Cliché Sieve

Making a film, while undoubtedly fueled by creativity, also involves a significant dose of tangible assets. It’s like being a craftsman, with around 90% of the process resembling the meticulous work of a carpenter. We wield an array of tools in our creative arsenal: pens, computers, cameras, costumes – anything you can imagine becomes a potential instrument for filmmaking. However, when it comes to handling the intangible aspects, it’s a realm painted in shades of gray. It’s not a straightforward black-and-white affair. While there are certain established concepts at our disposal, they aren’t always tailor-made for our specific projects. We frequently find ourselves in the position of tool-makers, crafting our own solutions. Now, I’d like to introduce you to an abstract tool that I carry with me throughout every stage of crafting a film: the Cliché Sieve.

Think of it as an imaginary sieve. Every time I gather scattered ideas and craft a new concept, build a scene during shootings, or experiment in the editing process, I run it through this filter. I ask myself: Does this resemble something that’s been done before? Has this become a tired, overused trope? How can I infuse it with freshness? Conversely, what should I strip away to make it uniquely mine? Have I managed to transform something? With these inquiries, I meticulously sift through my ideas or creative endeavors. Sometimes, I turn to my collaborators and suggest, Let’s run this through the cliché sieve. We keep what survives beneath the sieve, but we don’t discard the rest. We store it for the next round of filtering, as an idea rejected for one project might find purpose in another: in the end, every creative endeavor is a blend and the only variable is the size of the sieve’s mesh.

Now, this approach might seem analytical, but, I believe, making art encompasses a significant portion of analysis. In fact, beneath the surface of every creative endeavor lies a certain mathematical elegance. People who proudly proclaim themselves as artists often only emphasize the more glamorous and romantic aspects like inspiration, poetry, and creativity. However, these are just small pieces of the larger puzzle and artists who keep their lips sealed about those analytical aspects don’t quite ring true in my eyes: perhaps they seem fearful of losing that sexy allure. That is why sometimes I find myself respecting mainstream filmmakers more than arthouse ones because they possess a clear understanding of their craft and purpose. They comprehend why they do what they do, and their audience knows precisely what they’re getting and why. On the contrary, some self-proclaimed art filmmakers often appear indecisive. They frequently dwell on abstract concepts and often delve into socio-political issues as if they’re trying to navigate a maze. They use these labels to garner attention, almost like prophets seeking divine revelations. However, those discourses end up being generic, hollow, and empty.

Of course, in the realm of art, there’s perpetually an element of mystery and exploration. Yet, the true masters possess the wisdom to discern their creative path once they’ve completed a piece. They engage in thoughtful self-examination, understanding both their creation and the underlying intention behind it. So, I believe, what we truly need is to be conscious and honest about what we do. It is yet another way to put ourselves through the Cliché Sieve and discover what remains our creative selves.

Significant events while composing this post: discovering a cheerful Brazilian melody, tackling a leaky roof amidst relentless downpours in my workspace haven.