Authored by
Alexander Ross Charchar
18th of May, 2009 
Working Life 6 Comments
When one has the same lesson over and over, it becomes known intimately. A person will know exactly how something will end, when it is experienced again and again and again. They will know the effect it will have, what the idea behind it is and eventually, even if it was at first, it becomes very unintelligent. It becomes stale, boring, obvious and foolish. This isn’t a secret by any means, yet many seem to forget about this little fact when it comes to dealing with clients, who haven’t had the lessons we have.
He doesn’t laugh at movies anymore. He said it so easily.
Well, that’s not completely true, he assures us. He says that this one film—he’s a film critic, you see—made him laugh once or twice, which was worthy of praise because he doesn’t laugh at movies anymore.
That’s a little jaded, isn’t it? That’s not a rhetorical question – I’m genuinely wondering if he can be labeled as jaded?
I watch this man and his co-host often. He, well, both of them, but it’s not her we’re talking about, has a very respectable intellect. He laughs and cracks his wit like a whip and has a joyous time with his on-screen partner, so clearly he’s a happy man, a man able to jest and smirk and laugh. So no, perhaps he isn’t jaded.
But, the thing is, he doesn’t laugh at movies anymore.
If one were to lend their thoughts to it for a moment, an easy discovery can be made – he doesn’t laugh at movies for the same reason doctors don’t shed tears for death. Which is the same reason a farmer isn’t bothered by going shoulder deep into Bessy. And why an electrician will happily play with that which can literally shock the life out of him
We’ve seen it before and know how it’ll work
It’s the same reason why designers aren’t phased when the abilities and daily routines of many Photoshop-wielding creatives make the skin flawless, bust bigger and stomach flatter. Or why when a client gives us their request to make this bigger, that multiplied and everything brighter and bubblier, we cringe. We’ve seen it before and know how it’ll work out.
The reason this is all so is because all these people, these professionals, have seen it before.
Our film critic David probably sees every joke being set-up by the characters on screen twenty minutes before it’s delivered. He probably knows the type of joke it’ll be too. Hell, he probably knows the punch-line or could deliver or reference a better one from another film.
Thats his job – to have knowledge of his field
And it’s all because of experience. He’s seen all of it before and he probably saw it before the majority of the population did. After all, thats his job – to have knowledge of his field that far surpasses that of most everyone else, of those he’s talking to.
But let’s discuss the population—the general public. The non-experts. And lets cut the crap. Ever notice how dumb people like dumb things? And smart people like smart things? Dumb and smart are extremes of the spectrum, so perhaps it’s better to say uneducated and educated. Or unexperienced and experienced.
There’s a reason Eddie Murphy’s audience didn’t all meet up at the Darjeeling Limited screenings. Eddie Murphy (now, anyway – 80s murphy was a genius) is the shortcut to laughter. He’ll deliver a thought-free joke. There won’t be a second of brain-power wasted. BAM! Fat person says something in a funny voice—Ha-ha-ha-ha! Eddie knows that even if it isn’t great or memorable, it’ll work. To those uneducated by the lessons of the maestros of comedy, it’ll work. They don’t know any better.
They are experienced hunters – they need a meatier challenge
Yet those who dip their toes into the more challenging of films aren’t going to laugh at such a trick. They aren’t to be fooled! They are experienced hunters – they need a meatier challenge—something only they, they who have seen the trap-door jokes before and have the skill and knowledge to avoid them—they need something only worthy foes are capable of giving. More intelligent comedy, original comedy. Then they’ll laugh. At this David will laugh.
But what does this have to do with clients and their lust for the ludicrous?
The reason the client requests thirty photos on a page, bigger fonts and Photoshop embossed text and what is nothing but unoriginal, cheap tricks to the experienced designer is the same reason why David the movie critic won’t laugh at Eddy Murphy in yet another fat suit.
You are paid by your client to tell them
that their ideas are … cliche, tired and ugly
The critic is paid for his opinion and knowledge. The designer is paid for the same. Professionals are paid for these things. You are paid by your client not to tell them that their ideas are brilliant or that you can ‘work it in’, but that they are cliche, tired and ugly. That they’re the unconcealed trap-door jokes. The awful shortcuts that hold no long-lasting or deep value. Don’t get fed up with them when they request absurdity—be honest and try to educate them a little as to why the fat suit isn’t funny. You are the professional, remind your client of this, not with such words, but through demonstration and understanding of your craft. Of knowing how to do what they want, but better and smarter and in an original way. You are the educated one, you are paid because of this, so don’t let your client make, or force you into, uneducated mistakes. And for all that is of value, stop laughing at Eddie Murphy.
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• Comments •
6 pieces of brilliance put forth by the audience
Tracey Grady
19th of May, 2009 • www • twitter
One of the hardest aspects of design is knowing HOW to tell a client that their ideas will translate into poor design, without visibly cringeing or in some other way belittling them. Best to focus on presenting yourself as a professional, experienced operator, willing to collaborate but ultimately the person who is steering the design process.
Oh, and I really enjoyed The Darjeeling Limited ;)
Alex Charchar
19th of May, 2009 • www • twitter
Oh absolutely, but I’m finding that more honest I am, the better it works out most of the time..
I think its about tactfully saying that something won’t work. I’ll explain why but if i follow it up with ‘were you trying to blah blah blah’ or just ask them why it was they suggested it and try to come to a compromise.. doesn’t always work, but has proven to work so far.. just about not leaving it as a blunt ‘no’.. what do you think?
And its a great movie! way better than the eddie murphy in a fat suit film that came out a year or so prior ;)
David Airey
24th of May, 2009 • www • twitter
Hi Alex,
How’ve you been lately? All good I hope.
Honesty is certainly the best policy, and as quite a few people mentioned on my blog recently, tact must go hand-in-hand.
I remember the days of Eddie Murphy’s Raw. So much better than fat suits.
Alex Charchar
27th of May, 2009 • www • twitter
been flat-out! Working on new design and have fallen behind on so much, but eh, there’s always tomorrow and im working hard!
I think tact is the harder part to learn, rather than honesty. It’s far easier to tell someone that something is wrong, rather than talking to them about why something is wrong.. difference between a pat on the arm and a punch in the face in for a lot of the tactless people..
and oh man, Delirious and Raw are some of the funniest pieces of comedy ive ever known and then we have Norbit..
David Airey
27th of May, 2009 • www • twitter
I hear you, Alex. Well put too.
Another favourite comedian of mine, Richard Prior. Shame how it all ended though.
Alex Charchar
27th of May, 2009 • www • twitter
Ahh i love Richard Pryor! First time I listened to one of his albums it felt like I was listening to the real version of Eddie Murphy — you could really feel the influence Richard had on Eddie.. Bill Hicks is a more recent (also dead, argh) comedian I adore
going to have to dust off the old cds i think!
Shall you delight, entertain & enlighten
us with your own thoughts?