Hi! I'm Chris Conroy, Creative Director of Heartwood Media.

We created this section to answer your questions about video production, TV, Flash animation, strategic messaging, or whatever else is on your mind.

If you have a question, send me an e-mail.

Click on the titles below to read posted questions.

 

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Question: How do you resolve creative disagreements?


Q: Hi Chris,

My video producer and I are at a creative crossroads and can't agree on how to move forward with our project. I want to add some additional background information about our company, and he says that will be distracting and dilute our message (it's primarily a product sales video). What do you think?

Thank for your help, Ross


A: Hi Ross,

 

Different approaches are part of the creative process, and in my opinion, make for stronger videos in the end. That being said, how do you continue with your project?

 

I recommend you get feedback from people outside of the project. Ideally you can show your rough edit to people who are part of your video's intended audience. Doing this has two benefits:

 

1. Your audience knows best what they are interested in. They'll let you know if the company background information is relevant to them or not.

 

2. In all likelihood, you and your producer have been working on this project for several months. Both you and your producer might be unable to see the forest for the trees. Having other people watch the video can help you look at your project more objectively. This holds true regardless of whether you and your producer are in agreement creatively.

 

 

 

Q: Hi Chris. I've got a pot-luck party I'm going to, and I've been asked to bring some cookies or cake. Any ideas on what I should bring?


A: I recently served these at a party, and two batches were eaten in a hurry.


Wheatless Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:
1 cup creamy peanut butter

3/4 cup sugar

1 egg slightly beaten

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup roasted salted peanuts

 

Combine all ingredients in a big bowl and mix thoroughly.

With moistened hands, roll 1 heaping tablespoon of mixture into balls.

Place balls 2 inches apart on a cookie sheet.

Bake 12-14 minutes at 350 degrees, rotating cookie sheets from the top shelf to the bottom shelf of the oven.

After removing from the oven, allow the cookies to cool on the cookie sheets.