Where the industry is heading with contrary opinions
We feel a certain way. Our clients feel it another way.
Tension. Conflict.
Everyone knows the theory. Stay logical, breathe deeply, be diplomatic. All of which is tough to do in the real world outside of LinkedIn posts.
I wasn’t good at reconciling creative differences. Till I learnt it from a master or two.
Years ago, a senior client decided to share his strong opinion in the middle of an expensive TV commercial shoot. It was a setup involving fifty artists on platforms at various heights (it was for a famous sports shoe/apparel brand – more of visual drama than storytelling).
In the foreground were two star cricketers doing their thing.
It took 3 hours to set up
As the cameras were about to roll, the client piped up. He asked me if the whole front row of artists at the ground level could be dispensed with.
It didn’t make sense. It would leave a big gap and upset the visual balance carefully set up in the last few hours. He evidently wanted a say in the aesthetics of the scene. Maybe he was tense. Or overthinking. Or feeling the disruptive energy of the steady stream of coconut pieces and almonds he was hogging.
A brief lecture
I was about to spout a brief lecture to dissuade him. The director of the film—let’s call him the Master—sitting ahead of us turned around. He was an award-winning, much respected, big gun.
The Master had heard the client’s whispered suggestion. “You think the front line should disappear?”
“Just wondering. Do we need it really?” The client spoke softly but firmly.
What did the Master do? He said nothing. He walked up to the main stage and cleared out the front row. His team shifted sundry props around to make sure the gap left behind was taken care of nicely.
Conclusion
In 15 minutes, he rejoined us. We stared intently at the new setup on the monitor. The Master shook his head, unconvinced. “Not working, no? You guys think this works?” he asked.
The client spoke. “Nah, it doesn’t work. I like the original setup. The front row came back. Problem solved.