Norman Seeff's The Sessions (2015 - 2016)

Photographer and creativity explorer Norman Seeff reflects on the insight he's gained about the creative process from renowned artists such as Will.i.am.

Billy Wilder muses on writing, directing and Marilyn Monroe.

Ray Charles shows how "easy" it is to sing and explains how he does what he does musically.

Ray Charles tells Norman Seeff how an instrument talks back to a musician and what that means.

What sets artists apart from the rest of us? What drives them? Will.i.am reflects on artists as "tomorrow people".

"What is Funk?" Bootsy and Catfish Collins define it and demonstrate it for Norman Seeff.

Chris Lewicki talks about why he worked so long and hard on the Mars Exploration Rover.

How do you move beyond addiction? Dr. John's answer is defining his priorities.

Conversations with Dr. John, Norman Seeff and others on how defining priorities can change a life.

Recorded in 1999, Dr. John talks candidly with Norman Seeff about his creative process and his relaxed approach to song writing.

Norman Seeff and others comment on a 1999 interview with Dr. John in which he talks about the "magic" of what he does and what he creates.

Herbie Hancock talks with Norman Seeff about his decision not to become an electrical engineer in order to pursue a passion for music and composing.

Norman Seeff and others discuss Herbie Hancock's decision not to become an electrical engineer, but to go into music and composing, with all the risks of failure -- and creative energy -- that entailed.

The conversation with Herbie Hancock continues as Seeff learns about Hancock's composition of "Maiden Voyage." Is a piece "destined" to be written?

Herbie Hancock's job is "to be open to inspiration" -- how did he compose "Maiden Voyage"? He tells the story to Norman Seeff.

Herbie Hancock and others review his 1999 interview on "Maiden Voyage." He talks about arriving at the perfect title for the piece.

Mark Adler talks about the thought breakthrough that helped move the Mars Exploration Rover Mission forward.

Mark Adler, Mission Manager of the Mars exploration mission with Pathfinder, recalls the moment he worked out how the lander could be constructed. Watching this interview, Norman Seeff and colleagues discuss this moment of inspiration and the power of dreams.

Merle Haggard opens up to Norman Seeff about his father's untimely death and its effect on his music.

Norman Seeff and others discuss turning pain into creativity and purpose while watching Merle Haggard's interview with Norman from 2002.

Poncho Sanchez, noted Latin Jazz musician, discusses how he got his start on the drums and his earliest memories of music in his home.

How does Poncho Sanchez, noted Latin Jazz musician, turn his dreams into music?

Ray Charles talks about making music and the influence an instrument has on the artist.

Norman Seeff and others discuss the unlimited possibility of creative thought.

Steve Squyres, principal investigator for the Mars Rover Project, describes his passion for exploration.

Norman Seeff and others reflect on the "fun" in Squyres' passion for the Mars Project.

Steve Squyres, principal investigator for the Mars Rover Project, recalls the day he got THE phone call that his team was chosen for the Mars project.

Norman Seeff and others discuss the non-linear path of creative thought, even in science.

Mars Exploration Rover design engineer Tom Rivellini describes his moment of clarity around the design of the lander and its deployment.

Norman Seeff and others discuss the willingness to "receive" ideas as part of the energy of Tom Rivellini's creativity and the creativity of others.

Will.i.am embodies innate creativity as he describes how the world and its sounds and conversations translate to music for him.

As they watch Will.i.am spontaneously compose a song while in a photo session, Norman Seeff and others discuss the artist entering a "sacred space" of creation.

Will.i.am discusses his mother's influence on his life and his teen years in his neighborhood as he discovered his musical talents.

Recorded in 1986 during a photo session with Norman Seeff, Lily Tomlin discusses performing on stage night after night, and she and her partner, Jane Wagner, discuss the way they work together.

Norman Seeff, creativity explorer and photographer, interviews American author Norman Mailer during a photo shoot in 1988. Mailer had just written "Ancient Evenings" and so he and Norman talk about writing, death, reincarnation and ancient Egypt.

In 1999, Norman Seeff interviewed Chaka Khan and the funk music band, Rufus, about the start of their collaboration, their songs, and their careers.

Will.i.am talks to Norman Seeff about musicians and how their melodies are meant to be created and shared. They discuss how constructing a melody is like breaking a code for the artist and for the listeners.

Photographer Norman Seeff talks with Adam Deitch, record producer and drummer, about the roots of Adam's music and his creativity.

Recorded in 1999, Norman Seeff talks with Stevie Nicks, solo artist, and member of Fleetwood Mac, about her stage fright that overwhelms her, but how it can also transform her performances.

Recorded in1976, photographer Norman Seeff shares some candid moments with Johnny Mathis during a photo shoot.

Photographer Norman Seeff speaks with Carver Mead, renowned professor at the California Institute of Technology, about his early childhood growing up in the mountains in California -- and the benefits of long walks in the woods and surprises.

Recorded in 1985, photographer Norman Seeff interviews Martin Scorsese as he photographs him. Scorsese briefly touches on "Mean Streets" and "Taxi Driver", "Raging Bull" as he discusses directing movies and working with actors.

In a sweetly revelatory photo session from 1986, Norman Seeff draws out jim Henson on puppeteering, and his joy in being able to stay creative and playful.

Miguel San Martin opens up to photographer Norman Seeff about his early years in Patagonia and his work on the Mars Mission as the Chief Engineer for Guidance and Control systems.

Recorded in 2004, photographer Norman Seeff films some enthusiastic urban street dancers who are dissecting dances and teaching each other movements.

In 2013, photographer Norman Seeff interviewed some of the Red Bull Music Academy participants about making music, electronic music, and what it means to them. Artists include: Federico Randall, Carlos Guadd, Alexandra Pirici, Rodrigo Coelho, Alex Silva, Simone Jones and Louis Baker.

Take 6 is an American Grammy winning a cappella gospel music sextet formed in 1980 on the campus of Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama. The group sings contemporary R&B style. Recorded in 2002, Norman Seeff persuades them to show him how they construct their songs together.

Recorded in 2013, Norman Seeff talks with Simone Jones, a Red Bull Music Academy participant, about her unquenchable urge to create music.

Excerpts from Norman Seeff's interviews with members of the NASA team that was responsible for the design and the mission of the Mars Rover about pivotal moments leading up to the mission's success.

Research scientists at the California Institute of Technology were interviewed by Norman Seeff in 2002. In this film he has compiled various scientists talking about seminal moments which led them to their careers; and the thrill of the endless quest for knowledge of our world and our universe.

Bob Fosse, renowned dancer and choreographer, reflects on dancing and his life as he poses for photos in Norman Seeff's studio in 1986.

The Pointer Sisters, June, Ruth and Anita, riding the fame of their disco hits in 1982, dance, sing and pose for photographs.

Norman Seeff interviews current music sensation Nate Ruess about his composing style, his career with previous groups Fun and The Format and how Nate evaluates his success.

In 2003, Norman Seeff photographed and talked with Curtis Stigers about his early career, his feelings about performing live and the nature of jazz.

In 2011, Norman Seeff talked to Ann and Nancy Wilson, the sisters in the band Heart, about the ecstasy of creating music, songwriting and the difficult role of women in the music business.

In 2008, Norman Seeff photographed and interviewed Raphael Saadiq, a guitarist, record producer and singer who has been a standard bearer of old school R&B. Saadiq talked about his early career and his music.

In 1988, Norman Seeff photographs and interviews Terry McMillan, author of "Waiting to Exhale" and other books, about how she started writing, and how she "becomes" her characters when she is writing.