Spearheading a shoot somewhat gives an individual a chance to exercise both his creative and corporate sides while balancing the responsibility of both mediator and decision-maker during the shoot. Responsibilities vary, depending on the product, but the shoot producer acts as one of the most important members of the team that, while not seen in the final product, remain essential to the editors, model, photographer and staff.
With my job I must say that I am lucky to work with some of the bigwigs in showbiz, fashion, lifestyle and some often times politics. I am always making sure that I am focused and serious with what I'm doing. I've been in the shoot producing (for magazines) since 2008 but I never see my job in another perspective until I took the creative thinking class of Prof. Beaver Flores. Gathering thoughts with his lectures, it is Interesting to know that whenever we do our job, we undergo with certain "creative process". I learned many models of the process, but I must say that my favorite model is from Graham Wallas. In his work Art of Thought, published in 1926, Wallas identified mainly four stages of the creative process:
For me, I find it similar that shoot producing process and the individual creative process summarized by Wallas can be models of the same underlying process.
The Incubation and Illumination stage are when we live with the problem, experiencing it and finding out ways to think of a better way to address the problem. This is where "collaboration" really kicks in or known better a the pre-production meeting. The work done in the shoot producing together with the creative team. Multiple viewpoints, insights and ideas from an engaged team ensure that you can effectively address the problem. You share with others to get deeper insights and to overcome your biases.
And lastly, the Verification stage wherein the question to be asked is "is the problem already addressed?" Verification is also built into the process by getting the important creative individual in the team involved. For us, If you’ve solved your problem and came up with bright and fresh ideas for this month, then it can be already executed or to be implemented to actual shoot.
Most of the time, a magazine shoot is judged from its output cover, but I just want to remind readers that behind a successful photoshoot is a creative team that undergoes a creative process. But whatever model you prefer, what is important is that the key elements of being creative must be there.
No matter how brilliant a single person is, the power of collaboration is still very important. it allows you to harness other people’s brainpower as part of the creative process. I believe that is why we have had so much success with my collaboration with other creative people in shoot producing.
(some photos are from www.fhm.com.ph)
I agree to that 4 stages of creative process, its that simple. Most people do that in accomplishing a given task or if they have an individual project. What i like the most is the incubation wherein ideas pops out when you're resting, while on the vice versa when you think so much ideas wont come in. In every unexpected moments of your life the idea just pops out of nowhere, its weird but its actually part of the process. In any aspects of creativity that process is really accurate.
ReplyDeleteA day in the life of Allan Altera! It is really interesting to see how you work. Also, I agree with what you said regarding how people use the unknowingly undergo the creative process in their normal days. The only wrong thing that people usually do is whenever they put down their idea as soon as they think about it. Thinking that they're useless and cannot be done. People should keep those ideas and store them somewhere. In addition, you also said things about collaborations. It is true that it is very important. It was also discussed in class that it is more of an Asian thing to be more collaborative and western thing to be competitive.
ReplyDeleteI've always believed in the power of collaboration--the more ideas, the better. Like in the magazine industry, the end product is not the success of the publisher alone, but of the photographer, stylist, model/subject, hair and make up artists too.
ReplyDeletePerhaps one of the advantages in working for a magazine is that it allows the person to meet various individuals with different ideas. The chance meeting brings with it new learnings that the person can probably use in the future.
I also agree with what you've said regarding the different creative processes that we undergo. Although the creative process for someone who works in a magazine maybe different from someone who works in a corporation, what is important I think is that we continuously search for fresh ideas to solve a particular problem or reach a certain goal.
"behind a successful photoshoot is a creative team that undergoes a creative process"...
ReplyDeletethis line brings be back to the days when i was still a production assistant in unitel productions, a production outfit in makati. most of the time output are appreciated through the actors, directors, and the top heads. unknown to many that if one camera man, or crew, or other staff would not work well, a good output will be impossible. another interesting is the long process and time allotted for such work. in my experience, it took us 2 days to finish a 5 minuter TVC and i am sure that a cover magazine entails a lot of time too :)
allan, i feel the passion that you have for this work and for your dream and i will be looking forward to see you up there someday :) carry on and stay focus! claim that you already have it! :) aja! :)