Preproduction and Creation

Every time we start a new project, we begin a new creation.

Preproduction in El Café in Argentina

We are making something new,
we are telling a new story,
we are moving elements of the old to create something new.
Now, I have intentionally used the word ‘new’ four times because new is defined as “existing or appearing for the first time”
That is what creators do – they make something appear for the first time.

And this process involves preproduction – the time before the action begins.
Sometimes preproduction is easy. You get lots of information, there is time for research, there are articles, posting and literature available to kick-start the creative process.
Other times, preproduction is difficult. There is a shortage of information, research is difficult, but none of this matters when you have to complete the task. You have to complete the task – and there is no room for excuses. This is our task as creative people, as journalists, we need to “find the story”, and then “tell the story” – to a predetermined audience.
This is when you need to focus on the production. Look at what you have, dig deep and keep track of the original brief.
Now while this should never become the standard operation procedure, there are times when something exciting happens.
You begin to see things you had never seen before.
You change angles and see an diamond hidden in an obscure interview.
You listen more intently because every word matters
You regularly check your understanding against the brief, working more intensely and intentionally
and
suddenly out of the haze of confusion, there is order
there is clarity
there is a story.

I like to refer to this as the brooding stage in the creative process. As believers and followers of a creative God, this is our opportunity to follow His creative pattern and order. There was a time when there was nothing and the Creative One said “Let it be” and it was.
Unfortunately we cannot just say.’let it be’; but we can rearrange, structure, plan and search for meaning and reality in the most obscure places.
And if we are diligent and willing to persevere and if we do not give up too soon we will sit back and finally whisper the words ‘it is good’.
We have co-authored and we have created something new
and then we look, we see and we say,
it
is
very
good.

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