Netflix is becoming a problem. It’s been a while since you watched more than seven episodes. This is a waste of your time. Actually, it’s not.
We all, as creatives, need some downtime to stop working and rest our bodies and minds. If you choose the right stuff to watch it will inspire and help you learn valuable lessons about your career.
Unfortunately, streaming platforms do not highlight true quality. They are only interested in engaging you, which is why they will often steer you to popular content that’s not very good.
It’s frustrating, as there are some classics that don’t appear on their homepages. We’ve selected a few shows that every creative person should watch, and outlined some of their broader creative lessons.
Have you seen them before? It may be worthwhile to binge them again if it’s been a while. They all improve over time, like a fine vintage wine.
Breaking Bad: The power of personal branding
What is it exactly?:
Breaking Bad tells the story of Walter White. Walter White is a mild mannered chemistry professor who becomes ruthless. Walt White, a chemistry teacher who is diagnosed with terminal cancer but desperately wants to support his family and provide for them, uses his skills in science to make high-quality crystal meth. He transforms as he enters the criminal world. “Heisenberg”His cold and calculated alter-ego.
It’s important for creatives:
Walter is a teacher who wears tighty-whities before he becomes Heisenberg. Once he donned the black hat, a threatening face and the iconic black hairstyle, he became Heisenberg. “I am the danger” He becomes legendary with his persona. The carefully constructed personal brand of his – frightening, mysterious and memorable – commands respect from others and makes them fearful.
Takeaway::
If you are a writer, designer or artist, a unique visual voice or identity will help you to stand out. Develop a style that is unique, consistent and yours. You might want to skip the empire of meth. It is illegal.
One bold decision can make all the difference in The Simpsons
What is it exactly?:
The Simpsons has been running for over 50 years. The Simpsons is a satirical look at American culture and life, based on the adventures of a family with a median income. It has been a cultural phenomenon for decades. The early seasons, with their cheaper animation, are the most enjoyable.
It’s important for creatives:
Why is The Simpsons’ yellow? Matt Groening, the creator of The Simpsons, chose this eye-catching color to attract people when they are channel surfing. The color worked well. This unmistakable yellow shade still marks Springfield’s best family, three decades after its introduction.
Takeaway::
One memorable choice of design can be your signature. Consistency is key to being instantly recognizable. It’s not always about the aesthetics.
Stranger Things: Take nostalgia seriously
What is it exactly?:
Stranger Things is set in the 80s and follows kids who live in a small Indiana community. They encounter supernatural forces as well as secret government experiments. There’s also a frightening alternate dimension called the Upside Down.
It’s important for creatives:
Stranger Things was a heartfelt love letter for the 1980s. It didn’t simply slap leg warmers on and call it day, unlike other shows. It taps in to the retro revival with respect and detail. You can also find out more about authentic. This, as well as a perfect blend of vintage bikes, synth music and Dungeons & Dragons has struck a chord both with old-school and new audiences.
Takeaway::
It’s not enough to just throw in a little nostalgia as a gimmick or afterthought. It’s a thin line between flogging a Rubik’s Cube that’s no longer functional and mining a nostalgia seam. Do your research and immerse yourselves in the subject to get a true understanding of that era.
Star Trek The Wider World is Your Muse
What is it exactly?:
Star Trek, a sci-fi series that has been around for decades, explores intergalactic travel, space exploration, and human nature. Original series and many of its spin-offs make use of futuristic settings in order to address contemporary political and social issues.
It’s important for creatives:
Star Trek’s first seasons in the 60s were heavily affected by Cold War anxiety, and intergalactic conflict was used as a symbol for Earthly tensions. Star Trek: The Next Generation, which was revived by the United Nations in 1980, reflected an optimistic time, focusing on themes such as peacekeeping and collaboration. Both producers use real world concerns to tell futuristic stories that are meaningful.
Takeaway::
You can find inspiration by looking beyond yourself. You can make your writing more relevant and interesting by incorporating current events, conflicts around the world or scientific discoveries. Next time you feel creatively blocked and want to avoid Pinterest, try reading The Economist.
The oddest of places can inspire us to create new ideas and projects.
What is it exactly?:
Life on Mars, a British dramatization of a crime story with an interesting twist. After a car crash, he wakes up as a detective from 1973. He is unsure if he has woken up in 1973, in a state of coma or if he was actually in the past.
It’s important for creatives:
The line from a song that inspired a gritty, crime-solving show: “Take a look at the lawman, beating up the wrong guy.” Life on Mars did indeed take its concept directly from Bowie’s haunting lyrics. What was the result? The result? A genre-bending, time-travelling masterpiece.
Takeaway::
Do not ignore obscure or fleeting references. They may contain gold. You can also delve into old journals, look up forgotten sketches or pay attention to the lyrics. Never underestimate the power of a seemingly insignificant detail. It could be what inspires your next great project.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer – Surprise, your secret weapon
What is it exactly?:
Buffy the Vampire Slayer, a popular cult film that blends supernatural terror with teenage drama, is one of the most beloved films in the world. Buffy Summers is a teenager who must battle demons and vampires. The ensemble cast constantly interacts in hilarious and tragic ways. The musical episode entitled Once More with Feeling, which aired in the sixth season, was probably its best.
It’s important for creatives:
Musical episode? In a vampire-fighting teen drama? It sounded crazy at the time. Buffy did it brilliantly. Since then, dozens of other shows have repeated this feat with varying degrees of success. Buffy was able to pull it off because Once More with Feeling wasn’t a mere gimmick. It delivered some of the strongest emotional storylines and major character development ever seen in teen television. The show’s departure from the usual format, and its boldness in doing so, is an example of taking risks that can be rewarding.
Takeaway::
Surprise your audience. Introduce unexpected elements to your work, such as a new medium, style, or format. The bold experiments that work will remain in the memory of clients and collaborators, while the safer plays will fade away.
Squid game: patience pays off
What is it exactly?:
Squid Game, a South Korean drama about survival in which desperate people play children’s deadly games to try and win huge cash prizes, is an extremely popular South Korean show. The brutal commentary it made on capitalism and inequality hit a chord with viewers around the world.
It’s important for creatives:
Netflix has made it the most popular show today. Squid Game wasn’t a success overnight, but took ten years to develop. Hwang Donghyuk, the creator of Squid Game, faced constant criticism and negative feedback before his unusual series became a worldwide sensation.
Takeaway::
Sometimes, your big break takes time. Keep practicing your art, even when you feel like no one is watching. Persistence plays a role in the creative process.
Originality is not the only way to be innovative
What is it exactly?:
The 24 series is an action-thriller in real time that follows Jack Bauer, a special agent who has been tasked to stop terrorist threats. Every 24-episode series represents a full day. Each episode covers one hour. The show feels like an adrenaline-filled nonstop rush thanks to this innovative format. It does make you wonder, however: Does Jack ever pee?
It’s important for creatives:
“Man stops terrorist”It’s not a new concept. By using real-time story-telling, 24 created a sense of excitement and tension. It became a culture phenomenon by innovating its execution, rather than the concept.
Takeaway::
It’s not necessary to have a completely new idea in order to create an impact. A new perspective or format may transform an ordinary concept into something spectacular. The delivery is everything.
The rivalry between Elementary (USA), Sherlock (UK), and Sherlock can fuel creativity
What are they?
Both Elementary and Sherlock, modern versions of Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes tales are available. Jonny Lee Miller, the star of the US version, is grounded and character-driven. Benedict Cumberbatch stars in a British production that takes on a stylish cinematic approach with a Holmes who’s more eccentric.
They’re important to Creatives:
The two Sherlock Holmes modern adaptations that are airing nearly simultaneously is a disaster. You might think so. Both shows flourished. Both shows found their own unique voice and attracted loyal audiences. Each found its own unique voice and gained loyal audiences.
Takeaway::
The competition is not your enemy, but rather a source of motivation. Don’t worry about tackling the same idea as another person. You will be able to make the idea yours with your unique voice and execution. Both A Bug’s Life (A Bug’s Life) and Antz were released in the same calendar year.
Loss: underpromise and overdeliver
What is it exactly?:
Lost tells the story of plane crash survivors who are stranded in an island that appears to be deserted. They discover strange phenomenon and secrets as they struggle to survive.
It’s important for creatives:
Lost is an iconic series on modern television, which has been fantastic to the end… or almost. It ended with little fanfare and left many disappointed. It was a great job in retrospect of creating a sense of mystery and intrigue, so the ending would have been disappointing.
Takeaway::
Manage expectations. Be clear with your clients about the services you offer. When possible, go beyond their expectations by adding creative touches they hadn’t anticipated. The difference is being able to be creative. “meh” You can also find out more about the following: “mind-blown.” You should also watch Lost. It’s brilliant. Tap out once you get bored (probably around season 5).