When do you stop writing?

[António Fagundes]

Sareesh, one thing you should come to terms with is that the script, film, whatever, is not about you. Its not about what you like, or what you want. Not on the surface anyway. Your best talent when dealing with clients is to understand them. Really understand them. Some clients are smart, some are smarter than you, others are as dumb as a rock, most are just average. But one thing they all want is to look good. And they all need you to understand what they want, or most times, what they need. Their jobs might be on the line.

the problem is, most times, they don't actually know what they want, then, you have to understand them in a way that relates to the product or service they represent. Understand the brand, its history, its place in the market, etc... then you could actually be this clueless client best friend, rather than someone he has to challenge in order to not look like an ass or loose his job.

In the end of the day, its all about the brand or the service. And your film is a very powerful way to make that service look good.

And that's the clients job. To make the company he represents look good. If you understand that, you're on the right track.

 

[Sareesh Sudhakaran]

Excellent advice, Jason. Really helps.

...We do a 6 frame storyboard to show the look of the motion graphics so that there's no big shock later. Get that all signed off.

A question: How many minutes for a 6-frame storyboard? I'm curious because it's '6'...and not '5' or '10'...

As far as how much time to spend on script development. Depends on the project obviously. Usually I wouldn't spent too much time on a corporate maybe a day, but if it's consumer facing, good budget or a fun project I might spend up to a week for scripts, boards, visual ref, etc.

Good luck!

That's exactly what I was looking for. Part of the challenge is to set targets for myself, at least at the beginning. Appreciate it.

 

[Sareesh Sudhakaran]

Sareesh, one thing you should come to terms with is that the script, film, whatever, is not about you. Its not about what you like, or what you want. Not on the surface anyway. Your best talent when dealing with clients is to understand them. Really understand them. Some clients are smart, some are smarter than you, others are as dumb as a rock, most are just average. But one thing they all want is to look good. And they all need you to understand what they want, or most times, what they need. Their jobs might be on the line.

the problem is, most times, they don't actually know what they want, then, you have to understand them in a way that relates to the product or service they represent. Understand the brand, its history, its place in the market, etc... then you could actually be this clueless client best friend, rather than someone he has to challenge in order to not look like an ass or loose his job.

In the end of the day, its all about the brand or the service. And your film is a very powerful way to make that service look good.

And that's the clients job. To make the company he represents look good. If you understand that, you're on the right track.

I think you can read minds, Antonio! One of the weaknesses I have is making things too complicated when I should really shut up. Your advice is exactly what I should look out for.

I've actually been on the 'other side', believe it or not. Baby steps for me.

I know it's a chore to state the obvious, but sometimes people like me need to be reminded of the obvious. Thank you!

 

[António Fagundes]

I know its obvious stuff, I also have to work with clients, and after a few years I understood that the most obvious stuff its the hardest to see when we're in the 'eye of the storm'. Especially when we're creating films, we get too involved with our own creativity and we're on a 'flow', and to suddenly come to a stop to deal with client's issues, is very annoying. So, for me it helps to keep these things very clear in my mind from the get go.

And it works.