The world of production – with its tight deadlines, unique personalities, and unexpected obstacles- often feels like it’s straight out of a sitcom. Even the most experienced producers can stumble into pitfalls that disrupt the entire project. Here’s a breakdown of the “7 Deadly Sins of Production” and strategies for steering clear of these common traps.
Neglecting Pre-Production
Sin: Skipping or rushing through pre-production can lead to chaos during filming. Many inexperienced producers underestimate the importance of this phase, assuming they’ll “figure it out on the shoot day.”
Solution: Develop a detailed roadmap. This means creating a detailed schedule, finalizing the script, designing storyboards, securing cast and crew, and locking down essentials like locations, equipment, catering, and transportation.
Ignoring Budget Constraints
Sin: Unanticipated overages are a producer’s worst nightmare. Poor budgeting or overspending can force compromises that limit creative choices or even halt production entirely.
Solution: Carefully break down the budget, covering all line items from crew wages and equipment rentals to small expenses like craft services, mileage and hard drives. Set aside a contingency fund – around 10% of the total budget – to cover unexpected costs. Planning for surprises early means fewer financial headaches later.
Underestimating Scheduling Needs
Sin: Overloading a day’s schedule can lead to exhausted crews, rushed work, and missed deadlines. An overly ambitious timeline creates frustration and drives up costs.
Solution: Build a realistic daily schedule based on standard filming hours (10 hours for commercials and corporate, 12 for film and series). Break down each scene by location, crew, and setup requirements. Add in buffer time for inevitable delays and identify essential breaks for meals, rest, and company moves.
Failing to Communicate
Sin: Miscommunication – or a lack of communication – is a silent production killer. Assuming everyone’s on the same page leads to costly misunderstandings that can throw the whole team off course.
Solution: Hold regular production meetings, share call sheets and shot lists, and establish a clear chain of command. Keeping everyone informed and aligned on changes saves time, money and sanity. A quick daily email or verbal update can also help keep everyone in sync.
Rushing Through Casting
Sin: Settling for talent that’s “good enough” can hurt a production’s quality. Casting isn’t just filling roles; it’s finding people who can bring the story to life in a real, compelling way.
Solution: Take time to cast thoughtfully. If possible, bring in a casting director and hold multiple rounds of auditions to find the best fit. Strong casting can make or break a production, so approach it with the attention it deserves.
Overlooking Legalities
Sin: Ignoring the legal side of production (permits, releases, clearances, and other details) is a rookie mistake that can result in delays, fines, or even a complete shutdown. Using copyrighted material without permission is another costly error.
Solution: Address any potential legal issues during pre-production. Consult an entertainment attorney if necessary, when working with union agreements, copyrighted content, sensitive locations, or risky stunts. Get all contracts signed before filming, and make sure permits, releases, insurance, and clearances are in place.
Forgetting Post-Production
Sin: Thinking the hard work is done after shooting wraps is a common misconception. Overlooking post-production leads to delays, quality problems, and a finished product that misses the mark.
Solution: Plan for post-production from the start by setting realistic deadlines for each editing phase: rough cuts, final cuts, and any necessary pickups. Ensure editing, visual effects, and sound teams are set up with the necessary budget and resources.
Allow time for revisions and quality control so that the final cut meets the project’s vision and quality standards.
Conclusion
Dodging the “7 Deadly Sins of Production” can save you from unnecessary stress, budget overruns, and even project failure. With careful planning, open communication, and attention to detail, you can steer your production smoothly from concept to completion. The payoff? A compelling project that’s a pleasure to work on for cast and crew alike.