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Tips for Creative Problem Solving From Concept to Screen
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The best way to solve problems is to foresee them and avoid them altogether.
If a problem does pop up, you'll solve it quicker and better if you've
already thought about it as a possibility.
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Incubate your ideas. Start thinking about projects and problems as early
as possible. Let your subconscious work for you. Keep a minicassette recorder
or notepad closeby to jot down the ideas when they pop up.
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Reduce the problem to its essentials. Keep things as simple as possible
at every step of the way. Every situation--no matter how complicated--can
be broken down into simpler, more manageable units.
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Never hesitate to check your program goal to be sure you're on line with
the desired viewer reaction. If a shot is taking too much time and trouble
to get, maybe it's the wrong shot. Reconsider the situation; rethink what
you want your viewer to see and hear.
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Take the time to walk around--physically and mentally; don't look at everything
from one point of view. Look at things backwards.
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Don't stop with the first workable idea. The best way to get a good idea
is to get a lot of ideas. Let things float. Loose thoughts can lead to
surprising destinations. It's always better to choose and winnow down than
to settle for the first solution that comes to mind.
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When in doubt, do it the easy way, if that works. All that matters is what's
on the screen.
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The sooner in the process you recognize a potential problem the easier
it is to fix. Remember, the facts are always friendly; and the sooner you
see them clearly, the friendlier they are.
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If you make a mistake, admit it immediately--the longer you wait the worse
it gets.
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When you do make a mistake and lose a point, try to be a gracious loser.
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Your most important problem-solving resources are people. Treat them right.
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Every six months, when you get your teeth cleaned and checked, at the same
time, give yourself a creative checkup. Stop and look back at your work
of the past half year. Fresh eyes and distance will show you a lot you
didn't notice earlier, when you were closer. Learn from your experience.
Keep growing.
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Be self-confident. Believe in yourself and communicate this attitude to
others. If you think you can do the job, and everybody else thinks you
can do the job, the chances are very good that you will do the job, and
do it well. Doubt is the flu bug of production. It spreads from one person
to another, weakening resolve, strewing pessimism in its wake. Like the
flu, doubt is easier to prevent than to cure. You prevent it by preparing
properly and by believing in yourself and your abilities.
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Keep things in perspective. Success or failure of a project should not
define your success or failure as a person. The program is not you--it
can be turned off, but your life goes on. Everybody messes up--and more
than once. As long as you don't mess up the same way twice, you can call
yourself a professional.
© 2008 All rights reserved, Tom Schroeppel, 3205 West Price Avenue,
Tampa, FL 33611-3720 (813) 831-0947
Author/Publisher of
The Bare Bones Camera Course and
Video
Goals
E-mail: Tom@TomSchroeppel.com - Home Page: www.TomSchroeppel.com
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