You're the Boss. Now What?

	You're the Boss. Now What? Prev 1 2 3 Next

	As producer, just like baking a cake, you get to the pick the ingredients for your multi-layered masterpiece. So pick the best ingredients, but at the same time, keep your priorities straight. Sure, pay attention to detail, but make sure the details you emphasize will show up on the screen. The right details. That's what separates the great producers from the good ones. The great ones can make the most of every dollar spent on the production, and their greatest secret is they know how to pay attention to the right details. The great producers also know how long it takes to do things. I've seen some of the world's best TV producers at work, and they all have this uncanny ability of knowing exactly how long it's going to take to do a certain number of setups, eat lunch, do more shots and strike the set. They know, for example, how long it will take to get more batteries back at the station, how long it takes to get to the arena, everything. There is some kind of in-born talent for this, like the ability to get to appointments on time. I do believe, however, that if you weren't born with this talent, you can train yourself to have it. Just observe how long it takes to do things -- how long it really takes, start-to-finish. You'll start getting the hang of it. Another trade secret -- allow a bit of extra time for everything to get done. That way, if tasks get done earlier than anticipated, no one blames you. Keep in mind -- if things go overtime, all eyes are on you, and everyone will remember. Just don't estimate something taking hours longer than it really does, or you'll be wasting huge blocks of time. While you're doing all this planning, don't weld yourself to your plan. Always let yourself be flexible, because there's always something that pops up that's much better than that which you planned. Allow for serendipity. Sometimes that can be the best part of your entire production. Great producers aren't rigid or ego-driven, convinced that their plan is perfect and inviolate. Depending on the type of production you're doing, writing could be a part of your preparation. Write well. It's one of the keys to a good show. If you are writing scripts -- a big part of many producing jobs -- do your best to write conversationally. Leave out words like "furthermore," "hence," and "in conclusion." Nobody ever talks that way. If you write a phrase that seems questionable, ask yourself if you'd say that to a friend. No? Backspace over it. Think of your audience as a dinner date, and be interesting without being a blowhard. [an error occurred while processing this directive] Once the preparation is done, it's time to assemble your team. You may not have much choice in this matter, but if you do, get people you trust to work with you, and once they've proven themselves to be worthy team members, guard them like gold. Use them again and again. When starting out, you can get their best work from them by giving them some ownership of the project. Ask for their ideas, and if the ideas they give you are good ones, use them. Remind the idea people that you're using their suggestion and thank them for it. Do this, and they will work hard for you until the cows come home. Take credit for their idea, and they will hate you. To get the most out of your crew, don't think of yourself as any better than anyone else. Eat lunch with them, learn their names early, don't pull rank unless you have to, and your leadership position will be strengthened. They know you're the producer without you telling or reminding them. While you're at it, it's always a good idea to establish a cordial relationship with your on-camera talent. I've seen many producers shunning the on-air people, acting like they're a lower life form. Big, stupid mistake. These people are the faces of your production. Coach and coddle them, be diplomatic with them, be generous with praise, and they will do a better job. Unless you're working with a bunch of hoodlums, if you respect your crew, they are likely to return the favor. Tell everybody what's going on, in a memo first, and then on the set, in a talk where you explain what you're doing and what they can expect. Give them a schedule so they'll know what's next. Make it a point to also talk to each person individually, too. This is a great way to pick up some helpful ideas and suggestions. Keep in mind, though, everybody wants to be the producer, so many will give you an earful of ideas. This is not a bad thing. Reject the BS ideas, but embrace the gems. There will be plenty of both. By the way, a sure-fire way to get on the wrong side of your production team is to never let them take a break. Ten minutes here and there is a necessity, and your people will thank you for it. Prev 1 2 3 Next