When a client gives you the feedback you believe is wrong... do you contend with your creative vision or make the changes?
Hi guys, I watched a youtube video last night featuring Cole Bennet discussing directing/producing a music video for YNW and Kanye West ("Mixed Personalities").
They had multiple pre-production meetings to discuss the creative direction they would like to go on. The production and post-production process apparently went smoothly. Then the night before the deadline release; Kanye called Cole and explained that he wanted to change the visual aesthetic entirely to black and white, which was not planned.
Cole decided to stick to his guns and tell the grammy award-winning, erratic creative and wildly famous artist: no.
The video has received so far 160,123,881 views and has won awards for its creativity (this may be solely due to Kanye's fame).
Usually, this wouldn't stand out in my mind, but this morning I received feedback for a project I'm producing, mixing and mastering. Similarly to the story above, my client has totally changed their creative direction as proposed within the pre-production.
I know for most on here, we are contracted to provide a service, but part of what we are providing is our creativity... not just what they think is right.
I'm genuinely curious about what people's thoughts are on this!
Replies10
- As long as it doesn’t ruin the creative dignity, given that team couldn’t convince the client on the vision, I’d proceed with changes.
- It all depends on what the feedback is, there have been times when clients have wanted to do something that could get us both sued – not doing so or putting a client in a position where they could be sued is a red line for me.If it’s a creative difference I will always take a client's view point and try to suggest something better still that works for us both building on everyone’s ideas.However bottom line for me is whoever pays the piper calls the tune, and a very important part of my job is to ensure they enjoy the music.
- All great answers here already Elliott but I think the best thing to do is first let the client have some breathing space (if you have the time) as sometimes people have a kneejerk reaction due to some outside force and later they can take it back. If they are keen to go with it, fully discuss the change in order to understand their thinking. It might be that they missed something earlier in the process or don't understand how this change might affect the rest of the project. Oftentimes however this additional understanding might lead you to realise that the client is in fact correct and/or it's more in line with their values, projects goals, etc. Finally, your opinion is just as important as theirs as you are the expert - in this case you're an audio expert - so make sure to explain fully why you think the change isn't warrented or you believe it's the wrong call. As a filmmaker I've been on many sets with a client requesting a change and I took the time to explain my view of the situation and why I thought it wasn't the best idea and many times that is enough for the client to get it and step back. It's not easy but just remember there is always a solution at the end of the day.Good luck!
- I've been in this situation a bunch of times: in some cases what they thought wasn't right for the brief but they changed their mind after I explained the reasons why I thought so. In other cases I realised my initial disappointment was just pride because they had an idea that didn't come from me and it was actually quite good. I now wait at least a day before getting back to people :) because at the end of the day we want all to do a good job. When I said no it was because what they want was offensive or not totally law abiding.Different situation is if the client changes the brief: I think as professionals we need to work with the client - of course in this case you're entitled to re-discuss the budget. But I don't see myself as an artist, just a professional who happens to solve design problems,
- Was it Sibelius who said - 'in all the villages, and towns and cities in the world, no-one has ever ercted a statue to a critic...' Hx
- @Elliott Alfie Mckay The thing about reputation it's kidna true if someone has to work with teh most talented but difficult person vs. a less talented but easy to work with person most of the times guess what they pick :)
- @ɐɹoᗡ ɐuu∀ ˥ Totally agree, when you work with an artist, it's about bringing their creative vision to life
- I think the important thing to remember is that communication is a two way process and you are working in collaboration with your client to acheive the desired creative output. A client commissions work based on experience, expertise, relationship fit and should value your creative work because that is what they have bought in to.I agree, you should objectively look at the work you have done and assess whether you have answered/met the key objectives of the brief. I think you should certainly challenge the feedback if you feel it is not on brief, not what was originally agreed and is taking the creative to a different space. This would effectively be a rebrief.I would suggest, working with the client to dissect the feedback to fully understand what they mean/want and why changes need to be made. Ultimately whatever you create needs to work for your client, they are paying for the work, so their feedback is hugely important in the process.
- @ɐɹoᗡ ɐuu∀ ˥ hey, thanks for sharing your view on this. I found it really interesting and useful 🙂 I find reputation as another interesting topic as I have heard stories and experienced for myself how some senior creatives can dangle it over as what will make or break your career.
- Hi Elliot,I do believe at first you have to ask the question is there anything what the client asks is not right from an objective viewpoint? If so describe for them. Be reasonable instead of just protecting your artistic self. If no then I would recommend to make the changes. And of course don't by shy to ask for extra money to compensate the extra time and stress it does bring to your life. This is what I personally do now and seems like the best practise. I also do it in this way to protect my reputation as this kind of stories easily can get out there when they position you as an artist with big ego and hard to work with. I'm not saying this as an objective truth but it can be easily interpreted like that.Also when you work together with artists on a comission base it's important to understand that it's about their creative expression, not about yours.
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