Common Craft Blog
Lessons in Starting Over
By leelefever on November 23, 2008 - 6:28pm
The last few weeks have been both frustrating and enlightening here at Common Craft headquarters. We're in the middle of an ambitious production schedule that has us working on two new series of videos that will appear on the Common Craft Show and Store. There are a lot of balls in the air - multiple scripts, storyboards and productions. It's a lot to manage.
Of course, the bottom line for us is quality explanations. Recently we put many hours into producing 3 videos in a similar theme - scripted, storyboarded and shot. A few days ago we recorded the voice-overs, and something became clear. A couple of the videos just weren't good enough. They were accurate and clear, but lacked heart. Despite all the investment of our time and resources, we had to make a decision.
Are the videos good enough? Are there small changes we can make? Do we need to re-think the stories? How long will it take to restart?
We've since talked about it and recognized we don't really have a choice as long as our goal is excellence. If we think a video is "good enough", it's not excellent. So, we've decided to suck it up and rethink two of the videos from the ground up - new scripts, storyboards and artwork. It pushes out our schedule and means we won't make our production deadline, but that's okay. It's frustrating for an afternoon, but then it feels better than it did before, as if we're traveling on an even better path.
It's certainly not the first time we've scratched an entire storyboard, and it surely won't be the last, but this is the first time it has happened on a series of videos. We're learning about our standards and how to judge our own work. We've always recognized that iteration is essential, and sometimes starting again from scratch is a necessary part of the process. To make an excellent video, we have to be prepared, at *any* point to throw it all away and start over.
Yes, but...
I love this attitude! I'm sure everyone in your audience appreciates the commitment to excellence as well. There's just one trap to watch out for...
Since nothing's perfect, and a producer is always learning new things, always improving, there's a chance that some people would never release anything. Clearly this isn't an issue for you, but I know people who struggle with this. They're always trying to make their stuff better and better, never satisfied, when really they should do the best they can and release something now.
Naturally the commitment to excellence is the higher road. It's the only way to go. But if execution never takes place because of it, then maybe there should have been another alternative.
Just some thoughts. Thanks for the great post!
What happened . . .
Have you asked why you weren't able to produce excellence initially? Before starting over, I'd suggest examining what happened so that you don't run into the same things all over again.
Another question? Why are your links on the left?
Thanks,
p
Starting over
My 12 year old attends a Waldorf school which puts a lot of emphasis on creativity and ending up with a finished result that speaks to who you really are.....I have shared many of your video's with him and some of his friends--the most recent being the one on the election. They love them, and often want to "do one" but often get frustrated when the results (after 15 minutes) don't look the same as your professional one's, the same holds true when they have worked on a beautiful picture or piece of music, or written what they thought was a final...only to be told...Nope that's a draft. It was very heartening for my son to hear that you also...have "do overs" and sometimes your best in the moment does not end up being good enough...so you start again....
Thank you!
Why but...
Opss your work a excellent and great so no worry about it. right guys?
"We've since talked about it and recognized we don't really have a choice as long as our goal is excellence. If we think a video is "good enough", it's not excellent. So, we've decided to suck it up and rethink two of the videos from the ground up - new scripts, storyboards and artwork. It pushes out our schedule and means we won't make our production deadline, but that's okay. It's frustrating for an afternoon, but then it feels better than it did before, as if we're traveling on an even better path."
Artists
Are all creative geniuses so critical of their work...My wife, who is an artist frequently paints over a painting 3 or 4 times before she is satisfied with her final production. In the end, it is about your sense of satisfaction isn't it?
Thank you for your
Thank you for your commitment to the wonderful way that you create your videos. I have not ever felt that any of your explanatory videos have lacked heart or excellence. I love watching and sharing them with teachers (especially the ones who I want to use more technology within their classroom lessons).
You guys do a great job! Thank you.
Lessons in Starting Over
Whether it is starting over or stumbling blocks with technology, it's definitely an important lesson to learn that you must--as Walt Disney was quoted in the clever movie, Meeting the Robinsons--
"keep moving forward". It's nice to see that you have high standards and your movies definitely impress that. We love your videos in our classroom!
Thanks, Beth
There is no good enough.
Hey Lee. Thanks for writing this. One line in particular stood out for me:
"To make an excellent video, we have to be prepared, at *any* point to throw it all away and start over."
I'd argue that you could replace the word "video" with any other product or project, and the sentiment would be the same. If you're striving for excellence, there is no "good enough."
Starting over... again
I've canned my share of projects. Although, on occasion I don't mind a few rough edges if I can really experience the heart in it and the message rings true. I'm obsessed with 'doing it right'... The best that it can possibly be. My challenge is to stop tinkering with it after the project is actually done!
It's a process for sure... Sometimes we just don't see where the project is actually taking us. As you say, it turns out 'good enough' but its not excellent. So, I agree, toss it and start over. Yet starting over is like a head start. You have an idea where your going, now it's more about how you're going to get there. Like re-reading that great novel or re-watching that great movie. Or, like repeating that last great jam you had with your musician friends. Yes I know where it's going to go, but let me reconsider the elements along the way.
thanks...
René Fabre
Choosing Quality
I think this a terrific post about 'choosing quality' and I will be pointing my students to this entry to help them decide what is acceptable, what is good enough and what is quality! Thank for such an insightful posting.
Frank Gulla
Assistant Professor
VCU School of Engineering
Richmond, VA
Settle for excellence
I really like this post as it reminds me of a quote from Life's Little Instruction Book that I try and emulate:
"Strive for perfection, but settle for excellence".
We humans aren't perfect and so neither is anything we make, whether that's videos, music, art, a banking system :-) which is why you have to settle for "excellent" rather than "perfect", or we'd never finish anything.
But you're right, Lee, "good enough" does not equal "excellent".
M
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starting over
Let me know if I can be of any help. You all are really good.
;-)
Never settle for less!
Do you think it would be any trouble if you had your blog readers rate the video. Most of them seem to be for commercial purposes, so posting them on your blog and letting your audience rate them would help, wouldn't it?
Personal Satification
I think a lot of it comes down to personal satisfaction. If I'm not personally satisfied how can expect it to be good enough for others. At that point I have no problem starting over or taking a a few steps back. Whatever it takes. We've redone the surfing section on our site countless times and we'll probably continue doing so until its the best.
Quality work maters
Your attitude and way of thinking about the work you do is what makes your videos so great! Thanks for motivating others to do quality work and care about the product we put out.
There are obvioulsy many things to consider when redoing things ... especially when there are deadlines, money and customers involved ... but at the end of the day putting out quality keeps people coming back!
--
http://twitter.com/franswaa
high quality content and work is neccesary
you are right, Lee, good enough does not equal excellent.
Andy Colleman