Do something you normally don't do for the fun of it.

Go ride a roller coaster. They work much better than antidepressants according to several medical studies (not to insinuate that you are depressed! Ha!)

Go to a water park. Zoo. Butterfly house. Museum. City Council meeting. Take your kids with you if you have any. Go to a library, disco, tattoo parlor. Take a class. Whitewater rafting.

There's a few ideas.

Edited: then come back and finish up your old projects and have fun with the new ones!

I can only report from my own experience, so may not apply to anyone else. Circumstances are important, so the thing that kicks me out of that rut can be an imminent deadline but preferably getting involved in something different and relaxing. The brain keeps on working even when you're not consciously processing the problem ("sleep on it" I've always found very effective after the brain is loaded with the data). I think creativity comes not from a frontal attack but by sneaking around the hidden paths, so I have to back off, distract the conscious mind, and let the old sub-conscious work on it. Ideas really do come to you in the shower (not so effective in these days of water restrictions). In my scientific work I found that things could be resolved while staring out the window at the scenery or (not sure I should reveal this) by going to the lavatory (away from computer and scribbling pads). Getting out completely, go walking, is good; creative ideas are often triggered by unrelated activities. Editing suites generally offer no external stimuli.

I used to compare this to piezoelectric stuff but a sponge is just as good. Basically, you squeeze yourself until you just don't have many good ideas coming, then you let go for a while and soak up a bit more juice. You get some decent creativity when the pressure is really on and also when the pressure is really off.

When Mark Twain wasn't writing professionally he liked to relax by writing letters. Seemed to work well.

Rob Mack

Following on the above: Consider starting a diary, beginning with your earliest memories, e.g., wind blowing curtains in your nursery, how you figured out how to lower the rail on your crib, etc. Just write with no expectations. In fact, heck, make it up.

Definitely make it up. I think part of the key to keeping the creativity going is to play in a productive way when you aren't working.

Live theater is pretty stimulating, even amateur productions.

Rob Mack

Wow some of Serena’s thoughts are exactly like mine

1. Share. Getting ideas from the folks I work with is like digging a hole in re-enforced concrete with a plastic spoon
Share with the right people. I do this with Grazzie often, and his input gives me a whole different angle and then I merge what works

2. Nothing does it like pressure. Like a violin, for it to sound great you need the right kind of pressure like deadlines etc
Maybe right now you need a break and you don’t have deadlines. Instead of stressing take time off

3. Change your surroundings triggers can come from totally unrelated places

4. Put internet in the toilet .good place internet that is to get ideas

Rory

Come visit Raleigh, NC. You can meet the RTP Vegas Users group guys and gals, brainstorm with my music & arts friends, and shoot some beautiful country.

OR

Go play tennis. I often get inspired while playing tennis. Somehow it just makes the perfect recharge for creative work because it demands your attention. I once read that tennis is a 'series of small emergencies on court'. Dealing with minor competitive 'emergencies' is weirdly relaxing after spending weeks & months generating fresh, original, artistic ideas. There is a parallel between playing competitive tennis and playing good improvised music -- the actions just flow, 'cause there ain't no time to stand and ponder them! ;-]

"I'm utterly frustrated - I've not experienced a dry spell like this in recent memory - and it's affecting my ability to get work produced."

I hear you brother . . . . consider: Maybe it is the WRONG work to be stimulated about? No one says you have to do ALL that is presented to you? Yes, I know of excellent scribing journalists that can make a story out of the dullest content: "Today, at the central Council courts we heard the earth shattering news that Mr Scruggins of Scrote Street was again attempting to have his garage receive building consent. If he doesn't get what he wants, th, he promises, all hell will break loose!" - well, I ain't no word journalist . . But you get the picture . . ? Some people can make something out of nothing.



OK, so wanting to "know" a little more about you, Planet-Cliff, I went to your website. And the first, the very FIRST thing I see is a picture - is that you? - is of a guy very, . . er . . thoughtfully and . . er . . "engagingly" (?) wielding/aiming a camera straight right at me . . .OK . . . You pride yourself on doing everything yourself, your website says this. Admirable, very admirable. Guess what, and for some people, turning around what you are attempting to do, right now - getting back your "muse", you can't do by yourself. This is the very ONE thing, where you are at, you can't do by yourself. Hence my support of your first statement. Sounds like you is needing input. And that, my friend, can come from anywhere and for any reason. Mostly and often, for me, it ain't video or work related.

"Willing myself through it is producing mediocre results at best. - A most excellent observation! So guess what - DON'T! Just stop, don't panic and breathe out. However, use this time profitably and go through a process of assessment and selection - DO IT! Yes, do what Bob says and get the contracts done. You have a responsibility to do that. Now accept and own what you are now feeling and escalate THIS to your new target. Being creative is work. For those of us who are "comfortable" and have learnt the ways of the child and still are "child-like", it is second nature. Re-learnig this is totally do-able. But, as and when we are adults does require clear boundaries to be set, to take care of you, your nearest and your commercial contacts, clientele and contracts. But do it. This is a task and a great one to do - it is "Project Cliff"!

Here's a task for you: Get some kids and let them see your latest work and ask them how would THEY like to do the job. And listen, listen REAL hard. Now, I'm not saying that any of what they WILL present will be an answer, but what it WILL provide you with is a clue to their own imaginative thought processes, and what got them there. And, inturn, this will affect your very own creative thought processes too.

I start each and every project afresh. Yes I can have a formula and yes I hope my production skills are advanced enough to get to what my client and I want. But "Function" aint no "NO" substitute for "Form". What people want is story and real story to boot! They want emotion and humour and scare and vitality and stimulation and smiles and gasps and . . . OK you make the list!!! And guess what, I am just the same. I have an approach to my video making that is mine. I have kinda honed it and pushed and pulled it over time. It aint perfect and it has a lot of rough edges. But that's me. And that's the thing . . .

The other thing you can have, and that's an offer from me, is to contact me. I aint suggesting I have answers, most likely I wont, but I will be another kid on the block to kick the footie about with.

The next step is up to you.

Best regards

Grazie

Cliff

Lots of good suggestions in this thread for breaking through a creativity block and also for managing frustration.

We are lucky that we can draw on the understandings of both modern psychology and ancient religion, as well as personal experience, around such things. They can teach us that patience (but not too much patience)--along with the recognition that "this too shall pass"--is essential in moving through our troubles. We need to embrace what is going on (whether we like it, dislike it or don't care) it seems, and experience fully the slip-stream of time. Discerning between "seasons" and "forever" is never easy, and even if we manage that, befriending the seaon in which we find ourselves immersed can be even harder.

Also not to be neglected--and this has been amply attested to in this thread--is the necessity of effort: the willingness to do something new (or something old) in order to shake things up. It's odd, because at the same time that the way through is--in effect--to do nothing, the way through only manifests when we extend ourselves and do something.

One further thing to remember, especially for those of us who were brought up in the middle of the psychologically-reductive 20th century: not all behaviour is psychological and open to psychological intervention. There is a biological, physical aspect of ourselves which is mediated through brain chemistry and which no amount of thinking or talking or good-will or relaxing can change. For most people most of the time, this will never be a problem. But for those for whom it is, as with those who have diabetes or heart problems, professional intervention is a necessity. And again, discerning which is which is never easy.

At least we know this, that if we can't get through what blocks us, we can always go around. Or up and over.

Tim Robertson

Cliff,

Sometimes I will start a project, get the first segment on the timeline and all creativity stops. I am staring at this timeline for hours, not excactly knowing how or what to do next. With my projects I usally do not have any deadlines to meet, so that pressure is not affecting me.
Above are some real nice suggestions, and I will add one more for you.
I know from reading many of your post over time that your editing is mostly cuts, fades and not too much other effects involved.
It may be you need to energize yourself by starting to edit a bit more out of the box, adding more video effects to your productions to where you, yourself are excited to watch the results you are creating.

I know that when I change things up, and add new techniques to my videos I get more excited in the process. The only problem may be that these newer techniques or video effects may take more time to produce.

Ted

Find someone else to do a small part of your project: your kid, your wife or girlfriend; your dog. Doesn't matter. Even if what they do stinks, it will give you something to react to.

Having worked almost entirely on my own the past fifteen years, I have found that it is impossible to be truly creative without someone else involved. Rogers needed Hammerstein; the Little Mermaid music by Mencken would have been nothing without the lyrics of Ashman; Roy Rogers needed Dale Evans (and Trigger too, but that's a whole 'nother story).

So, find a collaborator, even if it is temporary and even if the person isn't that great.

Find a muse.

Trick yourself by rejecting all thoughts that what you're doing is "creative".

It's just a job of work, so just make a decision on some small, barely relevant piece of the project. Probably won't work, but then you have something you want to change, instead of the dread blank canvas.

Then it's just a mechanical job of changing parameters, levels, etc. Nopthing actually creative, just fixing some dumb edit. Housecleaning.

You'll probably start puttering and slip right into productive labor.

Please cite those medical studies. I want to include a Six Flags season pass as a medical expense for tax purposes. :) Only half joking. Considering my experience with anti-depressants, smashing a hammer on my head would also have been an advisable alternative.

In any case, I agree with the suggestion to try anything out of routine, or give yourself a small project with some absurd self-imposed limitation to it. I've been finding picking out some of the small-commitment projects on vimeo has been a help lately, for example.

Like the others have said, doing something weird or different sometimes works for me.

There is always the Mannix like camera work that can spark many creative ideas. For those that didn't see or don't remember, Mannix (like manics) was a 70's US TV show that had some really weird camera work. Strangle angles, quickly rotating or panning and zooming was one of their favorite tricks. Who can't get inspiration from that? :-)

I'm utterly frustrated - I've not experienced a dry spell like this in recent memory - and it's affecting my ability to get work produced. Willing myself through it is producing mediocre results at best.

I've found that I can actually create blocks by getting in this mode, especially when dealing with a deadline.
There are some things that help me tremendously at times that I'd like to share:
Have you ever gone to bed and find yourself thinking about a project and just when you're about to fall asleep you "come up" with a great idea?
This happens to me sometimes and it's a PIA to have to get up and write the idea down but I think the brain can receive some good stuff when it is in that first stage of sleep. Call it universal mind power working, or God, or bunk but it works because I don't think my little brain could have come up with some of these great ideas.
That said, I am not a nap kind of person but sometimes it works if I make myself go try to take a nap.
Excercise.... sounds strange but after getting my body up to a "training zone" level I can think more clearly (left side of brain). If it doesn't help...well I have at least excercised instead of just staring at a monitor racking my little brain : )
Above all though Cliff, I think you need to realize it will pass and not fret over it...I believe that can make it worse.
Best regards,
Randy

I practice hatha yoga/power yoga on a regular basis - decided to visit a local yoga studio and combined with the almost 100 degree temps here in Oregon, I sweated through alot of stuff last night. Physically sore is putting it mildly - I have been doing yoga for over 18 months now but last night was a different level. I do feel somewhat better today - but I think it's a matter of knowing ones own limits - I even contemplated giving up video altogether and going back to shooting stills since that is my primary experience professionally. But my thought was why play it safe?

So I'm back at just being today and seeing what happens.

Cliff Etzel - Solo Video Journalist
bluprojekt | SoloVJ.com

A writer named Angeles Arrien used the metaphor of metamorphasis to talk about different stages we all go through.

She used the example of a butterfly.

First stage is the worm which eats everything in sight

Second stage the worm creates a cocoon and literally dissolves into a liquid mush

Third stage the beautiful butterly one day emerges from the mush of the cocoon in all its glory

The question is 'what phase do you find yourself in?'

Nothing stays static..... its (life) all a part of a constant building up and breaking down to rebuild again.

You will come out of this funky/stagnant/pupa stage.....and once again fly like a butterfly....

Be patient as best you can.

Eileen