I thought I was the only one that wasn't getting calls returned! I feel so much better now!!!
So what's the solution from the filmmakers' side? How do you get an exec to unghost you? You can't give them good news if they won't get back to you. And how do we help those execs get more time, other than by not wasting their time?
Mr Hope. You've hit the nail on the head so many times in this post. So much is summed up here...
"The problem is everyone’s — but particularly the executive’s — bandwith. That’s our villain. Bandwith. Everyone — and execs in particular — is expected to do more with less — to deliver twice as much in half the time with half the headcount. There’s no time left to do a good job".
I had a meeting last Thursday with a development exec at a large broadcaster (Canada). During our chat she mentioned that she has between 30-40 projects thats she's shepherding at any given time. and the other two people she works with have the same workload. Only 3 people working on over a 100+ projects. That's why it takes so long to hear back from some of these organizations, bandwidth. There needs to be some empathy for these folks. Overworked and underpaid and the stress level is evident when your on a Zoom with them. They're smiling but its though gritted teeth.
So I feel thats a large part of the "ghosting" that goes on in our business. Bandwidth. But the trouble is, as a filmmaker, and in my situation an indie producer, a lot of the time we are up against a ticking clock known as an option and can't wait 4 months between meetings. A rock and a hard place.
I was fortunate to connect with a great producer for Man in the High Castle a few years ago. He's very well respected and has a great reputation in this business, so I take the lessons he's taught me about this industry as gospel. He explained that when you take a project 'out' you don't use a "scorched earth" approach where you send it to everyone everywhere all at once (see what I did there?) but instead send it out to one outfit at a time, wait for a response then, if need be, move on. Or as he so eloquently put it, "you entertain one lover at a time". The trouble is, this respectful, unspoken etiquette seems counterintuitive to whats going on behind closed doors with broadcasters and distributors.
It's a difficult situation and I feel for everyone on both sides. The over worked execs who really want to do a good job and the filmmakers who've worked so hard to get a project to the point where it's ready to be pitched and then wait to hear back and sometime s hear nothing at all, ever. It can be a bit soul crushing.
Its a pretty big obstacle and I'm not sure what the works around is. I would love to hear others speak to this situation. One of the really cool things about indie filmmakers is the ability to creatively problem solve. Add the "hive mind" process to that and we may be on to something here...
Spot on. A lot of this is true on the TV side of things, too. The mergers, the acquisitions, the layoffs, have all contributed to a level of uncertainty that has frozen the business.
Time is money and neither is equal to Love or Lightning. This blight is all over and not good. I hope you contribute change that matters. In my microcosm your posts provide inspiration and a window into why Sisyphus.
great post ted - especially while packing for sundance and being simultaneously excited and a smidge annoyed that i have to leave the house! good to remember also that to have good relationships both sides have to do their part - so look for your champions AND be a champion for others too!
Great post thanks Ted. I don’t understand the too busy thing. I get not having more than a few minutes sometimes. I get a time and a place and I definitely understand not wanting to be pitched at constantly by people who are just looking to be transactional, but the “too busy”
Thing…
I’m in athletics. the busiest amongst always have time to chop it up. As long as that’s what it’s really about. I haven’t experienced it to be any different in any other field.
Regardless, would love to read what the solutions are for you
I thought I was the only one that wasn't getting calls returned! I feel so much better now!!!
So what's the solution from the filmmakers' side? How do you get an exec to unghost you? You can't give them good news if they won't get back to you. And how do we help those execs get more time, other than by not wasting their time?
I will start on that post...
Ok this one was depressing, but enlightening.
Mr Hope. You've hit the nail on the head so many times in this post. So much is summed up here...
"The problem is everyone’s — but particularly the executive’s — bandwith. That’s our villain. Bandwith. Everyone — and execs in particular — is expected to do more with less — to deliver twice as much in half the time with half the headcount. There’s no time left to do a good job".
I had a meeting last Thursday with a development exec at a large broadcaster (Canada). During our chat she mentioned that she has between 30-40 projects thats she's shepherding at any given time. and the other two people she works with have the same workload. Only 3 people working on over a 100+ projects. That's why it takes so long to hear back from some of these organizations, bandwidth. There needs to be some empathy for these folks. Overworked and underpaid and the stress level is evident when your on a Zoom with them. They're smiling but its though gritted teeth.
So I feel thats a large part of the "ghosting" that goes on in our business. Bandwidth. But the trouble is, as a filmmaker, and in my situation an indie producer, a lot of the time we are up against a ticking clock known as an option and can't wait 4 months between meetings. A rock and a hard place.
I was fortunate to connect with a great producer for Man in the High Castle a few years ago. He's very well respected and has a great reputation in this business, so I take the lessons he's taught me about this industry as gospel. He explained that when you take a project 'out' you don't use a "scorched earth" approach where you send it to everyone everywhere all at once (see what I did there?) but instead send it out to one outfit at a time, wait for a response then, if need be, move on. Or as he so eloquently put it, "you entertain one lover at a time". The trouble is, this respectful, unspoken etiquette seems counterintuitive to whats going on behind closed doors with broadcasters and distributors.
It's a difficult situation and I feel for everyone on both sides. The over worked execs who really want to do a good job and the filmmakers who've worked so hard to get a project to the point where it's ready to be pitched and then wait to hear back and sometime s hear nothing at all, ever. It can be a bit soul crushing.
Its a pretty big obstacle and I'm not sure what the works around is. I would love to hear others speak to this situation. One of the really cool things about indie filmmakers is the ability to creatively problem solve. Add the "hive mind" process to that and we may be on to something here...
I don't think we stay patient; we find a way.
Spot on. A lot of this is true on the TV side of things, too. The mergers, the acquisitions, the layoffs, have all contributed to a level of uncertainty that has frozen the business.
Time is money and neither is equal to Love or Lightning. This blight is all over and not good. I hope you contribute change that matters. In my microcosm your posts provide inspiration and a window into why Sisyphus.
great post ted - especially while packing for sundance and being simultaneously excited and a smidge annoyed that i have to leave the house! good to remember also that to have good relationships both sides have to do their part - so look for your champions AND be a champion for others too!
Well said, Mary Jane. Thank you! And there is always room for one more pair of longjohns. You know they will be needed.
Great post thanks Ted. I don’t understand the too busy thing. I get not having more than a few minutes sometimes. I get a time and a place and I definitely understand not wanting to be pitched at constantly by people who are just looking to be transactional, but the “too busy”
Thing…
I’m in athletics. the busiest amongst always have time to chop it up. As long as that’s what it’s really about. I haven’t experienced it to be any different in any other field.
Regardless, would love to read what the solutions are for you
Really good post, Ted. Have shared extensively.