Pre-producing the control freak inside.

So anyone that has actually worked with me in production, you know that I am big on pre-production.  There isn’t much that makes me more upset than walking onto a set not knowing what is going on.  For years I have worked with one of my best friends Zan Passante co-directing projects.   This relationship typically works really well.  He handles most of the “producing roles” and I typically handle most of the AD roles (which is prepping for the technical sides of directing… scheduling, shot lists, etc.) Aside from the unfortunately common mis-communication spat, we work really well together.  And there is no disputing, some of my best work has been with him by my side.  More recently, Zan and I have been doing solo projects (as if we are rock stars!)  I have been trying to handle all AD roles as well as directing: 1.  because this is what I have always done and 2.  to save money.

Well.  That is stopping.  It is too much to handle doing it all, and unfortunately when I am doing it all, the pre-production suffers, which slows the shoot down, which creates more work in post, which makes me even more mad at myself for trying to save a few hundred bucks not hiring help!

I am currently in pre-production on 3 projects all of which are shooting over the next 3 months, and I am sitting in LA traffic yesterday and this is all I can think about.  Then it hit me.  If any of you know me personally, you know that I am right the opposite with nearly everything else in my life.  I don’t prep for anything.  I am totally a fly by the seat of my pants kind of guy.  So I started thinking why in world would I only apply this practice to my work and where in the world did this “planning” attitude even come from.  The only thing I can really figure is that it is because I place soooo much value on my career.   Am I a control freak?   I guess so, at least in that particular area.

Which brought me to another thought.  Control Freaks.  I think I hate that more than the lack of pre-production.  While being prepared can take you as close to perfection in executing a project, not letting go of control can demolish a project regardless of the amount of prep.

I think this attitude can really be applied to all aspects of our lives.  Perhaps, I should take the rest of life more seriously.  Prep more.  Whether it be my kids, relationships, religion, whatever, be more cautious, careful.  Perhaps this will save me years of heartache…  who knows…   Then I thought.  aghhh….  I like being spontaneous.   If we prep too much sometimes we would never make a decision to move forward, at some point you have to start the project.  So I guess there needs to be balance.  Too much of anything is bad.  I see this more now than ever.

Take it or leave it.  This is what’s in my head today!