The sieve technique

The sifting technique helps to overcome lack of inspiration. By collecting ideas unfiltered, then “sifting” them, the ones that shine like gold emerge, revealing treasures hidden in a shapeless mass. A method for finding nugget ideas.

When imagining a film—that is, when writing a screenplay—there are moments when ideas flow naturally and effortlessly, one after another. And then, there are moments when we hit a wall, where the sheer volume of existing elements seems to block the emergence of new ones, even though they are essential. The existing material, already somewhat organized, clogs the process and leaves no room for these new elements, making them difficult to integrate. We become trapped in what is already there, even though we know it needs to be opened up.

This is where exchanges and discussions with someone other than oneself can be incredibly enriching to unblock the situation. But it’s not the only way. The “sieve technique” I propose involves collecting a large number of ideas haphazardly, regardless of their origin. For example, in my apartment, I look around: I see a flowerpot, I write “flowerpot”; I go outside and see a mail carrier’s bike, I write “mail carrier’s bike”; I see three children playing in a park, I jot down that idea, etc. Even if these ideas have nothing to do with the subject, I still record them. I collect them in a disorderly fashion, like a gold prospector who puts a large amount of sand into their sieve, most of which will be useless.

The first step, then, is a disorderly collection that seems unrelated to the subject I’m working on. Next, like with a sieve, I shake up all these ideas. For instance, I can write them on pieces of paper, scatter them on the floor, and then mix them up. By agitating them, I let those that suddenly appear connected to my subject emerge, as if by chance. Out of 50 ideas noted, perhaps only one or two will rise to the surface. But rest assured, they will emerge with clarity.

To summarize: I’m working on a specific subject, I feel stuck, so I collect a bunch of ideas from all directions. I write each one on a piece of paper, then mix them all together, and let those that connect to my subject surface. They will come out on their own. There will be very few, but those that are linked to my subject will shine like tiny flecks of gold in a prospector’s sieve by the river.

This large mass of seemingly useless material was not collected for nothing. It allowed me to discover, within it, the precious treasure I would never have accessed if I hadn’t dug into this formless mass. The treasure was there, hidden inside, invisible until I sifted through the mass and let the connections form on their own.