The Analogy of The Train

This weekend Alec and I had our first production meeting for our new show, and during it, we chose our first shoot day: Saturday, May 31st. This decision made all the difference for us and connects to the post I wrote last week about the need for leverage. So I saw it only fitting to write my next post on how to obtain INSTANT leverage.

It’s not a secret, it just needs a little explanation, and here it is: Take Action

You see, for the past few months we’ve been spinning our wheels on this project. First we had to complete the deal, then we had to finish the show bible, and next we had to finish our budget. Each step seemed to take another week, and then we added on another week, and another week, and next thing you know a few months had gone by. But now that we have a shoot date, we can begin preparing. To complete the analogy in the title: The train has left the station.

I always say how it’s a lot easier to get on a moving train then to start one. Let’s consider my current producing job on American Idol Extra:

• It’s for an existing show (now in it’s third season)
• I’m just one small piece of the machine
• I have a specific role and responsibilities that are pretty much defined for me
• It gives me a pay check
• I get paid whether or not the show does well
• The show airs on the Fox Reality Channel. A channel that already exists and has a small, but loyal following.
• And most importantly, the show itself exists because of the massive success of the behemoth that is American Idol

So if American Idol Extra is a train, it’s already cruising at full speed and I’m just another “passenger” on it. As oppose to what we’re doing with our OWN production:

• We are in charge of of the entire project: defining the creative, all aspects of the production, and delivery
• How well the show does directly affects how much I get paid for it (i.e. multiple seasons)
• We are launching the show online through a site that has little history and leverage of its own

But now things are different, and since we have our first shoot day chosen, we can start getting our own “passengers” that come in the form of DP’s, Grips, Actors, and shooting locations. We’ve taken those first vital steps that have our train’s wheels turning, and on it’s way out of the station.

With the shoot happening we’re no longer having a conversation, but taking action. And in a town where there’s a lot of talk (I know this from my days as an agent’s assistant), it’s nice to see some action for a change.

It is vital to get this train moving, because once you do, you’ll be surprised how much easier it is to get people to jump on board.

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