So true.

Unfortunately I have seen many of such (naff) ideas developed and produced in Australia, often with agency support. Then, when they bomb at the box office, they blame it on poor marketing.

Of course a poor idea can never be marketed properly.

Both eat three years of your life.

i just don’t think you should believe that by “forcing” yourself to come up with heaps of ideas you can assume this will guarantee a hit idea is bound to come up.

there has to be a method to idea generation in itself. not just generating lots of random thoughts – you may think forever :)

i think a more methodical approach to idea generation will allow you to come up with 10 solid ideas and 1 which is unbelievable will stand out and be the one you focus on. isn’t this how scientists work?

but again, in every industry EVERYONE is mediocre and only some truly shine.

I’m pleased that it has helped you Phil!

What is the motto of the Pixar guys again? Something along the lines of “Fail early.”

I guess this has to do with the willingness to acknowledge that something is not as great as you’d want it to be – and move on.

I find it just amazing how with EVERYTHING quantity is the key to quality. Once you figure this out, it become so much easier to deliver quality work. Interestingly, it doesn’t always necessarily take you longer to come up with 100 ideas than 10.

It’s a matter of mindset…

Thanks for a great piece.

As it happens I’m in that exact phase at the moment for a short film I’m developing.

I’m an animator – so finding and committing to your best idea is even more critical, since it takes so long to make the film.

I’d rather go through the effort now making a bunch of scripts and storyboards, than to waste time creating a film that didn’t even work on paper.

Thanks for the timely advice.

Cheers
–Phil