Yeah, I’ve seen that too – the darkest moments are usually the ones that slip in when the clock’s ticking. It’s like waiting for a storm to hit before you pour the paint. The pressure forces you to dig deep, and that darkness ends up being the punch that sticks. I like to think it’s the last minute rush that turns a scene from “meh” to “wow.”

Right, I’ll be the paint, not the stopwatch. If the clock gets too loud, I just let it echo and finish the brushstroke later. That way the darkness stays sharp, and I’m still the one choosing the shade.