Comments on: The You List: 7 Personal Things to do Before Producing Your Project

By: Biagio

Biagio — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 04:44:20 +0000

Jacob,

I’m sure they will. It’s a tough biz for many reasons, not just the fact that it’s almost impossible to break into. Wish you the best!

Biagio

By: Jacob

Jacob — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 07:43:02 +0000

Biagio,

Thanks so much for your prompt reply! Especially since you’re shooting, wow! Very helpful advice.

The good thing is she does work in the industry. The bad thing is she’s cine and I’m post. We’re never on set (or at least I’m never on set) so it’s nice that she understands long hours. Just not long hours together. I know this one DP-makeup artist couple that always work together and it’s great.

It doesn’t help she lives on OC finishing school and i’m in LA when we used to live together. I too am a romantic and would choose her over anything Hollywood-related. I think things will work out

By: Biagio

Biagio — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 05:32:15 +0000

Jacob,
I thank my lucky stars every day that we work together. We wake up together, work all day side by side, and go to bed together. Been that way since we met almost 13 years ago. It just works for us.

I do feel for people who want to be in this industry and keep personal relationships alive. From what I’ve seen, spouses/mates and even friends who aren’t in the industry cannot imagine why the hours are so long. Many times, the relationships that can withstand the stress are between people who work together or who are both in “the biz” and get the long hours. On the other hand, several of our closest co-horts are happily married to someone not in the biz.

I think the best you can do is make you priorities clear to your significant other, and see if they can support you through the long hours. Honesty is crucial…with your mate, and with yourself. At some point, for many, it’s a question of what truly makes you happy. I can tell you that if I had to choose between this business and my wife Joke, I’d choose my wife every day of the week. If that meant moving back to Ohio and being a wedding videographer or school teacher, no problem. On the other hand, some people would be miserable giving up their dream for love. Call me a hopeless romantic, but a warm bed with a woman who loves me is way better than an executive producer credit.

Best of luck, and let us know how it goes!

By: Jacob

Jacob — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 02:04:37 +0000

What about relationships? Do they just go on hold? How does one make time for that when working 15-19 hrs a day? I’m in post on a huge project and things aren’t going well with me and the ms. No time for each other AT ALL. I bet it helps that you guys spend those hours together even though you’re working.

By: Maria Lokken

Maria Lokken — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:13:44 +0000

Terrific rules. Personally, I make sure my house is squeaky clean. When I come home after a 19 hour day, I want clean everything and very crisp sheets!

Good luck with your production – I know it will fabulous!

By: Gabriel Novo

Gabriel Novo — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:14:12 +0000

Being a road warrior for the last 3 years, I know exactly what you’re talking about with bills. A way I got around it is by putting all the bills I could on a credit card, thus having only one due date to worry about. The bills that wouldn’t work with CC’s I put on auto bank pay. I haven’t written a check in years except for rent. The last thing you need to worry about during production are late fees and delinquent payments.

Good luck with Scream Queens 2 and I look forward to the great stories when you come back up for air.

By: Biagio

Biagio — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:50:54 +0000

@Michael — true, right? Take care of your feet, and your body will thank you.

@David Baker Yes, less tweeting, less blogging, until Scream Queens is in the can.

@Julie and Jessica Well said! A vacation without the benefit of anything that feels like a vacation. The upside is (hopefully) the real vacation you get to take after chasing your dreams so hard.

@David Olsen I wish you could be on every one of our TV shows. For those who don’t know, Dave won Season 4 of Beauty and the Geek, and is one of the coolest dudes on the planet (even if he refuses to get on Twitter!)

By: David Olsen

David Olsen — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:58:20 +0000

Good luck with the production. I’ll be looking forward toward the new season…even if nothing you do will top BATG 4

By: King is a Fink

King is a Fink — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:51:09 +0000

Getting ready for production sounds sort of like preparing for a vacation…minus the vacation. Have fun, take those vitamins, and send us a postcard once in a while from sunny Productionville!

Julie & Jessica

By: david baker

david baker — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:41:02 +0000

Great Advice. Look forward to when yous get back from the other side of the moon!

all the best!

:0)

By: Michael Tapp

Michael Tapp — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:41:05 +0000

Great post! The last think some people think about is themselves during production. I usually change my shoes half way through a long day. It’s pretty refreshing.

I am looking forward to Scream Queens S2. Enjoy the ride and sleep while you can.