ABSTRACT
When you are the director of a project, people are going to judge you. The buyers ask the producers, “Is the director staying on time and on budget?” By that, they mean, are you someone who knows the craft and will return their investment? The producers ask the DP, “How’s the director doing?” By that, they mean, do you know how to make the day? The makeup artist asks the actor, “How is he [or she]?” By that, the makeup artist means, do you know about character and performance and how to get it? The dolly grip asks the camera operator, “What’dya think?” By that, the dolly grip means, do you know how to use the camera well? The writer asks the script supervisor, “Is she [or he] sticking to the script?” By that, the writer means, are you a good storyteller? And all of those questions are asked within the first hour of your appearance on set. Everyone is waiting to judge because everyone has a lot riding on your competence, and everyone wants to know if you’re any good. Everyone wants to get home to their families at night (or some other aspect of their personal lives), but they want to do work they can be proud of, too. So they’re going to judge you: Are you fast? Are you on budget? Are you good?
