5 Ways To Beat Directors Block When Producing Online Videos
“Writers block.” It’s an awful feeling that you’ve experienced at some point. Once writers block sets in, it’s “game over man, game over” as Bill Paxton said so eloquently in the 1986 science fiction blockbuster Aliens. ”Directors block.” It’s really no different when producing online videos. Whether it’s creating a conference summary, product testimonial or vlogging, lacking inspiration is an awful feeling. You feel helpless especially when you have a super awesome camera rig, eager subjects and Final Cut Pro at your disposal. You peer through the viewfinder, but all you see is Bill Paxton.
5 Ways To Beat Directors Block When Producing Online Videos
1) Make it all about the music. Creating great online videos is never a perfect science and sometimes conditions or background noise don’t allow for ideal interview situations. With that in mind, sometimes going biteless (without the use of spoken footage) is the better option. In other words, a perfectly paced music track matched with effective broll (“cover footage”) might be enough to create a compelling story. http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/ and www.beatsuite.com/ are two tremendous royalty free sites worth visiting.
2) Collaborate with others. Sometimes it does take two people to make things go right. Whether it’s bouncing ideas off each other or utilizing each other’s strengths, collaboration when producing online videos is a healthy way jump start a project. It diminishes stress levels, maximizes equipment usage and you forge new relationships that might prove mutually beneficial in the future.
3) Just do it. It’s the old Nike saying but it’s a philosophy I truly believe in. If you’re fortunate to have secured compelling footage and are not limited by a client deadline, just throw footage on a timeline, go organic and work without linear constraints. The canvas is all yours to create compelling online videos. Start on the ending first. Better yet bulk up the middle. Or maybe finalize your project by simply finishing the beginning last. Make sense? You literally piece and navigate your way through a creative discovery process when producing your online videos.
4) Shoot and store. Everyone needs a break. Sometimes a healthy break away from producing online videos is exactly what’s needed to kickstart those creative juices. If time permits, no need to force things. Often spending time on just visualizing instead of producing is the best way to challenge your senses. My best work to date are the ideas that come to me in my 30 minute commute between 8-9AM.
5) Trust your background. Locking down subjects in your foreground as the centerpiece of your online videos is natural when in fact backgrounds are hidden gems waiting to be unearthed. Simple subjects without a suitable background can come of as just plain. Simple subjects with a well placed background that supports your composition will make your piece all that much more valuable not to mention showcase your production chops. Keep an eye on colorful artwork across the hallway or better yet hidden sources of light that could add some “splash” to your piece.
Most importantly, free your mind. Explore and flood your mind with inspiration. Travel to unknown places. Tackle unfamiliar subjects or topics. Blame it on Instagram but over the last year, I’ve become very fascinated with the art of shooting food as a healthy alternative to traditional online videos. I find myself exploring what different lenses bring to the table and how to adjust for things like insufficient lighting, steam and flying grease. Bottom line, random thoughts and ideas fuel inspiration.
How do you get over creative hurdles or director’s block when producing online videos? I would love to hear your thoughts on 5 Ways To Beat Directors Block When Producing Online Videos.
