CREATIVITY

Just remembered, from a really good discussion I had with another group—CREATIVITY!!!! 

—When is it OK to think outside the box?
—Have you done (or are you thinking about) an alternative/ more creative/ out-of-the-box way of doing a story? an out-of-the-box (a-typical/ new) story approach or idea?
—Even a headline can be hugely creative:  a while back someone did a story about the invasion of ants in a community and the headline was a scatter shot of words across the top of the page, Ants Ants Ants Ants Ants Ants Ants Ants Ants.

-- Bettina has talked some about some pof her shots being .... is the term “too creative?” Is that ever a prob? What to do?

—A turn of phrase/ a way of describing something/ a different/ surprising element can give the piece a creative touch.

—Have you done? If yes, please post url. If not, why not? Can you post something hugely creative from your paper, if you don’t have?

Important thinking question (please answer): What do you have to have in order to do something creative?

REMEMBER TO POST TO OTHER THREADS AND VISIT SPANKY"S!!!!!

I think it’s ALWAYS OK to think outside of the box. In fact, I would argue that it’s reporters and Old Guard-editors who continuously think inside the box that have led us into this so-called crisis in the media. Of course, there are questions of taste and knowing your audience as well. I remember one time, while still at school and before I was editor in chief, we wrote an editorial based on the fact that our university president Dick Meyers didn’t show up to our Drag Ball, our largest event on-campus, second only to commencement. He even went so far as to reserve several seats after I asked him if he was going.

Well, he didn’t show up, so we editorialized on the lack of administrative involvement with student events. Guess what my suggested headline was: “No Dick at Drag Ball.”

After a heated discussion, I think our general manager (a grad student who sort of served as pseudo-publisher in our system) put his foot down and said “no.” BUT, it’s OK, since I rose to editor next year and wreaked havoc upon my school.

The end.

I have more examples, but that one stuck in my mind. Also, I started a Web site! Yay! http://www.lifeoflanz.com

lcbanes - 31 March 2009 11:54 AM

I would argue that it’s reporters and Old Guard-editors who continuously think inside the box that have led us into this so-called crisis in the media.

I, for one, couldn’t agree more.... we HAVE to have nine levels of editors going over stories.... We CAN"T upset the readers or the status quo with something unusual.... blah blah blah

First off, I love both the headlines here and SO would’ve run “No Dick at Drag Ball.” At least I think so.

And yes, all the old school philosophies and methods are stifling, part of why I’m mostly whatever right now at the paper. There’s not much you can do that’s creative, and it’s all on my own anyway if I try. Page design looks the same as it did 10 years ago, if not older, and there’s not bar for photography. I’m a little excited again over a story on a woman turning 100 who apparently still teaches piano. I’m set to talk to her today but heard this morning she may be sick, so that may make it a whole other kind of story.

AnthonyCW - 01 April 2009 01:11 PM

on my own anyway if I try. Page design looks the same as it did 10 years ago, if not older, and there’s not bar for photography. I’m a little excited again over a story on a woman turning 100 who apparently still teaches piano. I’m set to talk to her today but heard this morning she may be sick, so that may make it a whole other kind of story.

hey this sounds cool! Post! Tell us how you got creative with it… fun!

(and yep, sometimes we are out there on our own when it comes to taking risks with approaches. I say it’s better to try and to be shot down and reined in than not to try.....)

It actually kind of sucked, unfortunately. Made for a downer of a day. The woman either didn’t remember much or didn’t have much to say. And I hate that they did a story on her 10 years ago and she had so many more anecdotes. So I’ve got her and her daughter, and I’ve got to get it in this afternoon. Oh and to top it all off, they said they didn’t have any - ANY - old pictures of her teaching or what not. Le sigh.

AnthonyCW - 02 April 2009 08:08 AM

woman either didn’t remember much or didn’t have much to say. And I hate that they did a story on her 10 years ago and she had so many more anecdotes. Le sigh.

Le Sigh—just a quick thought: Any chance you could use the above as part of the story? i.e., a lot can slip away in 10 years? And then maybe borrow from some of the anecdotes from the story 10 years ago, and then team it with, today, she explains it this way: “that’s nice....” kinda thing? IN other words, let her not talking or not remembering be the POINT of the story, versus you trying to get her to say or remember? Just a thought.... happy to take a look, either here, or or via email, if you feel like feedback. You Can Do it!!!!! U go!