at all. It all depends on what you choose.

This also goes with the directors. Do most people celebrate live-action directors more than animation directors? Yes. But does it mean that animation directors are not as brilliant? No. It simply means that many people hold live-action cinema more dearly than animation. To me, Brad Bird is one of the greatest directors of all time. Yet, for those who consider animation as "for kids," Brad Bird is just another good director making movies for a young audience.

The view of what is special and exceptional is again a matter of choice. Unfortunately, people get so caught up in what others believe is exceptional that it hinders them from becoming and being super. They desire to be the supers that get the most praise. The supers who beat the bad guys, seemingly, without anyone's help. The supers that get called supers. The great facade in this is even those supers have other supers that help them be super. Like the Inredibles, these supers all have Edna Modes behind them.

Without Pixar animators, despite Brad Bird's brilliance, he could have not created The Incredibles. Without the storyboarders, the animation could have not been as cohesive. Without the programmers, there would be no software for animators to use. The list goes on. Imagine, if one group of these wonderful craftspeople, chose to not do the exceptional job they did. Just imagine that. The Incredibles was made in 2004. Yet, it still looks wonderful and is enjoyable to watch. It all thanks to these supers.

Yes, Brad Bird gets "most" of the credits and flowers. I'm here talking about his work and how his work has pushed me to reflection. He is incredible. However, that does not stop me from appreciating the other incredibles that assisted him. Their collective choices made the film. The choices of every single person who worked on The Incredibles. These people used their abilities to make a masterpiece. It does not matter whether they were logical, creative, physical, or intellectual. They all chose to be as exceptional as they could be. They were all embodiments of Edna Mode.

We can all be like Edna Mode and use the power of choice. We can choose to find what makes us special. We can choose to develop it and nurture it to outstanding heights. And we can choose to do so to fulfill ourselves and help others. We are all different. We all have different kinds of superpowers. We can even develop and improve the little powers we have for them to become super. It depends on us.

Therefore, the questions are not "Who are or are not special," "Who should be celebrated the most," and "Is everyone super." The real question, the question we all can and should ask ourselves is "What can I choose to do and be that would be exceptional, benefit myself, and others?" From the answer, something special can be born.

As Anton Ego said it perfectly, "Not everyone can become a great artist; but a great artist can come from anywhere." So, what will you choose to be and do?

Fin! See you next week for Episode 8!

Inspiring Wheels

Here are two (or more) creative works that you’ll not regret checking out:

• "Are You Willing to Pay the Price of Greatness" - bridges | A reflective, creative, and thoughtful video about the price of greatness.

• "you should write it down" - marta.stl | A short, sweet, and creative video on the importance of writing things down. It’s 3 minutes but has more depth than many movies released nowadays. Definitely worth the watch.

Want to share this issue of 4CW with a friend, colleague,… any human being? Just copy and paste this link: https://4creativewheels.beehiiv.com/p/November-7-2024 😉 😃

Thank you so much for reading! 

As always, feel free to reply to this email & share your thoughts, stories, and any experience related to this topic. I’d love to hear them!  

C ya next Week! 

Embracing Creativity™,

Richard M.

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