EPISODE
43
Season 2, Episode 4: 12 Part Series - The Creative Process - The Problem
EPISODE LINKS.
SHOW NOTES.
Welcome to McFarland Minutes Season 2, Episode 4! In this episode, hosts Natalie McFarland and Ryan Lee introduce a new series that will take you through their creative process one month at a time. This episode focuses on the crucial first step of video creation: identifying ‘the problem’. Natalie and Ryan discuss how understanding the problem sets the foundation for an effective video campaign, looking at examples from their own experiences, including working with Ag Texas Farm Credit Services. They also elaborate on the significance of capturing regional vs. national issues and ensuring clear, concise messaging. The episode promises insightful discussions, practical examples, and even a fun brainstorming session involving hypothetical barbecue sauce commercials.
00:00 Introduction to McFarland Minutes
00:33 Season Two Overview
01:11 Creative Process Breakdown
05:57 Client Interaction and Problem Solving
09:11 Understanding the Problem
10:43 Effective Communication and Vocabulary
22:10 Multiple Solutions for a Single Problem
24:56 Conclusion and Next Steps
ABOUT THIS EPISODE.
Welcome to McFarland Minutes, where we dive into the creative process at Off Your Rocker Films. In this blog post, we explore the importance of identifying the problem when embarking on any creative project, particularly in video production. Join Natalie and Ryan as they discuss how understanding the core issue is crucial to creating impactful and effective visual content.
Introduction
In the creative realm of McFarland Productions and Off Your Rocker Films, understanding our objectives is paramount. As we kick off Season 2, Episode 4 of McFarland Minutes, Natalie McFarland and Ryan share insights on how to tackle creative challenges and elaborate on why identifying the problem is the first vital step in video production.
The Essentials of Problem Identification
Every successful video campaign begins with understanding what needs to be solved. Whether it’s boosting brand awareness, enhancing consumer engagement, or simply selling a product, knowing the underlying problem shapes the direction and effectiveness of the entire project.
Why Define the Problem?
1. Foundation for Strategy: A clear problem identification sets the groundwork for strategic decisions—determining everything from narrative style to technical execution.
2. Audience Relevancy: Understanding the problem helps in crafting messages that resonate with the target audience, ensuring that the content is relatable and impactful.
3. Project Alignment: It aligns goals within the team and keeps everyone focused on solving the specific issue at hand, whether it’s through humor, emotion, or education.
Creative Process Insights
During the podcast, Natalie and Ryan discuss:
– How industry experience influences problem perception and solution development.
– The role of language and terminology in communicating the problem effectively to a specific audience.
– The importance of understanding different scales of impact—from regional to national—and how this affects production decisions.
Real-life Applications and Examples
Consider an example like marketing a new barbecue sauce. Are we introducing a brand-new flavor or improving awareness of an existing product? Each scenario presents a different challenge and requires a tailored approach to storytelling and strategy.
Natalie and Ryan delve into how diverse solutions can address singular problems or how one solution can tackle multiple issues simultaneously, demonstrating the flexibility and creativity needed in production planning.
Conclusion
Ultimately, as Ryan pointed out, each production is akin to crafting a movie, where establishing the “point” or goal early keeps the narrative strong and engaging. Defining the problem is not just about identifying an issue; it’s about setting the stage for a compelling story that speaks directly to your audience.
Looking Forward
This blog post introduces you to step one of our 12-step creative process as we explore different facets of video production. Stay tuned for more insights as we continue to break down each phase of bringing a creative vision to life. Join us every last episode of the month for a new chapter in mastering the art of video creation.
ABOUT YOUR HOSTS.
NATALIE MCFARLAND
PRESIDENT, FOUNDER
MCFARLAND PRODUCTIONS
After freelancing her way through college, Natalie established McFarland Productions in 2014, which has continued to grow rapidly over the last few years. Her passion and focus have always remained the same; capturing, understanding, preserving and promoting Ranching, Farming, Western Lifestyle and AgriBusiness. She has always had a love for the western culture and even at a young age it was unmistakably clear she would someday find a career serving the industry.
Natalie grew up on a small ranch, rodeoed, showed horses in a variety of disciplines, showed livestock, and participated in 4H and Oregon High School Equestrian Teams. She has trained herding dogs and started colts, worked with sheep and cattle and has had the experience of racing to finish up a hayfield before a rainstorm hit. She understands the joys, sorrows, wins, losses and hard work of ranchers and farmers. That’s why McFarland Productions can produce authentic marketing campaigns for the businesses, organizations, events, and brands of the western and agriculture industry – it’s who she is.
With a passion for building community surrounding brands, Natalie focuses on building real connections between companies/brands and the people that make up their community. Telling the stories of your customers and making them apart of the brand’s story is her main focus. Creating real, human, meaningful connections and strengthening community within the western and agriculture industry through strategic marketing services.
SCOUT FOSTER
DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC STORYTELLING
MCFARLAND PRODUCTIONS
Scout’s faithfulness to the agriculture and western sports industry is rooted in tradition. Growing up in Central Florida, she stood by her family as they supported different sectors of the industry, including raising beef cattle, bucking bulls for local rodeos, and spending weekends with her grandparents who lived on Disney’s Wilderness Preserve.
Moving away from The Mouse, Scout graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Nation’s top agricultural communications college at Texas Tech University in 2022.
Now residing in Crockett, she and her husband, Lane, keep busy raising beef cattle and bucking bulls with her family. Scout also loves gardening, raising chickens, reading, and her two dogs: Rue and Dill.
