What do you do if your creative decisions are hindering the filmmaking process?

As a filmmaker, you have a vision for your project that reflects your creative choices and artistic expression. However, sometimes your decisions may not work well with the realities of the filmmaking process, such as budget, time, crew, equipment, or audience expectations. How do you deal with the situation when your creative decisions are hindering the filmmaking process? Here are some tips to help you balance your creativity and practicality.

1 Assess the impact

The first step is to assess the impact of your creative decisions on the filmmaking process. How do they affect the cost, schedule, quality, and feasibility of your project? Are they essential for your story, theme, or style, or are they optional or flexible? How do they align with the goals and expectations of your collaborators, clients, or distributors? Be honest and realistic about the pros and cons of your decisions, and consider the feedback and suggestions of others.

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Kerstin Stutterheim

Professor in Creative Practice at Edinburgh Napier University, School of Arts and Creative Industries
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To my experience, your creative decisions are the starting point for any filmmaking process. The first question to ask oneself would be whether this allows to make one film, as one work and a film as a production. The next step is to reflect on its feasibility within the given context - funding, time, abilities, skills needed to transform your creative thinking into a film production.

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Judy Plavnick Kiley

Owner/Executive Producer at Sit. Good Girl Productions
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Great question. Any seasoned professional would be able to pivot to plan B or C. Ask -- why is it hindering the process? Cost? Timeline? Staffing? Simple feasibility to visually tell the story? One you answer those questions, coming up with an alternative plan should not be difficult. Production is about compromise. Where you don't want to compromise is in the actual storytelling. Be flexible. Find a new path to tell the story where your creativity adds -- and doesn't hinder -- production.

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Jared Salazar

Filmmaker 🎥 Storyteller and Creative Content.
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Al evaluar el impacto de tus decisiones creativas, es importante considerar cómo afectan el costo, el cronograma, la calidad y la viabilidad de tu proyecto, así como su relevancia y alineación con los objetivos y expectativas. Mantén una mente abierta, sé honesto y realista, y utiliza la retroalimentación de manera constructiva para mejorar tu trabajo.

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2 Explore alternatives

The second step is to explore alternatives that can achieve similar or better results without compromising your vision or the filmmaking process. For example, you may find a different location, camera angle, lighting setup, or editing technique that can convey the same mood, emotion, or message as your original decision. You may also look for inspiration from other films, genres, or media that have solved similar challenges in creative ways. Be open-minded and curious about the possibilities, and test them out before committing.

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Jared Salazar

Filmmaker 🎥 Storyteller and Creative Content.
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Según mi experiencia debes recordar que el proceso creativo es fluido y que es posible que necesites ajustar tus decisiones a medida que avanzas en la producción de tu película. Sé flexible y receptivo a los cambios, y está preparado para adaptarte según sea necesario para lograr los mejores resultados posibles. Sobre todo mantén una mente abierta y está dispuesto a considerar nuevas ideas y enfoques.

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3 Communicate clearly

The third step is to communicate clearly with your team, stakeholders, and audience about your creative decisions and the reasons behind them. Explain how they serve your artistic vision and the purpose of your project, and how they fit into the overall plan and strategy. Listen to their concerns, questions, and opinions, and address them respectfully and constructively. Seek to understand their perspectives and expectations, and find common ground and mutual benefits. Be transparent and collaborative, and avoid conflicts or misunderstandings.

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Jared Salazar

Filmmaker 🎥 Storyteller and Creative Content.
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Comunicarse con claridad es esencial para garantizar una colaboración efectiva y el éxito de tu proyecto cinematográfico. Explica tus decisiones creativas, escucha activamente las preocupaciones y opiniones de tu equipo y las partes interesadas, y trabaja en colaboración para alcanzar tus objetivos compartidos. Recuerda cuando haces una película es como si estuvieras casado con tu productor, tu guionista, tus actores y tu crew. Y la base de una buena relación es la comunicación.

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4 Adapt and compromise

The fourth step is to adapt and compromise when necessary to overcome the obstacles or limitations of the filmmaking process. Sometimes, you may have to change, modify, or drop some of your creative decisions to meet the demands of the situation, such as budget cuts, technical issues, or audience feedback. However, this does not mean that you have to sacrifice your vision or quality. Rather, it means that you have to prioritize what is most important and valuable for your project, and find ways to preserve or enhance it.

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Yael Egnal

Nonfiction & Unscripted Development Executive | Creative Producer & Project Manager | Branded Storytelling
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Being adaptable and willing to compromise is vital if your creative decisions are hindering the filmmaking process. Collaboration is key in filmmaking, and being open to feedback and adjustments fosters a more productive environment. Rigidity can lead to conflicts, delays, and missed opportunities. By staying flexible, you can navigate challenges, maintain momentum, and ultimately enhance the quality of the final product.

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5 Learn and improve

The fifth step is to learn and improve from your experience and outcomes. Evaluate how your creative decisions affected the filmmaking process, and what worked well and what did not. Identify the strengths and weaknesses of your choices, and the opportunities and threats of the environment. Reflect on what you learned and how you can apply it to your future projects. Seek feedback and advice from others, and acknowledge your successes and mistakes. Be humble and willing to grow as a filmmaker.

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6 Enjoy the process

The sixth step is to enjoy the process of making creative decisions and facing the challenges of the filmmaking process. Remember that filmmaking is a dynamic and complex art form that requires both creativity and practicality, and that there is no one right or wrong way to do it. Appreciate the diversity and richness of your options, and the freedom and responsibility of your choices. Celebrate the achievements and discoveries of your journey, and the satisfaction and joy of your expression.

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Jared Salazar

Filmmaker 🎥 Storyteller and Creative Content.
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Mantén viva tu pasión por el cine recordando por qué comenzaste este viaje en primer lugar. Conéctate con la emoción y la inspiración que te llevó a dedicarte a la realización cinematográfica y deja que esa pasión te impulse a través de los desafíos y las dificultades.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What do you do if your creative decisions are hindering the filmmaking process?

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1 Assess the impact

2 Explore alternatives

3 Communicate clearly

4 Adapt and compromise

5 Learn and improve

6 Enjoy the process

7 Here’s what else to consider

Film Industry

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