Unplug

Yesterday I was working on a way to introduce a non-profit group to the audience of our theater production which opened last night. I didn’t want to just stand there and give them facts and figures which would quickly tune them out until I was finished. So, I had the idea of doing a pop quiz and giving them multiple choice questions to present how the non-profit got started and why we exist. It was a fun way to keep their interest and get the information across.

The key learning here is that this idea came to me toward the end of a 3 mile run that I do every other day. I can’t tell you how many ideas have come to me once I get in the groove and begin to let my mind work on a situation or issue. There’s no iPod, no TV, no book to read – just the sound of my two feet hitting the pavement (and an occasional car).

So, remember to put the tools down and unplug occasionally, especially if you’re looking for a solution to something or a new idea. You don’t have to run, but try walking or cooking or anything that gets you away from your everyday routine and distractions. It’s great for creativity!

PIC-OF-THE-WEEK

I was in Dallas a few weeks on business and ate in this cool blue restaurant.

Embrace the rhythms

This post is a little more personal than most because I am in a very unusual season right now. I am producing a theatrical show that premieres in one week. It’s an incredible show with terrific actors and a great message (disclaimer – my wife, another lady and I wrote it, but it really is good!). It’s with a new non-profit theater group which means much of the work is done by a few people. So in the past couple months I’ve created music cues, recorded and edited video clips, worked on the set assembly, coordinated rehearsals and I’m one of the actors. I know, no one held a gun to my head and forced me to do all this. It’s all stuff I love to do and so far it hasn’t totally consumed me even though I do have another paid job and have felt somewhat squeezed at times.

All this to say, I know there will eventually be a time to slow down, a time to relax more. And that’s one of the things I love about life and try very hard to maintain: the rhythms. I do my best to regulate them properly and then live life in their yoke.

PIC-OF-THE-WEEK

This is one of my favorite angles to photograph when I visit my father-in-law's farm up north.

More on plan the work; work the plan

I talked about the approach I take to accomplish complex creative projects in my 8/19/11 post. There are essentially 4 steps:

1. WHAT has to be done? Identify every piece of the project no matter how small.
2. HOW LONG will each piece take? Keep track of your estimated and actual time spent.
3. WHEN will each piece be done? Schedule a start and finish date.
4. WHO will deliver each of the pieces?

Tonight we have a theater show that has a cast of 13 and will utilize a lot of different elements:

     - 17 sound cues

     - 6 videos

     - 2 backdrop graphics

     - 6 original comedy sketches

     - 5 original video “commercials”

     - 14 “knock, knock” jokes

     - 1 magic show

     - 20 minute music package

All this was done by a relatively small team working together for about 2 months, which could only be done because of planning the work and then working the plan.

If you’re a creative that is also responsible for delivering, there is a strange combination of hats you wear. One is a multi-colored, frumpy, bouncy, audacious hat that lets you dream and create and explore. The other is a black, stiff, non-descript hat that lets you organize, plan and stay focused on completing each task. Wear them with pride. Wear them and deliver.

PIC-OF-THE-WEEK

It was made to be driven, but it's now still and forgotten.

Plan the work; work the plan

If you are in charge of a multi-faceted project that involves a bunch of creative pieces, I have a suggestion that will help you "ship" more effectively. I produce theatrical shows at a local theater and have a simple system for some very complex productions:

The three keys are: 1. WHAT  2. HOURS DONE  3. HOURS LEFT. Knowing what I have to do and approximately how long it will take allows me to schedule things accordingly. It clears the fog of the undone list. And, keeping track of the HOURS DONE helps for the next time. While it takes a little time to set this up and update it, the peace of mind that comes from knowing where I am in the process is worth it!

PIC-OF-THE-WEEK

I was taking a random drive south of town and found these two guys hanging out. One was nice enough to pose for me (didn't get a model release though).