Joe Bennett, co-creator of Scavenger’s Reign, shares his 8-year-long journey in bringing this stunning project to life. Topics discussed include the challenges faced during production, the importance of embracing naturalism in character conversations, exploring the concept of Rube Goldberg machines, and the collaborative process and outstanding sound design of the project.
Persistence and obsession are crucial in developing a unique style and vision in creative work.
Originality and breaking away from pre-existing ideas are important in creating refreshing and unique projects.
Effective communication, delegation, and trust are essential in collaborating with a team across different locations.
Deep dives
Importance of persistence and developing a unique style
The podcast episode emphasizes the importance of persistence and obsession in developing a unique style and language in creative work. The speaker mentions that none of their previous projects went viral, but they continued to finish projects and carve out their own style and vision. They also offer the advice to spend more time creating instead of pitching ideas. The idea of finishing projects and focusing on personal growth and development is seen as crucial.
The importance of originality and avoiding tropes
The podcast discusses the importance of originality and breaking away from pre-existing intellectual properties. The speaker expresses their fatigue with the trend of remakes and rehashing existing ideas. They highlight the desire to create new IPs and embrace ambiguity and originality. They value storytelling that doesn't rely on heavy exposition and instead allows the audience to immerse themselves in a world and figure things out as they go. The podcast points out the desire to create something unique and refreshing and move away from overdone concepts.
The creative and collaborative process
The podcast explores the process of collaboration and the challenges and rewards of working with a massive team across different locations. The speaker highlights the importance of effective communication and delegation while acknowledging personal growth in handling these collaborations. They discuss the need to trust and be patient with artists, allowing them to improve and excel in their work. The podcast also touches on the role of sound design and music in conveying emotion and setting the tone for a project. They showcase the significance of using visuals, videos, and references to articulate and convey ideas effectively.
The importance of finishing projects and being obsessed with what you're doing
One piece of advice the speaker would give to their younger self is to finish the projects they start and not give up on them. They emphasize the importance of following through and executing ideas, rather than just talking about them. They suggest setting manageable goals and getting obsessed with the creative process, allowing for the development of one's style and language. The speaker also advises not to get discouraged by external factors, such as similar projects or lack of viral success. Instead, they stress the significance of making things and letting the work speak for itself, rather than spending too much time pitching ideas.
The value of creating your own path and disregarding the noise of others
The speaker reflects on the drive to create unique and original work, mentioning the influence of movies like 'Under the Skin' and appreciating directors who break away from conventions. They emphasize the need to carve out one's path, taking inspiration from various sources but also staying true to one's vision. The speaker encourages spending less time pitching ideas and more time executing them, disregarding comparisons or discouragement from external sources. They suggest staying focused, staying obsessed with the craft, and letting the work stand on its own, acknowledging that not every project will go viral, but consistent dedication will shape one's style and voice.
Scavenger’s Reign co-creator Joe Bennett joins us to share his 8-year-long journey in bringing this stunning project to life. If you haven’t seen Scavenger’s Reign, please do, not just to avoid the spoilers in this episode but to join in the celebration of this profound and refreshing show and to hear some interesting tales about the production.
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