"Survival Often Drives Creativity," Tim Minchin Declares

An obsession with ‘doing’ is central to creative success, according to Tim Minchin, Suzie Miller, and Josh Niland.

The trio discussed the work no one sees, and the importance of focusing on short-term goals rather than long-term ambitions during a panel at SXSW Sydney.

Tim remarked on how economic pressures often lead to unexpected innovation.

"Survival often drives creativity," Tim explained to the panel, including award-winning playwright Suzie and chef Josh, who spoke to Glue Society founder Jonathan Kneebone about breaking creative conventions.

"You need to create a space that allows you to express your multi-skilled talents," he advised.

Suzie Miller’s journey from law to playwriting was ignited by her desire to capture the stories of a community in King's Cross. She spoke candidly about the fears leading up to her first performance, and the determination that followed. 

"Persistence is vital," Suzie explained, noting the tenacity required to overcome the gender biases in the industry.

The conversation pivoted to the significance of obsession and persistence in creative work, with long hours and dedication usually reaping little to no reward.

Suzie encouraged a total commitment to one's work and to developing an understanding of your individual goals and processes, stressing that success requires dedication and hard work.

Tim reiterated the need to focus on short-term goals, a philosophy he has embraced throughout his career.

"You can't know if it's meant for you, and it’s not your concern anyway," he said, advocating a mindset rooted in immediate objectives rather than distant aspirations.

Tim used the film Slumdog Millionaire as an analogy for how he approaches creative growth.

“In that film, he had the answers,” Tim said.

“He didn’t know it, but all his life he had been learning the answers to the questions that would come in the future. That's certainly how I feel about my career – when things only started going really well after about 12 years of just doing fucking gigs with no intention.”