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Tuning The Creative Process
In creating viral videos the most important part is the idea, the concept, the plot. Without that, all the cinematic shots, expensive equipment and talented actors wont mean shit. It is the foundation for the viral video and from what I have seen, most videographers lack the basic mindset to find a basis for new viral videos.
While they have equipment and skills, they seem to lack the creative process or finding a medium for stimulating that process.
Most people will try to think up an idea. Poof, out of thin air waiting for an idea to appear. but why would an idea appear? Just because you want it to?
Having worked with many videographers, I have seen them sit for hours baffled on what to do next. They have no direction and no ideas, some even saying that it has all be done before.
It is hard when you think about it.
If you were to make a short film this week, what would it be about?
Where do you pull the idea from? Where is your starting point? What is your inspiration? What is your motivation?
Without one item to build on, you are stuck.
And that is the point I am trying to make. You just need one thing, no matter how simple, you just need one object, and event or idea to start from.
In my own creative though process, I look at props. I look at what I have to work with, what tools and where I can shoot. Since we primarily do comedy videos I try to think of a funny concept around one item.
Take a look at what you have laying around. Anything that could start as a focal point for your film.
Maybe a flux capacitor or a puzzle box.
Look carefully at what you have and think about the story they tell. Items left behind in a hasty move because someone had to get out of town quickly, a room that is a mess because the maid has the day off and panic ensues in the rich family household.
Maybe an old fishing pole, if that is your only prop, how do you turn that into a movie?
Could be a father handing it down to his son and teaching him how to fish which could be a character study of a child facing the same struggles his father did and you could parallel the 2 stories with flash backs to the fathers childhood.
You don't need to look far for ideas and inspiration. Just take an everyday item and build a story around it.
Just find a starting point before you decide the entire concept.
One problem videographers have is that they are very linear and understand equipment and technical specifications while missing the ability to look at something and see it as a focal point.
I watched videographer after videographer take my camera and make cinematic shots of equipment, vehicles and people but never looking to tell a story.
And isn't that just the fact?
Look at any videographer's reel, they have all "CINEMATIC" shots and no story.
I look for the ability to tell a story, and bring life to a scene. Sure lighting is important, but I promise you, nobody is packing into crowded covid filled theaters to watch cinematic shots and lighting, they expect to be entertained.
Cinematic shots are great and can elevate a story, but they cannot tell a story by themselves.
To many videographers take their camera and go out looking for shots instead of sitting down and coming up with a script for a short film and executing it. Which is why so many videographers rely on wedding videos, because all they have to do is shoot and edit and make it look cool.
To actually be successful with wedding videos, a videographer should spend time with the families, learn who people are and try to tell the story the way the customers see it. But they don't, it is just the videographer being lazy and making a quick buck the easy way.
There is more creativity needed to make yourself a successful videographer and one way to start that in the right direction is to hone your creative process. Find your voice and make something you can be proud of. Make something that people want to watch.
If you are stuck with wedding videos, make videos that anyone would enjoy watching, not just the immediate family reliving a short memory.
However you find that creative mind, Mr dog Poop Studios can support your vision and help produce your next film.
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