CONVERSATIONS TO HAVE WITH YOUR DESIGNER
I've been building decks for myself for years. In recent times, I've started working with others — both for my own pitches, and as what I like to call a Deck Doctor: coming in to help filmmakers articulate and visualize their next big pitch. The following are some things I've picked up along the way to help with those initial conversations, right through to completion.
When enlisting a designer for your deck or treatment, it's crucial that you go in with the spirit of collaboration and communication. Handballing in the hopes that they'll get it often means they fumble a ball they didn't know the shape of. Or conversely, being worried about stepping on your designer's toes with too much instruction, deferring to them, or being indirect with instructions (we've all gone to a hairdresser; we know how hard it is to ask for what we want!) can result in the same thing. One of the things I've learned as a director and Deck Dr is that clarity begets clarity.
So in that spirit, let's have a look at how to have conversations with your deck designer.
They are your best friend
Come in with a spirit of closeness and familiarity. The more your designer feels like a trusted collaborator and confidante, the better they will be able to sympathize with you, your vision, and your ambition. Let them all the way in! Tell them what excites you about the project, how this plays into your grander life goals. Shoot the shit. Talk about your favorite filmmakers. This is one of my favorite ways to connect with my clients and get a sense of who you are. The more I can understand who you are and what you like, the better I can champion it.
They are your artisan
Artisans are here to flex their craft, a craft honed by years of experience. They are not mind readers. Be clear on what you want. Talk about tone, not just of the project you are pitching, but of the writing and visual language of the piece. Come in with visual references for the deck's design (dig through Behance or Creative Boom), or ask them for some on the other side of the chat. If you know your visual research sites, be ready to share your keyword searches and file delivery types. For me, I love it when a client comes with loads of references, from top to bottom. Getting a sense of the world you wanna play in is where my creativity can flourish. The clearer you are with me, the better I am at delivering what you're looking for.
This is the second deck I made for director Jess Batson (one that led to her second win in a row), who showed me a set of fonts she liked that sparked a whole design aesthetic.
They are your personal trainer
This is one of my favourite parts of designing for others: helping my clients' visions crystallise on the page. The paradigm struggles to change from the inside, so take the opportunity to ask your designer: What do you think is working? What do you think could work better? This for me is the very best, most hallowed part of the whole experience. I love the chance to dig into what my clients are looking for, and seeing how I can support it, elevate it, and expand on it.
And finally, a free tip: always talk about what you want. Rarely, if ever, talk about what you don't want. Maybe offer the latter as a small warning, but ultimately, provide only what works for you. The more you describe what you want, the more clearly your designer knows where to go. This is something I also strive to keep in mind when directing, whether speaking to talent, production heads, or stakeholders.
It's really hard to get where you want by staring in the opposite direction, after all. And perhaps that could be a general life lesson for all of us right there.
Discuss.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Agree? Disagree? Vehemently either way? Let me know!