Tips on putting together creative frameworks from a dazzling director duo

Nahla Davies is a software developer and tech writer. Before devoting her work full time to technical writing, she managed—among other intriguing things—to serve as a lead programmer at an Inc. 5,000 experiential branding organization whose clients include Samsung, Time Warner, Netflix, and Sony.
Nahla Davies

Vimeo’s annual video marketing conference, Outside the Frame, brings together creatives and experts from across the world of video content creation to share their wisdom and expertise. 

This year, we had the pleasure of welcoming New York-based director duo rubberband, comprised of Jason Sondock and Simon Davis, to the video stage. Let's dive into how their creative frameworks result in content for the likes of Air Jordan, Apple, Chanel, and many others. 

3 basic rules for creating your best work

For rubberband, there are three essential actionable strategies to keep in mind when you start to make meaningful work. 

1. Keep it simple

No matter the scale of the project, always return to the core of your idea. Adhering to a simple essential concept and tone can actually help you get the most out of your video marketing efforts. 

It means you can easily share and explain the idea at the core of your video, even if the visuals and production are more complex. People can usually get behind something that’s easy to understand. 

2. Speak how you want to be spoken to

Regardless of the topic, don’t talk down to your audience or be disrespectful. 

Instead, observe how people want to be spoken to and trust your gut. Data and reports can only tell you so much without context. 

3. Make work that you want to see

You should always make work that interests you. Just because you’re making an ad doesn’t mean it has to be devoid of artistry. 

Don’t be afraid to push boundaries and try to do something a bit edgy — if that’s where your instinct is guiding you, trust that feeling.

“The barometer for quality work is yourself.”
Jason Sondock, director

Work outside your comfort zone

For Jason and Simon, working outside their comfort zone is crucial. Once you come up with a truly original idea, you will inevitably feel a little uncomfortable with it. You won’t immediately know how to shoot it or how it’s going to look in the final video edit. That’s why knowing your video project inside and out helps significantly. 

People can get easily fatigued by watching muted work that is the same as everything else out there, and a stream of well-channeled unorthodox energy can get them going once again. 

Ready for more inspiration? Check out the other Outside the Frame sessions →

Take advantage of Vimeo's innovative solutions like the AI-powered script generator, video prompter tool, automated captioning tool, and AI translation service for seamless video production.

More from the Vimeo blog

Colorful illustration of a crowded video editor's desk

How to make a short film: Planning tips from idea to screen

Share unlimited videos on Vimeo, with no ads, and no AI training—for free

Share unlimited videos on Vimeo, with no ads, and no AI training—for free

image showing still of a video editing comment from a reviewer

Post-production workflow guide: Go from raw footage to final delivery

What's next for Vimeo?

A look ahead at Vimeo

GoDaddy and Vimeo integration

Vimeo and GoDaddy: Enhance your website with professional video content

After a vampiric culture vulture invades a Black hair salon, the staff of the salon must stick to their roots — or be swept up, one by one.

Staff Pick Premiere: "Hair Wolf" by Mariama Diallo

When Emily Jones was forced to put her mobile tanning business on hold, she turned to Vimeo Create to keep her brand moving.

How this beauty business threw their video production into hyperdrive

"Allen Anders: Live at the Comedy Castle (circa 1987)" is the fever dream of a stand-up comic who's either having a nervous breakdown or the best set of his life.

Staff Pick Premiere: Laugh the pain away