Wow great reminders. Especially the part about keeping in touch with contacts. With covid I got out of that habit. Now it’s time to renew that list and get back! Thank you!
Thanks for creating this Ted. I realize how much of this system I have already developed over the years. It feels validating to know that my process matches what you suggest. I wish I had this laid out for me when I was starting out 2 decades ago. :)
I’m about to start mentoring a film student so I’ve been thinking a lot about how I started out and what I would tell 17yr old me - Your list in spot-on! (I would add the somewhat obvious “don’t forget to have a life”)
Whenever I teach or mentor young film students, I advise them to seek out and develop that core group of collaborators who will become their "band."
A common denominator of many (if not all) successful filmmakers is that they have a core group of repeat collaborators who share a common vision and purpose -- from DP, Producer, Composer, Editor on down. For instance, the Coen Brothers have worked with the same storyboard artist on virtually every film since the mid-80s.
Filmmaking is too difficult to tackle alone. Get your band together.
Thanks for this. I am currently working in an action group with stakeholders across all areas of the industry to create more socially sustainable working conditions and shape a vision how we can create and produce better output, under better conditions and on the way enjoy the process and create an environment where people can actually thrive and want to give their best in. Mental health is a big topic, new leadership models. Less fear and ego driven power over squeeze the lemon models, more -for a lack of a better word - love driven cooperation and communication. Work life balance. Not only because those are ethically the right things to consider and implement, but also because those factors have quantifiable impact on productivity, creative flow, improved processes and thus ultimately on the quality and the bottom line.
To take better care of ourselves and our crews and talent and the whole ecosystem is an integral key or hack to success I believe. Your list checks many boxes. I would add: build practices that build resilience. Quiet time. Disconnect. Recharge. Contemplate. We work in this crazy hurry up and wait industry and frustration tolerance and equanimity are underrated and under-prioritized. The prevalent fake sense of urgency, the overwork and under-sleep are root causes of a toxic hustle and grind mentality that is detrimental to literally everything we should care about as humans and producers and creative people.
Another thing I would add is: speak with your teams. Ask them how they see things, how their work conditions could be improved? What are their wants and needs to perform better, more seamlessly? We do not need to know it all. There is so much expertise and boots on the ground knowledge to tap into. In the dominance leadership model however it is rarely utilized and that needs to change.
One of mine is to not get stuck only thinking short term. Yes, we all have short term needs that need attention. But success/failure in each action/interaction is not solely determined by whether you get the job/money/opportunity/sale but also whether the action/interaction builds towards a relationship and establishes you in a positive way. For example, an actor may not book the part but may impress a casting director with their talent and professionalism and will expand their future opportunities. A producer May not get the funds for their current film but may start a positive relationship with a financier. A writer may not get their script sold but may find a creative partner, or get on the radar of a producer/executive who recognize their talent and this may lead to new opportunities. Etc. Don’t be dissuaded by being denied your short term objectives. Which doesn’t mean to give up on those. Persevere while building long term opportunities via the way you approach short term goals with longer term thinking. And remember that sometimes the way you react to a short term “no”, speaks loudly and will be remembered.
I hope sharing this thought is helpful. Certainly the 20 listed in the original piece ARE! Thanks Ted 🙏🙌
Great post! Could you develop pts. 5 and 19?? I'm very curious about your processes (not to copy them blindly, but to get inspired and refine my own ;))!
Wow great reminders. Especially the part about keeping in touch with contacts. With covid I got out of that habit. Now it’s time to renew that list and get back! Thank you!
This is gold. Thank you.
Thanks for creating this Ted. I realize how much of this system I have already developed over the years. It feels validating to know that my process matches what you suggest. I wish I had this laid out for me when I was starting out 2 decades ago. :)
I’m about to start mentoring a film student so I’ve been thinking a lot about how I started out and what I would tell 17yr old me - Your list in spot-on! (I would add the somewhat obvious “don’t forget to have a life”)
I'd add, "Get your band together."
Whenever I teach or mentor young film students, I advise them to seek out and develop that core group of collaborators who will become their "band."
A common denominator of many (if not all) successful filmmakers is that they have a core group of repeat collaborators who share a common vision and purpose -- from DP, Producer, Composer, Editor on down. For instance, the Coen Brothers have worked with the same storyboard artist on virtually every film since the mid-80s.
Filmmaking is too difficult to tackle alone. Get your band together.
Thanks for this. I am currently working in an action group with stakeholders across all areas of the industry to create more socially sustainable working conditions and shape a vision how we can create and produce better output, under better conditions and on the way enjoy the process and create an environment where people can actually thrive and want to give their best in. Mental health is a big topic, new leadership models. Less fear and ego driven power over squeeze the lemon models, more -for a lack of a better word - love driven cooperation and communication. Work life balance. Not only because those are ethically the right things to consider and implement, but also because those factors have quantifiable impact on productivity, creative flow, improved processes and thus ultimately on the quality and the bottom line.
To take better care of ourselves and our crews and talent and the whole ecosystem is an integral key or hack to success I believe. Your list checks many boxes. I would add: build practices that build resilience. Quiet time. Disconnect. Recharge. Contemplate. We work in this crazy hurry up and wait industry and frustration tolerance and equanimity are underrated and under-prioritized. The prevalent fake sense of urgency, the overwork and under-sleep are root causes of a toxic hustle and grind mentality that is detrimental to literally everything we should care about as humans and producers and creative people.
Another thing I would add is: speak with your teams. Ask them how they see things, how their work conditions could be improved? What are their wants and needs to perform better, more seamlessly? We do not need to know it all. There is so much expertise and boots on the ground knowledge to tap into. In the dominance leadership model however it is rarely utilized and that needs to change.
All good reminders. Between covid and a move outside of LA, I find myself not reaching out to my friends/business contacts enough!
Excellent advice. Thanks, Ted!
One of mine is to not get stuck only thinking short term. Yes, we all have short term needs that need attention. But success/failure in each action/interaction is not solely determined by whether you get the job/money/opportunity/sale but also whether the action/interaction builds towards a relationship and establishes you in a positive way. For example, an actor may not book the part but may impress a casting director with their talent and professionalism and will expand their future opportunities. A producer May not get the funds for their current film but may start a positive relationship with a financier. A writer may not get their script sold but may find a creative partner, or get on the radar of a producer/executive who recognize their talent and this may lead to new opportunities. Etc. Don’t be dissuaded by being denied your short term objectives. Which doesn’t mean to give up on those. Persevere while building long term opportunities via the way you approach short term goals with longer term thinking. And remember that sometimes the way you react to a short term “no”, speaks loudly and will be remembered.
I hope sharing this thought is helpful. Certainly the 20 listed in the original piece ARE! Thanks Ted 🙏🙌
Great post! Could you develop pts. 5 and 19?? I'm very curious about your processes (not to copy them blindly, but to get inspired and refine my own ;))!
I think 1 and 2 are really important.