Finding Your Creative Mojo

Stop thinking of all the reasons you can't and think of all the ways you can.

If you're the type of person that has a cool idea and immediately thinks about all the reasons why it will never happen, don't waste your time reading this article. Your shows will likely continue to be basic.

Basic is fine in some shops.

If you like going to the booth with a little adrenaline, wondering if your show idea will look as good on-air as it does in your head, keep reading.

As producers we can easily fall into the trap of comfortable producing. We follow our template. We write the stories. We build the template graphics. We time the show. We go home. And MAYBE we get lunch in the middle of all of that.

But wow.. isn't that boring?

I can remember producing during the summers in Texas. I would inevitably get to the point where I didn't think I could write another word about it being hot. You probably feel like that about Covid-19.

So how do you find your creative mojo?

1. Think visually- Basic newscasts are boring. Challenge yourself to tell the story visually. And yes, by story I mean vo. Let's start there. Producers, you are storytellers!! Those stories will vary in length but what you write matters. Your stories need to be easily understood and spending time thinking about the visuals has to be a big part of your day. How can you make the story easy to understand for the viewer?
2. Start will one memorable thing- Start with one thing each newscast to put your signature on. Executing creative ideas takes time. And time is everything to a producer. Start with one idea on one story.
3. Think interactively- Movement and interaction adds so much to a newscast. Your creative idea doesn't always have to center around a graphic. Maybe it centers around movement. How do you move the viewer through a complicated story? Try involving both anchors and take the viewer on the journey of the explanation. I plan on writing another article on the art of 'layering' in producing. But it's the idea of taking a viewer through a complicated story by building out multiple parts that come together like a dance. Don't be afraid to practice complicated and different things with your anchors. You need their buy-in for the idea to be executed. Don't surprise your anchor. Prepare them. You want them to play an active role in the show.
4. Go for a walk- I do this every day, still. Trust me, you have time. Get up and do a lap around the building. Walking away from your rundown is a great way to think of fresh ideas. This is also good for writer's block.
5. Realize some good ideas don't work- Sometimes your brilliant ideas won't work. That's ok. There will also be days when you bust your butt on an element and then breaking news happens. I've been there. You try your best to hold onto that great element you spent so much time producing but, in the end, trying to squeeze it in isn't what's best for the show. Remember, it's not about you. It's about the viewer.
6. Say your 'dumb' idea out loud- I'm a big believer in this. Don't be embarrassed of what others will think of your crazy idea. The idea could be freaking awesome. Or it could get an impromptu brainstorm started. If you've ever worked on my team you know when I say.... "I had this idea." or "What if.... " Something crazy will always follow these statements. What if we did an entire show live underwater? What if we turned this interview into a board game? etc