Sometimes you have to fit more shots into your shotlist.

The other day I wrote about doing your prep for each shoot. The most important thing you’ll create from that prep is your shot list. It will reflect most of the choices you make about how to handle the production—sort of like your cheat sheet for the day’s shoot.

Each shot listed on your shot list is something you “owe.” I’m not sure who you owe it to—the production, the editor, yourself—but by the end of the day, you better have them on tape or film. (Often I’ll list shots that I’d like to have, time-permitting, but can live without if the going gets rough. Knowing the difference is another important function of prepping your shoot.)

But all of that comes out of prep done at your desk or the kitchen table before you step onto the set. When you’re there, “on the day” a lot of other ideas will occur to you—maybe an actor brings in a nice piece of business you’d like to work in, or there’s a great background for a certain moment, or perhaps you just see a new way to pull things together. It’s likely that you’re going to owe some new shots. (continue reading…)

You can't use the tools if you didn't prep them.

I’m prepping for two video shoots in this week.  (These days, that’s pretty noteworthy in and of itself…but that’s not what I’m writing about.)  One of the shoots I’m prepping has a paid “prep day” one doesn’t.  But the reality is that I’ll probably put similar amounts of prep time into each project.  That’s the deal with directing a film or video production: Sometimes you get paid to prep, sometimes you don’t, but either way you have to do it.  You can’t show up on set without a plan.  That just ain’t gonna go well.  ”I didn’t have a paid prep day,” isn’t much of an excuse if everyone’s waiting around while you’re floundering on set. (continue reading…)

Eyjafjallajökull - More than just a great name.

I’m about to board the first commercial flight from the US to Germany in over four days.  I’m directing a shoot in Hannover later this week.  At least, that’s the plan.  But I need to get there first.  And the eruptions of an Icelandic volcano called, Eyjafjallajökull has shut down most air traffic across Europe.  It’s a great reminder of just how much is out of our control. (continue reading…)

Fantasy casting is a reality for almost any filmmaking.

I’ve never really understood the allure of fantasy football or baseball.  I think my friends who speak with great passion about “their” players, trades, stats, are a teensy bit bat-shit.  But that’s just me.  I’m luke warm about sports unless I’m either playing them or watching them right at that second.  However, the world of film has its own version of fantasy football: Casting. (continue reading…)

Some folks can't keep their cool.

It seems like there are a million ways a film or television project can die, but one of the saddest is Producer Meltdown.  It’s also surprisingly dangerous because it always seems to hit when success seems assured.  I’ve seen it on several projects and I’m currently witnessing it again.

Here’s how it typically works:  Over the course of months or years, a group of filmmakers get together to try to will a project to life.  People combine their contacts, resources, creativity, and good karma to build someone’s crazy idea into a project that has a chance of getting made.  It’s an amazing moment when something is on the cusp of transitioning from dream to reality.  But it’s also the time when people’s expectations, real or imaged are about to be solidified into concrete terms.

Invariably, one participant thinks he deserves a bigger piece of the pie.  Maybe the original deal terms were loose (or non-existent).  Maybe someone did a hell of a lot more work than the others involved.  Or perhaps someone’s connection to a distributor, star, or money was the lynch-pin for the project.  As a dream gets locked down on paper as who-gets-what-when-and-how, it’s pretty typical for someone to feel that their contribution is being given the short shrift.  Or maybe that person is just a douche who thinks he can grab a little more than he’s due.  The reasons vary, but the results tend to be the same…a project that was a “go” is suddenly just gone. (continue reading…)