I really like being around creative people. You may find them challenging to work with, edgy, quirky, or just different. Often, it’s because they see things differently…yet that is the very thing that helps them to be successful communicators.

My friend Phil Cooke always seems to have something to say to me about creative communication. Whether it is through his blogs (philcooke.com), his teaching, or a conversation over a meal, there is usually a nugget of inspiration that can propel us to a higher level of communicating truth. And storytelling is a major emphasis.

At a few years ago, Phil was talking about the importance of short videos to tell our story. He indicated that YouTube is spending $1 million daily to expand its servers to handle all the constantly uploaded new videos. Short videos are making an impact. But how do we learn to be more effective with less time?

I am reminded of the quote attributed to different historical people, from French mathematician Blaise Paschal to American writer and humorist Mark Twain. In various forms, it says, “Please excuse this long letter. I didn’t have time to write a short one.” Short letters, short stories, and short videos often take more time because every word and every minute is of heightened importance.

Phil Cooke has some excellent suggestions on learning how to be a creative storyteller:

  1. Watch TV or movies with the sound turned off. As a young TV director, my mentor suggested doing this, and it made a huge difference for me. With the sound turned off, you don’t get into the story, and you start focusing on the shots. Framing, composition, sequence, editing – how it builds the scene. Try it.
  2. Slow down. In today’s distracted culture, we RUSH everything, and as a result, we MISS everything. Slow down. Really look at the people you pass on the street. Notice how the sun hits the side of a building at sunset. Watch people’s behavior at checkout lines. Start to notice, then start thinking about how to recreate those scenes.
  3. Experience life. Most directors today don’t know anything about life because they spend it in front of screens. They haven’t traveled, haven’t experienced difficult jobs, and haven’t been in challenging situations. Go on a short-term mission program, hike through Europe, take boxing lessons, or start a conversation with a homeless person. Work at a Salvation Army food distribution center. Spend time with the disabled. Visit a museum. Get out of the rut. What you experience will transform the way you look at things

I would also suggest you carefully reread the stories and parables of Jesus. In just a few sentences, He often painted a graphic word picture and shared a powerful biblical truth. Think of the story of the man who built his house on the sand versus the one that built his on the rock. Great visual imagery comes to mind with an obvious lesson for life.

Go beyond the ordinary and the expected. See things from a different perspective. Don’t just look…really see…and then put together strong images that tell important stories to change lives for God…and for good.

God’s best,