Week 14
1. One example of transparency could be when a director communicates with their client giving a realistic timeline, even if it may not be what the client was originally expecting. Another could be honestly communicating with the producer that hired them that one of their ideas isn’t going to work for the project.
2. Directors should initiate communication around these things because it shows commitment to the project and allows the director to set the tone for how the project will be run. If these things are left up to the client, the project may be off course because they don’t understand how things should be run.
3. a) It’s important to simplify these things because not all clients will be gifted with the creative side of things and they won’t understand what you mean when referencing your methods. b) Asking the client questions and making them feel included is important because otherwise they might worry about how things are going and not give you enough space to do your work. c) Handling feedback professionally is important because you will not always get things right on the first try, and clients expect you to be able to take their feedback without taking things personally. d) Establishing when and how you will communicate with a client is important because it lets them know what to expect in that aspect so they don’t cross any boundaries and annoy you about the project by constantly trying to communicate when there’s nothing to communicate about.
4. It’s better to overestimate than underestimate budget costs because having extra money at the end is never a bad thing, but running out of money when there’s still work to be done is a difficult problem to solve. You would have to go back to the pre-production phase in the sense that you’ll be once again searching for funds, which would also be disappointing to the producers that thought that aspect was figured out.
5. Answering calls and emails ASAP is important because it shows you care about the project and keeps the clients from worrying about how the project is going.
6. Gatekeeping knowledge does not lead to developing good rapport because if a situation arises that they should know about, waiting longer to tell them will only disappoint them more when they eventually find out because they’ll realize you withheld that from them. This creates a sense of distrust and may keep clients from working with you again.
7. When you’re new, how do you gain the respect of the cast and crew when you’re still learning how to operate? How do you take initiative to convert your network into actual opportunities without sounding needy or pushy? If you’re working with a crew that isn’t very good at their jobs, how do you ensure the production value stays high without doing everything yourself?
8. One way to build loyal clientele could be by not only meeting the deadlines, but exceeding them, giving them more time to review the project before putting it out. Another could be explaining in detail your thought process when solving a problem that arises, giving them extra confidence in your ability to handle adversity.
This client is peering over the editor’s shoulder, pointing out every little detail they have concerns about. You can avoid this by communicating effectively and setting realistic expectations for when they’ll have opportunities to give feedback.
