Film & Ink Blog – Page 22 – Deborah S. Patz

Jan252013

Ciné Surfer: About Delegation

Delegation IS NOT about palming off the tasks you don’t want to do so that you are free to take on the only parts of projects you do want to do (like handing over the filing on a project you’re working on – because you don’t like filing – so you are free to do all the design, all the research, or even to visit set more often – which you enjoy)… in this scenario, there is little trust and lots of stagnancy; how could anyone working for you ever prove to you sufficient skills to fully take on a smaller project so you are free to take on larger ones (where you both can grow)?

Delegation IS about handing over not only the project and all its tasks, but also its responsibility… although as manager or supervisor you retain ultimate responsibility… and in this scenario you oversee the work, can properly mentor, and can help someone to grow their abilities and career to benefit not only themselves but also the work team and company.

About.com has a great management blog with 2 great articles about delegation. Not written specifically for the film industry, but totally valid all the same:

Delegate, Don’t Dump

http://management.about.com/od/people/a/DelegatDontDump.htm

and

All Management is People Management

http://management.about.com/od/people/a/All-Management-Is-People-Management.htm

Have a look and learn to delegate and work with people effectively.. and to grow.

Cheers & good delegation to you,
Deb

Jan112013

3 Things I Learned About Filmmaking from… Skiing

Life is filled with “cross-over” learning! Here are 3 things that I believe overlap between filmmaking and skiing…

1. It’s Never the “Right” Snow
Yup… even when there is snow on the ground, ski hills have their snow makers working. It’s either not enough snow, or not enough powder, or not enough in the right place. Wow, that’s so like a film set! Next time you’re dressing the set with snow, you can rest assured that it’s quite normal… ski hills are grooming theirs!

2. It’s A Short Ride on the Lift Together
A handful of minutes on the ski lift and you’ll never know who you’ll meet, where they’re from, and what brought them to the love of skiing. Some folk are chatty, others prefer silence. Some don’t speak the same language as you… save for the language of skiing. It’s a short time you share together on that lift and, who knows, you may even meet again on the hill or at the base. So too on the crew of a film production… ’tis a short time you spend together, then move on to other productions and career choices. It’s worth getting to know the people around you.

3. A Range of Abilities Ski The Same Hill
Ski any slope – but perhaps on the green runs most of all – and you’ll find quite a range of skiing abilities among your fellow skiiers… yet you’re all on the same hill (just experiencing it from a different perspective). Some folk are expert, some have learned certain abilities but not yet others, some are brand new and barely under control. Newer skiiers take lessons and also learn from watching or interacting with more experienced skiiers, picking up tips here and there. Not dissimilar on a film set! There can easily be a wide range of skill levels among the crew: heads of departments working alongside trainees on the same set. Be nice, be helpful to folk of all levels because you’re bound to cross paths again – both on set or on the skis.

So… enjoy ski season, and learn a bit about filmmaking at the same time!

Cheers & a good shoot to you,
Deb

Dec282012

Inspiration at the Movies: Evan Almighty

“If someone prays for patience, you think God gives them patience? Or does he give them the opportunity to be patient? If he prayed for courage, does God give him courage, or does he give him opportunities to be courageous?”
– God (Evan Almighty, 2007)

As the new year is about to begin, ’tis time for more inspiration to move us forward… and in “Evan Almighty” God indeeds puts us straight about the hardships in our lives. They are not obstacles and stumbling blocks, but instead are opportunities for growth! Yes, we’ve heard that type of sentiment often before, but this quotation I think puts “opportunity” into perspective so we can actually turn hardships around into a positive light – and therefore also see a way through. I mean, we have already asked for these “opportunities” so the quotation suggests.

Each of us travels a different path in life and each of us has different lessons to learn. God in “Evan Almighty” calls on us not to see the challenges of our lives as insurmountable – as punishment inflicted on us – but to celebrate them as the opportunities that we have deeply wished for (which they are), and to grow through them. That is indeed a hopeful state of being.

What opportunities are you going to wish for and discover in your life in 2013? Best wishes with success and joy in the journey!

Cheers and a great new year to you!
Deb

Dec152012

Peace and Goodness for the Season

Pick up a newspaper and you’ll see there’s a lot of bad news in the world every day. No wonder we enjoy jokes on the callsheet. So how about some good news?

Happynews.com has news bites broken down into many categories, including “Arts & Entertainment“.

Dailygood.org has both news and articles (I especially like the article: “Why Creative Thinking is Inclusive Thinking“).

You can even drop by these sites and be inspired enough to share some of the good news and good feelings on the callsheet (in addition to or instead of the traditional callsheet joke). If you do, remember to credit the source of your info; it’s good practice, and others may want to seek out more peace and goodness themselves.

So, may you have a wonder-filled holiday season and new year and may you also find peace in quiet moments.

Cheers and good shoot to you,
Deb

Dec12012

Wordsearch – In Honour of Coordinators!

Coordinators are awesome, doing awesome work! Take a break and honour them with this wordsearch:

… and can you find the secret message within? If so, share it!

Cheers & a good shoot to you!
Deb

Nov162012

Gifting Film Books… The FB Preparation

Books for Christmas…they’re great to give and to receive, don’t you think? Film books especially! Well, in that case… have you “liked” MWP books on Facebook yet? I just found out that this season my publisher is going to be having special holiday discounts and daily specials – but only for those who have already “liked” the page:

http://www.facebook.com/mwpfilmbooks

… and in the meantime, surf by the MWP online catelogue to preview ideas and start a wish list: http://www.mwp.com

All the best & a good shoot to you,
Deb

Deborah S. Patz – Author