Creatives can't help themselves. When curiosity strikes, they have to see where it leads. Ideally, this happens in and outside agency walls. Personal creative endeavors can further unexpected inspiration, ignite unseen innovation, and keep the creative soul nourished. And more often than not, the inspired thinking that occurs beyond agency walls will lead to innovation within them.
Here's a tip to help kickstart your off-the-clock creative endeavors:
Begin with a challenge in mind. When curiosity comes calling, turn that nebulous rumination into a solid set of creative parameters. In other words, put yourself in a box and work your way out.
For example, I was going through a recent Roger Waters phase and decided to make a video for his song, Smell the Roses. I liked my creation. But I didn't love it.
Time to challenge myself with a brand new box.
CURIOSITY:
I wonder how this video would sync up to live concert footage of the song.
Will serendipity strike?
PARAMETERS:
I can visually alter any of the footage in any way I see fit.
I cannot alter the timeline of the concert footage or the OG video I cut.
GOAL:
Create a visual experience that captures the feeling of attending a Roger Waters (Pink Floyd) show. AND see if some splendid serendipity brings the footage together.
RESULTS:
Truthfully, I love the finished product. I don't often say that about my work. Your own worst critic, right? I also love that my vision for the video led me to 3-dimensional manipulation in After Effects. Learned something new. Always a good thing. And there were some serious moments of serendipity going on. The pigs lining up at about the 60-second mark blew me away. Just had to add a little piggy SFX to the mix. How could I not?
Now, you tell me. Did I capture the Roger Waters (political statement plus psychotropic trip) concert vibe? Were there moments of serendipity that felt too planned to be random?
Most importantly, did I inspire you to try this yourself?
ROGER WATERS - SMELL THE ROSES LIVE
THE ROSES (OG CUT)
