Creatives on film: five inspiring documentaries.

There’s something very comforting about getting a glimpse into the life and career of a certified genius. Frank Gehry was told to drop out of architecture class -- his teachers thought he’d never make it. Philip Glass drove a cab well into his brilliant career as a musician and composer. Of course, now they’re established creatives whose reputation is assured, so what felt like failures at the time have lost their sting. There’s a lesson in that somewhere. To both comfort and inspire, a list of five brilliant documentaries of creatives’ lives and work.

1. ‪Sketches of Frank Gehry‬ (2005)

Now in his eighties, Canadian-born Frank Gehry has been declared “the most important architect of our age” by Vanity Fair for his astounding work, most notably Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum.

Watch it if: you’re battling with having to make a living from your artistic talent. You think getting a campaign past layers of approval is hard -- Gehry has to do that and make sure his buildings don’t collapse and kill people. Despite his immense ego, Gehry is a client wrangler extraordinaire. A must-watch for anyone who wants to see their big ideas come to life.

2. Glass: a portrait of Philip in twelve parts.

Watch it if: you feel out of step with your time (Glass was so radical that at first people wondered if he was actually a bit stupid). Or if you need a kick in the pants -- Glass might be innately gifted, but this documentary shows the sheer effort and stamina he pours into his craft, juggling multiple works and sitting at the piano from breakfast to late in the day.

3. Rivers and Tides: Andy Goldsworthy working with time (2001)

British artist and environmentalist uses nature as his canvas.

Watch it if: you need to get away from your medium, tedium and the quotidian and back to the biggest inspiration of all: nature.

4. Patti Smith Dream of Life (2008)

This documentary about Godmother of Punk, artist, poet and National Book Award winner Patti Smith was ten years in the making.

Watch it if: you want to get to know the amazing woman who wrote Just Kids. Bonus: marvel at her Bob Dylan impersonation and how frankly poor she is at guitar for a towering rock star.

5. Art and copy (2009)

With appearances from the brains behind campaigns like “Just Do It,” “I Love NY,” “Got Milk” and “Think Different,” Art and Copy reveals the work and wisdom of some of the most influential advertising creatives of our time.

Watch it if: you need to fall in love with advertising and its possibilities again.

If you like this, you might like: How to get out of a creative rut. Did we miss out your favourite doco? Tweet us @STWnextness.