Creative control -___-

Ultimately, the client comes first, and until you're able to swallow your pride and accept it, you'll never be a professional. The client has the option of going to someone else if you don't do what they want. If you're a professional, you're running a business, and you need clients to have a successful business.

Notice that professional does not equal artist. Artists express themselves through their personal work, and do the paid stuff for income. Their great work, their masterpieces, are generally the stuff born out of their own imagination and motivation, not someone else's request. This has been documented (read Daniel Pink's book "Drive" and the chapter about Autonomy - he talks about how artists do more creative and inspiring work in their free time than they do for clients).

I run into this "creative control" issue all the time. I make videos for my school (UCONN School of Engineering) and one of the Associate Deans just loves to dip his hands into all our projects. Some of his common quips: "Use Frank Sinatra!" ; "This should be longer, like, 5 minutes." He loves the control. And while I have the opportunity to state my case and describe my ideas, ultimately it boils down to two roads; I make something he likes or the video doesn't get made (and I lose my job, at that point).

So this reporter tried telling you what to do? Here's an idea for you: instead of "telling her off" like, no offense, a stuck up kid, how about trying to work with her so that the two of you can compromise to find a product that you are both proud of, or at least that you don't hate and that she can accept? Eventually you'll have to learn to work with people, because not many people are going to take your opinion as all-knowning, even if your ideas are good.

Short version: Your opinions and ideas are the final say in your work only. If you are working for someone else, your opinions and ideas are no more important than those of anyone else involved. Learn to work with people, not against them, otherwise your business will fail.

Cheers,
M

definitely see where you're coming from and next time (their WILL be a next time) ill definitely take you advice, which I think can be described as "the path of least resistence"

Basically this reporter, I am in no way shape or form working for, Im working for a client, and every change the client has told me, I happily make it......it just really grinds my gears when this reporter tries to tell me to cut out a shot because "its stupid", I HATE negativity, and I believe negativity supresses creativity. If you're going to tell me something you can EASILY make it positive by say "this shot doesnt work because.....maybe try this...."...instead of "that shots stupid!"

I feel that. Just remember, you can't expect people to be positive or friendly, but you can be (and have to be) ready and willing to manipulate the conversation so that it goes that way. Grab the steering wheel and set the example; this will serve you very well all throughout life.

yeah man totally, if someone says shit like that about my work even though most of the time i might agree i look at em like WTF who are you to tell me that shit.

"Yelling matches" commonly happen when one or two people dont understand the problem/story. But if you know how to steer the conversation, typically you can come up with a solution that makes both happy and is better than what you had before.

If she says that shot is stupid. Ask her why? and in what context. After listening to her answer tell her WHY you think it should be here and what it brings to the piece. Be polite. From this point try and take the pro's from each stand and come up with a solution.

If you can clearly communicate your point and she can't. Well then she should realize it at this point and leave you alone.