The Four T’s of Brainstorming

Contrary to popular belief, brainstorming is much more effective than it appears. Sure, to any outsider it looks like you and your friends are simply goofing off, telling jokes, and drawing what appears to be spaceships, or cereal bowls (it’s hard to tell) on the random chalkboard you borrowed from your kids toy box. But really, brainstorming is just as crucial to good video as any other piece of the process. A good video starts as an idea, and the best way to get good ideas is to brainstorm. Following are a few pointers to guide your process and make it a slightly more productive than slugs racing on a slip and slide.

First, you need A TARGET.

A clear purpose. It helps set some guidelines. It doesn’t do anyone any good if you brainstorm and decide to create a video about the complicated life of tricycles that have been abused and abandoned by their two year old owners, which might I add, you’re supposed to show for your Aunt’s 60^th birthday party. Why is this a problem? Well, no one really cares about the tricycle’s perspective, and your shot list is severely limited. Also, it has nothing to do with your dear old Aunt. Keep your purpose in mind. This is for your Aunt, to show at her birthday. What would be meaningful to her and relevant to her friends and family? You’ve got to keep your purpose at the forefront. You can get as creative as you want so long as the outcome hits your target.

Second, don’t be afraid of A TANGENT.

One time I was walking through the woods and saw a small trail with some bread crumbs on it, so I followed the trail and ate a lot of bread. I came to a small house at the end and it wasn’t where I wanted to go, but I sure enjoyed the bread, which reminded me to buy something to eat for dinner when I got home. Home…? That’s right, always come back home. Tangents can be your best friend or your worst enemy. Some of the best ideas we’ve had as a company have come from allowing our minds to wander down some tangent. It sparks ideas, which is what brainstorming is about. Even though the trail may not take you exactly where you want to go, it may give you or someone else a grain of an idea that turns into a delicious loaf of bread. Analogies aside, tangents create random ideas that may just be what you’re looking for.

Third, A WRITER is necessary.

Maybe we should keep this in the realm of all T’s for the ease of alliteration…so, Third, A TRANSCRIBER. Have someone write the ideas down. Ideas are no good if you can’t recall them. The other day, we wrote our ideas down and when we looked back at them, we still couldn’t remember what it they were about. Hmm. I guess that example isn’t the best since it would seem to disprove my point. But hang with me. I think I know where this tangent was going. After we thought for a bit, we were able to retrace our footsteps and remember what it meant. Consequently, Jamie is no longer allowed to be our Transcriber unless someone watches what he’s writing to make sure it makes sense. At the end of the day, the lesson is this: Your idea is brilliant, so write it down.

Fourthly and lastly, AN EXERCISER.

Wait, that sounds too much like an exorcist, and it doesn’t start with T. Umm, how about, Fourthly, AN ACTIVITY. At least that has a T in it. Bottom line: sitting for large chunks of time keeps blood from flowing as effectively as it could to the brain. Exercise gets the blood moving and thus oxygen to your brain where the storming is done. Finding it hard to think or concentrate? Throw a ball, walk, shoot hoops, play ping pong, practice Jiu Jitsu, whatever gets you up and moving. There’s been many a time we’ve thrown a football while brainstorming to get ideas flowing.

So, there you have it. The four T’s to brainstorming. Now go out there and look like you’re a lazy slacker laughing with friends about some stupid joke. You and I will know what’s really going on.

Filed under: Tips, Tricks and Techniques