Refining the creative process
I’ve come to realize that the farther I plan out projects the more time I end up allowing myself to really think, pray and discuss ideas for these projects and the better I feel about them. Sometimes I’ll sit in a “creative meeting” where the only ideas are using movie clips or interviewing people. While there is nothing wrong with occasionally using movie clips or interviewing people, as a video producer these are the two things I abhor. I have discovered that people who don’t use a creative process to come up with ideas quickly revert to using something that has already been created or something so easy that it would be impossible to screw up. In my opinion one of the most important parts of a creative process is time. While it might be possible to brainstorm ideas on a whiteboard and quickly come up with a solution, involving time into the equation allows for ideas to marinate and for God to speak to us.
Below are some ideas for refining the creative process
1. Know the sermon/series/event/program the video/media is supposed to support
2. Brainstorm with one or more individuals around a whiteboard throwing out all possible ideas
3. Pray and ask God for ideas
4. Allow some time (week or month) between your first brainstorming session and the meeting where everything will be decided
4. Write down ideas that come to you
5. Combine your ideas with ideas from the whiteboard and call a creative meeting
About the Author
Brandon Riley Has Written 43 Articles For Us!
Currently I work at Sugar Creek Baptist Church as a Creative Media Producer. There I am apart of the Creative Communications team as well as the LYF Student Ministry assisting with creating and strategizing video projects and interactive media needs for both departments. When I am not at work or volunteering with middle school students, you may find me blogging at Part of the glue or creating media projects for organizations and other churches/youth groups Radiant First Productions. In addition to these side projects, I am also the Director of User Experience for Tuggle a ministry management platform. You can follow me on Twitter
