Common Craft Blog
Solve Problems When They Need To Be Solved
By leelefever on August 28, 2007 - 9:06pm
When we got started with the Common Craft show, it would have been easy to feel overwhelmed. We were stepping into the world of video production and in that world there is a lot to know. Looking back - we had something very valuable on our side: ignorance. We didn't know what we didn't know. Had we done all the research and tried really hard to make videos the "right" way from the start, I don't think we would have been as successful.
Our experience in the last 5 months has taught us something that we refer to often: Problems get solved when they need to be solved. Looking back, our ignorance allowed us to get started quickly and focus on content. We didn't know how to produce quality sound or light and in the RSS video, it shows. The thing is, it didn't matter to most.
Once we got that first video up, we could look at it and see the problems. The audio is poor. So, we fixed it. Then we looked at the second video and noticed that the lighting wasn't up to snuff, so we fixed it. These big problems made some of the details so small we didn't notice - and that was good because the details might have taken away our focus.
These days we've solved the big problems and are taking the small ones one-by-one. One example is exposure settings. Each time my hand entered the frame, the color of the whiteboard would appear to change. Within a few days, we figured out how to fix it with camera settings or software. We didn't even notice this before because the other problems needed solving first.
Here's the lesson from our experience: If you're about to start something new, don't spend weeks trying to make the first attempt perfect. Get started as quickly as possible and learn as you go. Tinker, experiment and look for the big things you can tackle as you go. Solve problems when they need to be solved and you won't feel as overwhelmed by all the things that could be fixed.
Awesome!
Hey guys, your are making a incredible work at common craft... I think the best your videos is the look and feel of a Home made video like the RSS, i know de sound is not good but everybody could get the message.
You know.. people learn doing.. not thinking.
Cheers!
Getting it Right
Your blog is absolutely spot on! It is so easy to be discouraged when you put your heart and soul into something and it doesn't turn out as you hoped first time.
Entrepreneurs need to be aware that things won't be perfect immediately and rarely match the vision. As someone said to me recently, 'get it launched, then the real work starts'.
You don't need a Cadillac
Thanks for the great advice. I tend to go full out into everything I do forgetting to start small and learn as you go. A silly example of this is me learning to crochet... on my first attempt I had to make a full blanket. If I had started with little squares I could more easily have learned different stitches, form, tension and reading a pattern. With each thing I made I get better and more creative.
Regardless of the project each one will teach you something new to add and adapt to the next project. They can only get better and better as you learn from your mistakes. (didn't Mom tell us that?)
Fabulous!
This seals it, you are my new work gurus!
I desperately want to print this out and send it to everyone I work with!
You so readily take things that are/can be so complicated and make it so simple and clear - Can I be you when I grow up??
*g*
Just-In-Time
This can also be referred to as Just-In-Time and while it doesn't work for everything (usually safety related) it works for a lot more things than my Obsessive - Compulsive perfectionist behaviour would like to admit. Thanks for the practical reminder and the great (effective) yet not perfect (efficient) productions.
"Our product is explanation." GENIUS!
Great job on those videos. It's a sure mark of the genius mind that an elegant solution is offered to a problem that we didn't even know existed, and in a form that comments wryly on the medium of its presentation.
It reminds me of what would a presentation would look like if Davey and Goliath were to be transplanted to the present day to ride the tech boom and then to go into consulting!
Very good. Check Kawasaki's
Very good. Check Kawasaki's book, Art of the Start, where he says "don't worry, be crappy". i.e. start imperfect, then perfect going forward.
Excellent lesson, I love it.
Excellent lesson, I love it. As an artist, I often find that I just have to jump right in and get going with something instead of overthinking it and trying to get all my ducks in a row first. You can do all the research in the world but sooner or later you just have to get started - I think a lot of people use 'research' as an excuse not to start.
Did I write this?
Your entry almost perfectly describes my foray into the world of movie making, though my learning curve happened in 48 hours as part of a 48 hour film making competition. I agree 100% with your approach of being creative and free, then figuring out what can be improved. It's a more natural way to grow, develop, and learn.
Thanks for your great blog and videos!