How do you get inspired?

Semiazas

Semiazas

How is it you get insipred for ideas for films, if they're shorts, features, docummentaries, anything.
I mean, the one idea I have for a short I'm hoping to work on soon just sort of... came to me, I had the idea and the characters and even the motifs I was using in my head. But I can't seem to activley think of any other ideas.
Advice, tips or any similar stories on the whole needing inspiration thing?
 
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My advice, would be trying to find yourself in a mental state of utmost relaxation. Put aside all worries about the film, how it will turn out. See if you can reach that point within you where it seems like lots of fun. Eventually ideas will flow. Have no restrictions.
 
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I only ever seem to come up with ideas when I'm not trying to - or sometimes, actively trying not to: nothing gets the creative juices flowing like having to do a job you don't want to.
 
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I mean, this one idea I'm doing I really like.
I have a couple of other ideas, they're sort of abstract in their concept I suppose, they occured to me quite reccently as something I wanna try out
1) I like the idea of mirrors and how they can be used to show an entierley different side of a person (like the Twilight Zone episode, I forget the entire title, but it's something to do with a Three Dolar Motel, where a man argues with his reflection, it's really clever).
2) The afterlife. General, but it's certainlly something I'd like to try out at some point.
 
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"There's nothing is more dangerous than an idea when it's the only one you have."

Get away from what you're working on.

Do something new. If you're not into sports get into a batting cage and (try to) hit some balls. Listen to unusual music (Tibetan throat singing, traditional Raga, aboriginal music, etc.) If you're a city boy get out into the country. Get to a museum. New experiences give you a new perspective.

Back when I was a teen - oh those many years ago - we used to go on "space cruises". We would get in a car (like my friend Todds 1970 orange VW wagon, which we all called "the Pumpkin") fill the tank, fill the cooler and intentionally get lost for a weekend. We saw and did some amazing things and met some really cool people.

The whole point is get out there and do something new and different.

You can also lampoon your own work. Make fun of it, reverse it, turn it upside down.

Find a collaborator, let them tear it - and you - apart.
 
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Group brainstorming session. Just toss out ideas. Doesn't matter if they're good. If it pops in your head, say it. Even the horrible ideas might lead somewhere, cuz one stupid idea might cause a different person to think of something not so stupid, in a chain-reaction sort of way.

If that doesn't work, take a really big poop. I can't tell you how many moments of genius I've had, sitting on the pot.
 
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First, I think what do I want to do. Tearie, shootie or a laughie.

Second, I think what do I have to make a story with.

Third, I get a drink, and begin to write all the short plots I have in my head

Fourth, after I'm done with 10 stupid plots or so, I start mix and matching begining of one plot, with another.
 
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Lately, I've been using Final Draft as my journal. I have a file that I open when blocked. I will talk to myself in there through narration and V.O., recreate scenes from the day, from my past, and often just go off on the most bizarre tangents. Not only is it a great writing exercise, it's also a good way to find inspiration.

Other times, I will just beat my head against the wall until a chunk of something falls out, and then spend the next hour or so analyzing it on paper.

Or I'll jump on Indietalk and play devil's Advocate in a debate. Or kick someone in the virtual nuts and watch them go ballistic. Or jump into 630 rip-snorting horses and scare the crap out of myself.
 
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Read open culture, mental floss, and watch 2 dozen TED talks. Digest. Look for connections. Concoct absurd metaphor. Write a framework around that. Figure out who lives in that frame work.

SET A DEADLINE AND HAVE SOMEONE ENFORCE IT!

Pour that whole mess over a story structure.

All of the above steps should be performed while consuming copious amounts of wine.
 
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