Websites are like movies in a way. Great movies stand out because they have lasting aspects that stand the test of time. Great websites stand out because they have tremendous leadership coupled with the tremendous output of its staff. Sam Mendes is a well known director among Hollywood because he has time and again produced superior movies. His classic, American Beauty, is for lack of a better word, a beauty. Another stellar output was Road to Perdition in 2002. Aside from the phenomenal talent that Sam Mendes possesses, one of the highlights to his movies revolves around the pinpoint precision of his cinematographer, the late Conrad L. Hall.
Conrad L. Hall has been rewarded for his cinematography wonders by being nominated by the Academy Awards 10 times (3 of them taken home). Conrad L. Hall had a certain approach to each scene that was his own, sometimes leaving the lens still for an entire scene. For over 37 years, modern cinema was gifted by his presence, a presence that if left out of Sam Mendes’ movies would have taken a little steam out of the end product.
How does this incorporate into websites? Cinematography can just as easily translate to content writing for a website. Practice, practice, practice! Turn a hobby of writing poems and essays into a daily routine where you write whatever comes to mind. Leave the editing portion of your work aside for just a second. That will come after you have everything in place. Amid the chaos of writing piece after piece you must never neglect reading other people’s work, online or print. Absorb as much information as one human can withstand. The more ideas and writing styles you have bouncing around inside your brain, the better you are at preventing the mind-numbing pitfalls of writer’s block. Make a small investment into a pocket-sized notepad to carry around with you at all times. This will safely lock away any public inspirations you feel while sitting at a coffee house, waiting in line at McDonald’s, running for shelter during a downpour and so on.
These are just a few tidbits on how to compliment pen to paper and form your own style of writing. Master your method, read up, and when all is said and done, try even harder. Be a Conrad L. Hall and help make a Sam Mendes out of your website.
